Esoteric to Bricasti?

[rilke1999]

Wanted the new Display on my M12 as well and just did the update myself with parts supplied by Bricasti in an extremely timely manner. Very good service!

find my report on the surgery here:

Bricasti M12 – Hauptsache es klingt ! (apfelbeck.at)

 

[vrac]

Just wanted to update. Purchased a Bricasti M1S2 dac & M19 SACD transport. Only a week but thoroughly enjoying the music.
Amazing how fantastic CDs sound. SACDs are wonderful. DSD files and other high Rez formats play perfectly. Sound great. Listening to Herbie Hancock "Gershwin's World" SACD as I write this and loving it! Works flawlessly with the Innuos equipment (Linux OS). Very happy. Will try different I2S RJ45 cables between the dac and transport.

 

[Cutlr7]

Just wanted to update. Purchased a Bricasti M1S2 dac & M19 SACD transport. Only a week but thoroughly enjoying the music.
Amazing how fantastic CDs sound. SACDs are wonderful. DSD files and other high Rez formats play perfectly. Sound great. Listening to Herbie Hancock "Gershwin's World" SACD as I write this and loving it! Works flawlessly with the Innuos equipment (Linux OS). Very happy. Will try different I2S RJ45 cables between the dac and transport.View attachment 127058View attachment 127059View attachment 127060

Beautiful rig….i want to get an m19 in my rig this year

 

[Macattack]

Just wanted to update. Purchased a Bricasti M1S2 dac & M19 SACD transport. Only a week but thoroughly enjoying the music.
Amazing how fantastic CDs sound. SACDs are wonderful. DSD files and other high Rez formats play perfectly. Sound great. Listening to Herbie Hancock "Gershwin's World" SACD as I write this and loving it! Works flawlessly with the Innuos equipment (Linux OS). Very happy. Will try different I2S RJ45 cables between the dac and transport.View attachment 127058View attachment 127059View attachment 127060

Shameless plug. Wouldn’t your system look and sound even better with a pair of Bricasti M32s sitting aside that rack?

 

[SOS]

Hi @Macattack just curious why you are selling your M32's? A short while ago I brought in a new pair of M28's to compare to my M25 and even after 30 days of use going back to my M25 I preferred the M25. Had 2 other guys over and we went back and forth and the M25, in my system and to my ears, was the better amp. Yes, this was even strange to Brian of Bricasti. Personally was hoping the M28's would shine over my M25. Yes there were some things the M28's did better.
(Bricasti dealer disclaimer)

 

[Macattack]

Hi @Macattack just curious why you are selling your M32's? A short while ago I brought in a new pair of M28's to compare to my M25 and even after 30 days of use going back to my M25 I preferred the M25. Had 2 other guys over and we went back and forth and the M25, in my system and to my ears, was the better amp. Yes, this was even strange to Brian of Bricasti. Personally was hoping the M28's would shine over my M25. Yes there were some things the M28's did better.
(Bricasti dealer disclaimer)

I am moving to a European brand Pre/Mono Block combo. I have heard them driving my speakers and never heard anything as good since. A deal came up and my nervosa kicked in. Time will tell if they will sound better than my M32s in my room but that is the hobby.

I am a big fan of Bricasti, Brian Z and his entire team. Their factory is a fantastic space.

 

[SOS]

I am a big fan of Bricasti, Brian Z and his entire team. Their factory is a fantastic space.

Couldn't agree more! I'm less than 30 minutes away. Got to actually watch them drill out a 2nd port on the back of my M12 so I now have dual ports, a LAN & IS2 connections. Wish you luck with your new gear.

 

[Cutlr7]

I've had my Bricasti M1 Limited Gold DAC for seven years, and am considering upgrading it to the M1SE Series II (performed at the factory).I have had two upgrades of my DAC (both done quickly and very reasonably priced). Purchased M25 amp four years ago. Have an M20 preamplifier coming in shortly. Gear is built like a rock, upgrades are very reasonable, and customer service is top notch. I agree you should demo the DAC somehow to make sure it suits your ear. There was a review of the M1SE Series II in Future Audiophile this week.

Just picked up a used M20 and it's at the factory getting the new display put in and a good once over, can't wait to get it here and matched up with my M21....will make for a nice front end for the HT and my humble vinyl collection .....

