Beresford 7510 MK 6 Mini Review/comparison

[Ichinichi]

ttan98, the Zhaolu mods range from homebrew to extensive to proprietary (see oritek zhaolu - $340USD); the beresford mod is brand new (Stanley has just begun to have modders try it and give feedback) and the DAC-AH has a very wide spectrum of mods spread all over the place. the problem of choosing which one won't easily be answered by which will be better than the other - that truth is what this whole community is built on!

edit: given that it sounds like you'd be comfortable performing most of intermediate to difficult mods, your problem probably reduces to a question of budget and personal preference once more. sorry.

[spacemanspliff]

They are all good dacs for the $$. Just flip a coin.

[ttan98]

thanks for response everyone, it does not answer my question, looks like there is no clear cut answer, the options are too many.

I can deduce these DACs can never be an excellent DAC in the class of DAC1 or similar ones, this is an unfair statement as all these DAC are a fraction of the price of more expensive DAC like DAC1.

I suppose what I can also deduce from your responses are that modifications will only be a variation in sound quality for the better but the basic characteristics of the DAC remains unchanged, eg DAC-AH compared to Zhaolu, because each uses a different DAC chipset and also the topology is different.

For the price of these DACs are good value and modifications will give a variety of tastes in sound that is all.

[Herandu]

Originally Posted by ttan98

For the price of these DACs are good value and modifications will give a variety of tastes in sound that is all.

That applies to everything in life, including a partner. The issue of price is a questionable one. If I add the cost of the more expensive connectors, blue LEDs , and whatever else I end up doing to my MK6 I am sure it will look and sound better than any DAC costing me twice that amount.
But it is not a question of different sounds. There is only one sound on the CD: the one recorded by the artist(s) and music producer(s). The trick is how to retrieve that sound as accurate as possible.

[Redo]

Originally Posted by Herandu

If I add the cost of the more expensive connectors, blue LEDs , and whatever else I end up doing to my MK6 I am sure it will look and sound better than any DAC costing me twice that amount.
But it is not a question of different sounds. There is only one sound on the CD: the one recorded by the artist(s) and music producer(s). The trick is how to retrieve that sound as accurate as possible.

It is a question of different sounds, that's what this whole hobby is about! Some people like analytical, some people like warm, some people like rolled treble, some like brutal accuracy, etc and etc and etc.

[penguindude]

Originally Posted by Redo

It is a question of different sounds, that's what this whole hobby is about! Some people like analytical, some people like warm, some people like rolled treble, some like brutal accuracy, etc and etc and etc.

I agree. Seeking the "ultimate" sound means seeking the sound that appeals the most to you. Sound is objective, but hearing is subjective. We always talk about the idea of finding the perfect "synergy," as such, talking which is better or more "valued" is unpractical. Just listen to each device, if the Beresford (modded/unmodded) sounds good, then keep it, and same with the Zhaolu. The statement should be rephrased: It is not a question of different price, it is a question of different sound.

[spacemanspliff]

Be a few weeks before we will have a good understanding of where the 7510 fits in around here.

[Ichinichi]

GOT ONE!

[spacemanspliff]

Initial reports of the mod are favorable. We may have a budget all star in the making. My wife actually likes the improvement that the stock 7510 made on our speaker stereo. She never notices anything so that's a positive lol.

[holland]

Since Fierce_Freak is involved, comparison with the Opus, please.