My Beresford TC-7520 project...

[Ant]

Back to the beginning - For my PC based music I had a Beresford TC-7520 DAC doing the duties, a week or so after the purchase I opened it up for a looksy. Within a week I'd replaced the usual done Burr-Brown PCM1716 DAC chip for the Wolfson WM8716, DAC analogue caps for Muse KZ's, direct output op-amp to LM49720HA tin hat and LM4562NA for the variable, together with Muse Bi-Polar for coupling. That lasted a few weeks and then I thought about linear PSU's, one for 5v and one for 12v, a pair of TeddyRegs became available and that was it... No going back.

I didn't want a 'separate' box for the PSU's nor did I want to buy a pre-built case, I wanted to do it DIY style - a quick play and I came up with this as an idea and it stuck:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/final.jpg


To the left on the render is the standard size of the 7520, to the right is my prospected case.

That was it, I was off.... I gave myself a few days off so my desk could become a workshop/mill/dump. 3mm aluminium sheet was ordered pre-cut to my requirements and Oak was in hand, so on I went with the drilling/routing/cutting/filing/sanding.


First up the 'desk' press:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/bcase001.jpg


Next the materials (on the left):

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/bcase002.jpg


A few markings:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/bcase003.jpg


The Oak was precision cut top and bottom to allow the 3mm plate to fit flush (thanks dad):

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/bcase004.jpg


Top and bottom fixed:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/bcase005.jpg


At this point I'd like to add that I required the 'whole' case to be fixed with zero glue or permanent fixings, ready for disassembly come paint time.

Braces in:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/bcase006.jpg


Front panel fixed, 5mm overhang all round:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/bcase007.jpg


Bottom 'peppered' ready for all the M3/M6 allen bolts:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/bcase008.jpg


TeddyRegs in place using the base plate as a heat-sink.

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/bcase009.jpg


Drilling the rear panel ready for filing the square USB/Toslink/Fused-switched IEC and 6 RCA's:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/bcase010.jpg


Almost there:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/bcase011.jpg


Ready for drilling the LED holes:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/bcase012.jpg


All fixings are black M3 allen bolts on the underside, M6 for the feet and trannys and black screws throughout.

I painted the case myself and not blowing my own but it's flawless - 8 etch primes and 12 satin blacks later and it's mint, I am pleased. Just the Oak to sand and oil and the laser cut decals to apply but here it is:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/bcase013.jpg


The back:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/bcase014.jpg


Old on top, new below:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/bcase015.jpg


Now for the inside the box...


After my initial plan of using a 18.5v-0-18.5v toroidal was thrown out and 2 separate transformers were recommended:

I have a 9v EI tranny centre tapped -- 2 x 8A Hexfreds -- Kendeil 6800uF -- TeddyReg set to 5v supplying the Wolfson DAC chip.

15v EI tranny centre tapped -- 2 x 8A Hexfreds -- Kendeil 6800uF -- TeddyReg set to 12v supplying the op-amps/leds.

It's early days but wow, what an improvement - Super wunderba, I'm chuffed to bits.


A few piccys:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/bcase016.jpg

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/bcase017.jpg

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/bcase018.jpg


All I need to do is wire-wool the Oak, oil and fit the laser cut decals and the jobs a good one.




I would like to thank misterc6 (on PFM) for helping me with the TeddyReg resistor values, without him and his knowledge I would have been truly stuck, also to Martin Clark (PFM) and his super site acoustica (http://www.acoustica.org.uk/) for all the info on PSU's.


Well, that's me done (for now)


Cheers folks,
Ant

[Tim]

That is pretty darned impressive :cool: Beautiful work Anthony and thanks for sharing.

[Val33]

Thats a great job. Very neat work :)

Val

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Blimey...
Some people are annoyingly good at things! ;)

Thats very impressive indeed!

[rusty bearing]

Gosh thats good. :stalks:

[Butuz]

Awesome!!!! You missed a good opportunity so sneak an alps blue volume pot in there at the same time tho matey!!!

Well done. It looks fab.

Butuz

[Puffin]

Didn't want to do a proper job then.......:lol::lol::lol:

[keiths]

Fantastic job Ant - well done :clap:

[StanleyB]

A very good job indeed :).

[RichB]

Stands in awe of the skills and dedication. That would look great in any rack. Well done.

[snapper]

Super wunderba, I'm chuffed to bits.



Ant


I'm not surprised, it looks fantastic, great job Ant.

[Arcamnut]

Absolutley stunning work,very impressed with the internal wiring as well(the sparky in me).I do like the oak capacitor rings,I hope they hold them caps tight,else there be a big bang :lolsign:
Seriously though quality work :clap:

[Ant]

Many thanks for the thumbs up guys, much appreciated.

Ta,
Ant

[Ant]

Shame to hide it, one glass top:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/comp000.jpg

Me likey :)

[icehockeyboy]

Maybe you and Stan should team up, and when someone requires a souped up dac that looks rather more special.................

[Ant]

Tonight Matthew, I'm going to be...... Drinking & pimpin' me thang... Tis crimbo sparkly 'n' all :)

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/lit001.jpg

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/lit002.jpg

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/lit003.jpg

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/B-case/lit004.jpg

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i322/ant000/lit005.jpg

Merry xmas folks

[Reid Malenfant]

Well done Anthony, looks like a first class job!

