Bricasti M20 Preamplifier, Fully Balanced, Class A, Dual Mono, New, '24 Model

Bricasti M20 Preamplifier, Fully Balanced, Class A, Dual Mono, '24 Model

Retail Price € 14.900,00

(Non EU buyers and EU buyers with a valid EU VAT number pay € 12.314,05)

This is the latest version of the Bricasti M20. It features a newly adjustable display.

EN.

General: The Bricasti M20 is the new reference preamplifier from Bricasti. Bricasti already makes outstanding power amplifiers and D/A Converters with built-in preamplifier output buffers, but for many music enthusiasts, nothing beats an active preamplifier. Why an active preamplifier? It allows you to completely isolate the output stage of the source and the input stage of the power amplifier from each other. Of course, a manufacturer can opt for enormous output voltage, say 20 volts, but that's not necessary at all. The result is that the output stage of these preamplifiers always operates at too low a voltage. Bricasti has chosen a very useful gain of 3dB. This ensures the output stage always operates in its ideal range. Useful and well thought-out, but also perfectly executed.

Chassis: The chassis of audio equipment has a major influence on the ultimate sound of the device. This has everything to do with vibrations and, to a lesser extent, shielding. All components such as power supplies, capacitors, resistors, ICs, clock signals, etc., change their values when subjected to vibrations. This results in a less good 3D image, less clear details, and a roughening of the signal. In short, it becomes more restless and less beautiful, and ultimately comes across as less elegant and emotional. That is why Bricasti manufactures all their High-End Audio equipment, as well as their studio effects equipment, in CNC milled chassis. And not just a "thick" front panel, but all panels come from the CNC milling machine. Front, back, left and right side panels, and bottom and top cover are all made this way. These panels are milled to order with 1/1000mm precision. All PCBs and components are mounted very precisely at the exactly correct position. Once assembled, the chassis is very rigid and resonance-free. Vibrations barely reach the components. To ensure that no external vibrations can enter the Bricasti M20 chassis, the chassis stands on Stillpoints feet. These feet are also CNC milled and fitted with a ball decoupling system. In short, the Bricasti M20 chassis is as perfect as it can be.

Balanced: The Bricasti M20 is fully balanced from input to output. The M20 has 2 XLR inputs and 1 RCA input. The RCA signal is duplicated at the input and balanced. Subsequently, the Bricasti M20 has three completely separate outputs at its disposal. 2 x XLR and 1 x RCA. These outputs can be used simultaneously. Ideal for bi-amping, for example. The input buffers are ultra-fast operational amplifiers and the output stage is a completely discrete class A design, everything designed for sound. What also contributes to the very beautiful sound of the Bricasti M20 is the fact that all PCBs are made of extremely expensive ceramic material. These circuit boards are known for having very low memory effect, which is why the Bricasti M20 sounds so beautifully clean and analog.

Volume Control: The Bricasti M20 naturally has an outstanding volume control. It is fully balanced, and the gain is adjusted with very fine Vishay foil resistors. These resistors were chosen by Bricasti for their unique sonic characteristics. There are 100 steps of 1dB available, and the Bricasti M20 also has an outstanding balance control. This balance control is often overlooked, but in many situations it's important to shift the balance by 1 or 2 dB, and it's very convenient that this control is present on the M20. The balance control also has no separate circuit; instead, the main volume control of one channel is shifted.

Power Supply: The Bricasti M20 has 3 completely separate power supplies, with 3 separate transformers. The control electronics are separately powered, and both the left and right channels have their own power supply. The power supplies themselves are heavy and fast linear power supplies with large buffers. The rectifiers are mounted directly on the CNC milled bottom of the M20 chassis. All recesses and mounting points are milled for precision.

Remote: A good remote control is essential for audio equipment. The Bricasti M20 has a CNC milled remote control with all essential control buttons. Volume, balance, source – everything can be controlled with this very comfortable-to-hold and logically designed remote control.

Sound: The Bricasti M20 is an analog preamplifier, and it sounds like one too. Analog and very musical. Somehow Bricasti manages to bring the listener directly into contact with the performers, rather than the technicians who recorded and mixed the recording. Unfortunately, much top-class equipment does that, and you immediately slip into demo/test mode, so you stop listening to music nicely. Music should be embraced, not attacked. Of course, the Bricasti M20 also does all the High-End things very well, such as fine and macro dynamics, detail, 3D, and so on, excellently, but that's not what it's about. One of the first reviews of this Bricasti M20 can be found here: Review Bricasti M20 and M25 in Hifi News & Record Review from 2020-10.

The conclusion is clear: To draw a distinction between musicality and hifi may seem an artificial construct, but there is no shortage on equipment out there, appearing to work so hard on detail-retrieval, that we end up listening to the system, not the music. That is not the case with this Bricasti Pair. Yes, they do the hifistuff rather well, but much more, Bricasti gives a more musically fulfilling sound, so Bricasti knows that people listen for pleasure, not analysis.

Specifications of the Bricasti M20:

Brand: Bricasti USA

Model: M20

Type: Balanced Preamplifier
Inputs: 2 x XLR and 1 x RCA
Outputs: 2 x XLR and 1 x RCA
Distortion: 0.0007% 20Hz-20KHz
Maximum Input Level: +20dbu Balanced, +16dbu RCA
Maximum Output Level: +23dbu Balanced
Input Impedance: 200k ohm
Crosstalk: > 120dB
Trigger Out: 5v ring minijack
Dimensions: 430mm W x 310mm D x 100mm H
Weight: 15Kg net, 20Kg shipping