Dac sounds

[Mike g]

So debating getting an entry level dac. I find I am using my Sonia more and more so a dedicated dac should help with sound quality. What I really want is a naim dac but at 2k it's out of my price range. So thinking at the beresford/dad magic level to get me going. I like the naim house sound- lots of PRAT and a high boogie factor.

Amplification is naim 32.5/hi cap clone (teddycap)/250 clone (Avondale) into spendor s9e's. Other main source is my sp10.

Would also be plugging my blu ray and sky hd box into any dac for enhanced tv/film viewing.

Any advice appreciated!

[Spur07]

I've got the Beresford 7510 and its very 'Naim' sounding in my main system - (72/hicap/250/Royds). Plenty of PRaT and boogie, but I'd head straight for the Caiman if I were you and ask Stanley if he'd pimp it up a little before despatch for a few extra bucks.

There's a choice of digital inputs around the back (I've got 4 on mine) so you should be able to plug sky box, etc in.

What are the s9e's like in your system? I've heard spendor are quite laid back.

[Mike g]

Thanks for the heads up. Tempted to try the 7510 due to cost so good to know it will have some of the attributes that I want.

I really like my s9e's. I had tried equivalent b&w's and found them too analytical and not quite musical in my room. The s9e's perhaps have a few less hairs-on-the-back-of-your-neck moments but i find that they just fill my room with music- I love the way they just wash what I am listening to over me.

[Alex_UK]

Thanks for the heads up. Tempted to try the 7510 due to cost so good to know it will have some of the attributes that I want.

I really like my s9e's. I had tried equivalent b&w's and found them too analytical and not quite musical in my room. The s9e's perhaps have a few less hairs-on-the-back-of-your-neck moments but i find that they just fill my room with music- I love the way they just wash what I am listening to over me.

You've got Spendor S9e's and your quibbling over a few quid on a Beresford DAC? ;) Just buy the Caiman - give up food for a couple of days, or whatever - you won't regret it.

[WAD62]

Thanks for the heads up. Tempted to try the 7510 due to cost so good to know it will have some of the attributes that I want.


I'm just listening to my new 7510 (Mk6/4) now, and very nice it is too in my study/computer room...

I picked mine up from StanleyB for £70, not sure if he has any new ones left however (Edit; looks like he does), but an excellent bargain :)

FLAC/XP2 SP2/FFSoX(24/88.2)/Winamp 5.6 /DirectSound 2.6/M-Audio 2496 PCI/Beresford 7510(Mk6/4)/Audiolab 8000S/Mission 780SEs

Very nice indeed, I'd certainly recommend one, the Caiman must be very good.

Time to sniff out some mods...:eyebrows:

[StanleyB]

Tempted to try the 7510 due to cost so good to know it will have some of the attributes that I want..
I have some old stock that I am clearing out.

[RochaCullen]

Jerry is selling his Tag McLaren F3 Series DAC 20:

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=10267

I considered this plus a number of other units I was keeping an eye on on ebay, but ended up yesterday going for the Caiman. Not heard any of them so I can't make any recommendations really, but if you have a look through the private exhibitions thread, decent dacs are always coming up.

Nathan

[Ali Tait]

Caiman is very good. Also look at the Valab stuff on ebay.

[WAD62]

Jerry is selling his Tag McLaren F3 Series DAC 20:

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=10267

I considered this plus a number of other units I was keeping an eye on on ebay, but ended up yesterday going for the Caiman. Not heard any of them so I can't make any recommendations really, but if you have a look through the private exhibitions thread, decent dacs are always coming up.

Nathan

I'm pretty sure the TAG was based on the Audiolab 8000DAC, I have the later Audiolab 8000DAX (with a few upgrades) as my main DAC, and it's excellent IMHO, a bit long in the tooth but very musical non the less.

As to how it compares to the Caiman I've no idea, but I'm sure either path would satisfy. ;)

[RochaCullen]

Caiman is very good. Also look at the Valab stuff on ebay.

Hey Ali,

What experience do you have of the valab stuff?

Nathan

[roob]

There is a Caimen in the classifieds at the mo.

[avalonsounds]

Id try and find pertpetual technologies p3a.Preferably with the modwright upgrades.We used to sell these a few years back.Amazing quality for the cost.If you can get one with the p1a upsampler and power supply all the better.

[Ali Tait]

Hey Ali,

What experience do you have of the valab stuff?

Nathan

I have the Teradak, which I use on the end of the Sky box. It's a good dac for the money, and very tweakable too, check out the huge thread on head-fi. I do prefer my tweaked AN Dac Zero though, but then that retailed for considerably more. I believe Jon here could still get you a new one. That's what I would do in your shoes. You do need to change the coupling caps for something better like AN coppers though to make the dac sing IMHO.

[SPS]

i have the latest 16 chip two box teradak, bog standard at the moment, there is another complete level of detail brought out over my 7510.. i could not believe what i was hearing in my system..

fantastic detailed bass too,... and the realism...

but mine will overload my lesser speakers with all that detail that comes through.. sort of creates a confused sound...
my view with the teradak.. if it don't sound fabtastic.. look at the rest of the system for the faults..