Beresford 7510 DAC - Calling All Owners
Posted by: joe90 on 13 January 2009
Hi guys
Who has a Beresford 7510 DAC?
What do you think?
What's your setup?
Did you try it against the Benchmark and Lavry?
Who has a Beresford 7510 DAC?
What do you think?
What's your setup?
Did you try it against the Benchmark and Lavry?
Posted on: 13 January 2009 by Obsessed1
I've got one hooked up to an iMac, driving AKG 701 headphones. It's good value for money and does a very credible job as both a DAC and head amp.
I also have a Lavry, and as good as the Beresford is, it is no mach for the Lavry. The Lavry is much better (but its crappy toggle volume control does not lend itself to being a proper head amp).
Still, it is hard to fault the Beresford for its asking price.
I also have a Lavry, and as good as the Beresford is, it is no mach for the Lavry. The Lavry is much better (but its crappy toggle volume control does not lend itself to being a proper head amp).
Still, it is hard to fault the Beresford for its asking price.
Posted on: 13 January 2009 by joe90
Ta for that.
The Lavry's at least 5 x the price though, isn't it?
The Lavry's at least 5 x the price though, isn't it?
Posted on: 13 January 2009 by goldfinch
I think Hifi Choice have a DAC group test including Beresford, Lavry, Apogee among others, in the last issue,
Posted on: 13 January 2009 by joe90
quote:Yes it is.
Because its 20 x better.
You have the Lavry DA10, Munch?
Didn't you have a CDX?
Posted on: 14 January 2009 by Huwge
I just put a Beresford DAC between my Apple TV and 552 and have to say that for the money it's quite impressive. This is a toe in the water for me, until some other options become available.
Not sure it's entirely fair to compare a GBP 120 unit and a Din / RCA connector from Flashback with the Lavry, especially when many seem to be running these units with both a Powerline and Chord Anthem interconnects. I would be disappointed to learn that the Lavry was not better in this context.
I am not using the DAC for critical listening, so true high end is not an issue for me currently.
Not sure it's entirely fair to compare a GBP 120 unit and a Din / RCA connector from Flashback with the Lavry, especially when many seem to be running these units with both a Powerline and Chord Anthem interconnects. I would be disappointed to learn that the Lavry was not better in this context.
I am not using the DAC for critical listening, so true high end is not an issue for me currently.
Posted on: 14 January 2009 by AS332
I have just sold my Beresford and purchased a Lavry . Both taking the feed from a Sonos in to my 282 .
The Lavry is indeed much better in my system and very enjoyable , however for the price the Beresford is a very impressive box .
I'm glad I had both as it gave me a good reference rather than going straight for the Lavry .
Ed
The Lavry is indeed much better in my system and very enjoyable , however for the price the Beresford is a very impressive box .
I'm glad I had both as it gave me a good reference rather than going straight for the Lavry .
Ed
Posted on: 14 January 2009 by Eric Barry
Is anyone willing/able to summarize the Hi-Fi Choice results? It's not out in the States yet.
Posted on: 14 January 2009 by nap-ster
The Cambridge Audio was their preferred choice, I think based largely on its £200 price tag. Best buys for the CA, Beresford, Lavry and the Cyrus.
The other two included in the test were the Apogee and the Heed.
The other two included in the test were the Apogee and the Heed.
Posted on: 14 January 2009 by goldfinch
If CA Dacmagic is similar to the digital input of my CA 740c I can say the Lavry is clearly superior. Same Hifichoice issue also reviews favourably the new Bryston BDA-1, this is available online at at techradar, unfortunately they just compare it to a very much cheaper CA Dacmagic and to a very much expensive Dcs. Completely different price level to the Bryston or the Lavry. Brilliant conclusions if you take into account the huge price difference among the three! 
.
Lavry vs Bryston would be a more useful reading for potential buyers!
Anyway it seems Naim has several good alternatives to benchmark in the development of a future Naim DAC (hopefully).
.Lavry vs Bryston would be a more useful reading for potential buyers!
Anyway it seems Naim has several good alternatives to benchmark in the development of a future Naim DAC (hopefully).
Posted on: 14 January 2009 by nap-ster
They never said the Lavry was 20 times better than the Beresford for 5 times the price though.
