Bricasti M11 Series II & M19 Review: The Analog Purist's Reference System
Read Time: Approx. 11 min.
TL;DR:
- The Bricasti M11 Series II R2R DAC and M19 SACD/CD Transport are designed as a matched pair, connected via Bricasti's proprietary I2S interface for maximum performance.
- The M11's discrete 20-bit R2R Ladder DAC delivers a warm, articulate, analog-like sound signature — ideal for acoustic jazz, classical, and vocal recordings.
- Switching from AES/EBU to I2S produces a clear, audible upgrade: more weight, texture, and emotional presence in the music.
- Both components favor minimalist, purpose-built design over flashy features, with Stillpoints isolation feet and milled aluminum chassis on each unit.
- Available in Black or Argento finishes, with expandable options like an optional I2S upgrade for the M11 and a network player card for streaming.
A System Built on Synergy: Why the Bricasti M11 and M19 Belong Together
There's a level of sonic fidelity that comes from listening to physical media that doesn't come from streaming. While the revival of physical media has only really taken off in the last few years, Bricasti saw the need for highly capable components early on, and the M19 SACD/CD I2S Transport was thus born as the hi-fi solution for the purist. Time and time again, Bricasti has demonstrated a commitment to pure sound reproduction through high-quality technology, and that commitment usually starts at the source. The M19 is that belief realized: a component that, when paired with an equally capable DAC, will show you that 16-bit/44kHz CD audio is all you need–and some would argue SACD offers more musical truth than streaming DSD ever could.
The brilliance of Bricasti components is how well they play together. Bricasti has built virtually its entire product catalog around synergy, engineering proprietary technology exclusively for use between its own products. The M11 Series II R2R Digital-to-Analog Converter and the M19 SACD/CD I2S Transport are the clearest example of that philosophy at work, which is exactly why we've reviewed them as a system rather than as separates. Each component is a high performer on its own, but the true magic happens when they're paired together via Bricasti's proprietary I2S connection. For the analog purist ready to build–or complete–their dream two-channel system, the M11 Series II and M19 are the answer.
On its own, each component is highly capable, but the true beauty of these two is how they come alive when paired together. For the analog purist ready to build (or complete) their dream system, the M11 and M19 are the clear answers.
PROS
- Proprietary I2S connection delivers a genuine sonic upgrade
- M11's R2R Ladder DAC delivers true analog warmth
- Purposeful, uncluttered engineering on both units
CONS
- I2S benefit requires buying both components
- The minimalist feature set may not suit everyone
Design
The overall size of the M19 and M11 may initially throw you off. They're not small components by any means. These are full-size components for a two-channel hi-fi system.
As with all Bricasti components, both units are made from milled aluminum for rigidity and sit on Stillpoints isolation feet. Those isolation feet play a huge role in keeping the M19's internal vibrations minimal so the CD drive stays stable and consistent. Bricasti keeps the overall design of both units simple. You won't find any extra buttons, fancy knobs, or flashy faceplates; only what you need. While that feels counterintuitive considering the cost of the unit itself, it's purely intentional. Bricasti "puts its money where its mouth is," letting what's under the hood speak for itself.
Pictured: Bricasti M11 Series II DAC
The M11 Series II and M19 are available in two finish options: Black and Argento. The black finish is beautifully contrasted with silver accents from the front panel buttons and isolation feet. The Argento finish is inverse: a beautiful silver/gray color with black accents throughout. You can't go wrong with either color, and I always appreciate when a manufacturer includes more than one color option, so you're not going against the aesthetic you've created with your existing gear.
The M11 features a minimalist front panel. You've got a rotary control for selecting inputs, adjusting filters, and controlling the volume when connected directly to a power amplifier. There are six buttons dedicated to various system operations, a small display screen, and a standby button.
Pictured: Bricasti M19 SACD/CD Transport
The M19 is refreshingly easy to operate. The design follows simplicity throughout, eliminating unnecessary features like upsampling, digital inputs, or USB, all of which complicate the user experience. It's a true plug-and-play device with a small display screen, six playback buttons, a track selection knob, and a CD loader on the front panel. The back panel features an AES/EBU XLR 24-bit single-wire output, an S/PDIF coaxial output, trigger in/out ports, and an RJ45 proprietary I2S port. When listening through the AES or S/PDIF output, you'll get 44.1kHz PCM or DSD64 playback. But the real magic happens when you switch to the I2S connection; you'll get 44.1kHz to 384kHz PCM, DSD64, and DSD128 Native playback.
On the back panel of the M11 Series II, you'll find a suite of digital inputs and analog outputs for connection either to an external preamplifier or directly to a power amplifier: AES/EBU, S/PDIF (BNC), S/PDIF (RCA), Optical (Toslink), USB-B, and XLR.
