Beresford 7520 upgrade recommendations

[pumpkineater23]

I'm very pleased with my Beresford 7520 DAC. Together with the new speakers it really has enhanced my life. I've been reading through various threads regarding upgrades but, as usual, am a little confused. I don't use headphones and I use the DAC as a preamp - fixed output to Quad power amp. Also is it really worth changing the PSU? If so what's a good one without forking out too much money?

I realize these questions have been asked before but I thought the answers seemed inconclusive and also I wondered if anything had changed since they were asked.

Pete

[RichB]

I'm very pleased with my Beresford 7520 DAC. Together with the new speakers it really has enhanced my life. I've been reading through various threads regarding upgrades but, as usual, am a little confused. I don't use headphones and I use the DAC as a preamp - fixed output to Quad power amp. Also is it really worth changing the PSU? If so what's a good one without forking out too much money?

I realize these questions have been asked before but I thought the answers seemed inconclusive and also I wondered if anything had changed since they were asked.

Pete

Hi Pete, sorry for picking up an old thread but curious to know how the Beresford 7520 with Quad Power amp is working out for you. My local dealer has some v reasonably priced Quad 909 stereo power amps and after being quite impressed with the 7520 it occured to me this could be the basis of a rather nice second system. I see you use the fixed output from the 7520 to your Quad, how do you control the volume if you dont mind me asking? I thought that to do this i would have to use the 7520's variable output and volume control.

Curious to know what speakers and peripherals you have chosen for this system and what sources you use/types of music of you play?

Also curious to know if anyone else is using their 7520 in this way.

I've not taken any of the upgrades with my 7520 yet, just letting it do its thing for while before we get to tinkering with it, I've heard of people on this forum using Maplin PSUs for them, not quite sure if i understand what the benefit of these are, perhaps they are just more solidly constructed than the stock... maybe a more informed member can enlighten us.

cheers

Rich

[brian2957]

Hi Rich , I recently purchased a linear PSU from Mark Grant cables ( see his website) for my Caiman SEG and it has been a very worthwhile upgrade in my opinion.
Brian.

[RichB]

Hi Brian,

what improvements have you found from the linear psu? If i were to go down an upgrade route with the 7520 i wonder if the money would be better spent on opamps/chips and add the psu later?

[brian2957]

Hi Rich , improvements all around . Lower noise floor , better tighter bass , better midband , and smoother treble . In my opinion it takes the Caiman into another league. I can't comment on opamp changes etc. as I haven't tried them yet . I wanted to get the power supply upgraded to the best I could first.
I may at a later date try some opamp changes but at the moment the Caiman is sounding very good indeed . Remember that you can send the linear PSU back if not completely happy . I don't know if you can do the same with opamps.
Brian.

[brian2957]

PM sent Gary . Don't know if I'm doing this correctly. I am using a Sqeezebox linear PSU purchased from Mark Grant cables.
You can have a look at them on his website.
Brian.

[pumpkineater23]

Hey I'm so sorry Rich, I had no idea my thread had been replied to until now, it was months ago! I wonder is there a way to be notified of replies via email? Also further apologies as I do indeed use the variable 7520 output (not fixed). Quad 606 to AVI Neutron 5 speakers and J.River media player.

The sound was such a massive improvement from what I had been using for the previous few years (Cambridge Soundworks PC system). I was immediately blown away with the new sound. Now a little further down the line I think it sounds fantastic with few instruments, just voice and guitar - clear separate beautiful sounds. For example The Descendants soundtrack that I ripped to Flac sounds so good it's almost creepy. However, music that has more going on can sound rather muddled, the sounds don't 'pop out' as they used to with my old 1980's Quad sound system.

Regarding the PSU; I've decided to wait for the reviews for the Bushmaster 2 (with variable output) and take it from there.

Pete

[RichB]

Hi Peter...

