Ultimate Caymen mkii ?

[friendly]

Hi Stan,

Are you producing the gatorised board for the Caiman mkii?
If you are what's the price for the board together with latest firmware chip. Would this then give me the best sounding version.

Cheers

Gwyn

[StanleyB]

There is no Gatorized board for the Caiman MKII. The upgrade consists of a couple of components plus the firmware. Have a look at it at http://www.beresford.me/S/modifications/TC-7534/index.htm
I now have all the parts, including the WIMA caps and Vishay resistors for the Venom-3 mod, and the caps and firmware for the Gator Mod.
If you can solder then it is easy to do. Otherwise I can do the mod upon request. Just email or PM me. Costs varies, but best to email me on that.

[StanleyB]

I just like to add that those of you who prefer to drop by and have the two mods done whilst you wait, are welcome to do so. Put aside 30 minutes for the scheduled stop. PM me for parking instructions, cost, and anything else that might be relevant. And I look forward to some feedback on AoS from a couple of those who have had the mod done, or did it themselves.

[friendly]

Holy Granoli Batman

Stan what have you done? Just fitted the parts and chip, couldn't wait till the weekend.
The only dac I've heard to blow me away like this is the Antelope at ten times the price. The sound now has the slam and dynamics of a top end vinyl system together with resolution and control.

I always thought it was the open airiness and tones coming from vinyl that makes it preferable. In the short time listening to this I now think it's something else. This dac is producing leading edges to notes that then have a natural decay, allowing you to hear the tone and harmonics of each note.

Now I have mine Stan.... Triple the price and retire to the Bahamas..... Amazing!

All I have to do now is work out how to try the three different modes Duh!

Gwyn

[MrRadish]

I have a Caiman 2 with SFW 3 at the moment. Is this the GFU update, or something else? If it's something else is it possible to get the unit upgraded with both GFU (as I'd like a bit more bass), and this one (because I might as well do it at the same time)?

Edit: I'd need to send it back to you as I have no DIY skill at all.

[StanleyB]

Yeah, it's the GFU mod. I ended up having to add it to a batch of Caiman MKII stock just so that buyers don't have to worry about sending their new DAC back. I can do it for £40 including parts and return postage to the UK for anyone who is not keen on soldering.

[Getgaff]

^ PM sent

[Bonky]

I've just upgraded both my Bushmaster2 and Caiman2 with the Venom + Serum and Venom + Gator upgrades respectively. I did this myself.

I have yet to do a full analysis (wife is in the main room hosting a damn bookclub), but initial impressions are for a much fuller, slightly warmer, sound with better separation of instruments (both left and right and depth). Recommended!

For fellow DIYers: a pair of forceps/eyebrow tweezers; a soldering iron set at 400C; suitable solder and a suitable Philips screwdriver is all you need. My solder was not rosin cored so I used little amount of liquid flux on the solder on the PCB. A magnifying lens could also be useful.

Best wishes,

Richard.

[StanleyB]

I have yet to do a full analysis (wife is in the main room hosting a damn bookclub), but initial impressions are for a much fuller, slightly warmer, sound with better separation of instruments (both left and right and depth). Recommended!
It's good, ain't it :D. The strange side effect of it all is that I am also getting a better sound on playback from the SSD in my laptop. I got my library backed up on a conventional USB drive as well, so I have been able to compare the two. Not sure why the internal SSD sounds so much better now, but I'll leave that diagnosis for another day.

[worrasf]

So my Caiman II arrived back from Stan Towers yesterday with the Venom 3 and Gator mods. I had attempted to do the mods myself but buggered up one of the capacitors :doh:

Anyway, after only a short time listening with CD and Spotify Bluetooth streaming from iPhone I am a very happy camper.
These mods bring about another step change in SQ from an already phenomenal DAC. The improvement in instrument/voice definition / clarity / separation is remarkable. Dynamic range is extended with improved resolution of complex percussion. Bass depth, definition and control is much improved giving a presentation that's almost "tactile". The most analogue sounding digital replay ever.