While the I2S connection does not come standard, we're excited to offer the M11 DAC with I2S for customers craving that extra performance. When added, it will accept PCM 16-bit/44.1kHz and DSD signals directly from the M19.
You can also add a network player card to the M11 that allows the unit to be seen as a DLNA device on an audio network and serve as an audio device to play or stream through a wired connection on your network. This option would eliminate the need for a separate dedicated streamer.
Bricasti M11 Series II DAC
Bricasti M19 SACD/CD Transport
Sound
The DAC is the heart of your system, and the sonic flavor of that circuit plays a large role in the overall sound quality of your entire setup. Unlike many modern DACs that use Delta-Sigma chips, the M11 Series II features a discrete R2R Ladder DAC capable of 20-bit resolution. I dive into the technical details of this DAC circuit in the "features" section below, but as for the sonic flavor it possesses, in more or less words, analog warmth. We dubbed the M11 the "analog purist's" dream in a recent video, and I think that describes it perfectly.
Saying that digital files could deliver an analog-like sound quality feels counterintuitive, and in some way it can be, but that's the magic of the M11. Bricasti managed to engineer a DAC chip that blurred the lines between true analog warmth you'd get from a high-end turntable and the technical precision you expect from a modern-day device. The result is a DAC that delivers a subtle, articulate, and deeply engaging sound–all qualities an analog purist craves.
From the first moment I heard the M11 over the Focal Sopra No. 2 Loudspeakers, I knew this was a DAC I'd fall in love with. I'm a warm and musical listener, so I'm always going to prefer a sound that's a little richer over something more analytical. While I appreciate neutrality, I can find it boring after a while, and at $10,000+, this is not the DAC to risk getting tired of. Listening to "Somehow it's Been a Rough Day" by Ai Kuwabara performed live at Blue Note Tokyo, I quickly realized the M11 was not that type of DAC. On an unsuspecting device, the track sounds like it doesn't start until 12 seconds in when you hear the first piano note, but that's not the case.
On the right device, like the M11 Series II, those first 12 seconds paint a vivid picture. You're invited into the swanky Blue Note Tokyo jazz club, where you can hear guests clapping, silverware clanking, and servers shuffling in the background. In less than 15 seconds, you've teleported to a seat in the audience, as if you were just another eager patron ready for the show. Fine details like that are what make being an audiophile so intoxicating, and only the very best components can deliver that magic.
When connected to the M19, I reached the peak of analog perfection. To truly appreciate the sonic difference the I2S connection makes, you've got to listen to the M19 through the AES/EBU output and the I2S output–so that's just what I did. Through AES/EBU, the M19 and M11 delivered a faithful, organic reproduction of my Adele 25 CD over the Sopra speakers. Adele's vocals were intimate and emotive. There's so much fervor layered into her songs, from the way she holds the last note in an emotional ballad to the piano composition in her track "When We Were Young." Once I switched the connection to I2S, everything clicked. Adele's vocals carried more weight, and that emotion became palpable in the room. Fine details were brought to the front of the presentation clearly, and everything had more texture.
The improvement I2S made was clear. I don't need to argue its case, because it speaks for itself. But I will say this: Regardless of which port you use, the M19 excels at reading your CD accurately and transmitting that digital data without skipping a single beat. The M11 is a warm, smooth, and authentic-sounding DAC. If your collection is built around acoustic jazz, classical symphonies, and intimate vocal performances, the M11 is the perfect companion. Throw in the M19 to enjoy your favorite CDs, and you've got a true reference-grade system.
Somehow It's Been a Rough Day
By Ai Kuwabara with Steve Gadd and Will Lee
Live at Blue Note Tokyo
When We Were Young
By Adele
(25)
Exodus
Bob Marley and the Wailers
(Exodus)
Fast Car
By Tracy Chapman
(Tracy Chapman)
Features
M11: The DAC for Analog Purists
When people start looking at high-end DACs, they immediately get overwhelmed by spec sheets, sample rates, and engineering jargon, not to mention the endless options on the market. But the truth is, the only thing that actually matters is how the physical engineering inside the metal box translates to the music hitting your ears. Bricasti is a fascinating company, because rather than building one type of DAC, dubbing it as their "house sound" and using it in every new product, they've engineered entirely different conversion technologies to suit different types of listeners.
We recently published a review that dives into the unique DAC architecture of the four Bricasti DACs available at Moon Audio. On that list was none other than the M11 Series II, which we've labeled the DAC for analog purists. Why? Because of its innate ability to prioritize natural timing, decay, and three-dimensional space.
The M11 Series II uses a discrete R2R Ladder DAC. For those who aren't familiar with Ladder DACs, here's the best way I can describe it: imagine a physical ladder made up of dozens of microscopic, highly precise resistors. The digital signal climbs that physical ladder, and the resistors manually convert the digital data into an analog voltage. Building a discrete ladder DAC is not an easy task. It's incredibly difficult and expensive, but the sonic reward is worth every painstaking hour and penny.
