DAC Recommendations

[NJB]

I run my iPod Classic with lossless tracks through a Pure i20 into a Naim NAC62/NAP90 combination and Dynaudio Excite X12 speakers. The iPod does not have the same level of performance as my Arcam CD73T, and that really is in all departments. So, I plan to use the Pure i20 just as a dock and run the digital output into an external DAC. I will audition the ARCAM irDAC and Audiolab's M-DAC, but are there any others to consider? Is the Rega DAC worth a listen? I have read a few reviews, and I suspect that the M-DAC might be a bit clinical for my tastes but an audition will soon clear up that preconception. Any ideas?

 

[damonster]

There is one you should put right at the top of your list.EXPOSURE 2010S2 DAC .I received mine yesterday .I used to own the audiolab 8200cd,The Exposure 2010S2 DAC is in a different leauge.audiolab clinical.exposure liquid music.£800 ,worth every single penny.

 

[theadmans]

Beresford Bushmaster Mk2 DAC blows away the Audiolab M-Dac and Rega - especially if you buy an external Laptop battery to power it . £200 buys you a true taste of the High End - superb integrated Headphone amp included too - up with the best available.

 

[BigH]

Not sure of your budget, you may want to look another hifi forum that has far more info. on dacs than here, one of the favoutites with users is the John Kenny Ciunas DAC, it s made is Ireland is about Euros 550, I believe you have upto 30 days trial period. ANother one that gets good reviews is the Metrum Octave II DAC and thats about £700, said to be better than the Benchmark.

 

[NJB]

Thanks for the comments. I have just ordered a Beresford Bushmaster MK2. I know that this is a gamble as it is without audition, but there are a number of online comments and they are all positive. Also, and I like this, I spent yesterday quizzing Stanley Beresford by email, and his pre-sales support is phenomenal. He appears happy to let the buyers submit reviews rather than pay for magazines to do them, and the personal touch is so refreshing in this industry. I will report back once I have it in my hands and run a few tunes through it.

 

[theadmans]

Yes NJB - a very smart move going for the Beresford Bushmaster MK2 - you won't be dissapointed !

Stan is great - email him with a question and you generally get an answer back withing the hour. You can also just ring him up for a chat if you want.

What you have to remember is that because Beresford only sell direct with no Dealers - there is no dealer margin in the DACs price. Paying £200 for the Bushmaster you are getting something that would normally retail nearer double that. Although to be honest when using DC battery power I have yet to hear a DAC under £1000 which equals the Bushmaster.

 

[BigH]

Thanks for the comments. I have just ordered a Beresford Bushmaster MK2. I know that this is a gamble as it is without audition, but there are a number of online comments and they are all positive. Also, and I like this, I spent yesterday quizzing Stanley Beresford by email, and his pre-sales support is phenomenal. He appears happy to let the buyers submit reviews rather than pay for magazines to do them, and the personal touch is so refreshing in this industry. I will report back once I have it in my hands and run a few tunes through it.

You can always return it if not happy so not much of a gamble, about £5 postage.

 

[BigH]

Yes NJB - a very smart move going for the Beresford Bushmaster MK2 - you won't be dissapointed !

Stan is great - email him with a question and you generally get an answer back withing the hour. You can also just ring him up for a chat if you want.

What you have to remember is that because Beresford only sell direct with no Dealers - there is no dealer margin in the DACs price. Paying £200 for the Bushmaster you are getting something that would normally retail nearer double that. Although to be honest when using DC battery power I have yet to hear a DAC under £1000 which equals the Bushmaster.

HAve you heard the John Kenny Ciúnas cost Euro 550, thats said by many users to be about the best under £1000, similar selling arrangement to Beresford.

 

[drummerman]

Beresford's previous reported history of entering forums under different names for the purpose of self-promotion casts (for me) a slight shadow over his products, no matter how good (or otherwise) they may be.

Why not follow Jaxwire's preference and audition Micromega's DAC which is available for around £250. The guy knows his hifi and budget is usually never an issue. Still, he chose this comparatively cheap DAC for the digital crunching in his sometimes very expensive systems.

Or go with mags favorites. Arcams new iRDAC did well on several occasions.

regards

 

[pauln]

How about giving some thought to this: http://www.njc-audio.co.uk/html/referencedac.html

I've not heard it but read good things about it and it would be top of my list if I were in the market for a reasonably priced DAC.

