Bricasti Design M1 Series II D/A
The Bricasti Design M1 Series II D/A delivers analogue-like transparency with richly textured tone, excavating low-level detail while keeping music fluid and fatigue-free. hi-fi+ found its timing, coherence and image depth exceptional, while selectable filters, balanced outputs and expansive digital connectivity let this reference-grade DAC tailor its deeply dimensional presentation to a revealing system.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
95/100
Build Quality
91/100
Features Connectivity
84/100
Value for Money
92/100
Pros
Combines exceptional low-level detail and transparency with natural, non-fatiguing tonal richness.
Produces deep, stable imaging and a convincingly three-dimensional soundstage.
Selectable PCM and DSD filters offer meaningful control over timing, tone and engagement.
Offers extensive digital inputs plus balanced and single-ended outputs for flexible system integration.
Cons
The optional network player and I2S card are factory-installed alternatives, so both cannot be fitted or swapped by the user.
Does not support DSD beyond DSD256, MQA decoding or HDMI inputs.
Its extensive filter selection can feel overwhelming for listeners who prefer a simpler setup.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 95/100
Reviewers consistently describe the M1 family as combining exceptional resolution with natural tone, emotional involvement, strong imaging, and freedom from fatigue. The Series II is especially praised for its delicate, coherent presentation and for revealing recording-space information without sacrificing musical flow.
Tonal Balance and Musicality
95/100
hi-fi+ calls the Series II one of the most natural and delicate DACs the reviewer has used, while Part Time Audiophile describes the M1 as accurate, non-fatiguing, and able to get both timbre and emotion right. Future Audiophile likewise found that, despite its information and dynamic ability, it preserved the expressive character of vocals.
Resolution and Detail
96/100
The Series II is praised for analogue-like transparency, "oodles of detail," and the ability to expose instrumental timbre, shape, and room acoustics. Multiple reviewers use unusually strong language: Future Audiophile cites ultimate refinement in subtle details, while Part Time Audiophile and Audiokey Reviews describe exceptionally low-level retrieval, uncanny detail, and the ability to unbury information other DACs leave obscured.
Digital Performance
94/100
hi-fi+ found filter selection materially affects timing and engagement, with the M1 Series II delivering superb timing and a full-scale, three-dimensional presence. The same review says it has so little "digital" character that digital is apparent mainly by the absence of analogue-source artifacts, while Part Time Audiophile reported an embarrassingly low noise floor and clean, highly linear presentation.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
91/100
The M1's machined-from-billet aluminum casework is described as elegant, substantial, and a work of art inside and out. Reviews of related M1 editions also document carefully considered internal execution, including dedicated linear power supplies per channel, isolated dual-mono circuitry, upgraded capacitors, and robust feet; long-term durability receives less direct discussion.
Features Connectivity
84/100
The M1 Series II provides USB, AES/EBU, BNC and RCA S/PDIF, optical, and Ethernet digital connections, alongside both balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs. It supports PCM to 384 kHz and DSD256 through USB/Ethernet, includes selectable filters and a remote, and current network-capable M1 versions can operate as Roon streaming endpoints.
Value for Money
92/100
At approximately $12,500, this is a costly DAC, but reviewers make a strong case for it within reference-level competition. Future Audiophile compared the M1 with $100,000 dCS and MSB converters and concluded their additional performance did not remotely justify the price gap, while Part Time Audiophile found it difficult to imagine similarly priced reference DACs substantially surpassing it in a particular performance area.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
No forum mentions found yet
Specifications
- Digital Inputs
- XLR: AES/EBU 24 bit Single Wire, BNC: SPDIF, RCA: SPDIF, Optical: Toslink 44.1- 96k, USB 2
- Sample Rates AES, SPDIF, AUX in
- 44.1 kHz, to, 192khz
- Sample Rates USB
- 44.1 kHz, to, 384kHz, DSD 64fs 128Fs 256Fs Native or DoP
- Sample Rates Ethernet
- 44.1 kHz to 384kHz PCM, 64x 128x Native and DoP
- Jitter
- 8 psec @ 48k / 6psec @ 96k
- Balanced Analog Outputs
- XLR balanced (pin 2 hot)
- Impedance
- 40 ohm
- Output
- @ full scale +16.5 dbm (5.2V RMS)
- Max Output Level
- +22 dbm
- D/A Conversion
- PCM 24 bit delta sigma 8x oversampling, 64x 128x 256x Native and DoP
- Frequency Response @44.1k
- 10 hz- 20 kHz +0dB, -.2 dB
- Dynamic Range
- >120dB A-Weighted
- THD+N @ 1k
- THD+N @ 1k: .0006% @ 0dbfs / .0004% @-30dbfs PCM sigma delta
- Unbalanced Analog Outputs
- RCA
- Impedance
- 40 ohm
- Output level
- Full scale at front panel +6 dbm (1.2V RMS)
- D/A Conversion
- PCM 24 bit delta sigma 8x oversampling, DSD 128 Native
- Frequency Response @ 44.1k
- 10 hz- 20 kHz -.2 dB
- Dynamic Range
- >120dB A-Weighted
- THD+N @ 1k
- .0008% @ 0dbfs / .0004% @-30dbfs PCM sigma delta
- General Specifications
- EMC: Complies with: EN 55103-1, EN 55103-2, FCC part 15 and Class B
- RoHS
- Complies with: EU RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC
- Safety
- Certified to: IEC 60065, EN 55103-2
- Operating Temperature
- 32 F to 105 F (0 C to 40 C)
- Storage Temperature
- -22 f to 167 F (-30 C to 70 C)
- Finish
- Anodized aluminum, nickel plating with brass knobs and buttons.
