Bricasti M21 Triple DAC, Dual Mono DAC + Analog Volume Control, Used, Like New : Sold

Bricasti M21 Triple DAC, Dual Mono DA Converter / Streamer / Analog Preamplifier

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Description : The Bricasti M21 is a unique device on the market. It is a Bricasti M1SE Dual Mono DA Converter with a built-in separate Reference Quality Analog preamplifier to drive power amplifiers directly. It also features a high-quality network player built-in with the same hardware and software as the Bricasti M5, so RoonReady and DNLA.

Technology : The Bricasti M21 is built like the other Bricasti products. Entirely made of solid aluminum panels, which are machined by the CNC milling machine with nanometer precision. The Bricasti M12 derives from the Bricasti M1SE but has an extra dac built-in. The Bricasti M21 is a reference-class Dual Mono DA Converter with 2 separate PCM converters and a separate discrete DSD converter, with the most common digital inputs, such as High Speed USB 2.0, AES/EBU, SPDIF Coax, SPDIF BNC and Toslink Optical. The Bricasti M21 has an R2R Ladder dac for PCM, and a Delta Sigma dac, and a discrete DSD dac on board. The Bricasti M21 has a 6 picosecond clock built-in for the USB input. Ultra precise therefore. The Bricasti M21 has, unlike the M1 and M1SE and like the M12, a 100% analog preamplifier output board. This fully balanced analog board now controls the volume not digitally, but in the analog domain, with an R2R ladder network. Uncompromising signal processing in class A and always maximum digital resolution at any volume is the result. The Bricasti M21, however, has no analog inputs like the Bricasti M12 has. The quality of all components is reference grade. The ceramic audio boards are unique, and extremely expensive. The Bricasti M21 has 3 completely separate power supplies, including 3 transformers. The Bricasti M21 has a standard UTP network connection and a built-in high-end audio streamer. With this connection, you can view the Bricasti M21 as a DNLA player, and it is also RoonReady. The Roon player is built-in so you only need a Roon server. This can be on your NAS, PC or Mac, but it works even better with the Antipodes Audio S40 or K40 server. That is the ultimate source. The Bricasti M21 thus functions as a streaming endpoint. Even DSD and DXD can be sent directly to the Bricasti M21 without any form of conversion.

Listening : The Bricasti M21 sounds fantastic. By means of the remote control you can select the DA Converter during playback. If you choose the Delta Sigma Converter, the M21 sounds very much like the M12. Pure analog, without a trace of harshness. The sound is grand, pure and beautifully balanced. The 3D imaging is ultra precise, and you perceive an unprecedented richness of tone. The sound is truly 3D and has a certain fleshiness that the competition does not have. Thanks to the built-in analog preamplifier, the digital resolution is always 100%, and the Bricasti M21 sounds extremely powerful, even with the most difficult power amplifiers. If you choose the Ladder R2R DA Converter then the Bricasti M21 sounds faster, more dynamic and noticeably brighter than the Bricasti M12. The details jump more to the fore. The difference is clearly audible, but we will not call the M21 better than the M12. It is more a matter of taste and combination.

Conclusion :
Bricasti M21 is a unique device. We actually know no other device that is built so well, sounds so good, and is so versatile. Think about it.

- Triple DA Converter dual mono with 4 mono PCM DA Converter's (delta sigma and R2R) and 2 mono discrete DSD DA Converter's switchable with the remote control

- RoonReady Streamer Board Built-in (Bricasti M5)

- High Power Class-A Analog Volume Control Output

- Ladder Network Volume Control

- Fully CNC Machined Enclosure

- Ceramic Arlon Circuit Boards

- Machined Aluminum Remote Control

- Very clear and large readable display

Specifications of the Bricasti M21 :

Brand : Bricasti USA

Model : M21

MDx : Upgradable to MDx (DSD256)

Type : Digital Source Controller, Roonready Streamer and DA Converter

Technical Condition : 10/10

Visual Condition : 10/10

Inputs Digital : High Speed USB, Network UTP, AES/EBU, SPDIF (Cinch, BNC and Toslink)

Inputs Streaming : Standard built-in Bricasti M5 ROON Player.

Sample Frequency : 16Bit 44.1KHz – 24Bit 192KHz, 384KHz, DSD 128 Max

Inputs Analogue : Not present.

Outputs : 1 x Balanced XLR, 1 x Unbalanced Cinch

Extra : Network streamer function

Power consumption : 28 Watt, 6 watt standby

Dimensions : 425 W x 300 D x 175 H

Weight : 11Kg

Finish : Dark Anthracite Anodized Aluminum