From Bushmaster mk1 to Caiman mk2 - sonic differences?

[Morgan]

I have been fan of the Beresford DAC's for some years now. Starting up with the Caiman before replacing that one with the Rega DAC. When Bushmaster mk1 was launched I sold the Rega since the Bushmaster was more or less at the same level as the Rega and included a decent headphone amp.

After upgrading my turntable setup from an old rega p2 to RP6 I now find the Bushmaster mk1 a bit flat and 'uninspired', lacking the full warm sound from my turntable rig. I know it is somehow not fair to compare the DAC with the analog rig, especielly when playing LP's with great mastering qualities...

Anyhow, have been considering upgrading to the Caiman mk2 for a while. I have no doubt the Caiman is a lot better, but interested in hearing how people would describe the difference (other than just being a lot better)

I want my digital rig to sound more warme - more analog. Poor recordings sounds flat, without dynamics and lacking bass with the Bushmaster. Good recordings sound better, but still sound digital and lacking dynamics...

btw, my amp is a Nait 5i and speakers Linn Majik 109 and a Rel Sub.

[audioquiz]

why don't you mod it? not sure how yours sounds, but i have the original caiman and it sounds fantastic. the power supply is the most important part in my opinion.
Can you solder? a 10,000 uf vishay bc capacitor would be a good start, have a look at stans mods, but buy some high quality components for it

[Theadmans]

Not a purist approach I know but I run my BM2 DAC through a Musical Fidelity X10D Tube Buffer. My X10D has been fully modded by Mike at Rock Grotto - it also runs some very fine Russian Nos tubes.

I run my BM2 DAC, Capella Head Amp and Squeezebox Touch from the same Anker battery which helps with the sound quality. The X10D gives you the warmth and improves bass strength too - you should be able to pick up a stock X10D for about £100.

[walpurgis]

Good bit of kit the X-10D. In the right situation. Some people dismiss them, but I have a couple and they can definitely add a bit of magic sometimes.

[audioquiz]

i was considering buying one of those x10d buffers in the past, but i ended up buying a valve amp instead with excellent results from my caiman

[bpcairns]

Don't know if you are still looking for opinions on this but I went from a Bushmaster mk1 to a Caiman mkII.

I was expecting a fairly subtle overall improvement but it was more like the difference between vinyl and CD.

With the BM1 a Sondek/Ittok/Troika combo easily beat it for musicality and toe-tapping. Both resolved similar levels of detail.

Swapping in the CMII was a revelation. A very analogue sound. Holds its own in the musicality and toe-tapping areas. When it comes to detail though, the CMII kicks sand in the LP12's face and runs off with its lunch money. No one was more surprised at this than I was. Some will consider this blasphemy. I don't care. Until now I'd coveted my friends LP12. Now I don't, I wouldn't listen to it with the CMII sitting there.

I'm sure better TTs might leap-frog the CMII but as the £270 DAC easily beats the £1500+ TT(IMHO), I know where I won't be spending money in the future. YMMV.

In short, if you want your DAC to sound more like your turntable, and probably better, then buy a caiman II.

Just added the superfirmware today and detail is up another notch and even more analoguey. Really nice.

[StanleyB]

Just added the superfirmware today and detail is up another notch and even more analoguey. Really nice.
I am getting some good feedback vibes from the Super Firmware owners.

[mkrzych]

I am getting some good feedback vibes from the Super Firmware owners.

Does the so called superfirmware is for Caiman II or Bushmaster? If for the first one, how to get it?

[StanleyB]

Does the so called superfirmware is for Caiman II or Bushmaster? If for the first one, how to get it?
It is for the Caiman MKII and you have to be a UK resident in order to get one from the remaining batch of 10.

[mkrzych]

It is for the Caiman MKII and you have to be a UK resident in order to get one from the remaining batch of 10.

Thank you. Are you considering it also for non UK residents in the future? I guess that's the issue with postal fees or what?

[StanleyB]

If there are any left afterwards I shall offer them to those people who are on the waiting list outside of the UK.
But you don't qualify. As I posted on the TAS forum:
Sorry for the long caveat. But I do get the occasional pedantic moaners who might complain about a 20 millisecond glitch in the music once every hour. Or noise for the speaker when you press your ears against the drivers and got the music in Pause mode. If you are one of them, then the V6 might not be for you. I would suggest that you stick to the regular V5 firmware revisions.

[mkrzych]

If there are any left afterwards I shall offer them to those people who are on the waiting list outside of the UK.
But you don't qualify. As I posted on the TAS forum:
Sorry for the long caveat. But I do get the occasional pedantic moaners who might complain about a 20 millisecond glitch in the music once every hour. Or noise for the speaker when you press your ears against the drivers and got the music in Pause mode. If you are one of them, then the V6 might not be for you. I would suggest that you stick to the regular V5 firmware revisions.

Yes, I saw it, sure I am that "bad" guy who just want to have explanation for certain things from the original designer. Thank you for being customer friendly. :doh:

[PeteC]

Received and installed the V6 firmware to my Caiman MkII. This was my comment to Stan:

"The package arrived safe and well. Installation took about 10 minutes and all is working well.

I am astonished. The improvement in sound quality is much greater than expected. Stereo focus and separation between instruments is better, there generally seems to be more impact, but at the same time the sound is a bit smoother. How you achieved all that I have no idea! Vocals are even more natural and there seems to be more, but tighter bass. One step closer to the master tape!

Only downside is that I have done no work today as I keep wanting to listen to music."

[pitadavespa]

Received and installed the V6 firmware to my Caiman MkII. This was my comment to Stan:

"The package arrived safe and well. Installation took about 10 minutes and all is working well.

I am astonished. The improvement in sound quality is much greater than expected. Stereo focus and separation between instruments is better, there generally seems to be more impact, but at the same time the sound is a bit smoother. How you achieved all that I have no idea! Vocals are even more natural and there seems to be more, but tighter bass. One step closer to the master tape!

Only downside is that I have done no work today as I keep wanting to listen to music."

:D

[samurasa]

I got mine today and I´m really not interested in gettin to work tomorrow.
I really just want to keep on listening! The music really flows nicely from CII :)