Posted on: 14 January 2009 by matt303
I use a Beresford between my Squeezebox (fed with FLAC files) and Nait 5i and rather like it. I'd say it's got a lively sound that matched what I was looking for when I put my system together (CD5i, Nait5i, Rega R5 speakers). I must admit that I'm tempted to give the new CA DacMagic a go at some point this year.
Posted on: 15 January 2009 by goldfinch
nap-ster,
IMO x times better for x times the price opinions are a bit useless if one takes into account diminishing returns law, I think it is more interesting to know what product A makes better than product B as we already know overall differences are not huge even among very different priced gear.
Could you tell why do they give one of their best buy to the Lavry? This mag is not available in my country, I am curious...
IMO x times better for x times the price opinions are a bit useless if one takes into account diminishing returns law, I think it is more interesting to know what product A makes better than product B as we already know overall differences are not huge even among very different priced gear.
Could you tell why do they give one of their best buy to the Lavry? This mag is not available in my country, I am curious...
Posted on: 15 January 2009 by nap-ster
quote:Originally posted by goldfinch:
nap-ster,
IMO x times better for x times the price opinions are a bit useless if one takes into account diminishing returns law, I think it is more interesting to know what product A makes better than product B as we already know overall differences are not huge even among very different priced gear.
Could you tell why do they give one of their best buy to the Lavry? This mag is not available in my country, I am curious...
My comment was about the Lavry was just a tongue in cheek reply to a previous post.
The "Verdict" given by the magazine regarding the Lavry is as follows:
"An engineering tour de force, this DAC takes some getting used to if one is to appreciate its exceptional detail and insight. A lack of overt rhythmic drive may limit its appeal for some"
Posted on: 15 January 2009 by goldfinch
Thanks nap-ster,
Posted on: 15 January 2009 by nap-ster
quote:Originally posted by nap-ster:quote:Originally posted by goldfinch:
nap-ster,
IMO x times better for x times the price opinions are a bit useless if one takes into account diminishing returns law, I think it is more interesting to know what product A makes better than product B as we already know overall differences are not huge even among very different priced gear.
Could you tell why do they give one of their best buy to the Lavry? This mag is not available in my country, I am curious...
My comment about the Lavry was just a tongue in cheek reply to a previous post.
The "Verdict" given by the magazine regarding the Lavry is as follows:
"An engineering tour de force, this DAC takes some getting used to if one is to appreciate its exceptional detail and insight. A lack of overt rhythmic drive may limit its appeal for some"
Posted on: 15 January 2009 by nap-ster
No problem
Posted on: 15 January 2009 by Eric Barry
Has anyone put a Beresford in a top-flight system that has a tendency towards hardness? Right now I've got a 90s DAC that was Stereophile Class B, fed by the mini-TOS of an Airport Express. Sound is quite livable except for that classic digital glassy edge in the lower treble. Don't know if that's the inherent character of the DAC or the jittery output of the AE.
Posted on: 15 January 2009 by Huwge
quote:Originally posted by Eric Barry:
Has anyone put a Beresford in a top-flight system that has a tendency towards hardness? Right now I've got a 90s DAC that was Stereophile Class B, fed by the mini-TOS of an Airport Express. Sound is quite livable except for that classic digital glassy edge in the lower treble. Don't know if that's the inherent character of the DAC or the jittery output of the AE.
My system (in profile) is not bright per se, but has to cope in a very tough listening room. I have recently put a Beresford between my Apple TV and 552 - it doesn't sound overtly digital to me. Stan Beresford told me that he has tuned his DAC against his analogue source - a Micro Seiki.
Posted on: 15 January 2009 by james n
Napster - which issue of HFC is this ?. I may need to go and peruse the local Newsagent.
James
James
Posted on: 15 January 2009 by Major-Tom
Hi Joe
I use a Beresford between Macbook & 252 via 300 & WB. Running Apple Lossless through a Chord Optichord, the quality is amazing! Difficult to tell from CD on many recordings. I certainly don't get the feeling that that I'm listening to a 'lesser' source.
Admittedly I haven't heard a Lavry, but I find it hard to imagine that it could possibly sound 20 times better. For £100 the Beresford is a no-brainer!
