Beresford Bushmaster DAC

[Psion770]

So it seems to be consensual that I need a powered pre amp I have an old Musical Fidelty The Pre Amp,might that work?
Has anybody got any other bright ideas I believe somebody is using a NVA passive successfully... Don't want to send the Bushmaster back?

[MartinT]

Active preamps are so much better.

[Val33]

I use an NVA passive pre with the bushmaster with no problems, so IT DOES work with at least some passives.

No idea what your issue might be though.

Val

[Psion770]

By active pre amp are you saying a powered pre amp - I am reading back through the threads having had two rather pointed rebukes that I lacked the very basic technical knowledge to understand that the DAC (obviously hadn't followed all the posts correctly) with fixed out put wouldn't work even through the most basic of passive pre amps.
That's why I posted to ask for help and guidance from the more knowledgable...

Respectfully Im asking for help patience and guidance here guys M

[Psion770]

Thanks Val no I don't know either that's why I why I was hoping people with more knowledge than me could offer suggestions - I rate Stans products and his patience and service, the Caiman has responded well to every upgrade Paul Hynes PSU, upgraded mains cables, interconnects etc, nothing so far has been a retrograde step every thing taking me closer to the music.
The Icon passive is avery basic switching device with a volume pot for the record what model of NVA is yours I don't want to be beaten yet... All suggestions gratefully recieved an considered ... Within reason MRM

[Val33]

I would check the inputs of the icon, then check your leads, I've run my BM through the NVA P90 and a cheap Angle Audio pre with no issues.

Val

[Psion770]

Thanks Val it looks as if I'm going to have to send the Icon back to Leicester to be checked unless I can found someone local to test it for me I don't have a workshop or a means of testing it using my current equipment I am going to rng Stan tommorow to check what the out put of his DAC is I'm sure I read somewhere it was about 1.9v which in theory should work with the Icon Passive as it has a CD input as well as an auxiliary input but thanks for your replies nice to realise having dropped a gooley one is not totally alone. MRM

[Stratmangler]

Thanks Val it looks as if I'm going to have to send the Icon back to Leicester to be checked unless I can found someone local to test it for me I don't have a workshop or a means of testing it using my current equipment I am going to rng Stan tommorow to check what the out put of his DAC is I'm sure I read somewhere it was about 1.9v which in theory should work with the Icon Passive as it has a CD input as well as an auxiliary input but thanks for your replies nice to realise having dropped a gooley one is not totally alone. MRM

You'll probably find the output impedance of the DAC to be of greater relevance than the output voltage of the BM analogue outputs.
Which is why active preamps have been strongly recommended - they present a fixed load to the DAC.
Most all passive controls change impedance with the degree of attenuation.

[MartinT]

By active pre amp are you saying a powered pre amp

Yes, it isn't just a matter of whether the Bushmaster will drive a passive volume pot, it's also a matter of active (powered) preamps having so much better drive to the power amp. I have never heard a passive setup that can rival the drive, rhythm and dynamics of a good active preamp.

[Val33]

I think you are missing the point.

Any impedance missmatch would not stop the pre from working. It might not sound great, but it would still work.

Val