The M5 offers support for DNLA and other popular network protocols. The unit is available with RCA or BNC connector and I should add that this does indeed make an audible difference.Ĭurrently, the M5 is still pending RoonReady certification but already works perfectly using RAAT. The M5 connects to LAN via Ethernet and Wi-Fi (via a USB dongle), with SPDIF and AES outputs supporting sample rates up to 192k PCM and DSD 64 and DSD 128 over USB. This eliminates physical noise and further minimizes electrical inducted noise from the server. The USB output also received special care, being fed by a stable linear 5V supply, rather than the more usual noisy switching regulation.Īll playback and rendering is done in the M5, not the host server computer, and all the server does is send or instruct that the files from the storage be sent to the M5 for playback, so the noisy computer and drives can then be located away from the listening room.
In addition, their own player/renderer is used, and without any processing overhead for unnecessary processes such as occur when using a PC type motherboard for music playback. According to Bricasti, these are usually loaded with switching power regulation, so they made their own ARM processor Linux based system. Not only the power supply is custom made, but the digital parts are also too, so no off the shelf computer motherboard here. Bricasti offer USB on the M1 DAC and M5 endpoint but do indicate that in principle USB can be another source of noise due the power on the line and the computer where it’s sourced. The chassis is made with low vibration and good thermal dissipation in mind amd the linear regulator heat sink has been precisely milled to connect and dissipate heat and vibration into the chassis.
To this end they employed a linear power supply with custom-wound transformer. With the right combination of hardware and software, however, one can obtain streaming hardware to beat even the best CD players.Īccording to the manufacturer, the objective of the M5 was to make a network bridge and solve the problem areas of other products like this. Yes, I know a Sonos Connect is really affordable, but its sound does not get past that of a 300 euro CD player. Actually taking its incredibly high-end build quality into account I would say that it even borders on being affordable. By using clever motherboard design, bespoke components, custom made power supplies and smartly tweaked software, manufacturers are able to produce devices that sound significantly better than the best do it yourself efforts that I have heard.Īs always in audio, obtaining reference-class sound does not come entirely cheap, but at under 2500 euro the M5 is certainly also not hugely expensive.
Taking the do-it-yourself route can produce satisfying results, but in my experience, you don’t get all the way there. But does this guarantee good sound? Actually no. One can build a perfectly functional endpoint for very little money indeed. Squeeze Lite and Roon Ready are both freely available and run on almost all hardware. Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. Retail price in the Netherlands 2495 euro The Perfect Roon Ready Streaming Endpoint Review sample kindly supplied by Ohm Audio