I've since upgraded the opamps in my 7520 to the LM4562NA, a worthwhile upgrade for a few quid (its been well covered on this forum and I can send you one if you'd like to try it for yourself, a very simple operation to swap them out, PM your address)

I find this improves many elements of the music, vocal are a bit bigger and drums/cymbals sound fantastic... I also think that busy music sounds a bit well... busy on my system but think this is primarily down to the source. I use the 7520 via optical from my tivo box and all music sound great, i also use the usb input a lot and whilst many of those waiting for the bushmaster may not miss this function i certainly would.

My speaker choice (RS3) also favours vocals, acoustic gtrs and strings rather than bass heavy stuff or screaming rock but then thats what i wanted.

Havent upgraded power supplies or anything with it yet and still using my Arcam for power amp, keeping mind and eyes open for potential power amps.

Rich

[brian2957]

Hi Richard , I haven't changed the opamps yet . I can wholeheartedly recommend the power supply upgrade . Stan also provides upgrades in the form of the Gator board and the Silmic mod. The silmic modded gator board is excellent , taking the Caiman into another league IMO.May I also suggest that you invest in a good USB cable . Despite the science behind it all they do make a big difference to the sound , again IMHO.
Brian.

[DaveK]

FWIW my opinion on the best op-amps for the 7520 and all it's derivatives (mine started of as a basic but now has had 'everything' done to it, including Caimanising) are a pair of round metal OPA111 on a 2 into 1 adapter. Unless you are lucky they are now frighteningly expensive but I got mine some time ago when they were much cheaper ;) .
I loaned my 111s and adapter to a friend on here to try in his similarly specc'd 7520 and he agreed they were the best he'd heard too.

[brian2957]

See what you mean about expensive Dave . Also most of the sellers on Ebay are Chinese and I would be highly suspicious of those . Can you please tell me where you sourced yours .
Brian.

[DaveK]

See what you mean about expensive Dave . Also most of the sellers on Ebay are Chinese and I would be highly suspicious of those . Can you please tell me where you sourced yours .
Brian.

Mine ame from an eBay seller in the USA IIRC - I'll see if I can chase the actual source down and post later.
Cheers,
Dave.

[Reid Malenfant]

You could try the OPA134, it has a simply superb specification. I just bought 6 of them from a bloke in USA to modify three Quad 405 amplifiers :)

Though I'm not sure if you need a dual op-amp, if you do they try the OPA2134 :)

OPA134 on the bay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150652332647?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649)

[brian2957]

Thanks Dave.
Brian

[brian2957]

You could try the OPA134, it has a simply superb specification. I just bought 6 of them from a bloke in USA to modify three Quad 405 amplifiers :)

Though I'm not sure if you need a dual op-amp, if you do they try the OPA2134 :)

OPA134 on the bay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150652332647?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649)

Thanks Mark , hope you are well . I believe that I need a dual opamp , I will have a look at the OPA2134.
Brian.

[DaveK]

Brian,
Interim message: -
I tried to source another pair for my friend but drew a blank. One guy I eBay messaged trades under the name of 'frugaphile'. He told me he couldn't help because of the expense but recommended that I approached another eBay seller in HK or China who trades under the name of 'audjade_chn'. This guy has access to stripped out used items - his listings make no secret of the fact - and frugaphile said he was a good guy to deal with. For some reason I don't think I took it any further but I will keep digging.
Cheers,
Dave.

[brian2957]

Thanks Dave , I have dealt with Ebay seller frugalphile before and he is an excellent seller. Bought a couple of lme4972ha opamps mounted on adaptors from him for a very good price Thanks for the suggestions , I will have a look at them.
Brian.

[DaveK]

Brian,
These are the items concerned, lifted from my eBay archive With some slight embarrassment I have to 'fess up that my memory may not be totally reliable. These are definitely the items I bought (after guidance from a forum friend) but I see they are listed as OPA2111 but the identification etched on the side of each is definitely OPA111. The difference may be unimportant, I'm a know nothing numpty on these matters, but equally it may make all the difference in the world: -

OPA2111 KP dual Low Noise DiFET OpAmp, Pro audio (2)
(item no. 170632920731)
Member ID audiosector | Feedback score of 10165 | 99.9%
Sale date: 28/07/11

Hope it helps a little, even if it is only negatively :) .

