Beresford Bushmaster DAC Reviews

[DaveK]

I know nothing of the electronics involved but, if a 16v PSU improves the SQ is it possible that, on the 'perceived to be lacking' BMs, a component or sequence of components is not quite up to spec and a more muscular 16v is coping better? Sorry if this don't make sense .
Dave.

[lurcher]

Fed-up with lack of progress on the burn-in front with my BM, I resorted to the Maplin XM-20W PSU Stan recommended for the Caiman. I have been using it for a number of years with the Caiman. It kicks-out 15V vs. 12V with the stock BM PSU (the BM is good to 16V according to the instructions). It made quite a difference to the BM: Gone is the mushiness, the highs are back, the bass is deep and tight, the sound stage is much improved - but I still find it tiring to listen too even at quite low listening levels. Perhaps the stock PSU is at the root of the issues some people (including me) have raised.

Maybe its the power supply instead of the voltage. I will be finished building one of the two box power supplies that I make for the Touch for the BM today, given the low current the BM needs its no problem making one supply that can range from 12v to 16v, so I will see if I hear anything.

If anyone is interested, I am happy to send it out on a round robin trip to anyone who wants to try. Only cost would be postage to the next user.

[icehockeyboy]

Im with the lucky lot who say it sounded great out of the box, but with a few hours is sounding even better!

A quick query, someone mentioned the dac in a Lyngdorf amp, I have an SDAi 2175i, are we talking the same one here, and could the amp be the reason why I believed the Touch's dac sounded good? (until I got the BM that is!)

[Russell Turner]

Maybe its the power supply instead of the voltage. I will be finished building one of the two box power supplies that I make for the Touch for the BM today, given the low current the BM needs its no problem making one supply that can range from 12v to 16v, so I will see if I hear anything.

If anyone is interested, I am happy to send it out on a round robin trip to anyone who wants to try. Only cost would be postage to the next user.

I have your Squeezebox Touch PSU Lurcher, which has made vast differences to the SQ of the device, I would be quite happy to trial it out for you and pass on my findings.

I don't have the most uber Hi-fi setup in the World but it is good enough and average enough to make a good judgement on for the market this device would probably be marketable on.

[worrasf]

My "new" Grado GS1000 and RA-1 headphone amp arrived the other day. The GS1000's look beautiful and I've had a little time to listen. I must say regardless of which amp they sound wonderful - a huge leap in SQ from the Grado SR60i. Anyway, as you know I rate the SOHA II I was using esp with the 6N1P-VI or Cryo 6922 valves. Well I have to say I can't tell much difference between the SOHA and the BM headamp. The BM perhaps a tad brighter but overall the presentation is the same that's to say very enjoyable. So considering the BM headamp is a " freebie" with the DAC and my SOHA cost about £300 pretty darn good vfm.


Now, the RA-1 headamp - I love the wood case and it matches my Quad 33/FM3 teak sleeve and JR149 cabs a treat. While I've not listened hugely and only with the SR60i's despite the forum laughter this amp generates I don't think it's half bad - it'll certainly be ok with the Quads

Steve

[NRG]

Maybe its the power supply instead of the voltage. I will be finished building one of the two box power supplies that I make for the Touch for the BM today, given the low current the BM needs its no problem making one supply that can range from 12v to 16v, so I will see if I hear anything.

If anyone is interested, I am happy to send it out on a round robin trip to anyone who wants to try. Only cost would be postage to the next user.

I'd be up for that Nick....

[SteveW]

Im with the lucky lot who say it sounded great out of the box, but with a few hours is sounding even better!

A quick query, someone mentioned the dac in a Lyngdorf amp, I have an SDAi 2175i, are we talking the same one here, and could the amp be the reason why I believed the Touch's dac sounded good? (until I got the BM that is!)

No I have the Lyngdorf 2200, with dac and room perfect modules.
Still very good quality, but the BM is much more dynamic.

For instance on 'Aint going to Goa' by Alabama 3, I now hear SO much more. There is a bass drum that is almost subliminal that I never new was there. In fact I never knew the little Harbeth 3P ESR's could reproduce such deep bass. At the same time there is a full soundstage of a gospel choir which is stunning all the while all manner of other things happening, all presented in a manner that is just so musical, not tiring and does that old thing of making you hunt out other CD's to rediscover them.
That is why I just don't recognise these other issues that are being reported.

[MartinT]

Today I replaced the connector on the 16V Paul Hynes power supply I had built for the Caiman, in order to work with the Bushmaster. This is based on Paul Hynes' PR3-16 module. Studying the Bushmaster manual suggests that 16V is the maximum allowable input voltage so I left it set as-is, exactly on 16V.



Listening to the Bushmaster now, when compared with the provided 12V Unifive PSU or the 12V battery, I can hear quite an improvement in projection and a deeper soundstage with more precisely placed instruments. Everything sounds a little livelier with easier to hear rhythm. This is not a 'night and day' improvement as indeed Stan has worked hard to separate the effects of power supply on his circuit. However, the high regulation, high current and responsiveness of the PH module, together with 16V operation, has definitely had a positive effect on the sound so I shall now leave this PSU in place.

I also replaced my RG-59/U co-ax cable with a Chord ProDAC silver digital cable and heard a further small but worthwhile improvement when fed from the Touch.

[ZincAlloy]

Just ordered mine today. Still using the 7510 every day, so can't wait to hear the Bushmaster. The fact that the 7510 is driving an all-Linn setup, and holding its own, leads me to think that the Bushmaster will be a stonker. Will post my thoughts, should be with me on Monday, according to Stan.

[snapper]

Hi Ken

Before you go any further, could you please pop into the Welcome area and introduce yourself to our community, as you were asked to do in the registration email you received - ta!