DAC -- decision nearly made (well, thought it was)

[anoobis]

So I'm close to deciding on the Beresford TC7520. Just want to check I've not missed something in the decision process.

I've discounted the DACMagic partly because I'm a bit peeved at the price increase but mostly because I couldn't find solid recommendations for it over the Beresford.

The gamma1 is out because to buy one built and shipped comes too close to the price of the Beresford, for less functionality. Tell me if it sounds better.

I've ruled out Valab and MusicFidelity V-DAC for various reasons.

The SuperPro is still a contender. To me, it's a cheaper equivalent of the gamma1. It's been praised but can it stand up to the Beresford?

Where to TEC/TCC fit in? I get the impression they're discontinued. Should I just not go there?

It seems that the TC7520 is a marked improvement on the TC7510 6/4 both in the DAC and amp sections.

From what I've read, the TC7520 competes above its price point.

Looking at it another way, is there any downsides/cons to it?

 

[anadin]

I have had my Beresford TC7520 for around 6-7 hours and im telling you this is one incredible DAC.

It blows the DacMagic and the V-DAC away (yes I have owned them both) and leaves my rip-off £650 former Stello DA100 Signature running for cover.

The headphone amp is (good but only good no more than that in my opinion) but as a standalone DAC even in these early stages it sounds incredible with both of my Headphone Amps.

I spent a little more on an upgraded power supply and I still had change out of £200.

Im telling you this is one amazing DAC for the money.

 

[oldson]

oh s...!
why do i feel uneasy in the wallet area again.
anadin, you really sang the praises of the v-dac, does this really blow it away?
dont answer that yet, give it a week or 2 and reply then.
cheers

btw why do you keep buying dacs?

 

[oldson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by anoobis /img/forum/go_quote.gif So I'm close to deciding on the Beresford TC7520. Just want to check I've not missed something in the decision process. I've discounted the DACMagic partly because I'm a bit peeved at the price increase but mostly because I couldn't find solid recommendations for it over the Beresford. The gamma1 is out because to buy one built and shipped comes too close to the price of the Beresford, for less functionality. Tell me if it sounds better. I've ruled out Valab and MusicFidelity V-DAC for various reasons. The SuperPro is still a contender. To me, it's a cheaper equivalent of the gamma1. It's been praised but can it stand up to the Beresford? Where to TEC/TCC fit in? I get the impression they're discontinued. Should I just not go there? It seems that the TC7520 is a marked improvement on the TC7510 6/4 both in the DAC and amp sections. From what I've read, the TC7520 competes above its price point. Looking at it another way, is there any downsides/cons to it?

what was the reason for ruling out the v-dac??

 

[oldson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by anadin /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have had my Beresford TC7520 for around 6-7 hours and im telling you this is one incredible DAC. It blows the DacMagic and the V-DAC away (yes I have owned them both) and leaves my rip-off £650 former Stello DA100 Signature running for cover. The headphone amp is (good but only good no more than that in my opinion) but as a standalone DAC even in these early stages it sounds incredible with both of my Headphone Amps. I spent a little more on an upgraded power supply and I still had change out of £200. Im telling you this is one amazing DAC for the money.

did you try an upgraded psu on the v-dac?

 

[anadin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldson /img/forum/go_quote.gif oh s...! why do i feel uneasy in the wallet area again. anadin, you really sang the praises of the v-dac, does this really blow it away? dont answer that yet, give it a week or 2 and reply then. cheers btw why do you keep buying dacs?

I suppose im addicted to DAC's, I get bored really easy if I keep anything longer than a month or so.

I can tell that this DAC is good, it is has such an amazing soundstage and the highs mids and lows are all in proportion, it has such a rich and smooth sound quality, the music seems to flow into one with great texture, and it has the all important "Prat" that people look for in a DAC.

I hope that makes some sense.

 

[smeggy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by anoobis /img/forum/go_quote.gif So I'm close to deciding on the Beresford TC7520. Just want to check I've not missed something in the decision process. From what I've read, the TC7520 competes above its price point. Looking at it another way, is there any downsides/cons to it?

I'd imagine most of the good things you've read came from that sheister Beresford under one of his numerous pseudonyms here shilling his crap to anyone that would listen.

I can't believe anyone considering buying a beresford now after todays revelations and the banning of him and his two other (know) alternate identities!