[brian2957]

Hi Dave , don't quote me on this , but I believe that the 2111 may be a dual opamp and the 1111 may be a mono opamp . As I said my knowledge of this area is probably more limited than yours so don't quote me . Thanks for taking the time to provide me with this info.
Brian.

[Reid Malenfant]

Member ID audiosector | Feedback score of 10165 | 99.9%
I have bought stuff off of that guy previously, very good service & decent postal costs I might add :)

[pumpkineater23]

That's a kind offer Rich, thank you. Reading Dave k's post, he recommended the following:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170632920731?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2 Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp5197.m570 .l1313%26_nkw%3D170632920731%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1#ht_2931wt_1027

I might just go for it then. I just order that? Less than a tenner and simple to fit to my 7520?

[DaveK]

That's a kind offer Rich, thank you. Reading Dave k's post, he recommended the following:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170632920731?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2 Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp5197.m570 .l1313%26_nkw%3D170632920731%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1#ht_2931wt_1027

I might just go for it then. I just order that? Less than a tenner and simple to fit to my 7520?

Hi pumpkineater,
Don't want to rain on your parade (don't know enough about it to be sure) but the op-amps I was recommended and got were circular metal cased ones ( like a very small tin of beans with 8 legs :lol: ). IIRC the metal can ones were specifically recommended so I cannot comment on the ones on eBay - sorry for any confusion.
Further info on the performance of the metal can ones might be forthcoming froim Covenant (Jerry) who was the friend who tried mine for a while.
Cheers,
Dave.

[RichB]

That's a kind offer Rich, thank you. Reading Dave k's post, he recommended the following:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170632920731?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2 Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp5197.m570 .l1313%26_nkw%3D170632920731%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1#ht_2931wt_1027

I might just go for it then. I just order that? Less than a tenner and simple to fit to my 7520?

Its no problem, i originally ordered mine from Hong Kong and they took months to arrive so the seller refunded and i bought some more from the UK, then a few days later the HK ones turned up... the seller just said to keep em so if you wanted to experiment with a few types I can send you one.

[CrashHouse]

As I have read a definite upgrade would be a different power supply. I read about very costly sollutions as I wondered if a suitable laboratory power supply will do the trick. I stumbled upon this one...

Voltcraft FSP1204 (http://shop.conrad.nl/energie/netvoedingen/laboratorium-netwerkapparatuur/labvoeding-schakelend-vaste-spanning/512014.html)

for about 47 euro's incl. Shipping. It is adjustable from 11 to 15 volts at 4 amps at a max of 60watts.

Can I use this one? Will it upgrade the sound performance?

[Reid Malenfant]

As I have read a definite upgrade would be a different power supply. I read about very costly sollutions as I wondered if a suitable laboratory power supply will do the trick. I stumbled upon this one...

Voltcraft FSP1204 (http://shop.conrad.nl/energie/netvoedingen/laboratorium-netwerkapparatuur/labvoeding-schakelend-vaste-spanning/512014.html)

for about 47 euro's incl. Shipping. It is adjustable from 11 to 15 volts at 4 amps at a max of 60watts.

Can I use this one? Will it upgrade the sound performance?
That looks to me as though it's a switch mode PSU as it's very light in weight :rolleyes: Doesn't seem to be a lot of point going from one SMPS to another...

Take a look at this (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1x-Skytronic-650-673-Bench-Top-Power-Supply-0-20V-2A-/110846959950?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement _Equipment_ET&hash=item19cefe614e), this will be a linear PSU & that's what you want to increase the performance. While it can only supply 2Amps (which is more than enough by the way!) It weighs in at 2.8Kg, which suggests it's linear :cool:

Good price to :) I have also bought off of this very seller myself, except I purchased 4 x Peerless XLS10 drivers.

[CrashHouse]

I read another thread some posts of StanleyB regarding the psu's and I decided to try the standard Caiman for a while before looking for an upgrade. Any suggestions still are welcome so the search will be narrowed down to a couple of choices like the previous post. I do like the psu as clean as possible.