Mod your Beresford 7520

[StanleyB]

Its either my eyes playing tricks on me but it seems a few resistor values in the phones section have been tweaked too

They are. I reduced the SPL.

[sponge]

Just thought I'd post an update on what I have done recently regarding op amps etc.

Firstly, I have decided to re-fit the 2 LM4562NA's - After quite long listening sessions, I think they have better synergy with both the K701's and the HD600's than the THS4032.

Secondly, I have never been happy with the op amp sockets - The op amps have always felt a bit "loose" in their sockets. So I removed them and have replaced with a couple of ulta low profile sockets by Mill-Max [part no 115-93-308-41-003000]. I got these from Digi-Key [part ED5308-ND] a while back for another project. They aint cheap at 80p each, but they are very good.Not only that, they sit 2mm lower than the stock socket, which has to be a good thing.

The TC-7520 is now sounding pretty good Thanks Stan...

OK, that's it for now.

Ken

[Quietschbox]

"After quite long listening sessions, I think they have better synergy with both the K701's and the HD600's than the THS4032."

More detail on this? After all, people in this thread never mentioned their amplifier and speakers combos.
Which, as far as i know, are almost as important as both the DAC and output circuit type in use.
Or is this "the end" to the opamp replacement-project already, so the only remaining and convincing option may be replacing the DAC itself?
That would be sad.

Regarding the announced Wadia 121:
http://www.hemagazine.com/node/Wadia_151_121
http://blog.stereophile.com/ces2009/wadia_need_next/
this thing will be expensive, but i expect it to be a killer DAC.
Have a look at this DAC shootout:
http://www.hifi-forum.de/viewthread-100-1382.html
If you want me to translate sopecific parts, ask for.
The nutshell:
The "Wadia 12" DAC from years ago totally sunk them all, soundwise.

[sponge]

More detail on this? ...

With the op amp upgrade, I didn't want a one trick pony, but ones that suited both my main headphones via the headphone socket in the 7520 and the line-out through my existing headphone amplifier.
I try to limit my comments on actual sound, as this is very subjective but for my ears the combination of LM4562 op amps works best.
This to me is the fun of DIY - Trying different mods etc to achieve (for me) a better sound.

Ken

[StanleyB]

"After quite long listening sessions, I think they have better synergy with both the K701's and the HD600's than the THS4032."

More detail on this? After all, people in this thread never mentioned their amplifier and speakers combos.
Which, as far as i know, are almost as important as both the DAC and output circuit type in use.

I mentioned the combination of THS4032 on the line output and LM4562NA on the headphone output as my own preference. So there is still a bit of experimenting to be done for headphone users.

Or is this "the end" to the opamp replacement-project already, so the only remaining and convincing option may be replacing the DAC itself?
That would be sad.

The TC-7520 is one of the very few DACs that has user friendly modification potentials. But I am quite happy to take your deposit for your next DAC. You still got till the end of the year before I can figure out what new idea to come up with.

http://www.hifi-forum.de/viewthread-100-1382.html
If you want me to translate sopecific parts, ask for.
The nutshell:
The "Wadia 12" DAC from years ago totally sunk them all, soundwise.

Privately, many people have emailed me with their views that the TC-7520 is also better than the same DACs the WADIA was compared against. So nothing new there. If you surf the net it is very noticeable that the TC-7520 is hardly mentioned in any tests against other DACs. The same was not the case with the TC-7510, where people made great efforts to try to point out that the TC-7510 was bettered by DAC X/Y/Z. Early days yet, but I suspect that the TC-7520 is going to take something special that can outgun it, especially with the various opamp mods.

Stan

[Quietschbox]

I mentioned the combination of THS4032 on the line output and LM4562NA on the headphone output as my own preference. So there is still a bit of experimenting to be done for headphone users.

Ah well. This takes some weight out of Sponge's post. Misunderstood line out was meant.

The TC-7520 is one of the very few DACs that has user friendly modification potentials. But I am quite happy to take your deposit for your next DAC. You still got till the end of the year before I can figure out what new idea to come up with.

Well Stan. I don't know what this means. Is this misplaced criticism of sorts, in response to some honest comment ("would be sad")? After all, modding, as you yourself put it, means challenge fun and options for sound improvement at low cost. Sponge's post seemed to deliver a serious blow to that.

If it was not criticism, my honest opinion is that waiting to the end of the year is quite risky these times. Noone knows when things will really start to fall apart, so they can officially usher in their beloved global tyranny, on their own manufactured petty pretexts and silent consent of ignorant masses.

[marscay]

popped in my TH4032 opamps this morning after using the LT1364 for a few days of heavy use.

i must say that the 1364 is a much more revealing opamp than the 4032 with my gear but i have to agree with the others about HF ringing/brightness ....on some material it is extremely fatiguing - but this opamp really shines at times.

4032 sounds quite neutral and balanced so far - what to try next??

[trailer]

what to try next??

Get that Wolfson DAC chip in.

[StanleyB]

Well Stan. I don't know what this means. Is this misplaced criticism of sorts, in response to some honest comment ("would be sad")?

Nope. I mean what I say. If you need a Paypal invoice in case you think I am not serious, let me know.

[marscay]

Get that Wolfson DAC chip in.

my hands aren't steady enough for that kind of surgery.