Beresford Bushmaster DAC Reviews

[icehockeyboy]

I found that the linear psu(+S-Booster) with an extra S-Booster sounded even better. So if you're spreading cost then I'd buy a S-Booster to start with then a linear psu later and then combine them both for even better results. I know that most hifi gear responds well to better mains but I was surprised at the improvements especially considering that the Bushmaster is supposed to have some form of virtual battery operation.

What improvement was there by doubling up the S Boosters?

[highstream]

I posted a thread for ideas for a TV Dac (2.0) and someone suggested the 7510, but it appears that the 7530 is not much more, even with shipping to the States. That leads me to a few questions. Before I do, the recent discussion concerning sound preferences and the BM reminds me of what I've gone through with the HRT microStreamer vs. other Dacs for my computer desktop system. The microStreamer is being highly touted for its detail, transparency and soundstage, what I call "sound," yet what caught my attention from first listen through burnin was its dryness (coolness); that is, it had the pieces elements of musical sound but not its tonality; i.e., singers and instruments didn't resemble the real thing (ask musicians about "dry"). If forced to choose, I'll take the latter over extra detail (breathiness) any day.

So, my questions (recognizing there may be unfortunate supply problems for awhile):

- On the pieces of sound vs tonality continuum, where does the 7530 fall?

- Is there a photo of the back of the 7530 available? Didn't see one on the site (the site is not showing any information/faq right now)

- Does the Gator upgrade apply to the 7530 and, if so, what is the difference between the opamp and no opamp choices (powered speaker system, no headphones)?

- Have there been any switching problems between devices? With my TV, I've had sound dropout issues with a USB 5v powered Dac (Audioengine D1), but not with a mains (AC) powered one (Micromega MyDac).

- What is the difference between the regular BM Dacs and the Caiman versions?

Thanks,
Gene

[Xaval]

Hi, here goes my .02

- On the sound vs tonality continuum, where does the 7530 fall?
The BM is typically neutral tending a bit to the warm side. If the recording has the "sound" the BM will show it - don't expect to hear what isn't there. Sound and tonality are not exactly conceptual or objective in nature... they're just words

- Is there a photo of the back of the 7530 available? Didn't see one on the site (the site is not showing any information/faq right now)


- Does the Gator upgrade apply to the 7530 and, if so, what is the difference between the opamp and no opamp choices (powered speaker system, no headphones)?
No gator board for the BM.

- Have there been any switching problems between devices? With my TV, I've had sound dropout issues with a USB 5v powered Dac (Audioengine D1), but not with a mains (AC) powered one (Micromega MyDac).
I use only 1 input for each of my DACs. So... no issues.

- What is the difference between the regular BM Dacs and the Caiman versions?
Many members have/had both. I'm sure they'll post impressions.

[MartinT]

- On the pieces of sound vs tonality continuum, where does the 7530 fall?

The BM is a very neutral, highly detailed and reasonably dynamic DAC. Its performance is further boosted by using a good linear power supply.

- Does the Gator upgrade apply to the 7530 and, if so, what is the difference between the opamp and no opamp choices (powered speaker system, no headphones)?

The Gator is strictly for the Caiman and improves its line outputs for better drive to preamps etc.

- Have there been any switching problems between devices?

No, it manually switches fine between inputs but I disable the auto circuit which I dislike. For AV sourced sound (Sky HD, Blu-ray etc.) it does an outstanding job.

- What is the difference between the regular BM Dacs and the Caiman versions?

The Caiman and BM are different products and have no commonality. I have both and the Caiman with Gator is good, but the BM is in another class of performance.

[highstream]

Just to clarify my terminology, by tonally accurate I'm referring to pitch. Ask most any musician, "dry" is not accurate pitch - it's low - and I'm one of those people that pick up on it instantly. "Musical" is a commonly used synonyn for it. For me, enjoying the music, not the sound reproduction, comes first. In doing a search through this long thread, back roughly a year and a few months, I found only three people who called the 7530 musical in this sense, and for one of them it was only after doing a lot of tweaks on the input side. A couple of others seemed to be using it to cover other characteristics and another two or three were referring to how the BM sounded with one song. On the other side, someone said the 7530 wasn't as musical as another Dac. I don't know if it's unfair, and of course I haven't heard the BM, but given the length of the thread that doesn't seem like very many in the accurate tonality direction.

Talking about terminology, I have a hard time grasping what "neutral" means, because it's used in so many ways. Before someone says it means reproducing what's on the recording, I have to remind that if a 100-200 GBP Dac is really neutral, then who needs 5k or 10k Dacs, let alone 500 $ or GBP ones? and 2) every developer has their own musical ears and sound preferences, i.e., a house sound, which all aren't the same, even though "neutral" gets applied often to their products.

