M12 SOURCE CONTROLLER - STEREO D/A
M12 SOURCE CONTROLLER - STEREO D/A
True analog volume control offering high-precision gain adjustment with a 90dB range, preserving resolution across all settings
Dual mono design featuring pass thru and enhanced power supplies for left and right channels, improving performance and signal purity
Pure DSD path supporting native 1-bit DSD processing, with all post-processing completed entirely in the analog domain
One set of balanced and unbalanced analog inputs and for connecting favorite analog sources
Superb build quality, hand-crafted by Bricasti Design in the USA
Finish available in Classic black, Argento silver, and Platinum
The M12 Source Controller—Stereo D/A is a state-of-the-art front-end preamplifier and digital-to-analog converter designed to enhance any high-resolution audio system. It includes one set of balanced and unbalanced analog inputs for connecting analog sources, such as a phono stage for turntable setups. The M12 offers precise analog gain control, enabling seamless integration into a reference system and perfectly complementing the exceptional series of Bricasti amplifiers with an all balanced signal path from end-to-end.
PURE DUAL MONO
SIGNAL PATH
The M12 is built on the proven design of the M1 D/A converter, ensuring that digital sources are processed and converted optimally. It features a pure dual mono analog signal path with high-resolution analog gain and level control. This setup manages the output stage of the D/A converter entirely in the analog domain, maintaining resolution without loss. Pass-through analog inputs are also provided for connecting analog sources. Like the M1 D/A series, the M12’s dual-mono design is supported by three enhanced medical-grade power supplies: one for the left analog channel, one for the right analog channel, and a third dedicated to digital and analog processing. The M12 is also equipped with Bricasti’s latest high-performance MDx processor.
DSD TO NEW
HEIGHTS
The M12 features a pure analog, 1-bit DSD converter designed in-house, with all filtering and level adjustments performed entirely in the analog domain. This approach elevates DSD playback to 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 true 1-bit DSD path, ensuring maximum audio fidelity. All post-processing, including noise filtering and level control, is handled solely in the analog domain, delivering an ultra-linear, expressive sound.
DIRECT OR ANALOGUE
MASTERFULLY CONNECTED
The M12 is equipped with balanced and unbalanced analog 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 allows seamless integration with both vintage and modern equipment. These inputs form the line amplifier stage of 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 to maximize efficiency in driving any amplification system.
SILENT
CONTROL
The system features an all-analog, precise, and silent control mechanism with a 90dB range, adjustable in one-decibel steps. It is fully remote-controlled and programmable. The M12 utilizes a digitally controlled, fully balanced dual-mono resistor ladder, delivering exceptional audio quality. 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 analog control for both balanced and unbalanced inputs.
FEATURES
MDX OS
PROCESSOR
The Bricasti MDx digital processor marks a major advancement, built on a proprietary platform developed over years of research. It enhances our entire range of digital-to-analog converters, offering greater timing accuracy, improved master clocking, and enhanced network performance. The MDx also introduces DSD256 support over USB.
EFFORTLESS
STREAMING
The Bricasti Network Player Card, together with any software that supports UPnP, DNLA and Roon, delivers a sophisticated and flexible solution for audiophiles seeking exceptional streaming performance with effortless convenience.
OPTIONS
I2S: PURE
PERFORMANCE
The M19 Reference SACD/CD Transport features our proprietary I2S digital output, designed exclusively for Bricasti DACs. This creates a direct, reference signal traditionally used internally board-to-board. The I2S input is available as an option on all new Bricasti DACs and can be added as an upgrade for existing models.
Handcrafted 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.
M12 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
DIGITAL INPUTS:
XLR: AES/EBU 24-bit Single Wire, RCA: SPDIF, Optical: Toslink 44.1- 96k, USB 2, Ethernet (optional), 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
BALANCED 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, 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
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 OPTIONS:
DIMENSIONS:
17” x 12.5“ 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 connector for 5V external trigger on ring.
POWER CONSUMPTION:
28 Watts (6W standby)
WARRANTY PARTS AND LABOUR:
2 years