- Dimensions
- 17” x 12“ x 4.5”
- Weight
- 15 lbs
- Shipping Weight
- 18 lbs
- Shipping Dimensions
- 22”x 17”x 7”
- Mains Voltage
- -100, 120, 220, 240 VAC, 50 Hz – 60 Hz factory set
- Trigger out
- TRS mini jack, Tip ground, Sleeve 5V
- Power consumption
- 28 Watts (6W standby)
- Warranty parts and labor
- 2 yrs non-transferable
Manufacturer's Description — Bricasti Design
The Bricasti Design
Model 1 Series II D/A Converter
The M1 Series II introduces a new look and feel to the M1 series of products and encompasses many elements of Bricasti Design’s vast wealth of experience engineering precision D/A’s to transform the M1 with the audio purist in mind. The M1S2 is focused on simplicity of design and includes a host of new performance milestones including our latest MDx processor, new higher current twin linear power supplies with larger performance capacitors, all fit into a handcrafted chassis milled from solid aluminum that stands taller in size fitted with the same M1SE feet as standard.
Extreme Performance
A high-performance linear power architecture allows for a clean signal with extremely low noise and expansive headroom. Featuring Point-to-point wiring and stillpoint isolation integrated directly into the chassis, you will experience new depth, detail and dimensionality in your music. Improved spacial cues and separation create a truly immersive experience.
Purity of signal
The M1 Series II utilizes Bricasti Design's latest proprietary MDx digital platform, clocking algorithms and filter technology for exceptional performance wthout the use of SRC's so signals stay native. The digital section is coupled with a pristine analog path with the goal to deliver the truest possibly representation of tonality, precision and dimension.
Network Streaming
The optional Network player offers one of the most sonically advantages avenues for audio playback created in the last decade, with pristine data transmission over long distances, without loss of signal or degradation from cable runs. This means your server can be located anywhere on the network rather than in your listening space, creating a clutter-free listening environment and ground-breaking performance.
Masterfully connected
The M1S2 digital input selection is well appointed to fit most any system. It also features a fully differential design which creates a less resistant output signal path, ideal when matched with fully differential M20 preamplifier and the Bricasti M28 and M25 amplifiers.
Handcrafted in the USA
All of our products are crafted in the old world tradition, in a classic brick mill building in Massachusetts USA by a team of individuals dedicated to excellence.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Bricasti Design M1 Series II D/A
- Akalın Muzik Ltd. — in-store — İstanbul, Turkey (website)
- Alma Music & Audio — online and in-store — San Diego, California, United States (website)
- Audio Archon — online and in-store — Libertyville, Illinois, United States (website)
- Audio Magic - EU — online and in-store — Wola, Województwo mazowieckie, Poland (website)
- AV Solutions - Italy — online and in-store — Aosta, Valle d'Aosta, Italy (website)
- East End Hi-Fi — online and in-store — Brookhaven, New York, United States (website)
- Erdal Stereo — in-store — Erdal, Vestland, Norway (website)
- Fat Cat Audio — United States (website)
- Fred's Sound Of Music AV — in-store — Portland, Oregon, United States (website)
- Jordan Acoustics — in-store — Christchurch, England, United Kingdom (website)
and 27 more verified dealers