Best next upgrade up from microRendu? Go for Ultra or SOtM or a Server or something else?

[fsmithjack]

Ok guys - check it out. Here is where I landed. I wanted to update everyone on this thread that has been totally fantastic to me but I also wanted other folks that may need this info to be able to find it so I started a new thread. It is a review I sent to owner/president of Bricasti and his feedback and comments and I wanted you all to know where I landed. I would have struggled without all your great help and I note that in my review so when you have a minute check it out and let me know what you think.

 

Thank guys... 

 

 

[fsmithjack]

UPDATE:

 

I just shared this on my Bricasti M1 > M5 > M12: Network Player - Member REVIEW thread and thought it may be of interest here as well. Thanks 

 

_________________________________________________________________________

 

 

I am extremely pleased with the performance and upgraded sound quality of my Bricasti M1SE's built in Network Player. Such a great upgrade!

 

At the advice of another super helpful CA member who is a fine fellow: ismewor

 

ismewor has helped me improve my system a great deal.  The members here on the CA are more friendly and helpful than any other forum i have been on.

 

Here is the switch I just purchased and that is being delivered today. The Ethernet cable plugs right onto my DAC now from my switch so the hope is that this is going to be a nice upgrade. I will let everyone know my thoughts on it. 

 

 

OCXO AUDIOPHILE SWITCH

 

LINEAR POWER SUPPLY
PROPERITY DESIGN CIRCUIT 
Our Engineer study the switch and design the linear circuit that best provide ultra-low noise power to feed the switch and oscillator module. 

DUAL RAIL PARALLEL OUTPUT DESIGN 
Not usually seen in regular linear supply, it requires additional cost and design in mind. However, this sure to provide constant feed as needed in sudden voltage drop or unstable power environment 

HARD CRAFTED RECTIFIERS DIODE AND SUPER-FAST DIODE 
Which work hand in hand with AC-DC conversion system to provide stable working environment. 

LINEAR POWER SUPPLY - Specifications
- AC 120V, 60Hz 
- 9V Ouput 
- Oyaide DC connectors
- Furutech IEC 

OCXO CIRCUIT 
ULTRA HIGH PRECISION OCXO 
The unit core features an (Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator) OCXO. This OCXO was designed for high audio quality in mind to provide extreme precision frequency (+-10ppb) and reduces phase noise. 

24K GOLD CIRCUIT TRACE 
The 24K circuit trace on our PCB is needed to match our power supply which able to provide extra stability for the oscillator module. 

ULTRA STABLE REGULATOR DESIGN 
With our new design, we are able to achieve the measure we needed for the oscillator. 

ZERO GROUND CIRCUITRY 
It continuously drives the ground signal and greatly reduces noise (jitter) caused by unstable volts. 

OCXO CIRCUIT - Specifications 
- Military Spec OCXO 
- 2oz Copper PCB +/- 10ppb 
- Ultralow Jitter <1ps RMS 
- 12V DC input 2.1mm x 5.5mm

 

[BigAlMc]

Hi @fsmithjack,

 

So any first impressions? 

 

Also how much was it? I'd a look at their site previously but there didn't appear to be any prices listed which seemed a bit dubious. 

 

I've got the Aqvox SE switch which is pretty great but eye-wateringly expensive (800 euro!) for a switch. Intrigued how this one would compare. 

 

Cheers, 

Alan 

[fsmithjack]

Hey Alan, I have not received it yet. USPS had it landing Friday but all emails since just say it is delayed so hope to have it maybe Monday.

 

I only learned of it from another CA member whom I trust wholeheartedly so it was easy from that trust standpoint. I bought my 2 pairs of Kubala-Sosna Emotion Interconnects (2m and 1.5m) from him and both were perfect and exactly as described. 

 

We got to talking and he knows a lot about Computer Audio and he gave me some great advice and he highly recommend this switch to me so I’m excited to get it.

 

Especially where my DAC takes a Ethernet cable direct from the switch. 

 

They did present static displays at a couple shows with SOtM so there was some credibility there as well.

