Beresford Bushmaster DAC

[Alex_UK]

Wow - could be a true giant killer, then! I was thinking my Caiman could be used as a standalone headphone amp/USB DAC for when I'm working in the dining room...

[StanleyB]

I was thinking my Caiman could be used as a standalone headphone amp/USB DAC for when I'm working in the dining room...

Wait till you hear the Bushmaster headphone output and you'll soon change your mind.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

gonna be a few caimans on ebay then ...

[StanleyB]

Like the TC-7510 and TC-7520 before the Caiman, I intend to continue working on mods so that even the older DACs can benefit from improvements. Even at this moment in time I am playing with the TC-7520SEG Silmic mod. A few people have had that mod done to their TC-7520SEG, and they are very pleased.
So no need to panic and think that the older DACs will be left behind unwanted and unloved. Far from it.

[cycler2]

Please bear in mind that this reply is an opinion based on my sonic tastes, so here goes. It clearly outperforms Arcam rDac, Dacmagic and Rega Saturn and Rega Dac. At the higher end, its timing is spot on, so better-timing than two Accuphase models I have heard (now obsolete), more natural than the earliest Audio Synthesis Dac and P.S. Audio Ultralink both of which achieved detail by what I call negative colouration i.e. too etched.

Thanks for your assessment. I know the sound of the Audio Synthesis DAC and the Rega Saturn, so your report speaks volumes.
Rich

[Gazjam]

Like the TC-7510 and TC-7520 before the Caiman, I intend to continue working on mods so that even the older DACs can benefit from improvements. Even at this moment in time I am playing with the TC-7520SEG Silmic mod. A few people have had that mod done to their TC-7520SEG, and they are very pleased.
So no need to panic and think that the older DACs will be left behind unwanted and unloved. Far from it.

Crackin'

[mikeb]

Like the TC-7510 and TC-7520 before the Caiman, I intend to continue working on mods so that even the older DACs can benefit from improvements. Even at this moment in time I am playing with the TC-7520SEG Silmic mod. A few people have had that mod done to their TC-7520SEG, and they are very pleased.
So no need to panic and think that the older DACs will be left behind unwanted and unloved. Far from it.

Hi Stan, I think you may be referring to me! You recently sent me the Silmic mod and as you say I'm very pleased with the results.
This is my first post on this (or any forum) and I'm making it to say a big "thank you" and to give something back. My decision to buy the Caiman and later to upgraded with the Gator board was based on the positive reviews provided by members on thgis forum. I have not been disappointed with my purchase so thanks to all those members who took the time to express their views. To explain further, I recently emailed Stan to ask if my Gator board was at the latest mod state or if there were upgrades available. Stan offered me the Silmic mod, which I accepted. In return I offered to provide my views on the mod based on compatibility with my system (I use the Caiman as a pre=amp as well as a DAC and use active monitor speakers). Well, as a 'thank you' to Stan and all the members who posted comments, this is what I thought: (NB:I'm using the AD826 op amp). So far I've done about 15-20 hours listening, all CDs, covering diverse stuff from Alison Krauss, Leanard Cohen, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Peter Gabrial, Genesis, Pink Floyd, Rumor, Elbow, etc to Rachmaninoff & Chopin.
I approach mods/upgrades in a pretty sober way and tend to listen in sessions of about 1.5 hours and see how my views change between sessions.
From the first track the mod had the 'Wow' factor - which I didn't expect. After all, I was happy and impressed with the Gator, a mod was almost risking disapointment. Definitely not a disappointment with the improvements in sound quality covering the whole audio spectrum.
I would sum up the improvements (to my ears) and my experience as:
1. The music is more 'weighty' there's more well defined 'muscle' to the sound which makes every component of the composition more solid, defined and natural - I tend to shut my eyes when listening to help imagine the scene in front of me but I find I don't need to do that now
2. The tonal quality is more 'natural' - voices and instruments can sound scarily real, drums are very well presented and defined, symbols properly 'brassy' and I think the mid and lower bass presentation is great (I also think the bass goes deeper now than before)
3. The dynamic range 'feels' greater - I hear dymanic passages of music at slightly lower volume and still get the peaks
4. Transient attack is better - which is saying something when I use active monitors with ribbon tweeters and the transient response is already excellent
5. There is nothing I don't like about this mod
I've gone back for a second, third and fourth helpings and each time expected to moderate my opions. So far that hasn't happened. I'm not sure if the board needs to 'burn-in' or not. I could hear the difference from the outset but the sound may get better with time. The more I listen and enjoy the music the less I think about the upgrade. I just enjoy playing piece after piece of my CD collection - and I haven't even tried Spotify!
To sum up my views if the Caiman + Gator added P-R-A-T then the Silmic upgrade adds P-A-D (Presence And Definition). Good luck with this one Stan, it works for me.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Hi Michael,
Would you mind going over to the Welcome section and starting a new thread telling us a little about yourself, your system & your musical tastes. This is a surefire way of receiving a truly warm welcome from the natives.
As you're new to AoS and all fora in general, perhaps this list of 'How To Do It's' might help. If you need any more help just shout & someone will come running.
Thanks in advance.

[AmpCity]

Bushmaster looks to be the default choice at that price range when it finally comes out!

Thanks for answering that one, I was wondering if it was power related or something else. Bearing in mind what you have said I don't suppose you could recommend a DAC to be used as a preamp with my Quad 606? I will be seeking an upgrade this summer.

If you're looking for a DAC/preamp check out the Matrix Mini-i, or the Audiolab MDAC if the budget stretches further. Emotiva XDA-1 is also a good option, but wasn't amazing in my setup. All have remotes which is a godsend!

[StanleyB]

The XDA-1 turned out to be a massive disappointment. The software error with the variable output level control was shocking to say the least. Nice remote though.