 

[insyte]

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeggy /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd imagine most of the good things you've read came from that sheister Beresford under one of his numerous pseudonyms here shilling his crap to anyone that would listen. I can't believe anyone considering buying a beresford now after todays revelations and the banning of him and his two other (know) alternate identities!

I also read one thread where he threatened to sue just because internal pics of his dac were shown. I also wouldn't buy a Beresford, lots of alternatives for a cheap dac out there

 

[anadin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by insyte /img/forum/go_quote.gif I also read one thread where he threatened to sue just because internal pics of his dac were shown. I also wouldn't buy a Beresford, lots of alternatives for a cheap dac out there

Your right there I have tried most of them.

Only problem is none of them could hold a candle to the Beresford TC7520.

 

[insyte]

Quote:

Originally Posted by anadin /img/forum/go_quote.gif Your right there I have tried most of them. Only problem is none of them could hold a candle to the Beresford TC7520.

How about the valab?

 

[majkel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by insyte /img/forum/go_quote.gif I also read one thread where he threatened to sue just because internal pics of his dac were shown. I also wouldn't buy a Beresford, lots of alternatives for a cheap dac out there

Great recommendation, indeed.

I remember that thread and it wasn't just because of showing the picture but rather due to stubborn suggestions Beresford and another DAC were the same design which wasn't true.

Coming back to the topic - Beresford outperforms the competitors from its price range because there is an idea in this DAC, no matter its the TC-7510 or the TC-7520. Each one on its level is an uncommon solution with sound in mind while the prevailing amount of DACs on ebay is just a flood of the same template applied in a different box.

 

[oldson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeggy /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd imagine most of the good things you've read came from that sheister Beresford under one of his numerous pseudonyms here shilling his crap to anyone that would listen. I can't believe anyone considering buying a beresford now after todays revelations and the banning of him and his two other (know) alternate identities!

i missed these revelations! care to enlighten me?

 

[anoobis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldson /img/forum/go_quote.gif what was the reason for ruling out the v-dac??

In one way or another it has less flexibility. I also read that after extended listening, it's not as neutral as the alternatives and inconsistent across genres.

In response to smeggy et al., we hadn't all read those comments and I don't believe that all the positive comments were from shills. We have to filter everything we read when buying blind.

As consumers, what alternatives do we have? Some of the other recommendations are plagued by dodgy QC and component swapping. I suppose they haven't attacked the forum directly but it's still us that loses out.

So what I'm left with is a product that seems to fit my requirements but which the rest of the community is telling me not to buy, based on issues other than SQ. I'm not having a pop at anyone's principles here, it's just so frustrating.

Back to the issue at hand, other options.
I forgot to mention w.r.t. the SuperPro, I found it on Item Audio: Because the CD is Dead. Looks like it may be an older version. Don't know if that makes a difference. However, no-ones recommended it anyway.

I'd forgotten one plus point of the DACMagic but I don't know how relevant it is. XLR output. Now, supposing I ever considered a balanced setup, I'd need either a balanced amp or a post-amp converter. I'm unsure whether the latter is even possible. Anyhow, presumably balanced amps allow for SE inputs? The conversion has to be performed somewhere, I can't imagine that it _has_ to be before the amp. Assuming I would need the XLR of the DACMagic, I'll then have to consider whether it's worth the extra money, including their recent price hike.

 

[oldson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by anadin /img/forum/go_quote.gif I suppose im addicted to DAC's, I get bored really easy if I keep anything longer than a month or so. I can tell that this DAC is good, it is has such an amazing soundstage and the highs mids and lows are all in proportion, it has such a rich and smooth sound quality, the music seems to flow into one with great texture, and it has the all important "Prat" that people look for in a DAC. I hope that makes some sense.

you got a bad case of dacitis i reckon

trouble is it is contagious.
have you tried the valab, i am really tempted!

 

[anoobis]

No responses, have I written something out of turn?

I notice that the hype surrounding the DacMagic seems to have died down. Is this indicative of it being overhyped initially?

I'm reticent to mention Beresford but surely sonic comparisons are still constructive? It doesn't mean anyone has to buy one. It would help me to decide how interested I am in the DacMagic. The number of new posters advising on the Beresford it make it difficult to separate fact from fiction, so any backed-up comments regarding the SQ of TC7510/7520 and DacMagic would be appreciated.

The question as to whether a balanced setup requires balanced o/p from the DAC still stands.

edit: I'm just about to start a search on the Audio-gd Compass too, so any comparisions there will be very useful.