My Beresford TC-7520 project...

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30-11-2011, 22:09
Ant

My Beresford TC-7520 project...

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/...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/...e/bcase001.jpg

Next the materials (on the left):

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...e/bcase002.jpg

A few markings:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...e/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/...e/bcase004.jpg

Top and bottom fixed:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...e/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/...e/bcase006.jpg

Front panel fixed, 5mm overhang all round:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...e/bcase007.jpg

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

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...e/bcase008.jpg

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

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...e/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/...e/bcase010.jpg

Almost there:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...e/bcase011.jpg

Ready for drilling the LED holes:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...e/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/...e/bcase013.jpg

The back:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...e/bcase014.jpg

Old on top, new below:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...e/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/...e/bcase016.jpg

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...e/bcase017.jpg

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...e/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 for all the info on PSU's.

Well, that's me done (for now)

Cheers folks,
Ant
30-11-2011, 22:26
Tim

That is pretty darned impressive :cool: Beautiful work Anthony and thanks for sharing.
30-11-2011, 22:52
Val33

Thats a great job. Very neat work :)

Val
30-11-2011, 23:01
The Vinyl Adventure

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

Thats very impressive indeed!
30-11-2011, 23:14
rusty bearing

Gosh thats good. :stalks:
30-11-2011, 23:45
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
01-12-2011, 07:41
Puffin

Didn't want to do a proper job then.......:lol::lol::lol:
01-12-2011, 10:33
keiths

Fantastic job Ant - well done :clap:
01-12-2011, 10:43
StanleyB

A very good job indeed :).
01-12-2011, 10:55
RichB

Stands in awe of the skills and dedication. That would look great in any rack. Well done.
01-12-2011, 16:01
snapper

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ant

Super wunderba, I'm chuffed to bits.

Ant

I'm not surprised, it looks fantastic, great job Ant.
01-12-2011, 17:57
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:
01-12-2011, 21:37
Ant

Many thanks for the thumbs up guys, much appreciated.

Ta,
Ant
09-12-2011, 15:57
Ant

Shame to hide it, one glass top:

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...se/comp000.jpg

Me likey :)
09-12-2011, 16:53
icehockeyboy

Maybe you and Stan should team up, and when someone requires a souped up dac that looks rather more special.................
09-12-2011, 21:22
Ant

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

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...ase/lit001.jpg

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...ase/lit002.jpg

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...ase/lit003.jpg

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...ase/lit004.jpg

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/...000/lit005.jpg

Merry xmas folks
09-12-2011, 21:31
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 ;)
09-12-2011, 21:41
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
09-12-2011, 21:41
jon1

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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 ;)

I like blue led's:eyebrows:

jon
09-12-2011, 21:47
MartinT

Very nice work indeed, Anthony. I'm hoping it spurs Stan into reviving the aborted super-Caiman case project.
09-12-2011, 21:56
Reid Malenfant

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

Keep it as an option & fit a switch :lol: Best of both worlds ;)
09-12-2011, 22:00
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 ;)
09-12-2011, 22:10
keiths

The glass top really makes it look the business. :drool:
09-12-2011, 22:14
Ant

Quote:

Originally Posted by keiths

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

Why thank you :)
09-12-2011, 22:16
Ant

Reid/Mark,

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

I think it'll be 'dappa' :lol:
10-12-2011, 00:46
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
10-12-2011, 09:17
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
11-12-2011, 11:11
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.
11-12-2011, 11:13
Covenant

How does it differ from the standard Gator board Stan?
11-12-2011, 11:19
Alex_UK

Very impressive Ant - congratulations on a superb achievement.
11-12-2011, 12:35
StanleyB

Quote:

Originally Posted by Covenant

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:.
11-12-2011, 14:25
Covenant

Looking forward to seeing how this one develops:)
11-12-2011, 20:46
Ant

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Yes please :)
11-12-2011, 21:27
Jonboy

very Nice indeed Ant, did you use threaded inserts in the oak to hold on the face plate?
11-12-2011, 21:46
Ant

Cheers Jon,

No threaded inserts, just these, 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
14-12-2011, 19:23
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.
21-05-2013, 13:10
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.....
06-11-2020, 15:05
Ant

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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