The pitfall buying on the lower end of the market is what might be called the Wow Factor. Given the heavy competition and the wide variety of users' ears, it's tempting and most cost effective for developers to go with what will create the greatest immediate impression and sense of owning audiophile equipment for the buck: detail, transparency, soundstage. Against those, getting accurate tonality or pitch often means a lot more development time and product cost for a quality that doesn't have the same impact or sell - at least not the first time around.

So when I read a lot of reviews that say detail, transparency and soundstage, and maybe toss in neutral, but don't say tonally accurate or musical or something similar, then I have to pause. Hence, my question about where the BM falls on the continuum.

[MartinT]

Gene - when I said it's tonally neutral, that's what I meant and it's a compliment. I don't detect any leaning towards 'warm' or 'cold', it just reproduces what's there without colouration. Comparing the Caiman, for instance, I would say that it errs slightly on the warm side (I have both).

As to more expensive DACs, there's always more detail retrieval, wider and deeper soundstage etc. I would say that the only aspect of the BM that is obviously not high end is in its dynamic portrayal, which doesn't have the knockout clout of my Ayre disc player. Then again, the price difference is laughable. In that respect, the Bushmaster is an absolute bargain and punches way above its weight.

[highstream]

Martin, I know you mean neutral as a compliment, but to me it begs the question re both points I made. When I listen to a "neutral" Dac that makes a tonally accurate or even slightly bright recording sound dry, i.e., that is tonally low (E leans a little toward B sharp, so to speak), and there are plenty of audio components that do that to one degree or another while at the same time providing great detail, transparency, etc., then what does neutral mean? The question I always ask is, do singers sound like real singers and instruments sound like real instruments tonally - i.e., does it sound like (resemble) real music, not just some pieces of it?

[StanleyB]

Just to clarify my terminology, by tonally accurate I'm referring to pitch. Ask most any musician, "dry" is not accurate pitch - it's low - and I'm one of those people that pick up on it instantly. "Musical" is a commonly used synonyn for it. For me, enjoying the music, not the sound reproduction, comes first.

All three of my kids are qualified musicians and my house is littered with some expensive musical instruments that I have had to buy for them over the last two decades. So when it comes to tone accuracy etc I have an abundance of musicians to call upon and instruments to do a real A/B test against.

Talking about terminology, I have a hard time grasping what "neutral" means, because it's used in so many ways. Before someone says it means reproducing what's on the recording, I have to remind that if a 100-200 GBP Dac is really neutral, then who needs 5k or 10k Dacs, let alone 500 $ or GBP ones? and 2) every developer has their own musical ears and sound preferences, i.e., a house sound, which all aren't the same, even though "neutral" gets applied often to their products.

Neutral is what it says. It is the actual sound that is coming directly out of the DAC chip. Once you add even a capacitor in the signal path the sound is no longer neutral. The BM is wired for sound.
I have been told many times over the years that I sell my DACs far too cheap. Your comments are a typical example of why it is better to price something way over the top. Cheaper items are looked down on. But don't worry. I am looking forward to releasing a U$2000 DAC and laughing all the way to the bank. Others have been doing that for ages and getting away with it. And going by the assumption that a lot of $$$ looks far more respectable it is the obvious thing to do.

The pitfall buying on the lower end of the market is what might be called the Wow Factor. Given the heavy competition and the wide variety of users' ears, it's tempting and most cost effective for developers to go with what will create the greatest immediate impression and sense of owning audiophile equipment for the buck: detail, transparency, soundstage. Against those, getting accurate tonality or pitch often means a lot more development time and product cost for a quality that doesn't have the same impact or sell - at least not the first time around.

So when I read a lot of reviews that say detail, transparency and soundstage, and maybe toss in neutral, but don't say tonally accurate or musical or something similar, then I have to pause. Hence, my question about where the BM falls on the continuum.

I don't know how much development time others spend on their DACs but I am not an overnight operation. There are less than a handful of current DAC manufacturers who were selling DACs when I started up. I spend years on the development of each item. The BM started R&D in 2009 which is four years ago. How long would you say is long enough for R&D? Put a figure on it since you raised the point.

[synsei]

Stan, you are coming across as a little defensive and there is no need to be, you may end up losing a potential sale if you are not careful. Gene, your best bet is to try and grab a listen to a Bushmaster before you buy one and then you can make your own judgement on whether it is for you or not using your own ears. That's my best advice for you

[MartinT]

Martin, I know you mean neutral as a compliment, but to me it begs the question re both points I made. When I listen to a "neutral" Dac that makes a tonally accurate or even slightly bright recording sound dry, i.e., that is tonally low (E leans a little toward B sharp, so to speak), and there are plenty of audio components that do that to one degree or another while at the same time providing great detail, transparency, etc., then what does neutral mean? The question I always ask is, do singers sound like real singers and instruments sound like real instruments tonally - i.e., does it sound like (resemble) real music, not just some pieces of it?

Yes, music and voices sound real. I can't see how a crystal clocked DAC can be even slightly off correct tone, but my ears tell me that what it is doing is accurate. A human voice sounds correct to me.