M3 DAC or DAC Amplifier

Bricasti Design's M3 features 2 fully differential conversion channels, each with its own D/A converter and analog level control circuitry. Bricasti Design's twin DAC design optimizes the dynamic range for each channel by utilizing the stereo ADI 1955 D/A converters in a mono configuration for PCM conversion. Clocking is implemented with a technique called DDS (direct digital synthesis), which takes clock-induced jitter to immeasurable levels. DSD is converted with a proprietary one-bit analog converter. The intention behind the M3 is to provide a state-of-the-art design, utilizing the best designs and materials available today. The converter and following analog stages are critical components in the digital and analog audio chain. The sound of the M3 is intended to be transparent, revealing, and fully dynamic. This is made possible, in part, by lowering jitter to extremely low levels, providing a pure digital signal chain without sample rate converters, superior digital filter design, and pure DSD conversion, coupled to a fast, transparent analog signal path with analog level control, discrete analog output section, and plenty of clean linear power for optimum analog performance. Many hours of listening were dedicated to tuning the M3 to an exacting sound, with all types of music, and extensive testing was conducted in the studio and home environments. Bricasti Design hopes users find the M3 pleasing and enjoyable to hear and use in the home or as a precision tool for high-level reference monitoring for professionals. Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the Bricasti M3 and M3H with the Silver Dragon Interconnect. Sold in Pairs, the Silver Dragon V2 is our top-of-the-line silver conductor-based interconnect. With a braided geometry and amazing shielding, this interconnect is a remarkable solution where noise isolation is key. Get the best cables for your best audio gear. M3 DAC + Headphone Amplifier = M3H The M3 was designed from the beginning to accommodate optional headphone buffers and driver amps, so the chassis and dimensions remain the same on the M3H, except for the front panel. The front panel features two connection points for XLR and 1/4" inputs. The DAC components remain unchanged, but additional driver cards are inside the unit. The M3 is a true balanced or differential DAC, with all its analog circuitry fully balanced, including the headphone driver amps. The M3H includes four amps for headphone drive when using balanced outputs, making it unique in the market with a fully balanced path. Since the M3's design is analog, there is no change in the unit's UI or level control. Bricasti Design adds the ability to select different outputs—headphone or main—directly on the device. The M3H - Delivering a true-balanced headphone experience for audiophiles seeking the ultimate headphone listening experience, the Bricasti Design M3 offers the M3H option, which includes a balanced headphone driver. As a truly balanced converter, the M3's balanced design extends throughout its analog stages, making it one of the few truly balanced headphone sources available. Consistent with the main outputs, the headphone drivers are separately buffered, allowing all outputs to be used simultaneously without any compromises. Benefiting from the high voltage rails of the analog supply, the M3 can drive most headphones to satisfactory listening levels with extremely low distortion. The Bricasti Design M3 delivers a true-balanced source for all applications, and the M3H variant stands out in the headphone market as one of the rare truly balanced sources capable of driving balanced headphones correctly. This uncompromising design ensures the best possible conversion for both PCM and DSD sources while supporting all input sources, including network streaming. Design History of the Bricasti M3 The basis for the M3 starts with the same proven design created for the M1 D/A converter: a dual-mono signal path and a fully balanced topology based on dual ADI 1955 converters, all linear power supplies, and a separate digital signal processing engine taken from the M1. Based on this proven design, the next product developed was the M12, essentially the M1 with the addition of a discrete ladder analog level control which allowed Bricasti Design to develop native DSD conversion. This was followed by the M21, a stand-alone DAC version of the M12, which included the NDSD conversion from the M12 along with an analog attenuation stage to manage the DSD. Continuing the evolution of the M21 design work became the basis for the M3. A bit about the true DSD conversion: In the M12 design, Bricasti Design had an idea to create a true DSD converter, in simple terms, a very high-speed switch, up to 10GHz, followed by a low-order analog filter. The problem presented in processing and converting DSD is that if true DSD is to be maintained, then no digital signal processing can be done. Most converters convert DSD to multi-bit or PCM format, allowing for management of the playback for level matching and muting of transition noises in the digital domain, but the conversion is then PCM, not true DSD. In the M12, Bricasti Design solved this by performing all these background tasks