View Full Version : Caiman II - my review and observations
brainz2000
24-06-2014, 22:12
So the new DAC had arrived and is on burn in currently...
I have owned all the Beresford DACs bar the Bushmaster 2 so I am keen to see how this new incarnation performs...
I still have a Gatorised Caiman I and an original Bushmaster to compare with so I will provide my views on the DAC with comparisons when I have time ... Probably starting at the weekend...
First impressions are always important...
Out of the box it projects more space and 3d positioning than any of its predecessors ... and the headphone performance is stunning ...
More to follow ...
Tim
It has a lot more detail than the Bushmaster mk 11 and depth like discovering your music collection all over again. It also has a very analogue based sound that makes it possible to listen for long extended periods
MikeMusic
25-06-2014, 09:04
Sounds like my BM II needs to be upgraded.........
StanleyB
25-06-2014, 10:22
My usual promise applies to the Caiman MKII as with any promises made with my previous DACs. If you can't hear a clear and obvious night and day improvement between the Caiman MKII and any other DAC, you can send the Caiman back to me :). I even linked to some test files in another thread where I pointed out that you can finally tell the difference between mp3, FLAC, and WAV on playback. It has been the Holy Grail of DAC designs, and the Caiman MKII finally makes it possible to hear that difference.
brainz2000
26-06-2014, 00:00
So I find myself at almost 1am captivated by the music in a way I haven't for such a long time
In terms of set up, I am streaming from a vortexbox by USB to a Musical fidelity Vlink and into the Caiman 2 using the Co-axial output. This feeds my PrimaLuna valves which are then feeding my Royd Minstrels.
I should have gone to bed ages ago, but the sound, which has improved with burn in, is just captivating.
I can switch over and listen to the same output via the BushMaster, which is being fed from the same Vlink, on optical cable.
So what is the difference - it is like a cheap lens ... it is not as sharp or in focus, and the 3d image is OK, but just not as good.
The sound is very analogue and full of detail ...
Stan - this is really money well spent.... and I haven't even tried to use battery power yet ...
I think I may try it with a battery powered Bantam Gold ... if I feed it from a laptop, I can be totally mains independent ....
I am finally thinking solar powered hifi might be on the cards ...
More to follow ...
Tim
Its really pays to use battery with this to hear it at its full potential
Anyone can recommend battery power for Caiman 7520Seg - first take?
hello there, why don't you try the anakaka rechargeable battery. Plenty of mentions of this in the Beresford banter site. Have used it with the Bushmaster Mk II and now using with the new Caiman 2. Just stunning. Also watch the bass, as this has been substantially extended. By the way, the Caiman 2 is head and shoulders above the Bush 2. If you need the link to purchase, here it is.
http://www.ankaka.com/english/USD/incredible-20000mah-battery-charger-universal-portable-battery_p409.html
happy listening.
T12
hello there, why don't you try the anakaka rechargeable battery. Plenty of mentions of this in the Beresford banter site. Have used it with the Bushmaster Mk II and now using with the new Caiman 2. Just stunning. Also watch the bass, as this has been substantially extended. By the way, the Caiman 2 is head and shoulders above the Bush 2. If you need the link to purchase, here it is.
http://www.ankaka.com/english/USD/incredible-20000mah-battery-charger-universal-portable-battery_p409.html
happy listening.
T12
Does it have selectable output voltage - Caiman SEG uses 15v? Do you use it connected all the time to the power supply, meaning that if discharging can be charged simultaneously?
Yes it does, selectable output voltages of 12 16 and 19V, so looks as if you are out of luck, unless you can run your Caiman at 12v, I do not know the answer to that. I suppose that you can have it connected at all times but why? I just recharge when required. One overnight charge every so often, depending on use.
Hope this is of assistance.
T12
brainz2000
05-07-2014, 21:21
Right ... some observations now that the DAC has burnt in and I have had time to spend some quality time with it ....
Firstly burn in, there is no doubt that a couple of weeks of running it in have made a big difference....
Like some others have said, the quality that makes this DAC special is its transparency ...
A reference for me is the Cowboy Junkies - The Trinity Sessions.
This DAC reveals details that I have not previously heard - particularly the first track... Mining for Gold. Behind the vocal there is some background noise which I have never really heard before ...
I also think that the DAC provides a much better grip on the dynamics of the tracks - in a sense representing the real levels that there are in the master ...
Sticking with the Junkies, track 2 Misguided Angel demonstrates this with the balance of instruments being sublime and a proper 3d sound, reflecting the acoustic nature of the recording really clearly.
