Bricasti M28 Amp

[Kingsrule]

Is there a link to review?

 

[DonH50]

I doubt it since it just came out but check the Stereophile web site.

 

[Al M.]

Reviewed in May 2015 Stereophile; review was not favorable.

Here is a favorable mention:

http://parttimeaudiophile.com/2014/...audio-tidal-audio-and-the-height-of-elegance/

 

[DonH50]

I did a random search last night after reading the Stereophile review and there were roughly equal positive and negative reviews in a quick sampling.

 

[Kingsrule]

Just read the review

Kiss the M28 goodbye.......

 

[c1ferrari]

Read the review, too.
Disagree with your prognosis. Fremer's review did not condemn the M28.

 

[DaveyF]

Sam, Fremer's review was very couched and IMO not terribly positive. The amps he referenced as being superior on his system are admittedly several times the price. However, I was left with an impression that the Bricasti was like many of the "sterile" sounding amps that were praised to the heavens in the past....can we say Halcro and their ilk here.
I also remember reading Fremer's review of the latest Mark Levinson...and of his slamming that one. It would seem that the former darling, Mark Levinson gear, has almost dropped out of sight. Too bad, as I did like the cosmetics, LOL....the sound, well that was NEVER my cup of tea.

 

[c1ferrari]

Hi Davey,

I thought Fremer articulated his criticisms fairly plainly; albeit, reading between the lines is de rigueur with reviews.
Funny, the few times I've heard Soulution gear at shows reminds me of solid state -- iirc, Fremer characterizes the M28 as tube-like...which is fine with me.

 

[audio.bill]

As a result of the rather negative perspective on the M28 amps in Fremer's review, Brian Zolner responded pointing out that Stereophile's own measurements showed that the M28s were actually cleaner, lower in distortion, and faster than MF's "reference" amps. He explained that sometimes we get used to distortions in our systems, and that when they are removed it can take a while to adjust our perspective to realize that what we are now hearing is actually an improvement. John Atkinson has already posted elsewhere that he now has the amps in his possession and intends to do a follow-up to the review himself in an upcoming issue. Stay tuned... I have heard the amps myself being driven directly in balanced mode from the Bricasti M1 DAC at several shows, and have found the resulting sound to be superb. At the recent AXPONA the same combination was declared as one of the best sounding rooms of the show by several reviewers' online reports.

 

[c1ferrari]

It would be interesting to read the manufacturer's response, once available online.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

As a result of the rather negative perspective on the M28 amps in Fremer's review, Brian Zolner responded pointing out that Stereophile's own measurements showed that the M28s were actually cleaner, lower in distortion, and faster than MF's "reference" amps. He explained that sometimes we get used to distortions in our systems, and that when they are removed it can take a while to adjust our perspective to realize that what we are now hearing is actually an improvement. John Atkinson has already posted elsewhere that he now has the amps in his possession and intends to do a follow-up to the review himself in an upcoming issue. Stay tuned... I have heard the amps myself being driven directly in balanced mode from the Bricasti M1 DAC at several shows, and have found the resulting sound to be superb. At the recent AXPONA the same combination was declared as one of the best sounding rooms of the show by several reviewers' online reports.

i did read the review and the manufacturers feedback comments.

I think that Mr. Zolner should actually hear Fremer's reference before he accuses Fremer of not hearing distortions. Fremer has certainly had many of the top level amplifiers thru his room to have determined what distortions might or might not exist with his reference. i assume that Mr. Zolner was initially very excited to have Fremer review his amplifier based on Fremer's street cred and experience with other top amps. that cuts both ways and clearly was a risk.

I do respect that he would feel a bit defensive after reading that review.

full disclosure; I own the same reference amps that Fremer does. and when Zolner does get around to listening to Fremer's reference amps i'll look forward to his take on that.

i'll also say that at 5x the price that Fremer's reference should sound better. it's too bad Fremer did not have a few more similarly priced amps around to directly compare.

 

[morricab]

Well, after having heard the big Soulution amps a number of times now and disliking every demo and hearing the big darTZeel and not being terribly impressed given the cash outlay, I would say that if the Bricasti doesn't sound like them it is possibly very good for the Bricasti.

