Some people has been asking me about doing a review or comparison to the TC-7520 DAC. I just received the TC-7520 DAC, and while I’m not familiar enough about the sound to post an in-depth review, I’d just like to post some photos of the DAC, which IMO is built very well.
The Beresford TC-7520 comes with an abundance of inputs. Two coaxials, an optical, and a USB. There is a fixed level RCA out, as well as a variable level RCA out that’s controlled from the volume knob. The TC-7520 also has a built in headphone amplifier which should be fine for medium duty headphones, but not quite strong enough for the HE5LE. So, I’m using the Matrix M-Stage with OPA627 for the listening session.
The TC-7520 is labeled as a 24/96 DAC, but I remember reading somewhere that the USB is only limited to 16/48. While it’s not as impressive as the HRT Music Streamers, to be frank I haven’t been that much into the 24/96 files anyway, as most of the music I listen to are ripped from redbook CDs. This may be an issue several years in the future though. What I like about the TC-7520 is how it gives you both USB and S/PDIF input, which makes it a more versatile unit than the Music Streamers.
This particular unit comes in a stock configuration, but Beresford offers upgrades to either the D/A chip and analog op-amps for superior sound quality.
A summary:
$279 stock – NE5532 opamps, PCM1716E 8x oversampling DAC chip.
$349 – upgrade to LM4562 opamps.
+$75 for upgrading to WM8716 DAC chip
+$125 for THS4032 opamps
+$150 for Burson discrete opamps to either the line stage or head-amp section
+275 for Burson discrete on both line stage and head-amp section.
I really can’t comment on the upgrades, but for $279, I think you’re getting a lot for the price. The performance of the DAC is pretty good, and the abundance of interfaces and headphone out makes it very versatile as well.
Off to a burn-in session now..
Though simple, the Beresford has a good finishing quality, better than the HRT Music Streamers.
Multiple interfaces on the back. Two coaxials, one optical, an USB digital inputs. Two pairs of analog out.
The internal shots.
The DAC chip is a PCM1716.
And aPCM2702 for the USB receiver.
Mike
Impressions after some listening, the Beresford is more forward than the HRT Music Streamers. I’m thinking it would be good for some laid back headphones like the HD650. The built in amplifier is not that powerful though, it distorted heavily on driving the HE5LE. At least the ImAmp can drive the HE5LE decently until very loud volumes before it starts to distort.
Bram
Can't wait for the first impression! Especially for that price, it will put beresford kinda on the same league with the previous champ, HRT Music Streamer 2+ 😀 😀
blackbird_pie
Any chance you might review the Music Fidelity V-DAC? It’s another DAC that’s often compared to the DacMagic and the Beresford and would make for an interesting shootout.
Mike
I'll try to look into the V-Dac. Thanks.
wwenze
“$349 – upgrade to LM4562 opamps.”
That’s very expensive. LM4562 shouldn’t cost over USD$10 each wherever you’re from.
http://sg.farnell.com/national-semiconductor/lm4562na-nopb/operational-amplifier-op-amp-ic/dp/1559275
“+$125 for THS4032 opamps”
Similarly THS4032 isn’t expensive either; you may need some soldering or adapter but it is far from $125.
http://singapore.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=searchProducts&searchTerm=ths4032&x=30&y=12
Mike
Sure thing! Thanks for the info wwenze. Haven't seen you around here for a while. 🙂
.Sup
I have one too and use it for gaming and movies. Its great that it has so many connectivity options but I have to say that pot is seriously crappy. On low volume there signal only in the left headphone. Would be nice if they offered upgrading pot as well.
Mike
Wow, that's too bad. Perhaps you got a bad unit? Did you talk to Beresford about the pot?
.Sup
Yes I have and he did say I should send it back but shipping costs are so expensive where I live that I decided its not worth it.
.Sup
Forgot to say that the unit should be tested prior to it being shipped and it apparently wasn't at least not thoroughly. When I ordered Little Dot amp from David he said he needed a week to fully test the amplifier.
Mike
I see. How do u like the Little Dot amps? Which one do you have? I tried the Mk4 years ago and haven't tried any of the newer ones.
.Sup
I have the LD MK IV SE. It sounds really nice with Audio GD REf5 while it sounds grainy with DacMagic. On the other hand Auditor sounds cold and boring with Ref5 and very musical with DM.
Mike
Sounds like a sweet set up! Indeed the LD that I listened to was the MK4 SE. It's quite a good amp!