Bricasti
M12 Source Controller
$16,000.00 USDPay Over Time
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Features
Pure analog DSD conversion path — all noise filtering and level control handled entirely in the analog domain, with zero digital signal processing
High-resolution analog gain control with 90dB of range in precise 1dB steps, fully remote-controlled and programmable
Digitally controlled, fully balanced dual mono resistor ladder volume control inserted at the DAC's I-V stage output
Comprehensive digital input suite: XLR (AES/EBU), BNC (S/PDIF), RCA (S/PDIF), Toslink optical, and USB 2.0
Network streaming via DLNA/UPnP media renderer over wired Ethernet — compatible with Roon, Audirvana, JPlay, and JRiver
Balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) analog pass-through inputs for seamless integration of analog sources
Supports USB sample rates up to 384kHz and native DSD 64/128/256fs (DoP also supported)
Handcrafted in the USA in a classic Massachusetts mill facility by a team dedicated to audiophile excellence
Anodized aluminum chassis for a premium, durable finish
What's in the Box?
The Bricasti Design M12 is your modern hifi system's versatile front end. It supports all digital input types alongside balanced and unbalanced analog inputs, featuring precise analog gain control seamlessly integrated into a single unit – your source controller. Building upon the acclaimed design of the M1 SE D/A converter, the M12 ensures optimal handling and conversion of your digital sources. What sets it apart is its incorporation of a pure dual mono analog signal path, boasting high-resolution analog gain and level control. This allows for precise management of the D/A converter's output stage in the analog domain, preserving resolution without loss. Additionally, the M12 offers pass-through analog inputs for seamless integration of your analog sources. Like its predecessor, the M1, the M12 is crafted with a dual mono design, featuring three power supplies – separate left and right analog power supplies, and digital and analog processing – ensuring uncompromising performance across your audio spectrum. Made in the USA. The M12 is a streamer and is compatible with Roon and other high-resolution music streaming services.
Recommended Dragon Cable: We recommend pairing the Bricasti M12 Source Controller with our Black Dragon AES Digital Cable. It features true 110-ohm characteristics, several XLR connector options, Silver silver-plated copper conductors, and a fantastic sound! Our AES/EBU cable utilizes 2 Silver Plated copper conductors with a Teflon jacket. It has both an aluminum foil shield as well as a 100% coverage braided shield.
Network Streaming
An exciting function of the M12 is its network interface and media renderer functionality. This innovative feature enables the M12 to be recognized as a DLNA device on your audio network, serving as an audio device for playback or streaming through a wired connection. With this capability, you can now extend wired data transmission over longer distances without compromising quality, granting the freedom to position your network server wherever you desire while maintaining optimal audio performance. Enjoy seamless connectivity and expanded possibilities with the M12's network integration, elevating your audio experience to new heights.
DSD to new heights
Analog gain control has revolutionized Bricasti's approach to DSD playback, elevating it to unprecedented heights. At the core of the M12 lies a pure analog DSD converter, where all filtering and level adjustments are meticulously handled within the analog domain. Unlike conventional DACs that often convert DSD to multi-bit sigma-delta or PCM signals for digital processing, the M12 offers a purist's path with untouched DSD signal integrity. Post-processing tasks such as noise filtering and level control are seamlessly executed solely within the analog realm, ensuring the preservation of audio fidelity and the essence of your music. Immerse yourself in a pure DSD playback experience like never before with the M12.
Analog level
Experience unparalleled analog precision and control with the M12's advanced features. Offering precise, silent control with a dynamic range of 90dB in one dB increments, all remotely controllable and programmable, the M12 sets a new standard in audio excellence. Its digital-controlled, fully balanced dual-mono resistor ladder ensures optimal level accuracy, inserted at the source and positioned at the output of the DAC's I-V stage. This innovative approach not only delivers exceptional digital playback quality but also allows for seamless analog control from the M12's balanced or unbalanced inputs. Immerse yourself in the ultimate audio experience with the M12's unparalleled blend of digital sophistication and analog finesse.
Masterfully connected
The M12 integrates both balanced and unbalanced analog inputs to establish its line amp stage. This fully balanced configuration ensures optimal compatibility, serving as an ideal companion to the M28 power amps or the M15 stereo amp. With true differential source control, the M12 empowers users to effortlessly drive any power amplifier, delivering pristine audio performance and maximum versatility. Whether you prefer balanced or unbalanced connections, the M12 provides a seamless and reliable interface for your audio system, unlocking the full potential of your setup.
