Beresford Bushmaster DAC Reviews

[magiccarpetride]

I had the Bushmaster for two months in my system with similar results to the short half-day shoot-out in my friend's system. The results were similar each time.

As I mentioned in my posts, system synergy plays a substantial role. We felt that the bushmaster over-egged the pudding compared to the other DACs that we had on hand at the time. If we had less revealing speakers and amps at the time, who knows.

I agree, it could be that Bushmaster found a sweet spot in my audio chain. Prior to using the BM, my system veered toward the bright sound. I have attributed that to me using big Magnepan speakers (big as in the size of barn doors). Maggies, as we call them, can be extremely, almost unpleasantly revealing. However, the moment BM entered the picture, the brightness got tamed, and now the overall sound is more on a darkish, brooding side, which I totally adore! So in my experience, BM did the exact opposite -- instead of over-cooking or over-egging the sound, it substantially reduced the overall nervousness (digititis) and made everything sound pleasantly warm, darkish, analog-like, while at the same time preserving every intricate detail.

[Ninanina]

Hopefully I'll be a Beresford owner later today

I have a question: would I be right in saying the Bushmaster could be run off a 12v battery?

If that's the case, if I purchased a motorbike battery and connected it to a 'smart' charger (which I already own), would that improve the sound?

It's a bit of a long shot, but just an idea

Thanks for any knowledge

Bev

[Stubies]

Hopefully I'll be a Beresford owner later today

I have a question: would I be right in saying the Bushmaster could be run off a 12v battery?

If that's the case, if I purchased a motorbike battery and connected it to a 'smart' charger (which I already own), would that improve the sound?

It's a bit of a long shot, but just an idea

Thanks for any knowledge

Bev

Bev,

Remember it takes some burnin time - dont expect the final result form the first day. I read somewhere about 200 hours, and i think that is about right. For me it started bright and harsh - i wondered if it was revealing other system weaknesses (...that i didnt want to know about!) - however, now its sublime.

Better, sharper, more transparent and open than i expected. Much better than the DAC in my CD. Digital out from IPods (with ALAC files) were suddenly listenable, even enjoyable!

If you can do it, don't listen much until the burnin is complete. You will be well rewarded

[MartinT]

Just leave it switched on for a few days, it'll get most of the way there although it needs some music to complete the burn-in. Running off a 12V battery will be fine, but you may find that disconnecting the charger while listening will give you a cleaner sound.

[StanleyB]

Just received some very sad and bad news. The guy who owns the workshop and the laser cutter that makes the BM case passed away this morning after forgetting not to drink and ride a motorbike last night.
I have no idea at this stage if he ever trained anyone else to operate the laser cutter, or if his widow will keep the workshop running. Too early to approach her for an answer obviously.

What that means for me is that I am likely to be out of stock of the BM sometime in May and will have to start looking for someone else to make the case. He was quite reasonable with how much he charged me considering that each case and panel on the BM is individually hand made. This could not have come at a worse moment. He was busy helping me with the design of the case of the Caiman replacement.

That reminds me that Werner was also not well. He was helping me with the template and lettering before falling seriously ill.

[icehockeyboy]

Just received some very sad and bad news. The guy who owns the workshop and the laser cutter that makes the BM case passed away this morning after forgetting not to drink and ride a motorbike last night.
I have no idea at this stage if he ever trained anyone else to operate the laser cutter, or if his widow will keep the workshop running. Too early to approach her for an answer obviously.

What that means for me is that I am likely to be out of stock of the BM sometime in May and will have to start looking for someone else to make the case. He was quite reasonable with how much he charged me considering that each case and panel on the BM is individually hand made. This could not have come at a worse moment. He was busy helping me with the design of the case of the Caiman replacement.

That reminds me that Werner was also not well. He was helping me with the template and lettering before falling seriously ill.

Sad to hear that Stan.

Lets hope Werner gets well soon, and commiserations to the other guys family.

[pete_mac]

Gee, that's awful news. Life can change in the blink of an eye.

RIP, and I hope you manage to sort out a source of these parts soon Stanley.

[MartinT]

Very bad news, Stan. Life is precious.

I didn't know about Werner being unwell and wish him a rapid recovery.

[StanleyB]

I shall certainly pass on the messages.
I am not sure what state Werner is in though. He managed to make it through last year, just. But he has not responded to my last email sent in February.
I'll send him a follow up one just in case.

[Ninanina]

I am so sorry to hear that Stan, that is tragic news

My thoughts are with the family