in the analog domain with a programmable level control. All the signal processing is elegantly done in the analog domain, with transitions from PCM to DSD being silent and level-matched. In the M12, this was a costly way to convert DSD, so when making the M3, Bricasti Design had to find a more cost-effective way to manage the analog signals and deliver NDSD. This technique was brought forward into the M21 and then the M3 for true DSD conversion. Conversion in the M3 DAC The Bricasti Design M3 boasts two distinct digital audio conversion paths, catering to both PCM and DSD formats. For PCM conversion, it employs a sigma-delta type converter, similar to the one found in the acclaimed M1 model. However, the M3 takes DSD conversion to new heights with a truly unique approach. Bricasti Design's innovative solution for DSD conversion is a true one-bit modulator, a design that is exclusive to the industry. This DSD conversion path features a genuine one-bit analog converter, followed by an analog post-noise filter. The result is a pure DSD playback experience that sets the M3 apart from any other converter on the market, delivering an unparalleled level of fidelity. Both the PCM and DSD converters in the M3 create a true differential analog waveform from the digital data stream. Following in the footsteps of the M1, the M3 also incorporates a discrete current-to-voltage conversion stage, ensuring the creation of a truly balanced signal output. By offering separate conversion paths optimized for PCM and DSD formats, and incorporating proprietary designs and meticulous engineering, the Bricasti Design M3 aims to provide audiophiles with an uncompromising digital-to-analog conversion solution, capable of revealing the full depth and nuance of their digital audio sources. Analog Section of the M3 The Bricasti Design M3 upholds its commitment to true balanced conversion throughout its entire signal path. Like its predecessor, the M1, the M3's analog path and attenuator are fully differential, ensuring signal integrity and preserving the balanced nature of the audio signal. One noteworthy feature is the separately buffered unbalanced outputs, allowing users to simultaneously drive different amplifiers or preamplifiers from a single source. A common application of this functionality is to dedicate one output for driving a subwoofer while the other output powers the main speaker amplifier. Powering the M3 is a robust linear analog power supply with voltage rails of +15V and -15V, providing ample current to directly drive power amplifiers without any limitations. The M3 incorporates the same analog attenuator as the renowned M21, chosen for its compact footprint and low power consumption. This attenuator serves a dual purpose in the M3: managing the noise-shaping for the DSD conversion path and enabling the M3 to function as a preamplifier source, capable of directly driving power amplifiers or headphones. Audiophile Performance and Value The M3 presents remarkable performance in an incredibly accessible price range. Key features include two fully differential conversion channels, separate conversion for PCM and native DSD, and a balanced analog level control circuit, catering to various applications. Additionally, it integrates the latest Bricasti Design high-performance MDx processor. Other Features USB connection Optional Network Interface DSD playback Digital Oversampling Filters for PCM Conversion Optional M3 Remote Robust Architecture The M3 features two independent linear power supplies—one for analog and one for digital processing—ensuring minimal noise and excellent isolation. Its newly designed chassis, crafted from sturdy CNC milled aluminum sections, provides superior thermal properties, effective vibrational damping, and RF shielding. Precision in Sound Recreation The M3 employs precision DDS clocking to reduce jitter to extremely low levels, ensuring a pristine digital signal path without sample rate converters. Combined with superior digital filter design and Native DSD conversion, it offers a cutting-edge digital audio path. The high-speed, low-distortion analog path includes a bypassable preamp-class analog level control, enabling direct drive of power amps without bit loss for optimal analog performance. Network Player Option for the M3/M3H The Bricasti Network Player serves as a network interface and media renderer, linking to your server through a local area network. With broad DLNA support and other popular network protocols, the M3 with Network Player delivers pristine lossless audio from your network to your Digital-to-Analog Converter. Your music server gains freedom of placement, able to reside anywhere on your network. The M3 with Network Player connects to your LAN via Ethernet, offering SPDIF and AES outputs supporting sample rates up to 192k PCM, DSD 64, DSD 128, and DSD 256 over USB. Compatible with DLNA and UPnP apps, the Network Player option on the M3 is Roon Ready, ensuring reliability, flexibility, and ease of use. Digital Input Section Analog Output Section Depending on the options, the M3/M3H provides 4 or 5 digital inputs selectable from the front panel. This section has its own linear power supply and is isolated from the analog section. Features