It is pretty clear the MF likes a somewhat "lean & clean" sound, his speaker and previous amp choices lean this direction. His grudging admiration of the Lamm ML3 was just that...grudging.

However, I don't see anything in the Bricasti measurements to even hint at "tubelike" sound.

 

[Kingsrule]

Atkinson has always liked Levinson gear so it will be interesting to read his take. I predict he will like them LOL...

When Stereophile posts a review they should also post any manufacturer comments as well. Not doing so is a disservice to the manufacturer as well as the reader.

I am always dubious of manufacturers that build pro as well as consumer versions of their products. More often than not they design for the pro requirements and not for the audiophile, Boulder being the one exception that comes to mind.

The design of the M28 is very nice.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Atkinson has always liked Levinson gear so it will be interesting to read his take. I predict he will like them LOL...

on that note, Fremer's last Levinson amp review was a train wreck for Levinson. you would guess that the dots might have been connected and this episode avoided in some way. this review was not remotely as bad, but the effect should have been still felt.

 

[c1ferrari]

Well, after having heard the big Soulution amps a number of times now and disliking every demo and hearing the big darTZeel and not being terribly impressed given the cash outlay, I would say that if the Bricasti doesn't sound like them it is possibly very good for the Bricasti.

It is pretty clear the MF likes a somewhat "lean & clean" sound, his speaker and previous amp choices lean this direction. His grudging admiration of the Lamm ML3 was just that...grudging.

However, I don't see anything in the Bricasti measurements to even hint at "tubelike" sound.

Hey Morricab,

Nice to see you, here.

Fremer did remark of 'tube-like' character when describing some of the M28's sonic presentation.
Fascinatingly, personally, were his representations relating to the M28's reproduction of massed strings...
when an amp can do this right -- low distortion (read not strident) -- with the recognizable timbre that one
may identify as consonant with unamplified acoustic instruments, solid state or valve, then I take notice.

Proviso: given source/system/room context

 

[dan31]

No doubt Dartzeel makes some of the best equipment period. Of note is that they almost always pair the pre and stereo or mono amps with the 50 ohm connection being optimized. I do wonder how the Bricasti would have faired with the Boulder 2110 as mentioned by Mikey.

 

[Brian Walsh]

As a result of the rather negative perspective on the M28 amps in Fremer's review, Brian Zolner responded pointing out that Stereophile's own measurements showed that the M28s were actually cleaner, lower in distortion, and faster than MF's "reference" amps. He explained that sometimes we get used to distortions in our systems, and that when they are removed it can take a while to adjust our perspective to realize that what we are now hearing is actually an improvement. John Atkinson has already posted elsewhere that he now has the amps in his possession and intends to do a follow-up to the review himself in an upcoming issue. Stay tuned... I have heard the amps myself being driven directly in balanced mode from the Bricasti M1 DAC at several shows, and have found the resulting sound to be superb. At the recent AXPONA the same combination was declared as one of the best sounding rooms of the show by several reviewers' online reports.

Spot on. At some point hopefully in the not too distant future I will have a pair to demo here and to loan out and invite you and others to take advantage of the opportunity and to compare the M28s against others.

 

[Kingsrule]

These amps also can't drive a 2 ohm load...not good

 

[skolis]

Review now online:

http://www.stereophile.com/content/bricasti-design-m28-monoblock-power-amplifier

Also....

When Stereophile posts a review they should also post any manufacturer comments as well.

See attached....

 

[Jeffy]

Well, after having heard the big Soulution amps a number of times now and disliking every demo and hearing the big darTZeel and not being terribly impressed given the cash outlay, I would say that if the Bricasti doesn't sound like them it is possibly very good for the Bricasti.

It is pretty clear the MF likes a somewhat "lean & clean" sound, his speaker and previous amp choices lean this direction. His grudging admiration of the Lamm ML3 was just that...grudging.

However, I don't see anything in the Bricasti measurements to even hint at "tubelike" sound.

I agree with you that Fremer likes a leaner sound, but he also reviewed the D'Agostinno amps and said they had a little more forgiving top end compared to the Dart., but said this and the Dartz. are the two best amps he has heard. If the Bricasti is warmer yet I would not ever consider them.