Goh
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2007
- Posts
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Interesting thread here, and as a Beresford owner, I'd like to offer my thoughts.
First, I'd like to say that I dislike upgrading and comparing my components - doing so takes away the pleasure of simply enjoying the music. I do not have a great ear for detail and have no desire to analyze my music - subtle differences simply don't matter to me. If a change is not conspicuous, it's not worth it. I'd rather spend my money on necessities or donate it to charity. Thus, after a year-long period of researching, buying, and testing, I've stopped browsing Head-fi on a regular basis and my setup will likely remain unchanged for the forseeable future.
I've owned a Beresford TC-7510, in the MK5 and then MK6/3 configuration, for the past 9 months or so. It's a versatile, stable, great-sounding device for both my headphones and speakers, and I foresee using it for as long as it lasts.
Earlier this year, I tested a loaner Rockhopper Audio CK2III headphone amp (~$300) against the built-in headamp on the Beresford for a week. Both were fed by the Beresford DAC. Ultimately, the CK2III was clearer, but the Beresford headamp was more bassy (a boon for the AKG K601) and more euphonic.
Prior to that, I used my M-Audio Transit (~$80) as my DAC. Adding the Beresford DAC to my audio chain resulted in a noticeably more spacious, three-dimensional sound, and allowed me to get enough volume on my AKGs. If this had been all, I would not have kept the DAC. However, I knew I could also use the TC-7510 for speakers, to improve the sound of my DVD player, and to improve the sound of my PS2. All these benefits for around $180 represented a great value and investment.
Stanley Beresford, in addition, has been a pleasure to deal with. He replied to my emails usually within a day, and was always helpful and courteous. When my Beresford MK5 began to show signs of buzzing and malfunction, he generously allowed me to return the unit and shipped me a MK6/3 for only the cost of shipping. I would rate my overall experience with the Homehifi company very highly.
That said, there appears to be some questions about Beresford's partnership with Technolink that has not been adequately answered. Both of my DACs, the MK5 and MK6/3, were shipped from Taiwan. Therefore both versions must be manufactured there. The DAC sold by Technolink on their webpage appears to be a MK6, though not a MK6/3. From the information gleaned from this thread, it appears that Technolink manufactures all versions of the DAC, but sells the older MK6 under the "TEC" brand name at a cheaper price and the current MK6/3 under the "Beresford" name at a higher price. The British import tax argument does not hold here, and the price difference is a bit much. After all, the sound quality did not change much for me when I upgraded from the MK5 to the MK6/3 (although I did not compare directly). I would have gladly saved some money by buying the TEC DAC instead. In my opinion, then, Stanley should protect his business from confusion by being more upfront and transparent about his relationship with Technolink, perhaps with a paragraph on the Homehifi website. Still, I have no large qualms with spending ~$180 on a quality piece of equipment.
This is my attempt at a personal, level-headed opinion in this thread. I hope it helps.
First, I'd like to say that I dislike upgrading and comparing my components - doing so takes away the pleasure of simply enjoying the music. I do not have a great ear for detail and have no desire to analyze my music - subtle differences simply don't matter to me. If a change is not conspicuous, it's not worth it. I'd rather spend my money on necessities or donate it to charity. Thus, after a year-long period of researching, buying, and testing, I've stopped browsing Head-fi on a regular basis and my setup will likely remain unchanged for the forseeable future.
I've owned a Beresford TC-7510, in the MK5 and then MK6/3 configuration, for the past 9 months or so. It's a versatile, stable, great-sounding device for both my headphones and speakers, and I foresee using it for as long as it lasts.
Earlier this year, I tested a loaner Rockhopper Audio CK2III headphone amp (~$300) against the built-in headamp on the Beresford for a week. Both were fed by the Beresford DAC. Ultimately, the CK2III was clearer, but the Beresford headamp was more bassy (a boon for the AKG K601) and more euphonic.
Prior to that, I used my M-Audio Transit (~$80) as my DAC. Adding the Beresford DAC to my audio chain resulted in a noticeably more spacious, three-dimensional sound, and allowed me to get enough volume on my AKGs. If this had been all, I would not have kept the DAC. However, I knew I could also use the TC-7510 for speakers, to improve the sound of my DVD player, and to improve the sound of my PS2. All these benefits for around $180 represented a great value and investment.
Stanley Beresford, in addition, has been a pleasure to deal with. He replied to my emails usually within a day, and was always helpful and courteous. When my Beresford MK5 began to show signs of buzzing and malfunction, he generously allowed me to return the unit and shipped me a MK6/3 for only the cost of shipping. I would rate my overall experience with the Homehifi company very highly.
That said, there appears to be some questions about Beresford's partnership with Technolink that has not been adequately answered. Both of my DACs, the MK5 and MK6/3, were shipped from Taiwan. Therefore both versions must be manufactured there. The DAC sold by Technolink on their webpage appears to be a MK6, though not a MK6/3. From the information gleaned from this thread, it appears that Technolink manufactures all versions of the DAC, but sells the older MK6 under the "TEC" brand name at a cheaper price and the current MK6/3 under the "Beresford" name at a higher price. The British import tax argument does not hold here, and the price difference is a bit much. After all, the sound quality did not change much for me when I upgraded from the MK5 to the MK6/3 (although I did not compare directly). I would have gladly saved some money by buying the TEC DAC instead. In my opinion, then, Stanley should protect his business from confusion by being more upfront and transparent about his relationship with Technolink, perhaps with a paragraph on the Homehifi website. Still, I have no large qualms with spending ~$180 on a quality piece of equipment.
This is my attempt at a personal, level-headed opinion in this thread. I hope it helps.