Highly recommended. :D

Steve

[maxrob200]

So my Caiman II arrived back from Stan Towers yesterday with the Venom 3 and Gator mods. I had attempted to do the mods myself but buggered up one of the capacitors :doh:

Anyway, after only a short time listening with CD and Spotify Bluetooth streaming from iPhone I am a very happy camper.
These mods bring about another step change in SQ from an already phenomenal DAC. The improvement in instrument/voice definition / clarity / separation is remarkable. Dynamic range is extended with improved resolution of complex percussion. Bass depth, definition and control is much improved giving a presentation that's almost "tactile". The most analogue sounding digital replay ever.

Highly recommended. :D

Steve

Soldered the parts and upgraded firmware today. Improvements....all of the above.Well done again Stan!
To make it easy to solder the really tiny caps, I suggest a fine solder tip, thin solder and a small blob of blutack to hold the parts in place so the legs contact the pads securely

[mrboonmee]

I had Mitch Singerman do the upgrade for me, not many hours on it yet, very nice. using HD800s with a couple different amps. still wondering about the Capella.

I am pretty sure Stan said this power supply would work, may try it:
http://www.musicdirect.com/p-322395-ifi-ipower-outboard-supply.aspx

[Lee]

I have two Caiman II DACs, one in my living room and one in my bedroom. Stan upgraded the living room DAC a few weeks ago and the improvement was dramatic. Having both the standard and updated Caiman II, I was able to compare and there really is no contest between the two. The standard Caiman II is a very good DAC, no question. BUT the upgraded Caiman II is in a completely different beast! Sounds are easily much more realistic, top to bottom. From the first few notes there is much more immediacy, resolution, clarity ... life. I'm going through all of my music collection and now several weeks after having the upgrade, I'm still amazed at the improvement I hear on every track. Needless to say, I upgraded my second Caiman II without any hesitation. If anyone is in any doubt about how good this DAC is, stop wondering and give it a go. Definitely get the upgraded version, it's a no- brainer.

[Theadmans]

I have two Caiman II DACs, one in my living room and one in my bedroom. Stan upgraded the living room DAC a few weeks ago and the improvement was dramatic. Having both the standard and updated Caiman II, I was able to compare and there really is no contest between the two. The standard Caiman II is a very good DAC, no question. BUT the upgraded Caiman II is in a completely different beast! Sounds are easily much more realistic, top to bottom. From the first few notes there is much more immediacy, resolution, clarity ... life. I'm going through all of my music collection and now several weeks after having the upgrade, I'm still amazed at the improvement I hear on every track. Needless to say, I upgraded my second Caiman II without any hesitation. If anyone is in any doubt about how good this DAC is, stop wondering and give it a go. Definitely get the upgraded version, it's a no- brainer.

....very interesting Lee - might get Stan to do this as a wee Xmas present to myself later in the year. BTW did your standard bedroom Caiman II have any of the previous mods eg. the one that gave 4 processing modes etc? Also I think on the latest mods the number of processing modes drops to 3 (which one of the 3 do you now use) ?

[maxrob200]

Found setting 3 is still my preferred option (Caiman II as well as modded version)

[Lee]

Yes, both of my Caiman II's had the latest chip swaps installed before the upgrade. I used option 3 before the component upgrade and I am still finding option 3 to be the best choice. Again, I'm very satisfied with the decision to have the upgrade done. Every time I hear an old music track or movie soundtrack that I am very familiar with I am immediately struck at the huge improvement this upgrade has made.

[Theadmans]

Interesting Lee - thanks. BTW I use option 3 on the previous firmware on my Caiman II also.

[r100]

Hi, will the latest upgrade be rolled into a future production lot ? Thank's

[StanleyB]

The. caiman with the mod is on my website as the Caiman GFU.

[r100]

thank's