Regards
MT
I use a Beresford between Macbook & 252 via 300 & WB. Running Apple Lossless through a Chord Optichord, the quality is amazing! Difficult to tell from CD on many recordings. I certainly don't get the feeling that that I'm listening to a 'lesser' source.
Admittedly I haven't heard a Lavry, but I find it hard to imagine that it could possibly sound 20 times better. For £100 the Beresford is a no-brainer!
Regards
MT
Posted on: 15 January 2009 by nap-ster
quote:Originally posted by james n:
Napster - which issue of HFC is this ?. I may need to go and peruse the local Newsagent.
James
I believe it's the current one. It's dated February.
Posted on: 15 January 2009 by Exiled Highlander
Major Tom
Jim
Absolutely spot-on.quote:For £100 the Beresford is a no-brainer
Jim
Posted on: 15 January 2009 by pcstockton
I certainly enjoy my B-ford very much.
Obviously it is not the be-all-end-all. But sufficient and a definite value at $180 including shipping.
Customer service is top notch. Stan will trade emails with you personally, and is tireless in his pursuit of your happiness.
The CDX/XPS I demoed for three days made it tough to go back to b-ford. That is for sure. But knowing I could buy 14 B-fords for the same price is reassuring.
For me, this purchase was exactly as Huwge describes above, "toe dip"... It was the only suggestion I could get from people in this Forum about 12 months ago. No one would even discuss DACs then. Seriously... It is hilarious.
But it seemed that those with Naim kits were enjoying it regardless of its price tag.
Allegedly, Stan is currently developing a "more expensive" DAC, and should be finished by now.
He was going to send me one to demo on my Naim kit, as we have been going back and forth for a long time to determine if their are earthing conflicts with an all Naim, no other source, kit.
He has been some tremendously helpful and has repeatedly offered to replace my unit if I thought anything was wrong with it.
Buy without hesitation until you can properly demo other DACs.
I am really close to pulling the trig on a Lavry. But I suppose the B-ford keeps me happy enough.
I want to be able to demo a Naim External Dac before I make my next DAC step.
Obviously it is not the be-all-end-all. But sufficient and a definite value at $180 including shipping.
Customer service is top notch. Stan will trade emails with you personally, and is tireless in his pursuit of your happiness.
The CDX/XPS I demoed for three days made it tough to go back to b-ford. That is for sure. But knowing I could buy 14 B-fords for the same price is reassuring.
For me, this purchase was exactly as Huwge describes above, "toe dip"... It was the only suggestion I could get from people in this Forum about 12 months ago. No one would even discuss DACs then. Seriously... It is hilarious.
But it seemed that those with Naim kits were enjoying it regardless of its price tag.
Allegedly, Stan is currently developing a "more expensive" DAC, and should be finished by now.
He was going to send me one to demo on my Naim kit, as we have been going back and forth for a long time to determine if their are earthing conflicts with an all Naim, no other source, kit.
He has been some tremendously helpful and has repeatedly offered to replace my unit if I thought anything was wrong with it.
Buy without hesitation until you can properly demo other DACs.
I am really close to pulling the trig on a Lavry. But I suppose the B-ford keeps me happy enough.
I want to be able to demo a Naim External Dac before I make my next DAC step.
Posted on: 15 January 2009 by 'haroldbudd'
Exactly what pcstockton just said, word for word.
Anyone try a fancy psu with the Beresford? Stan says it wont make a difference but my KingRex PSU completley transforms the Kingrex DAC. I like it just a bit better than the Beresford but it is twice the price, I am still keeping the Beresford but can't try the PSU on it as it has a different size jack for the 12v power. I am very happy with these 2 cheapish DACs until Naim come out with their own DAC ..... hopefully soon, the Lavry does interest me
Anyone try a fancy psu with the Beresford? Stan says it wont make a difference but my KingRex PSU completley transforms the Kingrex DAC. I like it just a bit better than the Beresford but it is twice the price, I am still keeping the Beresford but can't try the PSU on it as it has a different size jack for the 12v power. I am very happy with these 2 cheapish DACs until Naim come out with their own DAC ..... hopefully soon, the Lavry does interest me
Posted on: 15 January 2009 by james n
quote:I believe it's the current one. It's dated February.
Ta
