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?
quote:Originally posted by js:
It looks like there's an additional supply filter inboard of the 12v input. Large cap and diode, maybe a zener so unless you bypass that the difference may not be very significant anyway. The issue is determining when is it no longer cost effective.
I'd replace the output coupling caps with tants of at least 10v rating as I believe there's over 6 VDC to block. Only the 220mf ones near the outputs for fixed output. Vaiable and headphone outs can't be made as good but still improved with similar bits in a few more places. This isn't brain surgery. You'll probably have to parallel a few to get value but I really didn't check what's value Tants are readily available. No gaurantees as parts do sound different even if they measure the same. Combos can be intersting.I've done these things (and slightly more)to an $80 Beresford equivilent that was on sale from MCM in the states. Fiddled about for few hours with bits I had laying around. Don't know what others have done but I suspect most revelations on the Beresford are related to coupling caps. It's a neat toy for what it costs as I'll just move it to the TV or something when I'm done with it. While it's no SN and the results not earth shattering, I've 'cheated' the sound to be acceptable enough to play around with until I can find a DAC that I actually desire. I've heard most of the mid priced DACs and some were also acceptable but didn't offer enough FOR ME either so I cheaped out just to be able to experiment at home. I'm a tweek anyway so I thought I'd take a look. Stock, it was a bit fuzzy, anemic and lacked some solidity but come on, it was $80 US shipped and lots better than the DAC in my cable box even if I had left it alone.
PC, try polarity on the AC adapter.
Hi Mr js,
I'm a Beresford owner (CD2/52/supercap/250/SBL) using a SB3 to wirelessly access EAC-ripped wavs on my computer. I have added linear supplies to both the SB3 and the Beresford. I was quite pleased with it at first, but as the CD2 does outperform it I've ended up rarely listening to it.
Anyhow as a keen experimenter (but one who won't touch Naim boxes) I was very interested by your 'hot-rodding' nods to the DAC - I've replaced the supply diode with a link (subtle improvement I think) and am now eyeing the output caps. I noted that the official MOD21 upgrade suggests 47UF 25V electrolytics, but I wondered what tants you are using there? - and if there were other things you might suggest?
Cheers!
Chris
That value sounds viable as long as you're using a Naim input. Other impedences might require the higher and closer to original value for full low frequency responce. I didn't make this too techy as I just wanted to voice it to my liking. I don't really know how low you can go as I don't know the circuit impedence. I mimmicked the original value with 10v or higher Tants in parallel. I measured and found 6V dc to block so this should be fine. 25v is probably better. Really, it's about playing with bits and I just prefer Tants to electrolytics here. They do vary in sound like all caps and wont 'cover their tracks' like an electrolytic so finding a combo that works will be interesting. Any single tant would have not been as good. I'm cheating. 
As I said, I just used old bits I had about. I knew their characters and played a bit until I thought there wasn't much more to be had. Phase on the power and a couple of turns on the power cord. Hardly hot rodded, just tweeked. As much luck as skill on this one I think.
I understand removing the diode when using a regulated linear supply but it's probably better with it otherwise. I would think that the associated cap itself doesn't need to be there at all with a proper supply but I'm not going in again to check as it will always be limited and I'm done. Just a bit of playing about. It's rather like plumbing. Easy if you have lots of familiar bits about but can be a real pain if you don't. Who knows, maybe I'll try my 12v psc on it but really, it becomes the tail wagging the dog for me at some point. The limitations that I hear probably won't get worked around with a better PS that I suspect would also change the voicing. These sort of endevors end when you decide they're over. I'm there. LOL
As I said, I just used old bits I had about. I knew their characters and played a bit until I thought there wasn't much more to be had. Phase on the power and a couple of turns on the power cord. Hardly hot rodded, just tweeked. As much luck as skill on this one I think. I understand removing the diode when using a regulated linear supply but it's probably better with it otherwise. I would think that the associated cap itself doesn't need to be there at all with a proper supply but I'm not going in again to check as it will always be limited and I'm done. Just a bit of playing about. It's rather like plumbing. Easy if you have lots of familiar bits about but can be a real pain if you don't.
Who knows, maybe I'll try my 12v psc on it but really, it becomes the tail wagging the dog for me at some point. The limitations that I hear probably won't get worked around with a better PS that I suspect would also change the voicing. These sort of endevors end when you decide they're over. I'm there. LOLThanks hugely for the advice - I'm really keen now to fiddle around a little more ...
I'll let you know how I get on!
... I'll let you know how I get on!
quote:Originally posted by js:
2 volume controls is bit daunting but I'll assume you have a plan.
Haven't got the sub yet, but the manual says it has a volume bypass, so I could control it with the Beresford, or opposite, determine a position for the Beresford (perhaps 12 o'clock) and use the remote volume on the sub for tweaking.
Plenty of opportunity to be obsessive - a comfort zone for me
Jeff A
Time for a budget DAC shootout.
Initial view is that the DacMagic has a more refined/richer sound and slightly deeper more controlled bass.
I'll run them both for a while.
Initial view is that the DacMagic has a more refined/richer sound and slightly deeper more controlled bass.
I'll run them both for a while.
You are at it again.quote:Originally posted by gary1 (US):quote:Originally posted by iiyama:
IMHO the Mac/Lavry is clearly better than the CDX2.
Looking forward to the Naim DAC, what does it say about the HDX or SN DAC?
iiyama, I'm glad you are enjoying your Mac/Lavry and you are entitled to your opinion on its performance. As you are I'm sure aware from previous posts that I do not share those sentiments about the Lavry. Had the chance to hear the Cambridge DAC last weekend and this was better musically than the Lavry for less than 1/2 the cost. Still cannot hold a candle to the SN DAC or HDX.
How can you say the cambridge is better Than the Lavry and your Snait does it for you
Why kuma are you so down on the Lavry?
Months and months ago you were down on the DA-10.
Before your friend lent you one.
The one he had in his loft for two years.
Then on here you asked for peoples help on cables.
Got a shed load of info.
Then after 3 days said it was shite.
More going on here than meets the eye.
Me thinks.
Every one over there in the USA STILL jump on any Lavry post and put it down.
Even now after all this time.
The Fix has always been in regarding this little black box from you lot over there.
And it comes from your country.
Here in the UK it is still selling big time.
The price has gone up buy a couple of £100 also
And it is Selling to top end Naim cdp owners.
Because its a very very good product.
It works from day one and sounds good from day one.
So why keep putting the downer on it?
Months and months ago you were down on the DA-10.
Before your friend lent you one.
The one he had in his loft for two years.
Then on here you asked for peoples help on cables.
Got a shed load of info.
Then after 3 days said it was shite.
More going on here than meets the eye.
Me thinks.
Every one over there in the USA STILL jump on any Lavry post and put it down.
Even now after all this time.
The Fix has always been in regarding this little black box from you lot over there.
And it comes from your country.
Here in the UK it is still selling big time.
The price has gone up buy a couple of £100 also
And it is Selling to top end Naim cdp owners.
Because its a very very good product.
It works from day one and sounds good from day one.
So why keep putting the downer on it?
quote:Originally posted by munch:
So why keep putting the downer on it?
munch,
the same reason you are harping on it.
*All in fun* as you say.
Gary, You may have heard a better overall sound but I think that may have been source related as opposed to the overall goodness of the DACs. The digital ducks were all in a row. Doesn't make your observations any less valid but it's somewhat relative. Does point to the fragility of the medium.
I'm still waiting for your P-line.
Doesn't make your observations any less valid but it's somewhat relative. Does point to the fragility of the medium. I'm still waiting for your P-line.