The TC-7535 Caiman SEG at a glance.

[StanleyB]

The latest version of the Caiman SEG has just been released, following up on original TC-7520 based Caiman SEG. Like the previous version, the new SEG is a completely new design of the PCB with previous modifications to the Caiman now part of the factory built DAC, plus additional bits that can't be added or won't fit in the standard unit. For those of you not familiar with the original Caiman SEG: it was and still is a rare unit. They hardly ever show up for sale on forums or eBay. Most owners seem to have hung on to their SEG over the years.
The new SEG is following the same principle, which is to take the initial Caiman design plus most or all of the mods, and add several improvements that can't be fitted to the standard Caiman for practical or technical reasons.
The Caiman GFU and SEG are to all intense and purposes nearly the same sound wise when using the fixed output. So if it is mainly the sound from the DAC section that is of importance to potential SEG buyers, then the GFU would be the more economically viable option.
The SEG was designed in order to solve some issues that some customers were having with the Caiman MKII that could not be solved with DIY modifications. Some of them were very minor things, but important enough in the mind of customers for them to hold out against getting a MKII. A quick breakdown of some of them are:
The gold plated buttons are chrome on the SEG.
The filtering of any noise from the external power supply has been improved from 20mV to just 1mV before the regulators.
The SEG will work with any externally regulated DC voltage between 12V to 15V, and provide extra signal headroom on the variable outputs ( = headphone and pre-amp output) with the higher voltage. That's because the brickwall clamping of the 12V regulator of the Caiman MKII has been removed.
The headphone amp section now has an adjustable preset so that the gain can be adjusted to taste for the sensitive ears. The standard output on the Caiman MKII was in many cases a bit to loud for some headphone users. I developed a fixed mod for that for the MKII, but the SEG has an adjustable gain instead.
A lot of people are now using the MKII as a pre-amp. But the MKII variable output section is a simple design that can't really compete sonically with a well designed pre-amp. The SEG pre-amp section was the main reason for designing a new PCB. In order for a pre-amp to stand a chance of sounding good to excellent, it has to be thought out properly. The pre-amp in the SEG has separate left and right signal, ground, and power lines, which is what you are likely to find in the better designed pre-amps. The advantages of splitting the left and right signal paths are numerous. Do search with Google for more info on that subject. The active part of the pre-amp section is also fully made up of discrete transistors, instead of using an opamp.
Other minor improvements are in the firmware. You can now store individual sound processing options for each signal input. On the MKII you only have the choice of one selection across all inputs.
The LED dimming function is now exactly as described: it dims. On the MKII it is either ON or OFF. Customers asked for the LED to be dimmed so that they could still see which input was operating.
Another thing that people wanted was the ability to use the DAC with perhaps a vintage amp that does not have the 2Vrms CD input that can be found on later amp designs ( i.e. after 1983). So the pre-amp output on the SEG can be set to about 10AM to 12PM on the volume dial, and the output connected to the LINE of AUX input on an amp that does not have a CD input. You can however use the pre-amp audio buffer into a CD input as well. In that case set the volume control to MAX. The sound will be 3dB down though. So you'll need to turn the volume up a bit on your amp.
The audio output on the SEG now has a discrete buffer stage that is connected to both the headphone amp and pre-amp. It offers better loading of the audio signal before driving the headphone and pre-amp section. Many high-end headphone users asked for an improvement to the headphone output that could come close to the Capella. The audio buffer also gives a better performance with high-end interconnects, compared to the MKII.

[Covenant]

Sorry to get the threads mixed up Stan. Here is a photo to show off its new appearance.
17566

[StanleyB]

I have one on active duty for listening to my HD800 when I am in the office doing paperwork. The higher 15V setting on the eBay sourced linear power supply helps the HD800 produce some amazing sound.

http://www.homehifi.co.uk/aos/aos_7535.jpg

[Covenant]

Can you give the details of the battery you use Stan? The Anker is a pain, I have to unplug it then plug it in again every time I listen to music. Also its 12/16v so I dont think I would chance the higher voltage.

[StanleyB]

I use an Ankaka battery when I am on battery power. The power supply you see in the picture is actually a linear power supply that was discussed in http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?43846-Linear-PSU-roundup
The more effective RF filter in the SEG helps to improve the performance of this PSU, compared to when it is used on the Caiman MKII or the Bushmaster.

