Beresford Bushmaster DAC

[Colin151]

I have a slight suspicion that Naim DAC is doing a bit of editorializing, interjecting some coloration that may not necessarily exist in the recording. While playing, that DAC may sacrifice some of the reckless precision you're talking about in order to favour a more sugar coated presentation. Not my cup of tea, I prefer what Caiman is doing to the signal, it's only that I got smitten by that 'freshly washed and waxed car' imagery. I'd love to have it on my system, and who knows, maybe Bushmaster will fit the bill?

I've also noticed some other ultra high end systems offering that 'wet' sound...

Seem like I misunderstood your meaning of a "wet" sound twice!, just as Wazoo did once.

Hmmmm from what you are saying it sounds like the Naim injects some colouration into the sound. That's what a lot of Naim products do, - the amps do that too (paritucalrlly the older olive/chrome bumper ones), - they use EQ and bandwidth limitation to overemphaise dynamics, increase PRAT and overemphasise the excitement level. It can sound very exciting and addictive to listen to, but after a long period you can tend to realise that proper music does not really sound like that. Perhpas some of your newly washed car feeling is some of the Naim colouration (which you tend to suggest it could be)

Its certainly possible some of this is going on with the Naim DAC. Many years ago I had a Naim CDI CD player and a similar thing went on there as was the case as with the amps. I have to say, I'm not up to date with the latest Naim gear though, its too pricey for me and whilst initially exciting, the colorations/sound quirks of the Naim sound tend to annoy annoysme in the longer term so I shelved their products a long time ago. From what I've have read though, the latest stuff (whilst still having the Naim signature sound) is less extreme sounding than the older gear.

The Bushmaster is not short of excitement and the pace etc is actually much improved from the Caiman in my opinion, - that's quite obvious from first listen. But there is no coloration of the details already there in terms of making it sound artificially exciting, - on the contrary, - its so transparent it just like an open window. Like I say, the added bonus is you also hear so many more details that you ever heard before (this is in comparison with the CAIMAN (which is no slouch already)). It must be the simplicity of Stan's design and the way he has somehow managed to make this new DAC still sound musical at same time. Less is most certainly more in this case.

[northwest]

I have had a bit of back and forth with Stan over the Bushmaster v Caiman scenario and my conclusion is that the Caiman better suits what i need. I have no DAC at all right now and whatever I buy it will be my first so I have no reference.
I just need the versatility of the Caiman - I will be able to use it as a passive amplifier and this is a big plus for me.
I will be very interested to see what else Stan is working on.

[Labarum]

Much as all this chatter about the merits of various DACs interests me, I can't help thinking that much bigger differences would be noticed by changing the loudspeakers.

What loudspeakers have you used in the design process, Stan, and where do your personal preferences lie?

[Colin151]

I guess Stan omitted the variable out on the Bushmaster in order to cut down the costs. I suppose its a reasonable area to cut as not that many people use the variable out, - usually only the fixed RCA outputs (into a preamp or integrated amp), or use the device as an all in one Class A headphone amp. Though I think he is planning an add on for the variable out with remote volume for the Bushmaster.

I am not sure the Caiman variable outs should be considered the same as using a passive preamp, - I think there is some useful gain from the variable outs as the output level is 2V so its more like an active preamp. Though I think someone mentioned before there is no buffering from the Caiman variable outs (active preamps usually use buffering), - I'm not sure exactly on that one.

Using the fixed output of the Caiman into an actual passive preamp (or simple attenuator) gives more transparency than the variable output, but at the cost of dynamics. I have compared the Caiman variable output to the Caiman fixed out into either of my two passive preamps and this is indeed the case. I have been pretty much given up on Passive preamps for this very reason though - the lack of dynamics really gets to me despite the transparency gains. Its OK with some simple material but too bothersome with most other material, - the sound is just too weak and it does not sound like real music. I currently use a valve preamp with loads of voltage gain and love the dynamics.

The lack of variable out on the Bushmaster is obviously not big issue for me as I use a separate active preamp (and I also use the DAC as a headphone amp), but I'll still be interested in buying the add on variable output and remote volume option in the future as I like having extra options to try (and like changes in my preamp scenario from time to time). If the Bushmaster variable output is similar to the Caiman variable out (which sounds very good) I'd be very happy.

I have had a bit of back and forth with Stan over the Bushmaster v Caiman scenario and my conclusion is that the Caiman better suits what i need. I have no DAC at all right now and whatever I buy it will be my first so I have no reference.
I just need the versatility of the Caiman - I will be able to use it as a passive amplifier and this is a big plus for me.
I will be very interested to see what else Stan is working on.

[jonnyd]

Much as all this chatter about the merits of various DACs interests me, I can't help thinking that much bigger differences would be noticed by changing the loudspeakers.

I have been thinking about this as well, but came to the conclusion that it's about bang for your buck. As my system stands at the moment, I think I'd have to spend in the region of £6-800 to upgrade my amp or speakers to have a noticeable change. I can't justify that at the moment. An upgrade of around £170 is much more palatable, and given what Colin has said, it's quite likely to make a difference. I've read on here the Stan's very good about returns if your not satisfied though, as I suppose not everyone might see the changes as improvements, personal taste and all that. I'm certainly looking forward to seeing what a DAC upgrade can do.

What loudspeakers have you used in the design process, Stan, and where do your personal preferences lie?

Yeah it would be interesting to know what equipment you test with Stan. Sorry if this has been mentioned before, i couldn't spot any info on your profile.

[realysm42]

I'm going to have to ignore this product completely as I've had an M-dac on order since December.

Has anyone got any comparisons of the two?

[magiccarpetride]

Much as all this chatter about the merits of various DACs interests me, I can't help thinking that much bigger differences would be noticed by changing the loudspeakers.

What loudspeakers have you used in the design process, Stan, and where do your personal preferences lie?

Even more importantly, what room have you used in the design process, Stan?

[pumpkineater23]

I'm surprised that not many people use the variable outs, I would have thought, that for most people, hiding away the large clunky stuff (amps p.amps etc) and the DAC doubling up as a preamp would be half the point. I wonder what percentage of people like the bits on display, especially when it comes to computer based audio?

[magiccarpetride]

I'm surprised that not many people use the variable outs, I would have thought, that for most people, hiding away the large clunky stuff (amps p.amps etc) and the DAC doubling up as a preamp would be half the point. I wonder what percentage of people like the bits on display, especially when it comes to computer based audio?

I've tried the variable outs on Caiman, but was not happy with the output volume it was giving me. Basically, I would have to crank the volume control on the Caiman all the way up to get the same loudness I get from my pre-amp at around 10:00 (which is some 20 - 30% of the max volume possible). That just doesn't cut the mustard for me, as I often enjoy my music very loud!

So I'm perfectly happy to learn that Bushmaster had cut the charade and is going fixed only -- less stuff to worry about inside the DAC, way to go!

[StanleyB]

I don't use speaker makes or models, or room sizes as a measurement guide in my DAC designs. My view is that a DAC should sound excellent at all times, no matter which speakers you own or room size you use it in.