 

From what I hear it’s as good an option as there is anywhere at any price but I’ll know more when I get it and give it a good listen. 

 

They offer a couple options in switches. A TXCO Switch and their top of the line OCXO Switch.

 

The OCXO Switch is $649 plus Shipping and PayPal Fees. This price includes the OCXO Switch and a Properity Dual Rail Parallel Linear Power Supply 9v w/Oyaide Connectors and Furutech IEC inlet which now will let me use the 2nd rail of my Uptone JS-2 to power my FiOs Router. 

 

If this switch turns out to be as good as I hope it is - I’ll probably give their OCXO based Router a try as well but we’ll see.

 

Just starting to learn more about the Ethernet side of things being a long time USB user but it’s been a nice evolutionary more. Ethernet to me sounds more natural visceral.

 

Ive found that my music sounds better when stored on NAS being served via Ethernet vs straight from my internal SSD. Why? No idea other than the Ethernet based seems to live the files from Ethernet? Im learning...

 

 

 

 

[ALRAINBOW]

A quick question what form of any type of isolation does this Audio grade SW have ? 

[BigAlMc]

7 minutes ago, fsmithjack said:

If this switch turns out to be as good as I hope it is - I’ll probably give their OCXO based Router a try as well but we’ll see.

 

Yeah it was the router that caught my attention as I already have an 'audiophile' switch. 

 

Be interested to hear how you get on. 

 

Cheers, 

Alan 

[fsmithjack]

Ok guys - I am sharing this on a couple of my other threads as well so please know this.

 

I am only doing this because so many great CA members helped me in the past and I want to return the favor and reach as many of them as I can. They get emails so sorry for duplicates to some of you

 

Many times I have read great info on this site about a product and/or a mod and that led to great growth in my own personal system. I appreciate those CA members for sharing.

 

Moreover, I personally place much more stock in feedback from other fellow CA members. Members that went ahead and spent their own money on a product verse a reviewer,  dealer or OEM. I find end user/owner feedback to be the most genuine and helpful. For this reason I am returning the favor.

 

Guys, I have a couple of products that are not real expensive and their performance has absolutely blown me away and trust me I am becoming a jaded A-phile so for me to be blown away is a big deal.   

 

I have no affiliation with Bricasti other than getting to know Brian as a customer and a fan of the products. 

 

I love how they do business. They don't leave their customers behind and come out with new models every couple years but instead just keep upgrading the current models. Bricasti and Ayre or two companies that are very loyal to their customers and as a customer I appreciate this approach. More should follow their lead.

 

The two products are:

- Bricasti Network Player (M1/M12 or M5 )

- The Linear Solution OCXO Switch and Linear Power Supply

  

Trust me this is a big deal!

 

This combo is an absolute game changer and is cheaper and better sounding than everything else out there on the market today!

 

_________________

 

Honestly guys, I have got to know Brian at Bricasti but only as a customer and a fan of his products like I stated earlier. I love his DAC as it changed my system like no other product but everyone knows he makes a killer DAC and the worlds best studio Reverb. 

 

This is different. The Bricasti Network Player (M1/M12 or M5 ) and The Linear Solution OCXO Switch and Linear Power Supply are right in the wheel house for us computer audio lovers.

 

I have a decent / pretty competent analogue front end and my computer audio wipes the floor with it. It was not that long ago when digital still could not compete with analogue but those days are long gone! 

 

The Network Player is a simple, well made, not over the top but still very high quality Ethernet based network player and I am telling you guys I have not heard a computer based audio product that sounds this good.

 

I am not making this statement lightly either. I have owned many great network players: Sonore, SOtM, Aurender, Auralic and Uptone's great power supplies and Regens but this is on a total other level.  

 

I can't get over it. My network player was installed in my M1SE DAC but Brian says it would most likely be impossible to tell the different between the M1/M12 and the M5 in a blind test. They are close. Yes the built in versions are supposed to be a bit better but if you don't already own a Bricasti then the M5 will be an incredible option for you.