There is however a concern that it has no earth connection. The more up to date version of that power supply appears to have had that issue corrected. I found the best price for the updated one at http://www.ebay.com/itm/131034415051?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
From the pictures it is possible to see the addition of the earth wire from the mains AC socket on the back of the unit.

That power supply is also of the same height as the Caiman SEG after you have removed the massive rubber legs on the bottom of the case. Sound wise I get a bit more oomph on 15V from that linear PSU than from the 12V battery. The Mark Grant 15V and the Lurcher/MCRU 15V linear power supplies that I got have also been given a try. They sound fantastic, and are perhaps the ultimate match. But this el cheapo linear psu is a good entry level item that I prefer over the battery when listening to headphones especially. The extra headroom from the 15V also suits my NS1000M, with loads of bass depth and definition. The soundstage also appears to be a bit wider when used in this configuration.

[Wakefield Turntables]

My SEG arrived today. Will plug in an listen this afternoon.

[jon1]

Got mine today as well just running in:eyebrows:




jon

[Covenant]

I use an Ankaka battery when I am on battery power. The power supply you see in the picture is actually a linear power supply that was discussed in http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?43846-Linear-PSU-roundup
The more effective RF filter in the SEG helps to improve the performance of this PSU, compared to when it is used on the Caiman MKII or the Bushmaster.

There is however a concern that it has no earth connection. The more up to date version of that power supply appears to have had that issue corrected. I found the best price for the updated one at http://www.ebay.com/itm/131034415051?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
From the pictures it is possible to see the addition of the earth wire from the mains AC socket on the back of the unit.

That power supply is also of the same height as the Caiman SEG after you have removed the massive rubber legs on the bottom of the case. Sound wise I get a bit more oomph on 15V from that linear PSU than from the 12V battery. The Mark Grant 15V and the Lurcher/MCRU 15V linear power supplies that I got have also been given a try. They sound fantastic, and are perhaps the ultimate match. But this el cheapo linear psu is a good entry level item that I prefer over the battery when listening to headphones especially. The extra headroom from the 15V also suits my NS1000M, with loads of bass depth and definition. The soundstage also appears to be a bit wider when used in this configuration.

I need the dual output that the Anker and Ankaka provide as the SB Touch benefits from battery supply (IMHO) so I dont think I will be going down the linear supply route.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Stan,

The SEG sounds stunning, instant improvement over the Caiman II, but, you mention in the manual that the SEG will work with PSU's upto 13V but you mention using a 15B external PSU. I'm running a Anker battery and it's producing great results. Are you now saying 15V is better due to the stonewalled 12V being removed from the SEG? I'd be running the new 15V PSU through a PS Audio P10 so the power supply should be very clean and well regulated. I'd be happy to upgrade upto the PSU over the Anker battery for the price of the recommended 15V you highlight if you think that would be a better solution.

Andy

[Getgaff]

How do I order one of these? I can't locate it on the website.

[struth]

He may be out of stock. He often takes stuff down if he doesnt have them in stock. PM Stan and he will tell you

[StanleyB]

Are you now saying 15V is better due to the stonewalled 12V being removed from the SEG?
It's purely based on some of the music I listen to through my HD800. Those cans have the best dynamic range any other headphones that I have ever tried or owned. When used with any of my 15V supplies the ear pressure from the headphones increases enough for me to notice it at high volume levels. The same goes for when listening to stuff with loads and/or deep bass. Did I mention that I gave away my twin 12" subwoofer?

[StanleyB]

How do I order one of these? I can't locate it on the website.
A few people have emailed me with a similar question. I am scratching my head a bit and wondering what it could be.
The direct link to the shop is at http://www.homehifi.co.uk/PP/cartlist.html
But keep in mind that is just the standard price. AoS members benefit from an AoS discount on any new product of mine. PM me if you are in the middle of evaluating the purchase of the SEG.

[struth]

Just looked for it on Stans website and its there.. First dac

[jon1]

Stan,

The SEG sounds stunning, instant improvement over the Caiman II, but, you mention in the manual that the SEG will work with PSU's upto 13V but you mention using a 15B external PSU. I'm running a Anker battery and it's producing great results. Are you now saying 15V is better due to the stonewalled 12V being removed from the SEG? I'd be running the new 15V PSU through a PS Audio P10 so the power supply should be very clean and well regulated. I'd be happy to upgrade upto the PSU over the Anker battery for the price of the recommended 15V you highlight if you think that would be a better solution.

