Mod your Beresford 7520

[technobear]

... I wonder how a TC-7520 with THS4032 opamps fitted would stack up against the seriously expensive opposition out there.

So when is the TC-7520 SE launching then Stan?

We're waiting

(But we won't wait forever. There's a new Wadia DAC out soon that promises to blow the Benchmark and Lavry DA10/11 and a few others clean out of the water)

[marscay]

The stock opamps are the same that are being used in other far more expensive DACs like the DAC1. It just goes to show how excellent the TC-7520 is in its basic design. By loading up a set of more refined opamps you can challenge a lot of other DACs. I wonder how a TC-7520 with THS4032 opamps fitted would stack up against the seriously expensive opposition out there.

it's an interesting debate for sure, i've never heard the Benchmark DAC with my gear only at shows but at 5 times the price it's hard to justify for most of us considering how good the 7520 can sound with these cheap upgrades.

traditionally i would rather tradeup my speakers/amps to the next model up than spend good money on exotic DAC's but messing with these opamps has just reinforced how important the start of the chain really is, regardless of amps/speakers.... once that information is lost it's gone for good.

having a blast today though - pity about the neighbours

[StanleyB]

So when is the TC-7520 SE launching then Stan?

We're waiting

(But we won't wait forever. There's a new Wadia DAC out soon that promises to blow the Benchmark and Lavry DA10/11 and a few others clean out of the water)

I'll leave the TC-7520 as it is and just give the modders a chance to burn their fingers on their soldering iron. Part of the fun in owning a TC-7520 is knowing that you got a stock unit that can be transformed into something even more potent for a few dollars more.

I have been listening to the WM8716 mod on the TC-7520. When fitted to the TC-7510 the results were so so. But on the TC-7520 with the THS4032 for line output and LM4562NA for headphone output it's going to be hard to beat. The detail depth is better, which I reckon is due to the lower SN ratio of the WM8716. But it could also be due to the fact that the PCM1716 is only a 8X oversampling DAC, whilst the WM8716 is a 64X oversampling DAC.
However, please note that swapping the DAC chip over is an expert only job! The chances of success in getting it right without previous experience is less than 1% I reckon.

Stan

Interesting about that Wadia.

[HighFidelityGuy]

I'll leave the TC-7520 as it is and just give the modders a chance to burn their fingers on their soldering iron. Part of the fun in owning a TC-7520 is knowing that you got a stock unit that can be transformed into something even more potent for a few dollars more.

I have been listening to the WM8716 mod on the TC-7520. When fitted to the TC-7510 the results were so so. But on the TC-7520 with the THS4032 for line output and LM4562NA for headphone output it's going to be hard to beat. The detail depth is better, which I reckon is due to the lower SN ratio of the WM8716. But it could also be due to the fact that the PCM1716 is only a 8X oversampling DAC, whilst the WM8716 is a 64X oversampling DAC.
However, please note that swapping the DAC chip over is an expert only job! The chances of success in getting it right without previous experience is less than 1% I reckon.

Stan

Interesting about that Wadia.

Hmm, interesting.

Would you consider offering a return to base upgrade option where you charged for swapping the DAC chip?

Also, is it a straight swap or are other modifications required to make it work properly?

Thanks.

[StanleyB]

I only had a couple of the chips to try out, and they are now all used up.
It's a difficult job that requires cutting out the old chip, cleaning the area, and putting in the new chip. It is nerve wrecking and requires an eye surgeon's nerve and skill. And to do it as nicely and clean as I did mine requires several prayers beforehand...

[chrism]

Hi Stan,

Would be really interested in your own opinion of the THS4032 fitted to the 7510 over the stock opamp? Just about to give it ago and was curious about your own findings.

Regards

Chris

[StanleyB]

The THS4032 is a very good line driver, so it will handle even hard to control interconnecting leads between DAC and amplifier with a lot of control. It will also transform the TC-7510, but the LM4562MA is just s good in the TC-7510.

[Covenant]

I only had a couple of the chips to try out, and they are now all used up.
It's a difficult job that requires cutting out the old chip, cleaning the area, and putting in the new chip. It is nerve wrecking and requires an eye surgeon's nerve and skill. And to do it as nicely and clean as I did mine requires several prayers beforehand...

But it helps to have 4000 spare 7520's in the stockroom!
Well I fitted my 4032 last night and couldnt tear myself aware from it. I dont see how you can get much better than this.

[trailer]

Out of interest I got the improved Tirna 4032.

Couple of pictures below:

[rhmjmango]

popped in a LT1364 this morning, my o my what a revelation versus the stock opamps - it's like a new DAC all over again.

the percussion, seperation, soundstage, vocals .....all much improved and i expected some improvement but not this drastic. as some have mentioned they are quite forward in presentation but not overly and i expect this will tone down a little after a few hrs - glad i don't have bright amps though as i think it might be too much. the increase in detail being picked up is incredible to be honest.... guitars,cymbals + spatial sounds are off the charts.

got some 4032's on the way also so will see how they fare versus these 1364's.

There is quite a big difference in sound signature when using one or two LT1364 opamps. I had a LM4562 in the line socket and a LT1364 in the headphone socket for a couple of days and i noticed that the high frequencies where dominating on my Grado headphones, very detailed, very forward, very dynamic, but for me too much off everything.
I changed the LM4562 for another LT1364 and the sound signature changed completely. Now the low frequencies dominate much more and make the sound more balanced and less fatique. The bass now is really BIG!
I am waiting for the 4032 chip from Tirna how they stand out to this config.