We know that the Caiman 2 is good but how does it compare

[RAZRr1275]

Is there anyone who has put the Caiman II up against a more expensive top of the line DAC? If so how did they compare to each other? I have an eye on the Caiman to upgrade from my Bushmaster MKII but I want some opinions on how it compares to more expensive gear.

[StanleyB]

Is there anyone who has put the Caiman II up against a more expensive top of the line DAC? If so how did they compare to each other? I have an eye on the Caiman to upgrade from my Bushmaster MKII but I want some opinions on how it compares to more expensive gear.
It's my low price for the Caiman MKII that causes doubts about its performance in some circles. But I can charge you a lot more if that would make you feel better.

[mr sneff]

It's my low price for the Caiman MKII that causes doubts about its performance in some circles. But I can charge you a lot more if that would make you feel better.

:lol:

[WAD62]

It's my low price for the Caiman MKII that causes doubts about its performance in some circles. But I can charge you a lot more if that would make you feel better.

...that's a psychological upgrade I can't afford, I'll stick with the 'basic' Caiman MKII ;)

A question Stanley, I'm running the Caiman II (fixed output) from the same old Maplins linear PSU I was using with it's predecessor, the 7510 (Mk4 if I remember correctly), it's a 12v, 1200mA, linear PSU...is this 'beefy' enough or am I starving it?

FWIW it sounds excellent, but it's always best to check :)

[StanleyB]

A question Stanley, I'm running the Caiman II (fixed output) from the same old Maplins linear PSU I was using with it's predecessor, the 7510 (Mk4 if I remember correctly), it's a 12v, 1200mA, linear PSU...is this 'beefy' enough or am I starving it?

FWIW it sounds excellent, but it's always best to check :)

The Caiman will run on 12V. But traditionally the included PSU has been 15V. So if you look at the writing on the PSU that was shipped with the Caiman, you'll see that it says 15V. The extra 3V is for future developments.
The Caiman itself uses less than 70mA. I know that these are shockingly low figures when compared to other DACs, with some of them using transformers that wouldn't be out of place in a 100W amplifier. But the Caiman internal PSU has been designed with a couple of parts from the satellite manufacturing industry, where low noise, low power consumption, and low heat dissipation are a critical factor. So you can get it to work with just a 12V solar cell, as they do in space...

[WAD62]

The Caiman will run on 12V. But traditionally the included PSU has been 15V. So if you look at the writing on the PSU that was shipped with the Caiman, you'll see that it says 15V. The extra 3V is for future developments.
The Caiman itself uses less than 70mA. I know that these are shockingly low figures when compared to other DACs, with some of them using transformers that wouldn't be out of place in a 100W amplifier. But the Caiman internal PSU has been designed with a couple of parts from the satellite manufacturing industry, where low noise, low power consumption, and low heat dissipation are a critical factor. So you can get it to work with just a 12V solar cell, as they do in space...

Cheers Stanley, I'll stick with my old maplin psu & Sbooster combo for the time being...:)

[RAZRr1275]

It's my low price for the Caiman MKII that causes doubts about its performance in some circles. But I can charge you a lot more if that would make you feel better.
Haha - as a student I'd be absolutely thrilled if the price stayed where it is. I didn't mean the thread as a slight at all. It's simply that for me, the best way to evaluate gear is to compare it with other gear. I know that odds are, this beats everything in it's price range. The Bushmaster did it and I have no doubts that you did it again. Especially when this price bracket is riddled with sabre dacs in implementations that I find sound pretty etchy. At higher price ranges, manufacturers seem to diverge in how they create things more than they do in lower ones. The differences in technologies and the Caiman's ability to swing above it's price point make something like a Grace Design M903 a more fair comparison than something like a Peachtree Dac-It. Since I'm a student I don't have the funding to get to head-fi meets or buy super expensive gear to test it out myself so I was curious how people who do have that kind of funding find the Caiman does against the more expensive gear that does have the reputation in most circles. I'd be absolutely thrilled if I could go to a meet at some point throw my setup out there against something much more expensive, not disclose its price and hear how my gear outperforms it.

