Bricasti Design M12 Source Controller Platinum
The Bricasti Design M12 Source Controller Platinum delivers laser-focused resolution, tonal honesty and a remarkably deep, precisely mapped soundstage. John Richardson found its LAN implementation especially revealing, while the dual-DAC architecture, analog volume control and immaculate construction make it a formidable digital front end for reference systems.
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
90/100
Cartridge Compatibility
50/100
Build Quality
94/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Exceptionally transparent, detailed presentation with tonal honesty and musical engagement.
LAN playback delivers cleaner tonal presentation, sharper soundstage accuracy and more readily audible spatial detail than USB.
Superb build quality inside and out, with flexible balanced and single-ended connectivity.
Cons
The LAN interface requires compatible playback software and may need some setup troubleshooting.
LAN playback can sound leaner and more analytical than USB, which may not suit listeners seeking a warmer presentation.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
The available review finds an exceptionally clear, resolving and musically persuasive presentation, with particularly strong spatial definition. Its character is described as tonally honest and slightly analytical rather than overtly romantic, while dynamic performance receives less direct discussion.
Transparency Noise Floor
90/100
Richardson hears a pronounced cleaning-up of the sound and says the M12 makes it easier to hear into performances. He also reports unusually revealing inner detail and attributes part of the improvement to a lower noise floor, though he does not directly describe silence, hum, or hiss in use.
Tonal Balance Musicality
93/100
The review praises tonal honesty, inherent musicality, inviting tonal texture, and a welcome roundness to leading edges. The LAN implementation is described as leaner and presumably more accurate than USB, with a more analytical presentation after some perceived sweetness is removed.
Dynamics
85/100
The review says little directly about punch, transient force, rhythmic drive, or microdynamic contrast. Still, its praise for laser-like resolution through densely complicated passages suggests composed, capable delivery rather than a dynamically constrained sound.
Soundstage Imaging
94/100
Spatial performance is a major strength in the review: Richardson reports improved soundstage accuracy, previously obscured spatial cues, and a deeper three-dimensional view into recordings. He specifically describes a prodigious stage in which delicate cymbal images remain precisely located in space.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Cartridge Compatibility
50/100
The M12 Source Controller Platinum is a digital source controller/DAC rather than a phono preamplifier, and the supplied specifications list no MM or MC phono input, gain settings, or cartridge loading options. It therefore cannot be assessed as a flexible cartridge-matching solution without an external phono stage.
Build Quality
94/100
Richardson calls the build quality superb inside and out. The published specifications also document an anodized-aluminum chassis, balanced and unbalanced outputs, and compliance with relevant EMC and safety standards, though the review offers no long-term reliability report.
Value for Money
85/100
At $19,000, the M12 occupies a very high-end source-component segment. The review is strongly enthusiastic about its performance, but it does not directly compare value with competing products or state whether the asking price is especially compelling.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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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 and DoP
- Sample Rates Ethernet
- 44.1 kHz to 384kHz, DSD 128 Native
- 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)
- Output Level
- 90db in 1 db steps
- D/A Conversion
- PCM 24 bit delta sigma 8x oversampling, DSD direct 1 bit
- Frequency Response @44.1k
- 10 hz- 20 kHz +0dB, -.2 dB
- Dynamic Range
- >120dB A-Weighted
- THD+N @ 1k
- .0008% @ 0dbfs / .0004% @-30dbfs
- Unbalanced Analog Outputs
- RCA
- Impedance
- 40 ohm
- Output level
- Full scale at front panel +6 dbm (1.2V RMS)
- D/A Conversion
- 24 bit delta sigma 8x oversampling
- Frequency Response @ 44.1k
- 10 hz- 20 kHz -.2 dB
- Dynamic Range
- >120dB A-Weighted
- THD+N @ 1k
- .0008% @ 0dbfs / .0004% @-30dbfs
- 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
- 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 12 Dual Mono Source Controller
The new M12 is a modern front end to any system. All digital inputs types are supported as well as balanced and unbalanced analog inputs, all with precise analog gain control, seamlessly integrated into one product, your source controller.
The M12 builds upon the proven design of the M1 SE D/A converter so your digital sources are handled and converted in the best way. To that we add to it a pure dual mono analog signal path with high resolution analog gain and level control, controlling the output stage of the D/A converter in the analog domain with no loss of resolution and pass thru analog inputs for your analog sources. Like the M1, the M12 is a dual mono design with 3 power supplies and separate left and right analog power supplies digital and analog processing. The M12 Platinum incorporates the latest Bricasti Design high-performance MDx processor.
Network Streaming
A new feature for the M12 is a network interface and media renderer. This allows the M12 to be seen as a DLNA device on an audio network and server as an audio device to play or stream to through a wired connection on your network. Now you can run wired data longer distances without loss in quality so your network server can go anywhere you choose.
DSD to new heights
Analog gain control has allowed us to take DSD playback to the ultimate level. The M12 features a pure analog DSD converter; any filtering and level is accomplished in the analog domain. When processed this way, no digital signal processing is done. Typically in most DACs the DSD is converted to a multi-bit sigma delta or PCM signal for filter processing. With the M12 we offer a pure DSD path and all post processing for noise filtering and level control are accomplished purely in the analog domain.
Analog level
All analog, precise, silent control with 90db of control range in one db steps, all remote controlled and programmable. The M12 digital controlled fully balanced dual mono resistor ladder is as good as level can be, and inserted at the source, at the output of the DAC’s I-V stage. This approach provides some of the best digital playback possible and analog control from the M12 balanced or unbalanced inputs.
Masterfully connected
Balanced and unbalanced analog inputs create the line amp stage for the M12. Fully balanced and a perfect match for the M28 power amps or the M15 stereo amp, the M12 provides true differential source control to drive any power amp.
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.
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Authorized dealers for Bricasti Design M12 Source Controller Platinum
- 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