Bricasti Design M21 Stereo D/A Platinum
The Bricasti Design M21 Stereo D/A Platinum delivers natural warmth, startling microdetail, and expansive soundstage precision without sacrificing dynamic authority. Future Audiophile praised its rich, musically involving presentation, while The Absolute Sound highlighted exceptional venue space and decay. Selectable ladder, delta-sigma, and DSD paths make this a remarkably adaptable reference DAC.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
94/100
Build Quality
88/100
Features Connectivity
91/100
Value for Money
95/100
Pros
Exceptional retrieval of transient detail, subtle musical cues, and instrument separation.
Natural, rich tonality with powerful dynamics and clean, non-fatiguing treble.
Highly customizable sound through selectable ladder, delta-sigma, and dedicated DSD conversion paths plus filter options.
Superb spatial reproduction, with precise image placement, convincing room ambience, and natural decays.
Cons
The unit runs hot in use, so rack placement and ventilation require consideration.
Its mirror-polished Platinum finish will not suit listeners who prefer a more understated appearance.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 94/100
Reviewers describe an unusually complete presentation: rich and natural in tone, exceptionally revealing, dynamically forceful, and free from hardness. The selectable ladder and delta-sigma conversion paths allow listeners to tailor the balance between a livelier, more immediate presentation and a softer, warmer one.
Tonal Balance and Musicality
95/100
Future Audiophile found the ladder DAC and linear-phase filter especially lively and musically pleasing, with natural tonality and timbre, richness, warmth, and excellent dynamics. The same reviewer called the M21 highly musical and engaging enough to make the room disappear, while The Absolute Sound heard clean, sweet sound without hardness or brightness.
Resolution and Detail
96/100
Detail retrieval is a repeated standout. Future Audiophile heard previously obscured transients, subtle chord changes, and even instruments not formerly apparent in familiar recordings, along with exceptional instrument separation and precise imaging. The Absolute Sound likewise heard fine pitch, speed, and finger-snap variations, and described recording-space cues and decays as the best it had heard from a digital source.
Digital Performance
92/100
The Absolute Sound praised the M21's smooth, natural piano reproduction while retaining the bite of strings, and specifically noted the lack of edge, hardness, or brightness. Future Audiophile found its clarity and accuracy excellent even on older recordings, with tight, precise bass and strong transient definition.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
88/100
The machined-aluminum case is reported to feel solid and substantial, while the polished aluminum remote is similarly weighty. Reviewers also highlight the Platinum Edition's nickel-plated, mirror-finish front panel and brass controls, though they say little about internal construction, power-supply execution, or long-term durability.
Features Connectivity
91/100
Connectivity is unusually comprehensive, with AES/EBU, RCA and BNC S/PDIF, Toslink, USB, Ethernet streaming, balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs. It supports PCM to 384kHz and DSD256 through USB, includes selectable filters and conversion modes, a variable-output preamp function, remote, readable dimmable display, Roon endpoint capability, and user-installable software upgrades.
Value for Money
95/100
At $19,000, Future Audiophile says the M21 "punches well above its weight class" and considers it a world-class alternative to considerably costlier names such as Wadax, dCS, CH Precision, and T+A. The reviewer also considers the purchase worthwhile because of its performance, upgrades, resale value, construction, and feature set.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
Forum Mentions
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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, 384Khz ladder dac
- Frequency Response @44.1k
- 10 hz- 20 kHz +0dB, -.2 dB
- Dynamic Range
- >120dB A-Weighted
- THD+N @ 1k
- .0008% @ 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 direct 1 bit, 384Khz ladder dac
- 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 21 Digital to Analog Converter
The M21 Platinum Series is the trifecta of digital to analog conversion. Three independent and user-selectable digital to analog signal paths are available: delta sigma and ladder dac for PCM conversion and for DSD playback, true direct DSD. All digital input types are supported, with direct output or hard-wire bypass of the analog attenuator.
The M21 Digital to analog converter is the continued evolution of both the M1 Special Edition and the M12 Dual Mono Source Controller and The M21 Platinum incorporates the latest Bricasti Design high-performance MDx processor.
D/A performance X3
With the M21's advanced architecture its now possible to select, evaluate and enjoy three independent digital to analog converter signal paths: 24 bit delta sigma, 20 bit ladder dac and true 1 bit DSD for DSD content. Engineering autonomous conversion paths creates a super-efficient platform for you to enjoy your music and explore the advantages of each.
Network Streaming
The M21 connects seamlessly with your network offering one of the most advantages avenues for audio playback. Once detected by your network via wired ethernet, the M21 is recognized as a DNLA device and becomes a powerful media renderer offering pristine data transmission over long distances, without loss of signal or degradation. Now your server can be placed anywhere on the network and run remotely lending to a clutter-free listening environment.
Direct or Analog
The M21 utilizes precise analog gain control for its execution of direct DSD functionality and driving amplification. It features a true hard-wire bypass analog attenuator, setting this control to 0 db makes possible the use of the M21 direct to an external preamp as well. Flexibility is what the the M21 design is all about.
Masterfully connected
The M21 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 amplification like the Bricasti M28 and M15 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 M21 Stereo D/A 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