Beresford Bushmaster DAC Reviews

[synsei]

These may well be the source of the problem. Harsh, edgy cable that may be hiding the benefits of the Bushmaster's more detailed presentation.

To be fair Martin, many people have stated that the top end of the BM is somewhat sweeter than the Caiman etc. Surely in comparison with his other Stan DAC's, and in the same system, this would still be apparent? I think Barney may have bought a sick puppy

[Bras]

Perhaps your unit is a little sick Barney, it may be worth asking Stan for a replacement

I doubt, then I should both have had a bad Caiman and a bad BM

[synsei]

I think you misunderstood me Barney, perhaps there is something wrong with your particular Bushmaster

[StanleyB]

Well everyone is entitled to their own opinion on taste, so there is nothing wrong with preferring the Squeezebox and B&W683 with the TC-7510. The deeper frequency response of the Bushmaster is not universally like by ported speakers and 6" midrange units can be less delicate in the midrange than the more conventional smaller midrange speakers.

[Pieoftheday]

well im digging out cds that were previously unlistenable on my last cdp arcam cd73, frances the mute by the mars volta, fantastic !! with the arcam it was an uncomfortable mess to my ears,with the bm in place this is class,great detail and space between instruments,nice clean bass and ultimatly i want to listen to it, ive rekindled my love of music with the bm,cant say fairer than that

[Gazjam]

Hearing one tonight...

Just curious, I take it there's no problems with the BM playing WAV files as opposed to Flac?

[barry-potter]

Guys,







just to verify that you’re talking about the same layout, please let me add the image:



A few days ago I sent a print-ready template including all technical specifications to Stanley via email. He must make the decision if he plans to offer the “Bushmaster” with this optional front plate.

Werner.

aye, that's the puppy.

[StanleyB]

Just curious, I take it there's no problems with the BM playing WAV files as opposed to Flac?

. I give up on you Gaz. Honestly.

[magiccarpetride]

Well everyone is entitled to their own opinion on taste, so there is nothing wrong with preferring the Squeezebox and B&W683 with the TC-7510. The deeper frequency response of the Bushmaster is not universally like by ported speakers and 6" midrange units can be less delicate in the midrange than the more conventional smaller midrange speakers.

No one responded to some of my previous inquiries, so I'd like to interject again and ask:

Does anyone else feel as if the highs from the Bushmaster are quite rolled off? I still get this lopsided, bottom-heavy presentation from the DAC, even after 24+ hours burn in. I was honestly expecting it to even out a bit, but the highs (i.e. cymbals, chimes, bells, etc.) are, to my ears, still unnaturally muffled.

What seems to be missing is the 'metallic' aspect of these metallic instruments. Like, the bells and chimes are made from metal alloys, and yet through the Bushmaster they sound more murky, more 'wooden' if you will. Also, they appear quite receded into the background, whilst with the Caiman they're more in your face, projected in front of the speakers. A quick switcharoo between the Bushmaster and the Caiman confirms that.

Is this typical for the Bushmaster, or have I just received a more 'personalized' copy of this fantastic DAC?

For the reference, I'm feeding digital signal via coax from the Squeezebox Touch, and then from the DAC out into the DSP 2000 preamp and DPA 200 power amp driving a pair of big-ass Magnepan speakers.

Any other DAC I've ever tried with the above configuration was giving me plenty of 'metallic' sounds from the cymbals et al, however the Bushmaster sounds much, much more tame and polite. I'm OK with the dark, coppery presentation of the cymbals (going down to the basement and hitting a few of my Sabian and Zyldian cymbals confirms that they do indeed emit this rich, harmonics laden coppery sheen), but I must say I'm less than pleased with the 'woody' presentation of the chimes and bells. They should be sounding more sparkly, no? I do have some bells and chimes in the house, and striking them gives off the sound that's anything but 'woody'.

I must say I'm extremely baffled by this muffled presentation of the highs. Everything else about this DAC is super fantastic, and exceeds all my expectations, but I'm now stuck with straining my ears to catch the familiar percussive sounds that are the staple of bands such as Santana etc.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

I don't have that problem Alex
Maybe you have just become accustomed to a more digital harsh sound?