Which DAC - New Beresford vs Dacmagic

[Johnno2]

Had another good listen to the dacamagic now that it has been left on and warmed up. I can say its a nice device ,would not call it an upgrade though over my Marantz cd player ,it sounds different,not better or worse, not as rich and full but it has better timing . Might get better with use. but I dont believe burn in makes big differences,The fact I can stream endless mp3 files now with better qaulity sound is the reason I bought it but so far I think I prefer the Marantz players own dac for cd playback ....

 

[Craig M.]

does anyone know if there are any differences between the 2 beresford dacs, aside from usb support?

 

[Anonymous]

Craig M.:does anyone know if there are any differences between the 2 beresford dacs, aside from usb support?

I cant see any difference apart from the USB input.

Look here..

http://www.beresford.me/UK/Stereo_Audio_Digital_to_Analogue_Converter_USB2FCOAX2FTOSLINK.html

 

[Anonymous]

Craig M.:does anyone know if there are any differences between the 2 beresford dacs, aside from usb support?

I remember Stanley saying on another forum that this model was more or less built from the ground up using new and existing components. How much of that is true I don't know.

 

[John Duncan]

al7478:A big name and high price really is very reassuring

And prettiness.

 

[Alec]

Ah yes. Prettiness too.

 

[Anonymous]

At the end of the day though, all he's doing is charging people more for a DAC that people will more appropriately match with the DM because of £.

 

[Craig M.]

well, my new beresford turned up today. a much better fit for my ears/system then the dacmagic.

 

[Anonymous]

Glad to hear it, where do you find the most benefits sonically compared to the dacmagic? and what beresford did you purchase

 

[Craig M.]

7520. i found the dacmagic too bassy in tone and seriously lacking in dynamics. i don't think the beresford is amazing, but i do prefer it to the dacmagic. the dacmagic probably has better treble, but for me, it's all lost in overbearing bass. i won't be keeping the beresford for long though, my other half didn't kill me when i suggested a cyrus dac x, and because i kinda miss putting a cd on, and she doesn't like using the mac-mini, if i like the sound with my kit then a cyrus xt se as well.

 

[John Duncan]

Craig M.:well, my new beresford turned up today. a much better fit for my ears/system then the dacmagic.

Which is all that matters (prettiness notwithstanding)

 

[Craig M.]

lol, you're not wrong! it looks like it was made on blue peter! i have also had to put something under my interconnects to stop them lifting the front of it up.

 

[Alec]

Craig M.:lol, you're not wrong! it looks like it was made on blue peter! i have also had to put something under my interconnects to stop them lifting the front of it up.

blue peter? really?

go spend an afternoon in currys. then one in pc world. then one in toys are us. you wont notice the difference, for the most part. then look at usb dacs by folk like m-audio. they aparently sound good, but, well, we're gonna run out of plastic.

 

[Anonymous]

Hey Forum Guys, Just a quick question for you all as im not very good with latest technology. Are these DACs mainly used to stream music from a PC to a Hifi System and provide better quality. And in some rare cases improve budget CD Players aswell? I am thinking of buying one so that my system can be used more than just with CDs as I have over 100GBs of music stored on my PC collected over many many years, and have never connected a PC up due to its sound quality. Thanks for any help

 

[John Duncan]

Vinny7:Hey Forum Guys, Just a quick question for you all as im not very good with latest technology. Are these DACs mainly used to stream music from a PC to a Hifi System and provide better quality. And in some rare cases improve budget CD Players aswell? I am thinking of buying one so that my system can be used more than just with CDs as I have over 100GBs of music stored on my PC collected over many many years, and have never connected a PC up due to its sound quality. Thanks for any help

That's precisely what they're best at yes. I remain agnostic to the improvement available attached to all but the cheapest disc players, but a PC loaded with (particularly) lossless files (and set up the right way) feeding a quality DAC is a real high end source.

You a Windows or Mac user? iTunes? Windows Media Player? What quality has your music been ripped at?

 

[Anonymous]

Thx John,

Windows User with iTunes. Probably will purchase the Chordette Gem/DacMagic within 6 months. A mixture of all sorts of files: from lossless(ripped CDs) all the way down to the unforgiving 128kbps.

After reading the Chord Electronics website I have realised that the DAC will automatically output the sound via the USB without any technical setup. Just Plug & Play. For a non-technical PC person, like me, thats good news 😛

 

[Anonymous]

John
Could you elaborate on "set up the right way"

 

[Anonymous]

heystak, Im assuming he means making sure there are appropriate chain links between your pc to your hifi. Right format to play (lossless files), quality cables used (appropriate for the use) etc. If im wrong, tell me off John 🙂

 

[John Duncan]

heystak:John
Could you elaborate on "set up the right way"

A Mac doesn't mess with the audio before it leaves via its soundcard, a PC does (generalising wildly). How much is dependent (generalising again) on whether you run XP or Vista. PJPro did an excellent thread here, and I think there are pointers on setup on the Benchmark (a DAC manufacturer) site.

 

[John Duncan]

Vinny7:heystak, Im assuming he means making sure there are appropriate chain links between your pc to your hifi. Right format to play (lossless files), quality cables used (appropriate for the use) etc. If im wrong, tell me off John 🙂

You're a very naughty boy.