Caiman MK 2

[John]

Just got the Caiman mkII
Initial impression is more mature sound than the Bushmaster and more detail; picks up stuff that was hidden before
Will share some more thoughts after a few days listening

[wk233298]

May I ask how is the caiman connected? Via usb, coax or optical.

Thanks

[John]

I am using coaxial at present will try USB at the weekend

[John]

Well 3 days in
I am loving what the DAC has brought
Its depth of sound and level of sound is at times jaw dropping; its the old clique of rediscovering your collection for the first time.
I guess for me is how musical the sound is at times in the past my system with digital was very upfront. now I have the same power but more space in the music
It is a very different beast to the Bushmaster it can seduce you as well as floor you
I have tried it with USB now using the latest MQn update and it my be getting me back using my computer to play music again
Might be a bit more to come from the DAC but hard to imagine it getting any better

[NRG]

What power supply r u using John?

[StanleyB]

John got an Ankaka battery pack as far as I am aware. He didn't need the included PSU with his Caiman order.

[NRG]

Thanks Stan! Also thank you for the spare part, it came today! Fantastic service. http://theartofsound.net/forum/images/icons/icon14.png

[mkrzych]

Hello,
I know that's the product recently announced and available, but how better MKII is from 7520SEG in case of sound (how it can compare to let say Arcam irDAC)? Just wondering, because I have 7520SEG moded with PCB ground layout modifications and some fine analogue stage tunings which to me sounds nice, but I have found one limitation on it which is ability to play over USB 24/96 and the headphone amp might be just little better - I am using Grado SR325is, so rather low impedance cans.

I have heard many time on the net, that using optical TOSLINK is the worst case and USB is far better, is it really a case? For me optical has benefit of galvanic isolation, but theoretically may be jittery. In case of MKII, does it have async USB implementation with integer mode support?

[John]

I was using the Venom modified DAC no comparsion
I use the Ankaka battery power supply
Just gone toe to toe with the Cunas using the latest MQn software which has taken windows based system even further. We could not separate with me using SSD files through a USB dvd player and coaxial cable

[bigmarty]

Well 3 days in
I am loving what the DAC has brought
Its depth of sound and level of sound is at times jaw dropping; its the old clique of rediscovering your collection for the first time.
I guess for me is how musical the sound is at times in the past my system with digital was very upfront. now I have the same power but more space in the music
It is a very different beast to the Bushmaster it can seduce you as well as floor you
I have tried it with USB now using the latest MQn update and it my be getting me back using my computer to play music again
Might be a bit more to come from the DAC but hard to imagine it getting any better

Bollocks I thought I'd found the best DAC for money could buy and then comes along the Caiman MK11, I know I have to have one! :D

[Yomanze]

Bollocks I thought I'd found the best DAC for money could buy and then comes along the Caiman MK11, I know I have to have one! :D

Well this happened with the Caiman MK1, Bushmaster MK1 and MK2, Bushmaster MK2 with battery, and now the enthusiasm will move to the Caiman 2. :) Just enjoy what you've got or have an increasing urge to upgrade again. :P

For the record the BM2 was nowhere near my Audial Model S DAC, but at the same time it did give a very reputable Audiosector DAC (used in some very expensive systems) a run for its money & would have been happy with either. I have used Beresford for years and it's as good as it gets for budget HiFi. It is not fair to compare them to high end DACs as these have things like separated PSUs and transformer windings for various supplies = a lot more cost. So Beresford for me is not the final solution, but it's a huge step into what high end HiFi can sound like. The first time a Beresford destroyed my modded old Marantz was a real eye opener & I used them for years.