[Theadmans]

The Caiman will run on 12V. But traditionally the included PSU has been 15V. So if you look at the writing on the PSU that was shipped with the Caiman, you'll see that it says 15V. The extra 3V is for future developments.
The Caiman itself uses less than 70mA. I know that these are shockingly low figures when compared to other DACs, with some of them using transformers that wouldn't be out of place in a 100W amplifier. But the Caiman internal PSU has been designed with a couple of parts from the satellite manufacturing industry, where low noise, low power consumption, and low heat dissipation are a critical factor. So you can get it to work with just a 12V solar cell, as they do in space...


...interesting that the Caiman II uses 70mA (I think you quoted 40-60mA for the Bushmaster II).

The Auto Shutoff on my Anker Pro2 battery is set at 80mA according to the manufacturer (if you recall I have to use a split lead to a grain of wheat bulb to keep the BMII powered up with the battery).

It appears I may still need the bulb if I decide to upgrade to the Caiman II.

BTW with the Caiman II having a PSU of 15V would it be safe to select the 16V setting on a Anker / Ankaka battery (or is it best to stick to 12V) ?

[StanleyB]

BTW with the Caiman II having a PSU of 15V would it be safe to select the 16V setting on a Anker / Ankaka battery (or is it best to stick to 12V) ?
I tried it, but the performance is abysmal. But why would you want to use 16V? Would you do the same with an amp designed for 220V max, by connecting it to a 240V supply?

[kininigin]

The Auto Shutoff on my Anker Pro2 battery is set at 80mA according to the manufacturer (if you recall I have to use a split lead to a grain of wheat bulb to keep the BMII powered up with the battery).


AHHHH,that's what is happening with my Anker battery! I didn't realise that there was an auto shut-off! It's sporadic on mine though.Sometimes i go days without any problems and other times it turns off every 30mins or so! So how do you use the split lead and bulb to sort it out?

Sorry for the slight thread drift!

[Theadmans]

AHHHH,that's what is happening with my Anker battery! I didn't realise that there was an auto shut-off! It's sporadic on mine though.Sometimes i go days without any problems and other times it turns off every 30mins or so! So how do you use the split lead and bulb to sort it out?

Sorry for the slight thread drift!

First you need a grain of wheat bulb - I have some spares so if you pm me your address I will post one for free to you (I go away on holiday for a week on Saturday morning so PM me quick if you want it soon).

Then you need a split lead like this :-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Way-DC-Power-Splitter-Cable-Cord-for-CCTV-Camera-2-Male-1-Female-5-5mm-2-1mm-/390683268220?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item5af689947c

You can use it joined to the standard lead supplied with the Anker battery (You will need to buy this split lead as I have no spares).

You can attach the bulb to one side of the split lead using a special little adapter I found on eBay (again I have a spare so will post this to you).

Then power the BM with the new lead whilst simultaneously lighting the bulb (the power drain will be enough to keep the battery going).

[Theadmans]

I tried it, but the performance is abysmal. But why would you want to use 16V? Would you do the same with an amp designed for 220V max, by connecting it to a 240V supply?

Hi Stan - thanks for clearing that up - will stick to 12V if I upgrade. It wasn't so much that I wanted to use 16V but that I was wondering if the 12V would be man enough for the job (given the PSU is 15V).

[kininigin]

First you need a grain of wheat bulb - I have some spares so if you pm me your address I will post one for free to you (I go away on holiday for a week on Saturday morning so PM me quick if you want it soon).

Then you need a split lead like this :-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Way-DC-Power-Splitter-Cable-Cord-for-CCTV-Camera-2-Male-1-Female-5-5mm-2-1mm-/390683268220?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item5af689947c

You can use it joined to the standard lead supplied with the Anker battery (You will need to buy this split lead as I have no spares).

You can attach the bulb to one side of the split lead using a special little adapter I found on eBay (again I have a spare so will post this to you).

Then power the BM with the new lead whilst simultaneously lighting the bulb (the power drain will be enough to keep the battery going).

Nice one Adam,top man! Pm on it's way to you :cool: