New Bricasti Design M12

[GloverP]

I am a little confused by the positioning of the new M12 Source Controller from Bricasti. I do not own a Bricasti, but was about to pull the trigger on one to replace my current DAC when I learned of the new M12 – which left me a little confused and believing that Bricasti’s best DAC is now not actually their DAC, but rather their new “source controller.” The new M12 would seem to be far superior for D-to-A conversion for DSD files and also features some new tech in the form of a network adapter to use the device as a streamer (something I presume will ultimately trickle down to the M1 – hopefully with support for the same range of file resolutions offered in their USB interface).

I saw a video with Bricasti’s president (Brian) saying they created the M12 to meet a need in the market, specifically, the person who enjoys both analog and digital and wants a minimum number of discrete components. Hence, with the M12, no separate pre-amp needed. Certainly understandable, I imagine there is a real need for this in the marketplace. HOWEVER, in my view this leaves behind the person who chooses to operate a multi-component system as the M12 would not appear to be a reasonable choice to use strictly as a DAC.

In my case, I have a sophisticated high-end tube preamp which I want to continue to use as my source and volume control. It appears there is no “line level/unity” out on the M12 which would be suitable for connecting to an input source on my pre-amp. This doesn’t really make sense to me from a product positioning perspective. A company offering a stand-alone DAC should reserve their best DAC technology for that unit and offer similar or lesser capabilities in their all-in-one integrated products. After all, is not the buyer for separates likely to be the most demanding of functionality? Buyers for integrated units are willing to trade a little bit of capability for convenience.

I am interested in thoughts or opinions. Am I missing something? Are there others thinking about using the M12 with a pre-amp? Or pre-amp users who don’t care about the missing higher quality DSD and Ethernet connectivity?

[vinod_david]

GloverP, welcome to AA.

[Masterlu]

GloverP... Welcome to AA!

[Damon Bricasti]

Hi GloverP and welcome,

The M1 is our best stand alone DAC, to be used with your favorite pre amp, or even direct to power amps. The M12 is not a simple DAC but an integrated unit, one or the other should be chosen depending on your needs. The difference in performance for the M12 DSD is subjective but overall as a stand alone DAC the M1 is our best.

We always work to support and upgrade our products so you can expect to see some of these features being offered to the M1 as well.

[GW1800]

Originally Posted by GloverP

I am a little confused by the positioning of the new M12 Source Controller from Bricasti. I do not own a Bricasti, but was about to pull the trigger on one to replace my current DAC when I learned of the new M12 – which left me a little confused and believing that Bricasti’s best DAC is now not actually their DAC, but rather their new “source controller.” The new M12 would seem to be far superior for D-to-A conversion for DSD files and also features some new tech in the form of a network adapter to use the device as a streamer (something I presume will ultimately trickle down to the M1 – hopefully with support for the same range of file resolutions offered in their USB interface).

I saw a video with Bricasti’s president (Brian) saying they created the M12 to meet a need in the market, specifically, the person who enjoys both analog and digital and wants a minimum number of discrete components. Hence, with the M12, no separate pre-amp needed. Certainly understandable, I imagine there is a real need for this in the marketplace. HOWEVER, in my view this leaves behind the person who chooses to operate a multi-component system as the M12 would not appear to be a reasonable choice to use strictly as a DAC.

In my case, I have a sophisticated high-end tube preamp which I want to continue to use as my source and volume control. It appears there is no “line level/unity” out on the M12 which would be suitable for connecting to an input source on my pre-amp. This doesn’t really make sense to me from a product positioning perspective. A company offering a stand-alone DAC should reserve their best DAC technology for that unit and offer similar or lesser capabilities in their all-in-one integrated products. After all, is not the buyer for separates likely to be the most demanding of functionality? Buyers for integrated units are willing to trade a little bit of capability for convenience.

I am interested in thoughts or opinions. Am I missing something? Are there others thinking about using the M12 with a pre-amp? Or pre-amp users who don’t care about the missing higher quality DSD and Ethernet connectivity?

I’m using it direct to M28’s. I like DSD so this was a nice upgrade for me. Was at Axpona don’t quite understand how the M21 fits in the line up but looked nice. Hope MQA rendering is coming soon.

2 Channel: Bricasti M12 DAC & M28's Mono's Black / Aurender N10 Black / Treatments: RPG BAD ARC panels (F, S, Bass Trap & R walls)
Speakers: Martin Logan CLX ART (Dark Cherry) w/30# weights / 2-ML 212's Subs tuned w/PBK
Grounding: Nordost QKore 6 (2-M28, 1-N10, 1-M12, 1-QB8, 1-Router) / 8' Earth Ground Rod / Bricasti M12 w/Acoustic Revive RGC-24
Nordost: 5-QV2 & QK1, 2-QX4 / 12-TC Kones, 27-Sort Fut & 28-LIft / O2/V2 Pwr / O2: SC, Digital & XLR's / H2 Network / V2 RCA Sub's
Misc: Mini iPad / Furutech GTX-DNCF / LED lighting / Aurender AMM / Lovan Rack / SR Quantum Blue Fuses & Black Box
Media Rm: ML: 13A's, 2-Descent i's, 6-Vanquish, Focus / Parasound: 3-A23 &1-31 / Entreq SM /65" LG 4k OLED / Anthem AVM60/ Nordost Tyr 2

[Bones13]

I am looking at replacing my streamer / DAC / pre-amp with a unit like the Bricasti M12. I have a great phono pre, that will be difficult to surpass in a combo unit, so I really like the analog inputs of this unit. Now, in 2018, there are a couple of other things I want in whatever I upgrade to.

1) Will the M12 ever upgrade to DSD 256? Or is the DSD board limited at 128?

2) Will the streamer in the M12 ever upgade to Roon Ready? some of the other Bricasti units already have this capability.

Thanks for anyone who knows this. Its a beautiful unit, and would look great on my shelf. Especially with all those extra boxes, cables, small power supplies, gone.

[GW1800]

Originally Posted by Bones13

I am looking at replacing my streamer / DAC / pre-amp with a unit like the Bricasti M12. I have a great phono pre, that will be difficult to surpass in a combo unit, so I really like the analog inputs of this unit. Now, in 2018, there are a couple of other things I want in whatever I upgrade to.

1) Will the M12 ever upgrade to DSD 256? Or is the DSD board limited at 128?

2) Will the streamer in the M12 ever upgade to Roon Ready? some of the other Bricasti units already have this capability.

Thanks for anyone who knows this. Its a beautiful unit, and would look great on my shelf. Especially with all those extra boxes, cables, small power supplies, gone.

Yes it does stream using Roon but need a dedicated computer or laptop. As far as DSD not sure but on the web site I know it lists. Question. Like 99% of DSD is 64 so why are you concerned

[Bones13]

I currently use an i7 NUC as the Roon Server, it upsamples everything to DSD256 currently. Happy to hear that the M12 is a Roon endpoint, as that is not reflected on the website.

More than half of the very small number of DSD albums that I do own are DSD128 & DSD256. I get DSD albums from NativeDSD.com

[Bones13]

I ordered an M12 today. I’ll be looking at my DSD albums and try to get the DSD128 versions. As well resetting my Roon server to resample to DoP DSD128. My understanding the user manual on the website.

The newest version of the M12 does do DSD128, and is now labeled a Roon endpoint.

Very excited, my biggest audio purchase to date. Was lucky to get the spousal approval.

[sircharles]

Originally Posted by Bones13

I ordered an M12 today. I’ll be looking at my DSD albums and try to get the DSD128 versions. As well resetting my Roon server to resample to DoP DSD128. My understanding the user manual on the website.

The newest version of the M12 does do DSD128, and is now labeled a Roon endpoint.

Very excited, my biggest audio purchase to date. Was lucky to get the spousal approval.

Congratulations! Three weeks ago, i had the pleasure of spending an entire afternoon with Brian of Bricasti Audio and listen in on the M12, M15, M28 and the upcoming M21. Fabulous products backed by outstanding service and support. Enjoy your M12.