For many, the real star in the Bricasti flagship will be its 18-bit Ladder DAC.
It is an understatement to say the M21 Ladder DAC analyzed and decoded the bits of PCM data in the most exuberant manner attainable. The playback of an assortment of redbook and hi-res PCM files in my collection via the Bricasti Ladder DAC section was surprisingly fresh-sounding, at the same time rich and complex in tone and exhibiting demonstration-class dynamic contrasting ability. Solo classical pianos in the redbook format as rendered by the Bricasti Ladder DAC attained a particularly convincing presence with such balanced portrayals of overtones and extensions as to be a rare treat among DACs, PCM or DSD. Where I have recordings in both DSD and PCM formats, I alternated between the two DAC sections continuingly and hours turned into days.
Bricasti M21: (Right channel) Discrete DSD and Ladder DAC on top board, Delta-Sigma DAC on bottom board
Bricasti M21: (Left channel) Analog Power board
Employing only two Analog Devices 20-bit ADI parts for decoding, one for the left channel and one for the right, but with a stellar cast of the company’s proprietary DSP-based anti-aliasing filters and analog amplification circuitry to boot, the Ladder DAC section performed more like the Audio Note Fifth Force/Fifth Element DAC system in that good recordings are elevated to soaring heights, and ordinary ones become more musical. To these ears, the Analog Devices Ladder DAC section in the M21 is far more sophisticated and powerful than all the other DACs I have auditioned that employ other chipsets, excluding the Audio Note UK, is amazingly engaging and impossible to resist.
I had not heard a more definitive and class-defining Ladder DAC design than the one in the M21.
Then, I switched over to the “Signature DAC” section of the M21 and experienced first-hand the power of its delta sigma conversion system based on the Analog Devices ADI 1955 24/196 chipsets and was bewildered by its sheer dynamics and extensions. Brian Zolner went on record and declared this DAC section to be his personal favorite and I can certainly see the appeal. For myself, I would not forego the opportunity to experience the Ladder DAC as fully and completely as I could before switching out of it. Understand that the choice between the two PCM DAC sections is pre-selected by the user, while the NDSD DSD converter kicks in automatically when DSD signals are present. I could’ve easily prioritized my audition the other way around and begun with the delta sigma, and I’d probably be just as convinced by the delta sigma over the Ladder.
For the life of me I couldn’t favor the Esoteric K-01XD over the Bricasti Design M21 or the other way around. They both occupy significant places in my music listening, forming a rather curious as well as a most complete circle of musical experiences. Objects in our life of which we can have multiples are certainly not rare until they get pricier and pricier. But for objects that are of the highest level in the execution of engineering principles, the Bricasti Design and Esoteric are peerless. One replaces not the other on my list of finer things in life, so I am keeping them both.
The Bricasti is not like any other DAC that I’ve auditioned, and no other single-chassis DAC could match the Ladder DAC section of the Bricasti, except for the Esoteric, and they don’t sound the same. To my ears, proprietary DAC designs, such as the Esoteric Master Discrete Sound Board and now the Bricasti Design discrete DSD and Ladder DAC circuits, are the only sufficiently differentiating and industry-leading designs. For $16,000, the M21 is severely underpriced for what it does and represents. But the company’s M1 retails for $9k and is even more severe in its underpricing, considering its lineage and performance. That brings me to the Bricasti chief, Brian Zolner, whose pricing strategy follows not the principle of profit maximization but that of value. From the interior to the exterior, the M21 exemplifies pride of industrial design and engineering excellence. I have yet to find another DAC below $20,000 so expertly and meticulously designed. Value propositions like the M21 exudes joy of workmanship, which in turn extends joy in ownership experience to its users. Brian’s vision equates platinum-clad American value, and it is further piquing my interest in his other designs. The M21 is thereby wholeheartedly recommended.
Just when I was wrapping up the review, I sent a note to Brian Zolner on how I favor the M21 a little bit more over the M1, and he said, “What we are about to announce is the M1S2, or Series 2. This is the M21 chassis and larger power supplies and the M1 converter cards in it, so it becomes a super M1, as the differences you hear in PCM playback are mostly related to power supplies. This unit sounds a bit different and more like the M21 as, after all, if you take that M21 and remove the top boards that have the Ladder DAC, level control and DSD DAC, and place a jumper on the lower board, it’s an M1 with large power supplies. Maybe this is what you can try next?”
The game is on!
Copy editor: Dan Rubin
Review System:
PS Audio DirectStream Power Plant 20 AC regenerator
Acoustic Sciences Corporation TubeTraps
Audio Reference Technology Analysts EVO RCA
Audio Reference Technology Analysts SE interconnects, power cables
Audio Reference Technology Super SE interconnects, power cables
Stage III Concepts Ckahron XLR interconnects
Audio Note IO Ltd field-coil cartridge system
Audio Note UK AN-1S six-wire tonearm for IO Ltd
Clearaudio Master Innovation turntable
Audio Desk Systeme Ultrasonic Vinyl Cleaner
Aurender N-1000SC caching music server/streamer
Bricasti Design M21 DSD DAC
Esoteric K-01XD SACD player/USB DAC
Light Harmonic LightSpeed USB cable
Pass Laboratories Xs Phono
Pass Laboratories Xs Preamp
Pass Laboratories XA200.8 pure class A monoblocks
Bricasti Design M28 class A/AB monoblocks
Sound Lab Majestic 645 electrostatic panels
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