Not quite sure about the pimp my DAC blue light, but you made a nice looking & sensible internal layout so why not remind yourself of how well you have done by having a look :) Clear cover allows you to do this.

I'd take my hat off to you if I had one on :eyebrows:

Imo no pimp my ride lighting needed though ;)

[Ant]

Thanks Mark,

Admittedly the 'pimpin' looks a bit OTT in the photos (v low light, v slow shutter) but it's far less 'in yer face' in real life - looks kinda cool through the naked eye, doubles up as a sparkly esque crimbo thingmy too ;)

2 minutes and it's reversed :)


Ant

[jon1]

Well done Anthony, looks like a first class job!

Not quite sure about the pimp my DAC blue light, but you made a nice looking & sensible internal layout so why not remind yourself of how well you have done by having a look :) Clear cover allows you to do this.

I'd take my hat off to you if I had one on :eyebrows:

Imo no pimp my ride lighting needed though ;)






I like blue led's:eyebrows:



jon

[MartinT]

Very nice work indeed, Anthony. I'm hoping it spurs Stan into reviving the aborted super-Caiman case project.

[Reid Malenfant]

Thanks Mark,

Admittedly the 'pimpin' looks a bit OTT in the photos (v low light, v slow shutter) but it's far less 'in yer face' in real life - looks kinda cool through the naked eye, doubles up as a sparkly esque crimbo thingmy too ;)

2 minutes and it's reversed :)


Ant
Keep it as an option & fit a switch :lol: Best of both worlds ;)

[Ant]

It is switched - It's not a keeper though, all those (35) blue LEDs are noisy as buggery, it's a crimbo thing ya see, instead of a tree in the office ;)

[keiths]

The glass top really makes it look the business. :drool:

[Ant]

The glass top really makes it look the business. :drool:

Why thank you :)

[Ant]

Reid/Mark,

My next trick is to somehow fit one of these in the case ;) :

hIkNY5xjy5k

I think it'll be 'dappa' :lol:

[Butuz]

Haha if you go that far, youll be looking dapper in your funeral suit lying inna box! I wouldnt go near electricity like in that vid as it = instant burnt death!!

Wow the glass top and blue led are looking amazing. Well done mate that is outstanding work.

Butuz

[Ant]

Thanks Butuz :)

I like the glass too, the LED's on the other hand were never intended to be a permanent fixture, just a bit of fun in an hour of madness, so they've been removed.


Ta,
Ant

[StanleyB]

Great show. I wonder how it would sound with one of my experimental high-ended Gator boards I am currently experimenting with? Maybe you can try one of them out after I have had time to properly finalize and evaluate that Gator HE version.

[Covenant]

How does it differ from the standard Gator board Stan?

[Alex_UK]

Very impressive Ant - congratulations on a superb achievement.

[StanleyB]

How does it differ from the standard Gator board Stan?
Not finalized yet. Still evaluating different components configuration and PCB track modifications versus the standard Gator. I have been offered a small quantity of Elna Solmic bipolar caps (which I had a difficult time finding for some reason), which would give me just about enough parts to make 30 pieces with a different headphone upgrade, plus another 20 pieces without the headphone upgrade. My main problem is that the DAC itself needs the power supply filter mod that I showed in a topic that I can't find right now. I don't even know where I put the pictures:doh:. Without that mod the extra audio depth might not be so beneficial. Primarily designed for my listening pleasure of 24/96 files through optical or coax. I can't detect any worthwhile improvements on USB and 16/44.1, but that could be down to my ears or my amps/speakers. So I am going to have to interrogate the prospective buyers before deciding if they would benefit from the upgrade or not. With only 50 pieces to be had, and at a far higher cost, I don't expect a flood of inquiries :lol:.

[Covenant]

Looking forward to seeing how this one develops:)

[Ant]

Great show. I wonder how it would sound with one of my experimental high-ended Gator boards I am currently experimenting with? Maybe you can try one of them out after I have had time to properly finalize and evaluate that Gator HE version.

Yes please :)

[Jonboy]

very Nice indeed Ant, did you use threaded inserts in the oak to hold on the face plate?

[Ant]

Cheers Jon,

No threaded inserts, just these (http://www.screwfix.com/p/mirror-screws-8-x-1-1-2-satin-chrome-pack-of-10/24120), shh, don't tell everyone though ;) - it took me a long long time to find the exact thing I was looking for.

They're not self tappers but a 4mm bit gives more than enough bite in oak, then 6mm for the last 3/4".

Ta,
Ant

[Jonboy]

Hi Ant,
Ah ha all is revealed, that answers my "what did you cover the srcews with" as well.

Good stuff i just wish i can find some time to carry out all of my proposed projects.

[Ant]

After a year living in the loft (the DAC, not me), I'm glad to say my forgotten project still sounds sweet. Time for some tinkering.....

[Ant]

Great show. I wonder how it would sound with one of my experimental high-ended Gator boards I am currently experimenting with? Maybe you can try one of them out after I have had time to properly finalize and evaluate that Gator HE version.

Hi Stanley, is the Gator offer still there please? ( what's 9 years between friends :) ) Seriously though, do you have one to sell please - I've dusted off my project once again and interested in cleaning up the headphone end. Thanks