Bricasti engineers took an industrial-grade ladder DAC (not originally intended for audio) and built a specialized environment to adapt it for high-end musical playback. The design prioritizes timing and musical engagement over everything else.
In the real world, when a pianist strikes a key or a drummer hits a cymbal, the sound has a very specific, natural attack and a long, beautiful decay. Oftentimes, those are the nuances that get lost in a digital recording, but with a high-quality DAC like the M11, those tiny details are captured with striking accuracy. As the sound waves bounce around the room, the M11 captures the natural decay and venue reverb better than almost any chip-based DAC on the market.
The R2R Ladder DAC provides a sound quality that's subtle, articulate, and deeply engaging. The distinct roundness of individual notes is reproduced, giving acoustic instruments a physical weight and a presence in your room.
Bricasti emphasizes a superior onboard clocking system in the M11, which is a highly critical component in a ladder DAC. As much as you might want to use your own external clock, the M11 does not offer an external clock port, which is probably for the best considering the lengths Bricasti went to custom-engineer the DAC chip and circuitry to deliver incredibly precise timing.
The I2S Factor
Bricasti Design is one of the hi-fi leaders in the I2S movement, implementing this communication protocol into its newest components. If you're not familiar with I2S, this might not seem like a big deal, but here's why it matters. Simply put, I2S is responsible for sending digital music from one audio component to another–for example, from the M19 Transport to the M11 Series II DAC–while keeping the music data and timing signals on separate connections.
The caveat here is that not all I2S connections are universally compatible. Bricasti created a proprietary I2S output that only works with other compatible Bricasti gear. The I2S port comes standard on the back of the M19, but is an available upgrade on the M11. At Moon Audio, we offer the M11 Series II DAC with the I2S connection already installed. It's one of those things where you can't have one without the other, so it only makes sense to buy the M11 with the I2S upgrade if you plan to purchase the M19 at any point in the future. You'll not only get the most transparent connection but also clear gain performance across the entire sound spectrum, and native DSD playback, which is a huge win when you're listening to CDs.
You'll find varying opinions on whether I2S is truly worth it and makes a difference, but when you're investing in gear like the M11 and M19, timing is everything. That's when performance matters the most and "just fine" won't do.
M19: Power and Performance
The M19's performance is about as straightforward as it gets. As a system designed solely for reading discs and outputting a pure digital audio signal, Bricasti put its engineering efforts into creating a circuit with a clear pathway, free from unnecessary additions.
Underneath the M19's chassis sit two independent linear power supplies, one for the motor drive and disc loader, and the other for everything related to control and signal processing. The goal here is to stop the naturally noisy nature of motor control from polluting the audio side of the transport.
The true value of the M19 lies in the fact that it can output DSD audio from an SACD through its I2S port. That means it does require a compatible DAC supporting I2S; in this case, that would be the M11 Series II with I2S added. On its own, the M11 does not come with I2S pre-installed, but we offer it with I2S already installed, so if you plan to use the two components together, then it's a no-brainer. If you don't purchase the M11 with I2S, the DSD signal will be downsampled to PCM.
Dragon Cables
[Black Dragon AES Digital Cable, Silver Dragon Network Cable]
There are a lot of reasons why you need to make sure your audio cables are not afterthoughts.
Our HiFi Audio Dragon Cables bring out more of what you love in your music and audio gear. If you love your headphones but wish they had a bit more top-end sparkle - a Silver Dragon Headphone Cable would be a great option. If your USB cables keep dying - as many stock cables do - then check out our quality USB Audio Cables. We say time and time again that materials matter, and our audio cables and custom geometries actually help to bring out those desired properties in your gear and music. We make tons of custom options for our customers so that you can get the right HiFi Audio cable for your exact needs. If you have any questions feel free to Contact Us and we'll be more than happy to help.
Generally, stock audio cables are manufactured with subpar materials, metals with impurities, poor geometries, and an overabundance of layers to make them look and feel like a fire hose. Inconsistency and lack of quality control in stock cables can lead to poor sound quality and a veiled sound vs. what the musician intended for you to hear and feel from the music. Dragon Audio Cables are handcrafted with the highest standards and made to order according to your specific needs. At Moon Audio, we create a custom cable for you using the highest quality UP-OCC silver or copper conductors that can be manufactured. UP-OCC metals are void of impurities and are optimized for signal transfer and sound quality. We have one of the largest collections of audio and headphone connection options available online and we create limitless audio cable options depending on your specific gear and needs.
Why Dragon Cables?