 

[drummerman]

How about giving some thought to this: http://www.njc-audio.co.uk/html/referencedac.html

I've not heard it but read good things about it and it would be top of my list if I were in the market for a reasonably priced DAC.

What is the price?

regards

 

[pauln]

How about giving some thought to this: http://www.njc-audio.co.uk/html/referencedac.html

I've not heard it but read good things about it and it would be top of my list if I were in the market for a reasonably priced DAC.

What is the price?

regards

It says £399 + postage at the bottom of the page!! Guess you didn't get that far.

Hand-made in Cornwall by two guys in a shed - how cool is that?

 

[BigH]

How about giving some thought to this: http://www.njc-audio.co.uk/html/referencedac.html

I've not heard it but read good things about it and it would be top of my list if I were in the market for a reasonably priced DAC.

HAve not seen that one before, looks pretty good but not many reviews yet. Maybe WHF should buy one?

 

[pauln]

There's also a matching headphone amp for slightly less money that puts out a stonking 3W @ 32 Ohms with a very low output impedance too.

 

[iQ Speakers]

Hi NJB Has the Bushmater arrived and what do you think of it?

Thinking of getting one or maybe an Arcam irDac.

 

[NJB]

Hi Boggit. The Bushmaster is on its way, and I am hoping it arrives before the weekend, but that depends on the customs people. I have a mate with the new irdac, so a side by side comparison could be possible. I have also seen the comments about Mr Beresford, but I am buying the product and not shares in the company. I am prepared to cut him some slack as making a go of things in a competitive industry is not easy and I am sure that it is easier for big companies with big margins and big marketing budgets. I am not a non de plume of Mr Beresford, so I will give some candid comments once the DAC arrives.

 

[iQ Speakers]

Are didnt realise you were non UK, ye kind of appeals to me that he is so small plus it cuts out dealer and marketing budgets!

Ill look forward to your thoughts. Cheers PS what country are you in? Off to see Emily Barker tonight.

 

[MoJoe]

I'm rather new to hifi but I'm currently waiting on this item coming in the post. My other modes of transport are project essential II and marantz cd6004.

http://www.hifiberry.com/

 

[NJB]

Well, the Bushmaster arrived today and it is sounding good. Compared to the Pure i20, there is more depth, isolation and the top end seems far more controlled. It is a very easy listen. I do not have any experience of the other big name favourites, go back a few posts and you will note that I bought blind. What a mug, eh? Still, at least I am a happy mug. It has elevated the iPod Classic to very similar in detail, finesse and presence to my Arcam CD73t, which is not too shabby. My lovely new little speakers are turning out to be rather excellent too and my recent upgrades have been some of my most successful.

 

[iQ Speakers]

Thanks for coming back with your impressions.

 

[theadmans]

Well, the Bushmaster arrived today and it is sounding good. Compared to the Pure i20, there is more depth, isolation and the top end seems far more controlled. It is a very easy listen. I do not have any experience of the other big name favourites, go back a few posts and you will note that I bought blind. What a mug, eh? Still, at least I am a happy mug. It has elevated the iPod Classic to very similar in detail, finesse and presence to my Arcam CD73t, which is not too shabby. My lovely new little speakers are turning out to be rather excellent too and my recent upgrades have been some of my most successful.

Now you have the excellent Beresford Bushmaster MK2 Dac your next move should to replace the walwart with a laptop 12 v external battery pack. The difference in sound quality is not trivial and elevates the sound quality of this DAC to an extraordinary level for a £200 Dac - see here :-

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?28325-High-End-battery-solution-for-the-TC-7533-Bushmaster-MKII

 

[NJB]

Thanks to everybody who has helped me over the past few weeks. My new Excite X12 speakers are very expressive. The mid range is very clean and there is a lot of detail coming through that I had overlooked before. The bass is a revelation, deep and solid, whilst the treble is light and well balanced. Altogether a pretty classy act. I suspect that my old and bold Naim combination is responsible in part, I tend to imagine that it is old and thus below modern standards, but it is always possible that it still has the punch, vibrancy and musicality that made me choose it all those years ago. Finally, thanks to those who recommended the Beresford Bushmaster Mk II, it is a clever little box of tricks. It has elevated my humble iPod to a very detailed and fluent source. Altogether my hifi is sounding better than it has for years. Feeling pretty smug here.