Hello From Pontefract

[TheGreenManalishi]

Hi All,

Just coming back from a ten year hiatus, due to the bairns etc!

Used to have a fairly decent kit based around an Arcam CDP and some Arcam Pre/Power units. Anyhow times change financially and i was forced into changing my priorities so a went ten years without 'owt decent.

Due to circs im now more able to listen through headphones so ive just bought:):-

Beresford Caiman
Graham Slee Novo +PSU1
HD650;s
Squeezebox Duet

Like all kinds music, Kate Bush, The Who, Neil Young and Pink Floyd etc.

Name is Shaun and i have two kids, and a missus.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

hi Shaun

how does the headphone amp in the caiman compare to the graham slee?

welcome to the art of sound

[TheGreenManalishi]

The Caiman is only just burned in, and as such i havent been able to do an A/B comparison as yet. Listened thru the Caiman though last night and whilst i wasnt being critical i was very impressed by it tbh.

And ive just purchased the Russ Andrews DAc that was on the Bay so in the next week or so i will make up my mind whats staying and such.

On a budget you cant knock the Caiman to be fair - reccomended.

[TheGreenManalishi]

Doh, i see youve got a caiman, i wouldnt pay £nearly 400 notes more for the Slee if what ive heard thus far is borne out by tonights tests.

[TheGreenManalishi]

Or maybe i didnt just purchase the Andrews...GRRRRRR....Seller refuses (and i understand his point of view) to send the DAC until Paypal release the funds to him (they put a block on him recieving the money till i was happy - kind of escrow i spose).

He now wont send full stop - and thinks ive done the Paypal block thing!

[Spectral Morn]

Hi Shaun

welcome to AOS.

Have fun.


Regards D S D L

[Alex_UK]

Hi Shaun - welcome to the loony bin!

[aquapiranha]

Hello Shaun.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Doh, i see youve got a caiman, i wouldnt pay £nearly 400 notes more for the Slee if what ive heard thus far is borne out by tonights tests.

indeed, I got one! Any more comparative info on that would be interesting though! I gad a nva head phone amp that was in terms of quality alone, the same as the 7520! I wonder what headphones, if any, would show up a caiman compared to a dedicated headphone amp...

[The Vinyl Adventure]

As for paypal/eBay ... You won't be alone in your critisim here!

[chris@panteg]

Welcome Shaun

Another caiman' im starting to think i am missing out ' nearly everyone on here seems to have one , except me:(.

[Barry]

Welcome Shaun

Another Caiman ' I'm starting to think I am missing out ' nearly everyone on here seems to have one, except me :(.

No Chris,

You're not alone, I have yet to try a separate DAC. Will put that right next year with one of Mr Beresford's designs, though it might not be a Caiman.

Hello Shaun - Welcome to AoS!

Regards

[TheGreenManalishi]

Sorry didnt get chance to do a full A/B as i planned and only managed to listen to two tracks through all three combinations:-

1.Flac>Duet>Caiman>Novo>HD650's

2.Flac>Duet>Caiman>HD650's

3.Flac>Duet>Novo>HD650's


I wanted to pick well recorded recent recordings, no point playing the Beatles Mono stuff right?

Kate Bush - The Coral Room
The Who - Bargain
Neil Young - Heart Of Gold(recently remastered version)

1.I thought this combination worked best across the three songs, being both analytical yet involving, having power yet having subtlety. Brought out some hand claps during Bargain which ive never noticed before, whilst making Townshends guitar sound like a buzzsaw attack.

2.Ran out of steam on accasion - seeming to lack the brute force needed to make Bargain sound like the song it should. Very clean sounding, yet a slight tendency imo, to get a little too pushed when too many things were going on. Combo 1 had the ability to be able to make a band sound like a team, a unit, as one, whilst sill being able to pinpoint what each band member is doing - Combo 2, didnt. Not a night and day contrast but a contrast nonetheless.

3.Another forum suggest i use the Duet as source, i suggest they go for their ears checking. Detail, lack of musical drive etc etc. This was the black sheep of the 3 - by some way.

My new set up will be Flac>Duet>Caiman>G.Slee Solo>Hd650's with Russ Andrews Cable

Im hoping to give a far more in depth opinion on the options within that set up.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Good stuff!