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Beresford TC-7510 vs. Tianyun Zero DAC

post #1 of 9
11/8/08 at 6:12am
Thread Starter 
Which of the above DACs would work best if a PC is used as the source via an optical link with the analogue audio from the DAC going to a tube headphone amp?

I have HD-audio on my PC which can be set at 24/192 (and has passthrough mode). That is the only digital output that my PC has.

Both of the above DACs have an optical digital input and both are within my budget for a DAC. I'm looking to have the DAC feed an LD MKIII headphone amp and am after the best sound quality.
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post #2 of 9
11/8/08 at 1:26pm
Of the two I have only listened to the Beresford TC-7510. I found it to be an excellent value and it sounds very good.

The unit also has many inputs and a built in headphone amp which also sounds very nice. At under $200 it is a solid performer.
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post #3 of 9
11/8/08 at 4:26pm
Thread Starter 
Yes, the several inputs are a bonus. Do you think that the built-in headphone amp is very good or would a Little Dot MKIII make a significant difference to the sound?
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post #4 of 9
11/8/08 at 6:41pm
I have not heard the Little Dot MkIII so I can not comment. Sorry.
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post #5 of 9
11/8/08 at 6:56pm
The headphone out on either the zero or the beresford isn't in the same ballpark as a dedicated headamp. Both sound fine, but nothing special.
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post #6 of 9
11/8/08 at 7:07pm
Thread Starter 
^ Okay. I have the LD MKIII anyway and can test my headphones directly into the DAC (TC-7510) or through the LD MKIII for a comparison.

If the TC-7510's headphone output is extremely good then I can sell the LD MKIII. I'm favouring the Beresford as i'm in the UK and the supplier is too.
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post #7 of 9
11/9/08 at 12:19am
It isn't that great but it beats my laptop out..
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post #8 of 9
11/10/08 at 1:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigTony View Post
The headphone out on either the zero or the beresford isn't in the same ballpark as a dedicated headamp. Both sound fine, but nothing special.
I second this. Beresford's headphone amplifier is ok, nothing special. Chances are good you will prefer the sound using the DAC through an external amplifier.
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post #9 of 9
11/10/08 at 1:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Omega View Post
I second this. Beresford's headphone amplifier is ok, nothing special. Chances are good you will prefer the sound using the DAC through an external amplifier.
+3

It was certainly acceptable and many people might be happy with it, particularly with low to mid range headphones, but anything in the "better" ballpark like your upper range Sennheisers and Beyers and beyond benefit from something better.

I compared it with my ANT Amber, which was at the time a $300 - $400 class solid state amp, and it didnt disgrace itself when used with my HD600, but the Amber did have the edge for certain and as such, I kept a hold of it.

As a DAC though, I've found it to be great value for money. It did not sound any worse to me than my old MF Digilog which was heavily modified, and on the face of it should have been a superior item. And as it was more flexible I decided to keep the Beresford over the MF!
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