I think this is the most beguiling characteristic of this DAC - out of the box and without any special treatment, it just projects a natural sound stage and really realistic balance, with detail there in a really holographic way...
Another key feature is that it brigs bass in a much more controlled fashion than the Bushmaster Mark 1 it replaces ...
I could wax lyrical about the sound for days, but I am going back to listening, and that is what this DAC does - it sends you back to your collection to rediscover the music ..
Unreservedly recommended - I am looking forward to trying this with the Bantam Gold I have bought ...
It may just be I can now have solar powered hi-fi .... and really enjoy the music ...
A good summary for what this DAC cost its performing at a very high level
Ive bought quite a few Dacs from Stan on the upgrade trail over the years, the latest being the Bushmaster 2. When last emailed Stan I said I was at the limits of my hearing with BM2 and would not be going again, but in a fit of 'Grumpy Old Man, what have I worked all my life forism' I pulled the trigger for the Caiman 2. Boy am I glad I did.
The sound is glorious (Bantam Gold, Dynaudio Contour 1.3 SE's, Ankaka Battery thingy, Squeezebox with EDO mod, Arcam CD73). The holographic sound stage is much more evident now, with instruments and voices planted in precise spots back it seems to me as far as 10 feet or so through the back wall. This is a tremendous achievement. The bass is deep and controlled (think the Dyns and Bantam really help here)
and not boomy at all. My reference tracks are showing more detail than ever (some hi-res files, and HDCD's) but also some music I like but isn't that well recorded-like Nik Kershaw 15 minutes or Paul Brady Hard Station , are really shining now. Radio Paradise on the SB is fabulous as is Linn Radio--isn't modern technology wonderful??
naitphile
06-11-2014, 14:57
After I acoustically treating my room I was using Ammara Hifi which sounded identical to iTunes but offered automatic sampling rate, out via usb to a Chinese 500mhz capable a asynch converter by coaxial to a BM2.
Next I switched out to theCaiman MKii however despite a mains filter I had hum using the supplied psu so I switched to a battery.
There is a genuine step up in detail, staging and Bass response. My experience is that there is a little more equality across files of different sample/bit rates. A great DAC I am wary of spending too much in this area since black box technologies are easy prey for snake oil sales. Further As a scientist (but not an electronic engineer) i do not believe in electronic burn-in or of cables either (distinct from warmed up equipment). Whereas changed in performance of a moving part such as a cartridge or speaker I can buy
Subsequently in order to add DIRAC room calibration I upgraded to Amarra 3 this does change the basic output from Amarra Hifi and iTunes bringing a fuller sound it is quite noticeable. Adding DIRAC helped significantly with reflections and uneven speaker positioning.
It's good to take a holistic view before agonising over source upgrades
I received my CMII a few days ago. By my reckoning this is my 4th Standac (having had 7510, 7520 (Caiman I), BM, BMII) ever since I started this journey when the 7510 massively improved the sound I was getting from my Linn Genki CD player (which has long gone having been replaced by a SB3 and now a SB Touch).
Compared to my BMII (which was sounding very good indeed), like others, my first impressions are greater 3D stage, more detailed, improved dynamics and distinct separation of instruments. To my ear there is sometimes a touch of harshness in some pieces but I had this with several of the other Standacs and this disappeared after a couple of weeks burn-in.
I use the CMII connected to the SB Touch via an optical link and is powered by the Ankaka battery. The output is using the fixed outputs to a passive pre-amp and then to my battery powered Temple Audio monoblocs. So far I have only tried it with Redbook FLAC and not with higher sampling rate material (of which I have little). I tried using the CMII volume control and variable outputs but found the sound-level from my monoblocs was somewhat lower than from the fixed outputs, even with the passive pre-amp at full volume.
MikeMusic
08-11-2014, 11:21
"Standac"
Love it
:)
With the Ankaka it is superb
Jabberwocky
17-11-2014, 17:41
I ordered my NEW Caiman 2 on Thursday afternoon and received it on Saturday morning - great service from Stan, as always.
Initial reaction (compared with my Bushmaster) is that it's getting much closer to the vinyl sound - the speakers have become more transparent (they draw less attention to themselves) and the imaging is much improved. Sibilants are better handled and the stability of the soundstage is excellent.
Very good at deciphering complex 'noisy' passages ( like the last few minutes of Dire Straits "Telegraph Road") - now all the instruments can be individually heard and located.