 

I'm telling you this Bricasti Network Player (M1/M12 or M5 ) and The Linear Solution OCXO Switch and Linear Power Supply combo are absolute word beaters. Way better than the Aurender's or Lumins or the Rendu's and SOtM Ultra's.

 

I'm telling you I have owned or heard them all and as an owner not a dealer or OEM but as an end user and a fellow CA member I am telling you this combo are the ones to beat.

 

I am telling you. Buy the switch and then get a dealer loaner of the M5 and then you will log on here and say OMG he was right.

 

I mean its your money have a blast, I'm just telling you this combo is the best going at anywhere near the money. Sure you can buy a W20 and/or get the top of the line Antipods and I am not sure they will be better and you can get these under $3k

- Bricasti Network Player (M1/M12 or M5 )

- The Linear Solution OCXO Switch and Linear Power Supply

 

This comb will blow the doors off of everything out there anywhere near the money. Heck, it might be the best you can buy at any price? I sure have not heard better?

 

OK, maybe the full suite of SOtM Ultra's with 4 Power Supplies and either Mutec Ref 10 Clock or the new SOtM external clock will be better this combo but do you want to know what made me go away from this option?

 

 It wasn't even the money at the $8,000 plus but it was the fact that I would need to spend thousands more on 50 ohm clock bnc cables. They said you can get the ones that only a few hundred too get you by but to get the best you need the top cables and they are thousands and I said - ok no thanks. Enough is enough

 

Moreover, It just got too be too not only much money but this tech is constantly changing and evolving so quickly. SOtM and Sonore have new models every year or two.

 

OK, yes lets talk about model changing quickly.

 

Bricasti doesn't change models. Ever... They just keep upgrading the ones they have so you will know for a fact that your investment is safe and that Brian will update this and you won't need to buy a new one in a year and a half. You can mail it back in and get it upgraded for a few hundred bucks. Sonore and SOtM can't afford to offer to this their customers but Bricasti sure as heck does. This has to matter. It sure as heck matters to me! I own Bricasti and this is no small part of that. 

 

What do you think SOtM will do in a year or year and a half? Do you think they will let you mail in your model and have it upgraded to current model? No they will come out with a new model so you need to sell your old one and buy a new one. That is just the way it. I am here as a fellow member telling you there is a better way and it sounds better to boot! How often in life to your get real win[wins. It is not that often I am sure. It isn't for me anyways. 

 

So what is this that I am I telling you?

 

I am telling you this is the very best sounding Network Player on the market. Hands down it just is! Bricasti know what the heck they are doing. I promise you this from a CA member to a CA member. Their gear sounds fantastic!

 

It will not become out dated because of how this company operates and is so loyal to its owners. The built quality is second to none, it is the best there is. CNC Milled aircraft solid block aluminum. Very similar power supply as used in the work class M1 and from a company that is one of the most prestigious digital brands in the world. Am is missing something here? Guys, I am serious.

 

I am not making any of this up. This can all be verified by you with a little research.

 

What i don't understand is how none of you guys or so few of you guys own these yet! I a going to assume because there have been so few members that have experienced what I have. Trust me the word is getting out. These are that good! They are actually even better than that.

 

Go get one and get one today and then come back to this thread and give me your thoughts,

 

Sell your rendu's and regens and plop it down on one of these and make sure you get the killer OCXO switch also. That is key with great synergy.

 

Now you don't need to do anything but I am sharing because the sound I have now is absolutely so much better than what I had in the near past.

 

The Bricasti Network Player (M1/M12 or M5 ) and The Linear Solution OCXO Switch and Linear Power Supply are crown jewels that few people know of. Well at least I know I did my bit by the CA members and old you about the cheapest and best sounding computer based audio that is on the market today. What you do is up to you but I still can not believe how good my system sounds.

 

Thanks for reading

 

______________________________________________________

 

 

$649.00

http://thelinearsolution.com/ocxo_switch.html

 

$2,400.00

http://www.bricasti.com/en/consumer/m5.php