You’ve heard the saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, right? Well, the same applies to your brand new audiophile-grade headphone or other audio components. The weakest link, in this case, is your stock audio cable or the cheap interconnects the manufacturer threw in the box just to get you up and running. Why is the audio cable always an afterthought, when it’s just as important as the rest of your system? At Moon Audio, we use the purest and best raw materials in our cables to unveil your music. We believe that materials matter and your audio cables should have the same care and craftsmanship that manufacturers put into their audio components and headphones. Audio cables are ultimately the connection to your music. The fact remains that cabling is often considered the last priority to that of the main product and a means to cut down the overall production costs. It’s as simple as that. Dragon Cables elevate every note - as if you were hearing your favorite music for the very first time.
Verdict
A $10,000 transport is not for every audiophile, and the M11 Series II isn't a cheap DAC either, but together, the payoff is unmistakable. There's a level of craftsmanship, engineering restraint, and sonic intention packed into these two components that justifies the investment, the same way it does with fine watches or hand-built cars. The cost reflects what's actually inside. And unlike a lot of gear that chases trends, the M11 and M19 are built to be a long-term destination rather than a stepping stone on your way to audio nirvana. This is the system you buy once and live with for years.
To get the most out of the M19 SACD/CD Transport, you need a Bricasti DAC with Bricasti's proprietary I2S interface. The two are designed as a matched pair, and settling for anything less means leaving real performance on the table. It's also worth investing in high-end cables that can keep up with components of this caliber. We recommend pairing the M19 with the Black Dragon AES Digital Cable for the digital connection to the M11 (when not running I2S) and the Silver Dragon Network Cable for any networked components. Given how much the M19 and M11 reward a clean, precise digital signal, a cable of this quality isn't an afterthought; it's part of getting the full performance you paid for.
When Bricasti Design General Manager Brian Zolner was asked whether the company had plans to build an all-in-one solution, his answer was a firm no — and after living with the M11 and M19 together, it's easy to understand why. Simplicity is the point. By stripping away unnecessary features and focusing entirely on a clean signal path, Bricasti has built a system that does a small number of things at the absolute highest level. For the listener who wants CD and SACD playback rendered with true analog warmth, natural decay, and three-dimensional space, the M11 Series II and M19 aren't just a strong pairing — they're a reference-grade system built for a lifetime of listening.
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What's in the Box
- Bricasti M11 Series II R2R D/A Converter
- Power cord
- User manual
- Remote Control
- Warranty card (2-year parts and labor warranty)
- Bricasti M19 SACD/CD Transport
- Remote Control
- Power Cable
- User Manual
- Warranty Information
Specifications
Bricasti M11 Series II R2R DAC
Digital Inputs: XLR (AES/EBU 24-bit Single Wire), BNC (SPDIF), RCA (SPDIF), Optical (Toslink 44.1-96kHz), USB 2.0
Sample Rates (AES, SPDIF, AUX): 44.1kHz to 192kHz
Sample Rates (USB): 44.1kHz to 384kHz, DSD 64/128/256 (Native or DoP)
Sample Rates (Ethernet-optional): 44.1kHz to 384kHz PCM, DSD 64x / 128x (Native and DoP)
Jitter: 8 psec @ 48kHz/ 6 psec @ 96kHz
Balanced Analog Outputs: XLR (Pin 2 hot)
Balanced Output Impedance: 40 ohms
Balanced Output Level: Internally selectable: +13 dBm or +10 dBm
Unbalanced Analog Outputs: RCA
Unbalanced Output Impedance: 40 ohms
Unbalanced Output Level: +8 dBm (2V RMS)
D/A Conversion: 20-bit Ladder Type
Frequency Response @ 44.1 kHz: 10Hz-20kHz, +0dB / -0.2dB
Dynamic Range: >120dB A-Weighted
THD+N @ 1 kHz: 0.0020% @ 0dBfs
EMC Compliance: EN 55103-1, EN 55103-2, FCC part 15 Class B
RoHS Compliance: EU RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC
Safety Certification: 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
Mains Voltage: 100, 120, 220, 240 VAC, 50-60Hz (factory set)
Trigger Out: TRS mini jack (Tip: ground, Sleeve: 5V)
Power Consumption: 28W (6W standby)
Bricasti M19 SACD/CD I2S Transport
Digital Outputs: XLR: AES/EBU 24-bit Single Wire | RCA or BNC: SPDIF | RJ45: Proprietary I2S
Sample Rates – AES / SPDIF: 44.1 kHz, or DSD 64fs as DoP
Sample Rates – I2S: 44.1 kHz to 384 kHz, DSD 64fs, 128fs Native
Mains Voltage: 100, 120, 220, 240 VAC, 50 Hz - 60 Hz (factory set)
Power Consumption: 20 Watts
Trigger In/Out: TRS connector for 5V external trigger on ring
Finish: Anodized aluminum
Dimensions: 17" x 12.5" x 4.5"
Weight: 20 lbs