Remember that my vinyl signal source has cost more than 20 times the cost of the Caiman, which I'm feeding from an Apple TV (Mk1) that I bought off ebay for ~£60!!
I'll feedback more when it's had a few days of 'burn-in'...
You might be interested in the battery I found for it:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00FHVE1CU/ref=ox_ya_os_product_refresh_T1
23000 mAH plus solar recharge.
I just need to make a longer cable so I can leave it charging in the window while playing music :smoking:
Now we all just need to persuade Stan to design a similar quality A-D converter, for those of us who want to preserve our record collections...:eyebrows::scratch::rolleyes:
michaelgb
24-11-2014, 04:09
I had a gatored 7520 a wile back and it sounded good, this new one must be really fab.
maxrob200
25-11-2014, 04:38
The Caiman II is a noticeable step up in musical performance over the already good Bushmaster. Lovely mid-range, music really swings along!
Stresss42
28-03-2015, 15:53
Was gonna write a mini review of the new Caiman....but everything I intended to write is already in this thread !
BUT....Upon turning the dac on, from the very 1st moment of listening - previously unheard mid range sounds were very clear, very subtle percussive sounds with mellow Jazz music
and Piano simply sounds astonishing.
I have read comments like ' Reference ' quality DAC and ' transparent '..... Couldn't agree more. Stunning.
( Still using Battery power - Deben Tracer 10Ah ).. Absolutely love it.
bigmarty
28-03-2015, 20:29
I couldn't agree more, this is a very special DAC and for the money a complete bargain, well done Stan and his help and advice is second to none.
Marty:D
I'll feedback more when it's had a few days of 'burn-in'...
You might be interested in the battery I found for it:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00FHVE1CU/ref=ox_ya_os_product_refresh_T1
23000 mAH plus solar recharge.
I just need to make a longer cable so I can leave it charging in the window while playing music :smoking:
:
Respect! That is a very cool solution. Great fun .
My usual promise applies to the Caiman MKII as with any promises made with my previous DACs. If you can't hear a clear and obvious night and day improvement between the Caiman MKII and any other DAC, you can send the Caiman back to me :). I even linked to some test files in another thread where I pointed out that you can finally tell the difference between mp3, FLAC, and WAV on playback. It has been the Holy Grail of DAC designs, and the Caiman MKII finally makes it possible to hear that difference.
Stan can you please drop the marketing speak I was blind testing between MP3 & lossless years ago to find it does make a difference, it's hardly a revelation that your DAC is transparent enough to hear the differences i.e. you can tell the difference with all good DACs and a good enough system behind it. I would be very surprised if people couldn't hear the difference on the Bushmaster DACs between lossy and lossless files.
StanleyB
29-03-2015, 17:31
Stan can you please drop the marketing speak I was blind testing between MP3 & lossless years ago to find it does make a difference, it's hardly a revelation that your DAC is transparent enough to hear the differences i.e. you can tell the difference with all good DACs and a good enough system behind it. I would be very surprised if people couldn't hear the difference on the Bushmaster DACs between lossy and lossless files.
Why such an aggressive tone towards me and my DACs? What would you like me to say instead? Would you prefer that I wrote:"Here is yet another DAC from my stable, just like any other DAC on the market." That's far from the truth.
walpurgis
29-03-2015, 17:38
Neil. This is the Trade area and you are in 'Beresford Banter' here. You can't expect Stan to 'dumb down' his products, so to speak.
Stresss42
29-03-2015, 18:08
On a positive note, and with absolute honesty.. I wouldn't consider changing this Dac for anything. Not a chance, not for a second.
Was playing Vincent Ingala, Peter White and Nicholas Cole albums last night ( not at the same time :bulb:).....breath-taking clarity, musicality...one very very happy customer. Love it.
Audio Advent
29-03-2015, 20:15
Neil. This is the Trade area and you are in 'Beresford Banter' here. You can't expect Stan to 'dumb down' his products, so to speak.
To be a pedant, are you sure it's the trade area? It's only in the Digital part of the forum. Not that I have a problem with Stan promoting his great products here, just that it might cause confusion to say it this is the trade area as well as the Trade Impressions area.
On a positive note, and with absolute honesty.. I wouldn't consider changing this Dac for anything. Not a chance, not for a second.
Was playing Vincent Ingala, Peter White and Nicholas Cole albums last night ( not at the same time :bulb:).....breath-taking clarity, musicality...one very very happy customer. Love it.
+1;)
jon
walpurgis
29-03-2015, 20:32
To be a pedant, are you sure it's the trade area? It's only in the Digital part of the forum. Not that I have a problem with Stan promoting his great products here, just that it might cause confusion to say it this is the trade area as well as the Trade Impressions area.