[StanleyB]

Well this happened with the Caiman MK1, Bushmaster MK1 and MK2, Bushmaster MK2 with battery, and now the enthusiasm will move to the Caiman 2. :) Just enjoy what you've got or have an increasing urge to upgrade again. :P
The Caiman MKI goes many years back. It was based on an original design from the late nineties, with some components going back to the eighties. It showed what could be achieved with old components in a well thought out design, but I couldn't get it to sound any better with the age of the parts at hand.
The BMI and BMII are modern day replacements for my low cost TC-7510. And just as there is no comparison between the TC-7510 and TC-7520SE(G) (otherwise known as the Caiman), similarly there is no comparison between the Bushmaster and the Caiman MKII. They are in completely different classes. As far as sound goes, the Bushmaster MKII is sounds more like a well designed transistor output stage. The Caiman MKII on the other hand sounds more like a VFET or MOSFET output stage. That means that it has the speed of a high slew rate opamp, but with the warmth approaching that of a valve stage. The Caiman might appear to be a budget DAC at less than £350, but I am selling direct, which is worth at least 30% off the regular price of a DAC in the shop.

[Old George]

Just got the Caiman mkII
Initial impression is more mature sound than the Bushmaster and more detail; picks up stuff that was hidden before
Will share some more thoughts after a few days listening

Hi John, are you comparing the Caiman MK2 to the original Bushmaster or Bushmaster MK2?

[mkrzych]

Well this happened with the Caiman MK1, Bushmaster MK1 and MK2, Bushmaster MK2 with battery, and now the enthusiasm will move to the Caiman 2. :) Just enjoy what you've got or have an increasing urge to upgrade again. :P

For the record the BM2 was nowhere near my Audial Model S DAC, but at the same time it did give a very reputable Audiosector DAC (used in some very expensive systems) a run for its money & would have been happy with either. I have used Beresford for years and it's as good as it gets for budget HiFi. It is not fair to compare them to high end DACs as these have things like separated PSUs and transformer windings for various supplies = a lot more cost. So Beresford for me is not the final solution, but it's a huge step into what high end HiFi can sound like. The first time a Beresford destroyed my modded old Marantz was a real eye opener & I used them for years.

Ok, which ones are the higher end quality DACs in your opinion?

[John]

Hi John, are you comparing the Caiman MK2 to the original Bushmaster or Bushmaster MK2?
To the Mk 2

[wee tee cee]

John,
I would appreciate your impressions on what it does with headphones. In addition the USB. I cant really complain with the noise I get in my room just now BUT if the Caiman mk2 moves the game on then I may treat myself.....

[Gazjam]

Tony, how the hell are you fella?
Thought you'd dropped off the edge of the planet!

get together at mine soon...be in touch

[wee tee cee]

Gaz,
Got back on the horse, hurt more than I could have envisaged to ride again......still finding my feet regards my changed perspective! What doesn't kill you makes you stronger-hurts like fook though....

[StanleyB]

John,
I would appreciate your impressions on what it does with headphones. In addition the USB. I cant really complain with the noise I get in my room just now BUT if the Caiman mk2 moves the game on then I may treat myself.....
I can adjust the headphone output to a certain amount in order to account for taste etc. But for ultimate headphone performance on a budget, consider waiting for my headphone amp. I had Aleem round today trying the prototype out.
The standard Windows drivers for the USB on the Caiman is so so. Links to a couple of alternative drivers will be on my website for download. I am also releasing a stand alone USB converter next month that uses the latest generation CM6631A USB chip from CMedia. So you have the option to expand your existing BMII set up with a great headamp and USB converter.
But the other thing we discussed via PM is still on the card.

[wee tee cee]

Lots of options to improve what I have without breaking the bank.....majik!!!!

[Theadmans]

Stan - exciting times to be a Beresford customer :) A few qustions though :-

1) Will the standalone Headphone Amplifier have end user adjustment for different Headphones ?

2) What connections will the Head Amp have - I am wondering how it will fit into my system - I have a Bushmaster MK2 but will also need to listen via my Creek Integrated Amp and Speakers as well as HD650s on the new Head Amp?

3) Do you have a projected price for the Head Amp (even if it is approximate at this stage - I am considering whether to keep my Bushmaster 2 with the Head Amp or move up to the Caiman 2)

4) Will the new Head Amp be capable of being powered by battery ?