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 M12 Source Controller
- Power Cable
- Remote Control
- User Manual and documentation
- Warranty info
FAQ
What is a source controller?
The M12 Source Controller has 2 completely isolated fully differential channels, each with its own dedicated linear power supply, D/A converter, DDS clocking, and analog level control circuitry. This design ensures that analog crosstalk is virtually nonexistent, that the necessary power requirements for each channel are well met and isolated from each other and the digital processing is isolated, having its own power supply. With Bricasti's twin DAC design, the dynamic range for each channel is optimized by using the stereo ADI 1955 D/A converter in a mono configuration for PCM conversion, clocking is for each channel done directly at each DAC with a technique called DDS (direct digital synthesis) which takes clock induced jitter to immeasurable levels, and DSD is converted with their own one-bit analog converter.
Does the M12 come with a remote control?
Yes, the M12 Source Controller comes packaged with a remote in the box.
What is the M12 made out of?
The M12 is robustly constructed of milled and CNC machined aluminum sections, no typical bent metal chassis, and a top cover found on most products. All sections of the construction, the front and rear panels, the sides, and even the bottom and top plates start out as solid blocks of aluminum which are precision machined to shape, with exact tolerances for a perfect fit. These parts are then anodized and the text and markings are laser-etched for a clean and enduring look. Made with the same attention to detail as the rest of the M lineup (like the Bricasti M1). Available in an M12 Platinum version as well.
How does the M12 sound?
The intention of the M12 is to provide a state-of-the-art listening experience, utilizing the best designs and materials that can be found today. The converter and following analog stages are a very critical part of the digital and analog audio chain, the sound of the M12 is intended to be transparent and revealing, and fully dynamic. This in part is made possible by lowering the jitter to extremely low levels, providing a pure digital signal chain without sample rate converters, superior digital filter design, pure DSD conversion, coupled to a fast transparent analog signal path with an R2R level control, discreet analog output section and plenty of good clean linear power for optimum analog performance.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Digital Input Specifications | |
| Digital Inputs | XLR: AES/EBU 24-bit Single Wire BNC: SPDIF RCA: SPDIF Optical: Toslink 44.1–96kHz USB 2 |
| Sample Rates – AES, SPDIF, AUX In | 44.1kHz to 192kHz |
| Sample Rates – USB | 44.1kHz to 384kHz DSD 64fs, 128fs, 256fs – Native and DoP |
| Sample Rates – Ethernet | 44.1kHz to 384kHz DSD 128 Native |
| Jitter | 8 psec @ 48kHz / 6 psec @ 96kHz |
| Balanced Analog Output Specifications | |
| Balanced Analog Outputs | XLR Balanced (Pin 2 Hot) |
| Impedance | 40 ohms |
| Output | +16.5 dBm (5.2V RMS) @ Full Scale |
| Output Level | 90 dB in 1 dB steps |
| D/A Conversion | PCM 24-bit Delta Sigma 8x Oversampling DSD Direct 1-bit |
| Frequency Response @ 44.1kHz | 10Hz – 20kHz, +0dB / -0.2dB |
| Dynamic Range | >120dB A-Weighted |
| THD+N @ 1kHz | 0.0008% @ 0dBFS / 0.0004% @ -30dBFS |
| Unbalanced Analog Output Specifications | |
| Unbalanced Analog Outputs | RCA |
| Impedance | 40 ohms |
| Output Level | +8 dBm (2.6V RMS) @ Full Scale (Front Panel) |
| D/A Conversion | 24-bit Delta Sigma 8x Oversampling |
| Frequency Response @ 44.1kHz | 10Hz – 20kHz, -0.2dB |
| Dynamic Range | >120dB A-Weighted |
| THD+N @ 1kHz | 0.0008% @ 0dBFS / 0.0004% @ -30dBFS |
| Physical Specifications | |
| Finish | Anodized Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 17" x 12" x 4.5" |
| Weight | 15 lbs |
| Shipping Weight | 18 lbs |
| Shipping Dimensions | 22" x 17" x 7" |
| Power Specifications | |
| Mains Voltage | 100, 120, 220, 240 VAC – 50Hz to 60Hz (Factory Set) |
| Power Consumption | 28 Watts (6W Standby) |
| Trigger Out | TRS Mini Jack – Tip Ground, Sleeve 5V |
| Compliance & General Specifications | |
| EMC | Complies with: EN 55103-1, EN 55103-2, FCC Part 15 Class B |
| RoHS | Complies with: EU RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC |
| Safety | Certified to: 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) |
| Warranty | 2 Years Parts & Labor – Non-Transferable |