AUDIRVANA PLUS CYCLE PRO
With the M3 connected via USB to my MacBook Pro running Audirvana 3.5, my initial listening proved very enjoyable via the headphone output using my trusty Beyer Dynamic T1 cans, before moving onto my main DNM PA3 power amp and Quad ESL-57 system. It also has a custom single-bit converter so that DSD inputs are not converted to LPCM. Finally, while the M1 has no fewer than 15 digital filter options these are condensed to a choice between linear and minimum phase fast roll-off types in the M3. Both single-ended (RCA) and balanced (XLR) analogue outputs are fitted. Additional inputs include AES/EBU, coaxial and Toslink optical S/PDIF.
AUDIRVANA PLUS CYCLE DRIVER
While the original M1 had no USB-B input, although this was added later, the M3's USB and network inputs support up to 384kHz/24-bit LPCM (a downloadable driver is needed for PCs), DSD64 and 128. An optional line-of-sight remote handset matches the M3's styling (£529) and duplicates all key functions, including volume. If you set the M3 to '0dB' then it defaults to bypass mode for direct output into a partnering preamp. 'Input' is revealed as five choices on the display 'Status' includes digital filter selection, display dimming, DSD conversion mode and phase inversion 'Level' offers 1dB steps over a –99dB to +6dB range plus mute 'Reference' remembers your preferred listening level with a long press. Bricasti's domestic lineup also includes 125W and 150W stereo amplifiers.īack to the M3, and that large silver-white rotary is not only a gain control but is also used in conjunction with some of the fascia buttons. Its M1 DAC appeared in 2011 and a well-received 200W/8ohm fully balanced monoblock followed in 2015. The company also cooperates with AeVee Labs, New Haven, for its hardware engineering. A critical listener, Zolner's touchstone was the acoustics of Symphony Hall Boston, and its itinerary of fine-tuning and component choice is still determined at Bricasti by listening tests.
AUDIRVANA PLUS CYCLE SOFTWARE
The company was begun back in 2004 in a converted mill in Shirley, Massachusetts, by two former Lexicon employees, Brian Zolner and DSP software designer Casey Dowdell. The overall aesthetic reflects Bricasti's very first product, the M7 Stereo Reverb processor designed for use in recording studios.
The twin ventilating top-plates might, however, have been more domestic-friendly in black, rather than silver grey and are inset with a dozen countersunk fixing screws.
It sits on four 60mm-diameter non-adjustable feet with rubber inserts. The M3 presents a flat front and rear face, unlike the sculpted form of the flagship M1 and its gold-plated limited edition variant, and looks all the better for that. Its casework is all CNC-machined from solid aluminium, black anodised and with laser etched legends. The elegant, almost soft lines of the M3's alloy casework disguise what is a very purposefully built unit that, at 355圆4x286mm (whd) and weighing 4.5kg, is rather bigger than our pictures might suggest. The circuitry is fully balanced throughout – including the volume control – and there are independent linear power supplies for both the analogue and digital cores of the product.
The new M3 features two separate D/A channels using the classic Analog Devices AD1955 DACs for LPCM and a proprietary bitstream DAC solution to handle DSD inputs. The latter includes both 4-pin balanced XLR and 6.35mm single-ended jack outputs, and is available as a return-to-factory retro-fit option as the front fascia requires some reworking. The basic M3 USB DAC is offered at £5399, but this increases to £6999 when fitted with its DNLA/UPnP-compatible network streaming card and new headphone amplifier option. With its upgraded M1 Dual Mono DAC now in 'Classic' form and selling in the UK at £9499, Bricasti has also announced a more affordable alternative, but still offering 'an incredible array of performance'. With trickle-down tech from the flagship M1, a custom DSD DAC plus network and headphone amp options, Bricasti's M3 looks like the new go-to star of the range
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