Beresford 7510 DAC - Calling All Owners

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

Thanks 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 have a Beresford dac I bought new last year. I use the fixed outputs to my integrated amp.

Is it possible to use the outputs simultaneously ? - and use the variable outputs to the line-in of a powerd subwoofer ?

Stan would be the best one to ask but the "contact us" link on his website errors out.

Thanks for any help

Jeff A

Yes, you can.

quote:

Originally posted by js:
Yes, you can.

Thank you, js. Much appreciated.

2 volume controls is bit daunting but I'll assume you have a plan.

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

I didn't really think that through all the way, did I ? I am really dealing with three volume controls - once I sorted the sub/dac issue I still would have the main volume control on the integrated only handling the monitors.

Still haven't got the sub, but expect I will go with the speaker level connections.

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.

Cambridge easily wins that one. Use Min phase. I didn't really prefer ir to mine but you could tell it was more correct especially in the bottom, good right out of the box and there's more available if you want the hassle. USB is nice for those that don't mind the OS. None of these will ever replace a good deck but it's a bit of fun.

quote:

Originally posted by avole:

quote:

None of these will ever replace a good deck but it's a bit of fun.

Haven't used my deck since I got my AE and DAC. I suspect there are quite a few people finding the same.

The problem for CD decks is that the pc>dac route doesn't give you a drop in sound quality. Often it's the reverse.

Sorry, avole, but I haven't heard one PC/Mac + DAC combo that could touch even the entry level Naim CDP.

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?

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.

I must agree with Matt. I found the CA DacMagic to be better(see earlier post) than my Beresford (now with a new owner). Just waiting the arrival of a Sony CDP 337ESD to see what the DAC does with that.

Regards

Neil

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?

I think Gary would tell you that Naim's top players are better on CD than the HDX or SN even though he owns both.
I don't recall this being a Lavry thread but glad you like it. I feel otherwise though it's a fine DAC for the price but also opinion. I'm hoping a Naim DAC will get us all on the same page and finally end this. I was referring to only the DACs in question so as to avoid this run around for the nth time.

quote:

Originally posted by iiyama:
Looking forward to the Naim DAC, what does it say about the HDX or SN DAC?

Absolutely nothing.

Except you preferred the mac/Lavry's presentation.

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.

Actually munch, there have been numerous posts over the last several weeks where I could have commented and put in my two cents worth about the Lavry vs. but I have for the most part stayed away. The problem is that others continue to harp on about the superiority of their Mac/DAC over the Naim CDPs/HDX/SN DAC whatever and despite the fact that we've been through this any number of times individuals who've participated in these threads continue to post these types of comments. While I think that we're all tired of this every once in a while I just happen to respond, so what?

Not only did I think that the Cambridge DAC sounded beter than the Lavry, I though JS' modified $80 Chinese DAC was much better than the Lavry. You disgree, fine. I'm not sure what you mean about the "fix" being in for an American product. Would love to have liked the Lavry, it would have saved me a good amount of money, but it just didn't cut it for me and for others. The fact that top end Naim CDP owners have sold their CDPs and replaced it with the DA-10 is meaningless to me and says nothing whatsoever about the quality of the Lavry. As I said a modified $80 DAC sounded to me much better than the DA-10, but that's my opinion. Nor from my listening can I ever comprehend how any of you guys sold your CDPs. So what, it just means that you spent alot less money than I did to get the type of playback which sounded good to you that you wanted.

As John said I hope Naims product is terrific so we can all agree and end this discussion once and for all.

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.

DACs are no different to any other piece of HiFi equipment in that they are engineered to a cost and a presentation*. Seeing as people on this forum are using a wide range of DACs it's unsurprising that people disagree about which is best. The lack of a Naim DAC also means we don't have reference for "the Naim sound" to compare against.

* which is basically why you choose one unit over the others, the presentation it's designers wanted combine with some psychoacoustic preconceptions about that brand (Naim is hard and fast, MF are warm, Arcam are dull, etc) and if these match what you are looking for in a device you'll pick it over the others. Selecting HiFi is a VERY subjective and personal thing otherwise you'd be able to do it based on specification sheets, you are not choosing the better device simply the one you like.

(quite a rant for a Sunday morning)

quote:

Originally posted by matt303:
The lack of a Naim DAC also means we don't have reference for "the Naim sound" to compare against.

There is a Naim *DAC* inside the SuperNait.

It sure sounded like a Naim digital I am familiar with.

I was surprised that it wasn't just a thrown in feature. They actually put some thoughts in it within the space and budget constraints.

I have now listened to the 7510 and Lavry DA10 at home and the Weiss is far better than either (much more expensive of course ), I suppose I have to borrow the HRX and compare that to the Weiss/Macbook.

quote:

Originally posted by matt303:
DACs are no different to any other piece of HiFi equipment in that they are engineered to a cost and a presentation*. Seeing as people on this forum are using a wide range of DACs it's unsurprising that people disagree about which is best. The lack of a Naim DAC also means we don't have reference for "the Naim sound" to compare against.

* which is basically why you choose one unit over the others, the presentation it's designers wanted combine with some psychoacoustic preconceptions about that brand (Naim is hard and fast, MF are warm, Arcam are dull, etc) and if these match what you are looking for in a device you'll pick it over the others. Selecting HiFi is a VERY subjective and personal thing otherwise you'd be able to do it based on specification sheets, you are not choosing the better device simply the one you like.

(quite a rant for a Sunday morning)

Perhaps but voicing, which isn't that difficult if you know what you're doing isn't the same as better. I believe DHT when he says Weiss is better. There are limitations in both price and voicing. If a unit doesn't have solidity or openess, you need to give up a bit of something else to make it appear as though it may. Geniunely good has little in the way of trade offs.

I am really enjoying the DacMagic. Surprisingly, it has added much more weight and control to the bass in my system. I was expecting more clarity I guess, but not more power as well. Based on opinion on this forum I wanted to check out the Beresford, but it isn't available at local retailers. With this addition I feel my system is now complete. I bought the Cambridge to "get my feet wet" with DACs, but I'm so happy with the results that should Naim not release a DAC, I'll stick with the DacMagic until I upgrade my entire system.

quote:

Originally posted by Naijeru:
I am really enjoying the DacMagic. Surprisingly, it has added much more weight and control to the bass in my system. I was expecting more clarity I guess, but not more power as well. Based on opinion on this forum I wanted to check out the Beresford, but it isn't available at local retailers. With this addition I feel my system is now complete. I bought the Cambridge to "get my feet wet" with DACs, but I'm so happy with the results that should Naim not release a DAC, I'll stick with the DacMagic until I upgrade my entire system.

How do like the selectable filters and do you use the min setting?

Remember, source first, so don't rule it out when moving up.