I accept your point.
wiicrackpot
29-03-2015, 20:57
I accept your point.
I can sympathise with Geoff though,not that it matters but i mentioned many moons ago there's too many samey kinda theme rooms in AoS. :)
StanleyB
29-03-2015, 21:32
To be a pedant, are you sure it's the trade area? It's only in the Digital part of the forum. Not that I have a problem with Stan promoting his great products here, just that it might cause confusion to say it this is the trade area as well as the Trade Impressions area.
When AoS started off I was given my own area at some stage for both trade, modifications, and general chat since most of the posters in the digital section were customers of mine. The site has grown since then and now includes a dedicated trade area. But a lot of that initial success is down to the work that Marco and me have put in during the early days. I am not complaining about the kind of loyalty Marco showed towards me for helping to build AoS up in the early days. If anyone has an issue with that, please PM Marco and make your complaint to him. Don't come here to try to ruin my business with your jealous streaks.
I am aware that there are people, including traders, who appear to be envious of the situation and of the commercial success of a British designed product that can compete in price and performance with the best from China and the US. As long as it is OK with Marco I shall continue on AoS to wave the British flag and promote what a British engineer can do in the face of hostile foreign market forces.
Why such an aggressive tone towards me and my DACs? What would you like me to say instead? Would you prefer that I wrote:"Here is yet another DAC from my stable, just like any other DAC on the market." That's far from the truth.
It is how you write how it's "finally possible to hear the difference between..." and other comments, but there are many DACs that also do the same as what you are claiming. I just want to add a bit of balance, and having owned and listened to 3 of your DACs I know that your products give serious sound for little outlay and the Bushmaster DACs are easily transparent enough to highlight why lossless listening is better than high bitrate mp3.
Neil. This is the Trade area and you are in 'Beresford Banter' here. You can't expect Stan to 'dumb down' his products, so to speak.
Absolutely (although of course it's not the trade area). It is certainly, however, the place (along with his 'shop' in the trade room) for Stan to 'wax lyrical' about his wares, and for others who are interested in buying them, or those who currently use them, to eulogise over them in the same way.
If anyone has any objections to that and considers it somehow as unacceptable, then I would ask them to by-pass this section of the forum, rather than 'thread crap', by posting remarks that aren't conducive to the above or in the spirit of AoS.
Cheers! :cool:
Marco.
icehockeyboy
30-03-2015, 10:07
Oh
When AoS started off I was given my own area at some stage for both trade, modifications, and general chat since most of the posters in the digital section were customers of mine. The site has grown since then and now includes a dedicated trade area. But a lot of that initial success is down to the work that Marco and me have put in during the early days. I am not complaining about the kind of loyalty Marco showed towards me for helping to build AoS up in the early days. If anyone has an issue with that, please PM Marco and make your complaint to him. Don't come here to try to ruin my business with your jealous streaks.
I am aware that there are people, including traders, who appear to be envious of the situation and of the commercial success of a British designed product that can compete in price and performance with the best from China and the US. As long as it is OK with Marco I shall continue on AoS to wave the British flag and promote what a British engineer can do in the face of hostile foreign market forces.
:clapclapclap::clapclapclap:
It is how you write how it's "finally possible to hear the difference between..." and other comments, but there are many DACs that also do the same as what you are claiming. I just want to add a bit of balance, and having owned and listened to 3 of your DACs I know that your products give serious sound for little outlay and the Bushmaster DACs are easily transparent enough to highlight why lossless listening is better than high bitrate mp3.
I appreciate that, Neil, and your point above is fair.
However, all I'd ask is to remember that this section of the forum (the same as applies in Stan's trade shop) is essentially for 'bigging up' Beresford products, and anything that is considered critical of or insensitive towards that aim, isn't really appropriate in 'Beresford Banter', and as such should be made in the main area of Digital Impressions.
Therefore, we're not saying that you shouldn't have said what you did, just not in this section of the forum. I trust you can understand and appreciate that.
In that case, feel free to start a thread in the main area of Digital Impressions to discuss the subject of whether or not "all DACs are easily transparent enough to highlight why lossless listening is better than high bitrate mp3", and there will be no problem.
Churz! :cool:
Marco.
I get it Marco, cheers for the reply.
Cheers, mate. I appreciate your understanding! :thumbsup:
Marco.
Eagle owl
31-03-2015, 15:16
Stanley Beresford and Caiman II FTW.
