Beresford Bushmaster DAC

[howlindawg]

I don't accept the implication that an improved cosmetic design will necessarily mean more expense.

Stan posted a prototype and invited feedback and suggestions.

Werner posted a few ideas, this for example


All the main dimensions have been kept the same so there's not added cost involved with revised PCBs or casework. It also retains the look of the family of Beresford products.

The combined Red and Blue LEDs have been replaced with just Blue therefore simplifying the BOM.

The Black and Gold volume knob replaced with plain black... I wouldn't expect any added costs there.

The rest is a revision of the silkscreening, again something that doesn't add to the costs.

The result is something that retains the Beresford family look while at the same time managing to look sleeker and slicker at no extra cost.

Like it or loathe it the suggestions were offered freely and in a constructive manner. The negative reaction doesn't seem warranted.

[jonnyd]

To be honest it can be in a Tupperware box for me as long as it sounds good...

:-)

Yeah, thinking about it more I agree with this. The reason I'll be buying one is for what it sounds like and because of my previous experience of Stans DAC's, and his great personal service. I know Stan asked for input, but don't stress too much guys.

[DaveK]

I don't accept the implication that an improved cosmetic design will necessarily mean more expense.

Stan posted a prototype and invited feedback and suggestions.

Werner posted a few ideas, this for example


All the main dimensions have been kept the same so there's not added cost involved with revised PCBs or casework. It also retains the look of the family of Beresford products.

The combined Red and Blue LEDs have been replaced with just Blue therefore simplifying the BOM.

The Black and Gold volume knob replaced with plain black... I wouldn't expect any added costs there.

The rest is a revision of the silkscreening, again something that doesn't add to the costs.

The result is something that retains the Beresford family look while at the same time managing to look sleeker and slicker at no extra cost.

Like it or loathe it the suggestions were offered freely and in a constructive manner. The negative reaction doesn't seem warranted.

Sorry friends, if you still are, but I cannot resist. I decided not to respond further for fear of upsetting anyone unnecessarily but the above is exactly what I wanted to say but decided against. What it represents is a really beneficially 'worked up' design that will firmly place the Bushmaster in the present, and form the basis of future product design, without significantly impacting on Stan's manufacturing costs, as I understand it. In other words, totally fulfilling Stan's request.
Just my opinion.
Dave.

[Gazjam]

Like this one.

I don't accept the implication that an improved cosmetic design will necessarily mean more expense.

Stan posted a prototype and invited feedback and suggestions.

Werner posted a few ideas, this for example


All the main dimensions have been kept the same so there's not added cost involved with revised PCBs or casework. It also retains the look of the family of Beresford products.

The combined Red and Blue LEDs have been replaced with just Blue therefore simplifying the BOM.

The Black and Gold volume knob replaced with plain black... I wouldn't expect any added costs there.

The rest is a revision of the silkscreening, again something that doesn't add to the costs.

The result is something that retains the Beresford family look while at the same time managing to look sleeker and slicker at no extra cost.

Like it or loathe it the suggestions were offered freely and in a constructive manner. The negative reaction doesn't seem warranted.

[Werner Berghofer]

Martin,

this is a good point you’re bringing up here.

Please let me add this: When looking at a case that obviously has been designed and manufactured in a somehow amateurish and careless way, it might raise the suspicion that what’s inside this case probably was designed and built in a similar manner.

In German there’s a saying: “You also eat with the eyes”.

Most of the proposals which have been published in this thread do not increase the production costs or alter the hardware inside.

Werner.

[Werner Berghofer]

Martin,

I think the use of symbols looks neater but feel that they will be too obscure and non intuitive to many users.

this could be true at first glance, but I think the moment the DAC has been turned on and the “source” button has been pressed to explore what it does, the icons become pretty much self-explanatory. People don’t sit in front of their gear, spending hours reading what’s printed on the front plates :-)

The power icon and its function is recognized worldwide, regardless of the regional language. The source icon can be found on a lot of remote controls for TVs and similar equipment. The optical and coaxial icons pretty good reflect the shapes of the corresponding connectors, and the headphone icon is familiar to even three years old kids.

Werner.

[Macca]

Martin,

this is a good point you’re bringing up here.

Please let me add this: When looking at a case that obviously has been designed and manufactured in a somehow amateurish and careless way, it might raise the suspicion that what’s inside this case probably was designed and built in a similar manner.

In German there’s a saying: “You also eat with the eyes”.

Most of the proposals which have been published in this thread do not increase the production costs or alter the hardware inside.

Werner.

Not disagreeing with you there, Werner. No-one wants somthing built badly. But what if the case is simply the minumum required for correct function and there is no 'design' at all in the layout it is just a row of switches and knobs. Form follows function. I thinking particularly of Croft, not sure if you are familiar with that 'brand' and its complete lack of aesthetics. We all appreciate aesthetics but can perhaps put such considerations aside for what is simply a box with some bits inside.

[Gazjam]

Dont know who did original Bushmaster case but it wasn't obviously bad to everyone?
Opinions vary.

[Werner Berghofer]

Gary,

it wasn't obviously bad to everyone?

guess not everybody is willing or wanting to express his displease in public.

Werner.

[Darren]

Gary, I don’t think so. It's the Internet age, my dear

The best line of this entire debate. Werner has taken on all comers in a second language. You can't fault him.