and Analog Devices Sharc DSP that used to run: Front panel General DSP operations of M3 Control and synchronize the DDS clocking Provide a selection of Bricasti’s oversampled anti-aliasing filters Both channels are powered by a separate linear power supply. Single multi-layer PCB for the analog conversion and analog output stages. Manages DSD audio path; maintains a true pure DSD converter. The M3 is a fully differential analog design with fast high-slew rate fast-settling analog operational amps used in all audio paths, for both balanced and unbalanced, each separately buffered and isolated. Trigger Handcrafted in the USA The rear panel has a stereo connection (TRS) for the trigger out of M3, which is used to place an external device like the Bricasti M15 power amp into standby. Trigger functions can be set in the status menu for trigger-in, trigger-out, or trigger-remote for exclusive operation and control from the M20 preamp. All of Bricasti Design's 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. About Bricasti Design Bricasti Design is a premier manufacturer in the professional audio industry, renowned for its meticulous craftsmanship and high-performance products. With a legacy rooted in the design of the legendary Lexicon reverb units, Bricasti Design has continued to innovate, setting new standards in both analog and digital audio solutions. At the heart of Bricasti's product lineup is the acclaimed Bricasti M7 digital reverb, a staple in recording studios worldwide. Known for its unparalleled sound quality and versatile presets, the Bricasti Design M7 (model 7) delivers lush, natural reverb that enhances any audio production. The M7's front panel features intuitive controls and a sleek design, ensuring ease of use for professionals. In addition to unique reverb units and plugins, Bricasti Design offers a range of top-tier audio products, including amplifiers (amps), preamps, DACs, and DSP modules. Their analog and digital amplifiers are engineered to provide precise and powerful sound reproduction, making them ideal for both studio and live applications. The company's preamps and compressors are designed with the same attention to detail, ensuring that every aspect of the audio signal chain is optimized for high-resolution performance. Bricasti's M-series digital to analog converters, such as the Bricasti M1, are celebrated for their exceptional clocking and pristine audio quality, making them a favorite among audiophiles and recording engineers alike. These DACs offer high-end algorithms and comprehensive connectivity options, including AES, XLR, SPDIF, and MIDI, ensuring seamless integration with any digital audio workstation (DAW) setup. Handcrafted to perfection in the USA, Bricasti's products are built with robust outboard modules and reliable power supplies, guaranteeing durability and long-term performance. The company also offers remote control capabilities for many of its devices, allowing for convenient operation in complex studio environments. For live sound and touring, Bricasti's range of pedals, mics, and other pro audio gear provide the reliability and quality that professionals demand. Each product is backed by a solid warranty, reflecting Bricasti's commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. Bricasti Design continues to push the boundaries of professional audio, offering innovative solutions that cater to the needs of today's recording studios, sound engineers, and musicians. Whether you're looking for the perfect stereo reverb processor, a high-fidelity DAC, mainframe, or robust analog amplification, Bricasti Design delivers exceptional performance and unmatched quality. What's in the Box? Bricasti M3/M3H Power cable User manual Warranty information FAQ What audio formats does the Bricasti M3/M3H support? The Bricasti M3/M3H supports a wide range of audio formats, including PCM and DSD. Can the Bricasti M3/M3H be used as a preamplifier? Yes, the Bricasti M3/M3H can be used as a preamplifier in addition to its DAC and headphone amplifier functions. Does the Bricasti M3/M3H support balanced and unbalanced connections? Yes, the Bricasti M3/M3H supports both balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) connections for input and output. What are the differences between the Bricasti M3 and the M3H models? The main difference between the Bricasti M3 and M3H is that the M3H includes a built-in headphone amplifier, whereas the M3 does not. Is the Bricasti M3/M3H compatible with Roon? Yes, the Bricasti M3/M3H is Roon Ready, offering compatibility with the Roon music management and playback software. What is the warranty coverage for the Bricasti M3/M3H? The warranty coverage for Bricasti products typically includes a limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Specific details may vary, so it's advisable to refer to the warranty information provided with the product. Does the Bricasti M3 support balanced and unbalanced connections? Yes, the Bricasti M3 supports both balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) connections for input and output. Is the Bricasti M3 compatible with Roon? Yes, the Bricasti M3 is Roon Ready, offering compatibility with the Roon music management and playback software.