:cool:
Stanley Beresford and Caiman II FTW.
:cool:
nice one:D
jon
As I mentioned previously, it is extremely rare - or maybe even unique - for an audio product designer to stand publicly behind his product and answer questions and criticism raised by individual customers. As a customer from the other end of Europe and a fan of British engineering, science, culture, etc., I greatly appreciate this and would like to reassure Stan that IMO his approach deserves praise and ought to provide returns. I personally wouldn't have bought the Capella if I hadn't come across this forum.
:goodluck:
I have not had the time to listen to the Capella lately but as soon as I do it I will report my findings.
Stresss42
01-04-2015, 18:56
As I mentioned previously, it is extremely rare - or maybe even unique - for an audio product designer to stand publicly behind his product and answer questions and criticism raised by individual customers. As a customer from the other end of Europe and a fan of British engineering, science, culture, etc., I greatly appreciate this and would like to reassure Stan that IMO his approach deserves praise and ought to provide returns. I personally wouldn't have bought the Capella if I hadn't come across this forum.
:goodluck:
I have not had the time to listen to the Capella lately but as soon as I do it I will report my findings.
Completely agree...and it's an absolute privilege to be able to email Stan with any questions. Proper nice guy, absolute respect from me. Steve.
brainz2000
11-04-2015, 00:13
Anyone reading down this far in my thread needs to know that I have just applied the Super Firmware that Stan has produced for this amazing DAC
Details can be found in this thread (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?37265)in the Trade section.
It takes the DAC to another level and is remarkable value. I was blown away by this DAC compared to the Caiman I and the Bushmaster I that I had - and this just takes it another leap forward. This is an essential upgrade from my perspective - and takes the DAC to a level I never thought I would achieve .
We are privileged to be able to buy English designed HiFi from a professional who shares the fruits of his labour at a modest price, and is happy to discuss and be open about the products he produces.
Stan - you are the guvnor ...
Tim
MikeMusic
12-04-2015, 11:41
My thoughts exactly Tim. Very well put.
Audio Advent
08-06-2015, 22:47
Taking part in another thread about cartoons, I played this on youtube "Gatchaman (Science Ninja Team) Episode 001" :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DETG7d4noSQ
and turned up a bit, the speech and some of the sound effects are semi-surround sound!
I've been hearing a more precise sound from the Caiman II since upgrading the firmware, the realism hitting you, but I only have to presume it's that which has made these types of experiences occur so much more frequently since the upgrade. Immediately on switching I wasn't sure if I heard a difference, only over time have things just been popping out of the speakers like I don't remember them doing before.
It is definately a fine DAC indeed! I might have to get another as a bedside listening station with the Capella when I get my new headphones. Think I'm going to be blown away by the combo when it comes together.
One thing I do get which I presume is a "feature" of a DC design with no output caps etc, is static sounding noise as a USB source turns on and off whilst listening to that input. Makes me jump often enough when plugging it into my pc.
StanleyB
10-06-2015, 14:11
One thing I do get which I presume is a "feature" of a DC design with no output caps etc, is static sounding noise as a USB source turns on and off whilst listening to that input. Makes me jump often enough when plugging it into my pc.
It's the DAC trying to lock into the audio sampling and bit rate. I went for sound quality, and a few other bits like the sampling rate switching noise have been accepted as a necessary evil for now.
Let me know which music player you are using. I have been working on possible corrective settings in some of the more popular audio players.
Audio Advent
11-06-2015, 11:49
It's the DAC trying to lock into the audio sampling and bit rate. I went for sound quality, and a few other bits like the sampling rate switching noise have been accepted as a necessary evil for now.
Let me know which music player you are using. I have been working on possible corrective settings in some of the more popular audio players.
Ah, interesting. Good to know what it's doing behind the sound.
It doesn't bother me at all unless I've got the hifi on loud and forget! And I was also aware from reading here that some compromises have been made to keep sound quality a top priority - something I appreciate and you'll only get from a small manufacturer/designer. Catering for the masses is a bad thing in my view.
It's currently just a Windows 8.1 PC, a Fujitsu Lifebook and is just a case of generally plugging the (long) usb into my pc whilst the Caiman is switched on (don't bother to turn it off) before playing anything. Once it's plugged in it's quiet.
Actually, it doesn't always do it, only if the PC has switched to the internal sound driver since last being connected to the Caiman. Plugging the usb in and out quickly is silent too. So must be all about the drivers and the embedded Caiman usb chip software, which is basically what you said above!
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