 

[SOS]

Would like to hear your impressions of using the M21 direct (when not using vinyl) and then adding in the M20. This is something I'll have to try myself someday although with my M12. Enjoy

 

[Cutlr7]

Would like to hear your impressions of using the M21 direct (when not using vinyl) and then adding in the M20. This is something I'll have to try myself someday although with my M12. Enjoy

Didn't have much choice as the M21 doesn't have analog inputs to run HT bypass (totally my miss lol).....all good!

 

[Macattack]

Here is my experience. I starting using my M21 via the Network input as a DAC/PRE and was very happy for a few years. Other Bricasti owners highly recommended I try the M20 which I did with Brian’s help. I was able to demo an M20 in my room. That showed no real changes to the sound. The M20 was invisible from an SQ standpoint. It did however, provide me with analog inputs. If you are looking to add vinyl/tape then it would be a viable pathway.

I found I needed to add higher end PreAmps in order to gain an SQ uptick. They were a VAC Master and an Esoteric Grandioso C02X preamps. I had both in my room and they each offered a depth and impact to my SQ. I ended up buying an Esoteric Grandioso C1X Solo.

 

[Cutlr7]

Here is my experience. I starting using my M21 via the Network input as a DAC/PRE and was very happy for a few years. Other Bricasti owners highly recommended I try the M20 which I did with Brian’s help. I was able to demo an M20 in my room. That showed no real changes to the sound. The M20 was invisible from an SQ standpoint. It did however, provide me with analog inputs. If you are looking to add vinyl/tape then it would be a viable pathway.

I found I needed to add higher end PreAmps in order to gain an SQ uptick. They were a VAC Master and an Esoteric Grandioso C02X preamps. I had both in my room and they each offered a depth and impact to my SQ. I ended up buying an Esoteric Grandioso C1X Solo.

At this point I am looking to add for convenience to have HT bypass and can integrate my vinyl into the main system....the VAC/Master and Esoteric are not in the budget right now....as I am saving for an M19....I would love to have those 32s you are selling, just not in the cards...and my family has a place in Myrtle too....do you take payment plans LOL

 

[Macattack]

At this point I am looking to add for convenience to have HT bypass and can integrate my vinyl into the main system....the VAC/Master and Esoteric are not in the budget right now....as I am saving for an M19....I would love to have those 32s you are selling, just not in the cards...and my family has a place in Myrtle too....do you take payment plans LOL

Good luck.

 

[jymc2]

Thanks to all. The Esoteric sounds great. Have no issues with sound quality but in the Innuos settings DSD files will ONLY play when the setting is DSD over PCM. I'm not even sure that matters but is noteworthy. I think the Esoteric only plays native DSD in a windows based OS but I'm unsure.
I will reach out to my Bricasti dealer to see if a demo is possible. As I have many many SACD discs a DAC/player that plays SACDs is a must. I know it's old school but it works for me. Happy and Healthy to all!!!!

I'm not a tech guru but do understand that in order for a transport to send the SACD layer to any DAC, the connection scheme is essential. In the case of an M1 or M21 Bricasti model, each will receive the SACD layer from a M19 SACD transport ONLY IF utilizing the I2S connection on both units. An added curve ball, I've learned thru Paul Gowan at PS Audio their transport will send the SACD layer via I2S - this high be relevant to many since the Bricasti transport at $10k is about twice the cost of the PS Audio.

 

[jymc2]

Significantly superior to my ears.

I suppose ALL THAT MATTERS is whether your ears decipher a difference, huh?

 

[Cellcbern]

Significantly superior to my ears.

This remains true. However as I reported, long term listening revealed the PS Audio Perfectwave SACD transport to be too bright on enough of my music collection, and too revealing of flaws in less than stellar recordings that I reverted to my Modwright modified Marantz SA8005 SACD player with analogue tube output stage and separate tube rectified power supply. The Modwright unit doesn't quite match the PS Audio when it comes to resolution and inner detail, but provides 90+% of what the PS Audio unit gives you while being more balanced and natural sounding. I bought the PerfectWave to try to future proof my system, but ended up buying a 2nd used Modwright SA8005 instead to have as a spare. If I can keep one of them working it will be my last digital front end.