[CSM]

Got to try this out at length too yesterday.

The main thing for me, as a long term headphone addict (literally owned/demoed hundreds of headphones), was the headphone amp prototype.
Posted impressions here: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?32225-Beresford-headphone-amp/page8
Closer to the bottom of the page I think.

The Caiman II I tested as a dac compared to the BM II and I feel the Caiman was better. A better depth and height of sound along with improved immediacy I noticed, alongside improvements in the tone - less brittle/artificial, more body and a relaxed projection. Differences between dacs are not massive compared to differences between headphones or headphone amps; in my experience anyway. And if you have two dacs and can tell a difference, then that's a big thing in of itself.

[mkrzych]

Hello Stan,
Can we get more detailed specs of Caiman MKII, like if 24/88.2kHz is natively supported (for 176.4kHz it's already known that's not supported), if USB is anync or not, frequency response, THD etc.?

[StanleyB]

Sure, they'll be on my website once I finish setting up the pages.

[mkrzych]

Sure, they'll be on my website once I finish setting up the pages.

OK, so waiting for that.

[mkrzych]

I can adjust the headphone output to a certain amount in order to account for taste etc. But for ultimate headphone performance on a budget, consider waiting for my headphone amp. I had Aleem round today trying the prototype out.
The standard Windows drivers for the USB on the Caiman is so so. Links to a couple of alternative drivers will be on my website for download. I am also releasing a stand alone USB converter next month that uses the latest generation CM6631A USB chip from CMedia. So you have the option to expand your existing BMII set up with a great headamp and USB converter.
But the other thing we discussed via PM is still on the card.

Any insights about the USB converter Stan?! What inputs/outputs it's gonna have and will it be powered by USB or external PSU?

[Wakefield Turntables]

Just ordered mine! :eek:

[worrasf]

Mine arrived a few days ago and is now established in my system displacing the BM 2. I am using the Ankaka high powered battery as with the BM 2
So to begin with here is some of my email to Stan shortly after initial listening:

"So first impressions straight out the box and with amps with 30 minute warm up?

You need to sell this DAC with a health warning because I suspect folk are going to find many of their CD's are "not playable" as it exposes poorly mastered, compressed and bass boosted recordings with no compassion! Good "neutral" recordings on the other hand sound sublime.

I first listened to the new Rodrigo y Gabriela album 9 dead alive (a) because I like and know it and (b) as I also have it on vinyl. First thing is the massive bass - lots of attack and detail (a bit more than the BM2) but on complex "loud" tracks it sounded a bit "overblown" - the great guitar hand slaps Gabriela does sounded flat without the hollow "thwack" they should have. Yet on quieter tracks it sounded wonderful - fretwork/slide was so vivid - then back to complex bits and it sounded a bit "muddy"

Moving on to Jan Garbarek CD's which are great ECM "pressings" the true character of the DAC just leapt out! Soundstage is almost holographic, background noise floor non-existent, huge deep and controlled bass but sublime midrange and detailed highs. Absolutely more background detail than before and the best bit was just how good plucked double bass sounds - a real nightmare to get right.

I think the Caiman 2 is simply stunning Stan but with the caveat that it will ruthlessly expose poor recordings - the BM2 is much more forgiving here and so some folk may simply not like it because of that - I love it."

I've put a few more hours on since then but my initial impressions have not changed. To my ears the majority of my CD's sound better than ever before in terms of "getting closer to the real thing" but there a a few I have listened to where the "massive bass" of the Caiman 2 just drowns everything else out and it sounds confused and difficult to listen to. FWIW I could detect no difference in SQ between optical and coax inputs when using CD. I've not got around to using my MacBook Air/Hiface 2 as a source yet (obviously coax) or the headphone amp as things have been a bit hectic of late but something to look forward to.

Steve

[John]

I have a slightly different take on its sound due to its more analogue presentation I am enjoying all of my files, whilst with the Bushmaster I was more selective I guess its about system balance. The Caiman has a lot more detail and depth than the Bushmaster

[worrasf]

I guess its about system balance.

