M12 SOURCE CONTROLLER - STEREO D/A
M12 REVEAL
YOUR SOURCE
The M12 Source Controller - Stereo D/A is a state-of-the-art front-end preamplifier and digital-to-analogue converter designed to enhance any high-resolution audio system. It also doubles up by including one set of balanced and unbalanced analogue inputs for connecting your analogue sources, such as a phono stage for turntable setups. The M12 offers precise analogue gain control, enabling seamless integration into your reference system and perfectly complementing the exceptional series of Bricasti amplifiers.
PURE DUAL MONO
SIGNAL PATH
The M12 is built on the proven design of the M1 D/A converter, ensuring that your digital sources are processed and converted optimally. It features a pure dual mono analogue signal path with high-resolution analogue gain and level control. This setup controls the output stage of the D/A converter in the analogue domain, maintaining resolution without any loss. Additionally, there are pass-through analogue inputs for your analogue sources. Like the M1 D/A series, the M12 has a dual mono design further supported by three enhanced medical-grade power supplies: one for the left analogue channel, another for the right analogue channel, and a third for digital and analogue processing. The M12 is also equipped with the latest high-performance MDx processor from Bricasti Design.
DSD TO NEW
HEIGHTS
The M12 features a pure analogue, 1-bit DSD converter designed in-house, with all filtering and level adjustments performed in the analogue domain. This approach elevates DSD playback to stunning new levels of fidelity, eliminating digital signal processing for unparalleled detail retrieval. Unlike most DACs, which convert DSD media to multi-bit sigma-delta or PCM for filtering, the M12 maintains a pure 1-bit DSD path, ensuring maximum audio fidelity. All post-processing, including noise filtering and level control, is done solely in the analogue domain, delivering an ultra-linear, expressive sound.
MASTERFULLY
CONNECTED
The M12 is equipped with balanced and unbalanced analogue inputs, designed to support a variety of audio sources, including phono stages for turntable setups, reel-to-reel tape players, cassette decks, and tuners. This ensures seamless integration with both vintage and modern equipment. These inputs create the line amplifier stage for the M12, contributing to exceptional signal integrity and clarity. With a fully balanced design for optimal performance, the M12 pairs perfectly with Bricasti's power amplifiers, offering true differential source control that maximizes efficiency in driving any amplification system.
SILENT
CONTROL
The system features all-analogue, precise, and silent control with a control range of 90 dB, adjustable in one-decibel steps. It is fully remote-controlled and programmable. The M12 utilizes a digitally controlled, fully balanced dual mono resistor ladder that offers exceptional audio quality. It is positioned at the source, specifically at the output of the DAC's I-V stage. This design ensures the best possible digital playback while maintaining analogue control through the M12's balanced or unbalanced inputs.
MDx OS
THE NEXT GENERATION
OF INNOVATION
The Bricasti MDx digital processor is a new proprietary digital platform, years in development that transforms and refines our full line of D/A converters. Exceptionally accurate with regards to timing and incoming master clocking, network improvements to yield better sonic performance over the network and the latest inclusion of DSD256 over USB. MDx takes audio to a whole new level with sublime precision.
EFFORTLESS
NETWORK STREAMING
The M12 plays ethernet wired over your data network. In addition, audio listeners have become accustomed to having a computer server and additional storage drives directly in the listening environment. This can get messy with the added cables and power supplies that accompany them. With the built-in Network Player you can find new freedom from your server devices and place them anywhere on your network, away from your system.
I2S PERFECT
PARTNER
The M19 SACD/CD Digital Transport offers our proprietary I2S digital output for exclusive use with all Bricasti DACs. This interface between the player and one of our DACs, in exchange for the Ethernet Network option, creates the perfect match between the two devices, as though the DAC was part of the M19.
This enhances the performance with stunning results: a convincing audible gain across the whole sound spectrum, with unmistakable added clarity and enhanced layering thanks to its pure and simplistic design. The I2S input is now listed as an option for all new Bricasti DACs and can be obtained by previous customers as an upgrade path.
PLATINUM
FINISH
In addition to the standard Black and Argento finishes, an optional Platinum finish is available for the M12. This finish involves anodizing the base aluminium metal, starting with a layer of copper, followed by nickel, and finally applying a 40-micron coating of pure Platinum in-house. The stunning mirror finish enhances the aesthetics and increases the chassis's mass with precious metals. This added weight improves performance, offering better tonality and resolution due to its effective RF rejection.
M12 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Digital Inputs
XLR: AES/EBU 24 bit Single Wire, BNC: SPDIF, RCA: SPDIF, Optical: Toslink 44.1- 96k, USB 2, Ethernet, I2S (optional)
Sample Rates AES, SPDIF, AUX:
44.1 kHz, to, 192khz, DSD 64fs as DoP
Sample Rates USB:
44.1 kHz, to, 384kHz, DSD 64fs 128Fs 256Fs Native and DoP
Sample Rates ETHERNET:
44.1 kHz, to, 384kHz, DSD 64fs, 128Fs Native and DoP
JITTER:
8 psec @ 48k / 6psec @ 96k
ON BALANCED OUTPUTS
Balanced Analog Outputs:
XLR balanced (pin 2 hot)
Impedance:
40 ohm
Output:
@ full scale +16.5 dbm (5.2V RMS)
Output Level:
90db in 1 db steps
D/A Conversion:
PCM 24 bit delta-sigma 8x oversampling, 64x 128x 256x Native and DoP
DSD direct 1-bit
Frequency Response @44.1k:
10 Hz- 20 kHz +0dB, -.2 dB
Dynamic Range:
>120dB A-Weighted
THD+N @ 1k:
.0008% @ 0dbfs / .0004% @-30dbfs
ON UNBALANCED OUTPUTS
UNBalanced Analog Outputs:
RCA
Impedance:
40 ohm
Output:
Full scale at front panel +6 dbm (1.2V RMS)
Output Level:
90db in 1 db steps
D/A Conversion:
PCM 24 bit delta-sigma 8x oversampling, DSD direct 1-bit
Frequency Response @44.1k:
10 Hz- 20 kHz +0dB, -.2 dB
Dynamic Range:
>120dB A-Weighted
THD+N @ 1k:
.0008% @ 0dbfs / .0004% @-30dbfs
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
General Specifications:
EMC: Complies: EN 55103-1, EN 55103-2, FCC part 15 and 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)
Finish:
Anodised aluminium, optional Platinum with nickel plating, brass knobs and buttons.
DIMENSIONS:
17” x 12“ x 4.5”
43,18, 31,75, 11,43 cm
Shipping Dimensions:
22”x 17”x 7”
55,88, 43,18, 17,78 cm
WEIGHT:
15 lbs, 6.8 kg.
Shipping Weight:
18 lbs, 8,2 kg.
MAINS voltage:
-100, 120, 220, 240 VAC, 50 Hz – 60 Hz factory set
TRIGGER OUT:
TRS mini jack, Tip ground, Sleeve 5V
Power consumption:
28 Watts (6W standby)
Warranty parts and labor:
2 years non-trans.
MANUAL:
HANDMADE
IN THE USA
All of our 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.