:exactly:

[tubehunter]

hi


any one know what dac chip this uses?

Duncan

[mkrzych]

hi


any one know what dac chip this uses?

Duncan

wolfson I guess.

[Yomanze]

32bit edging towards Burr Brown... :p

[worrasf]

In my previous post I mentioned that on the complex bass heavy fast tracks on RyG the sound got muddled with the CM2 but was uber good on all my other CD's.

Stan enquired if I had reflex ported speakers as this might be the "issue". My M22i's are rear ported.

Anyway, I knocked up some port plugs from flexible polystyrene foam sheet (photies) just to test the idea.

Well darn me if it didn't tame the muddled bass on the RyG album - has had no deleterious effect on rest of sound on this or other CD's so far and surprisingly the bass extension doesn't seem to have been reduced which is rather odd.

I've whipped the speaker grilles off so I can keep an eye on the bass cones to watch for any excessive excursion due to the port being blocked but so far nothing to report.

Will need to listen some more to really assess the effect but looking good so far.

If Stan reads this post maybe he can opine on the improvement in SQ?

Steve

[Wakefield Turntables]

Ive heard wooly socks and tea towels do the same job, it's an old fix to tame strident and troublesome bass. It gets mentioned at least once a month in hifi world. ;)

[worrasf]

Ive heard wooly socks and tea towels do the same job, it's an old fix to tame strident and troublesome bass. It gets mentioned at least once a month in hifi world. ;)

Ah but what type of socks? Ankle, walking, sports - clean or dirty?? :eek: all different material and and sound absorbing characteristics.:stalks:

I was thinking of using my dog's tails just to be different ;)

Trouble is one is a German Shepheard and the other a Terrier so I guess the sonic characteristics and air damping properties would be different leading to different sound pressures and SQ from each speaker :scratch:

Guess I'll have to get another German Shepheard to ensure optimal SQ :eyebrows:


Steve

[Yomanze]

Another trick is to use a bundle of cut straws as a half way house. :)

[Wakefield Turntables]

Ah but what type of socks? Ankle, walking, sports - clean or dirty?? :eek: all different material and and sound absorbing characteristics.:stalks:

I was thinking of using my dog's tails just to be different ;)

Trouble is one is a German Shepheard and the other a Terrier so I guess the sonic characteristics and air damping properties would be different leading to different sound pressures and SQ from each speaker :scratch:

Guess I'll have to get another German Shepheard to ensure optimal SQ :eyebrows:


Steve

:rfl:


Another trick is to use a bundle of cut straws as a half way house. :)

Have you been on the Lysergic acid again?

[Yomanze]

:rfl:



Have you been on the Lysergic acid again?

He he, not for a while. ;)

But straws do offer port tuning flexibility, have a Google about it loads of stuff about it online.

[icehockeyboy]

Bugger!

I want one!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[icehockeyboy]

I've ordered one!!!!! :)

[icehockeyboy]

It's arrived ,

Thanks Stan, very speedy despatch!

The only thing is, I'm at work until 2-00 and then 'er indoors says I have to fit some plug sockets before I can play with it!

Divorce proceedings have already been started.

[BilliumB]

I'm thinking of upgrading my Dac (Bushmaster II) and have been recommended to go for a Metrum Octave II. However, I'm impressed with the Bushmaster and wonder if anyone has compared the Caiman II (on battery) with the Octave?

My current kit is: SB Touch, Bushmaster II, Conrad Johnson CA200 Control Amp, Amphion Xenon II speakers.

Thanks. Bill

[Wakefield Turntables]

I'm thinking of upgrading my Dac (Bushmaster II) and have been recommended to go for a Metrum Octave II. However, I'm impressed with the Bushmaster and wonder if anyone has compared the Caiman II (on battery) with the Octave?

My current kit is: SB Touch, Bushmaster II, Conrad Johnson CA200 Control Amp, Amphion Xenon II speakers.

Thanks. Bill

Yes, flog your Bushmaster II and get the Caiman II, the two are like chalk and cheese. The Caiman II is a massive step up. You will not regret it.

[BilliumB]

I've no doubt that the Caiman II is much better than the Bushmaster II, but is it also better than the Metrum Octave that's been suggested I consider?

Thanks. Bill

[StanleyB]

I can't say how the Metrum sounds, but it is about 3 to 4 times the price of the Caiman MKII.

[icehockeyboy]

Yes, flog your Bushmaster II and get the Caiman II, the two are like chalk and cheese. The Caiman II is a massive step up. You will not regret it.

Seconded! :)

[BilliumB]

Hi Stan, yes I realise that the Metrum is much more expensive, I just wondered if anyone knew how different they sounded. From my experience with the BM II I'm hoping for great things from the Caiman II. Cheers. Bill

[BilliumB]

What other Dacs have people compared the Caiman II with?

[StanleyB]

What other Dacs have people compared the Caiman II with?
An interesting question. I myself tended to use my turntable set up to check the analogue feel of the DAC. It also gave me a chance to see if the information that I can pick up from the vinyl, is also present in the digital version.

[erlendh]

Can anyone recommend a good battery for the Caiman MKII? I tried an Ankara link in the Bushmaster thread, but product not found...

[mkrzych]

An interesting question. I myself tended to use my turntable set up to check the analogue feel of the DAC. It also gave me a chance to see if the information that I can pick up from the vinyl, is also present in the digital version.

And what is the conclusion? Is it present with that analog feeling? If so, do you consider the CMII as the state-of-the art and day/night superior to your older DACs?
Especially I am interested in headphone amplifier quality and S/N ratio for it and for the whole DAC.

[bigmarty]

Just ordered my fourth DAC from Stan, looking forward to receiving the Caiman M11 and I'm sure I won't be disappointed :)

Marty :D

[icehockeyboy]

Just ordered my fourth DAC from Stan, looking forward to receiving the Caiman M11 and I'm sure I won't be disappointed :)

Marty :D

I'm on my Standac number 3, and you won't be disappointed!

[sondale]

Can anyone recommend a good battery for the Caiman MKII? I tried an Ankara link in the Bushmaster thread, but product not found...

Check the last posts in the battery thread. I will probably try this as I need a few more batteries, currently using the Ankaka with my Caiman mk2, it works vey well.

[michaelgb]

Is each successive dac really such a huge step up in sound over the previous model ? Or is the differences quite slight when comparing the differences between speakers or amps say ?

[StanleyB]

Is each successive dac really such a huge step up in sound over the previous model ? Or is the differences quite slight when comparing the differences between speakers or amps say ?
For me to be happy with a difference when I do my R&D into new mods or a new DAC, the difference has to be a relative huge step before I am satisfied. It is quite possible that a different DAC designer would be quite happy with a far lower noticeable difference. But a lower difference might pass me by without even registering with my ears.
It is for that reason that I offer a no quibble money back guarantee if a buyer can't hear a clear difference that they are entirely happy with. I am not aware of anyone else making the same promise when you buy a DAC from them. That just goes to show how much more confident I am in the hearing ability and judgement of my customers.

[Søren]

I recieved mine today, and i am completely blown away. The level of information, and dynamics too, is simply astonishing. It`s honesty to the music is impressive. Very revealing too. But hey, if we want to hear everything on our records, we need to be prepared for some of them, being bad quality.


True high-end for not much money. I believe it could embarrass some of the big`n expensive out there. It`s that good IMHO.

[mkrzych]

I recieved mine today, and i am completely blown away. The level of information, and dynamics too, is simply astonishing. It`s honesty to the music is impressive. Very revealing too. But hey, if we want to hear everything on our records, we need to be prepared for some of them, being bad quality.


True high-end for not much money. I believe it could embarrass some of the big`n expensive out there. It`s that good IMHO.

Could you give us some examples of bad sounding records on CMII to compare if they're really so bad for instance on CMI/BM and are inaudible on the latter's?