Andy


Hi andrew...I running a 15v psu it sounds excellent well worth a try;)



jon

[Bourneendboy]

Looking for a DAC to use with my Lehmann Linear H/P amp and Sennheiser HD600's. Could the SEG replace my Lehmann and kill two birds with one stone?

[Wakefield Turntables]

Looking for a DAC to use with my Lehmann Linear H/P amp and Sennheiser HD600's. Could the SEG replace my Lehmann and kill two birds with one stone?

YES in a single word. I tried out the Senheister 1000 with the Lehmann H/P amp and it sounded SHIT! I'm extremely sorry if I offended you with that statement but that's my viewpoint for what it's worth. You can try Stan's products on 30 day return if not happy basis (I THINK). So you have nothing to loose.

[Bourneendboy]

YES in a single word. I tried out the Senheister 1000 with the Lehmann H/P amp and it sounded SHIT! I'm extremely sorry if I offended you with that statement but that's my viewpoint for what it's worth. You can try Stan's products on 30 day return if not happy basis (I THINK). So you have nothing to loose.

Sounds like it's not for me then.

[StanleyB]

Looking for a DAC to use with my Lehmann Linear H/P amp and Sennheiser HD600's. Could the SEG replace my Lehmann and kill two birds with one stone?
I don't have the HD600, but I do have a pair of the HD650. I use it quite a lot when doing paperwork and listening to music at the same time. I don't get that fatiguing with the SEG/HD650 combination that I often get with the Denon D7000 or HD800 after an hour or so of constant listening.

http://www.homehifi.co.uk/aos/aos_seg1.jpg

[Wakefield Turntables]

Hi andrew...I running a 15v psu it sounds excellent well worth a try;)



jon

Thanks Jon, I suppose another box sitting on the hifi stack wouldn't go a miss!

[jon1]

Thanks Jon, I suppose another box sitting on the hifi stack wouldn't go a miss!



You can find a place for it somewhere on the rack:D



jon

[Theadmans]

Anyone compared the SEG headphone stage against a Capella?

Just wondering as I currently run the Caiman II and a Capella - maybe the SEG could replace them?

[StanleyB]

The Capella has a lot more setting up options to get the best out of most headphones. So you would be sacrificing that. But that's the only downside. Sound level and presentation wise you won't be subject to any compromise.

[Theadmans]

The Capella has a lot more setting up options to get the best out of most headphones. So you would be sacrificing that. But that's the only downside. Sound level and presentation wise you won't be subject to any compromise.

Thanks Stan

[worrasf]

My SEG arrived today and installed. Running it on the external battery while awaiting linear PSU to arrive. Only had a Jan Garbarek CD in so far but already I can detect more refinement, detail and clarity. I think dynamics and instrument separation are also better (?lower noise). It certainly sounds to my ears like yet another step change in SQ from Stan's stable.
More to follow after "burn in" period and extended listening with different genres/sources


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Wakefield Turntables]

My SEG arrived today and installed. Running it on the external battery while awaiting linear PSU to arrive. Only had a Jan Garbarek CD in so far but already I can detect more refinement, detail and clarity. I think dynamics and instrument separation are also better (?lower noise). It certainly sounds to my ears like yet another step change in SQ from Stan's stable.
More to follow after "burn in" period and extended listening with different genres/sources


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'd have to agree with all of that. This is better than the Caiman II

[mathewf]

Anyone thinking the SEG is a big step up, can I ask;

Are you using fixed output or as preamp / headphones?
Do you have the GFU upgrade on the Caiman II?

Cheers.

[worrasf]

Anyone thinking the SEG is a big step up, can I ask;

Are you using fixed output or as preamp / headphones?
Do you have the GFU upgrade on the Caiman II?

Cheers.

So far I've only used as fixed output into my Crofts and yes my Caiman II had the full GFU and venom upgrade and the SEG is way better already


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[StanleyB]

I think dynamics and instrument separation are also better (?lower noise).
These were actually part of the design objectives. I used a standard double layer PCB before on the Bushmaster and the Caiman MKII. But as I wanted to add a pre-amp section in the SEG, I would have to use a more expensive multi layer PCB to keep the signal, ground, and power supply lines separate. In the end I ended up using separate ground planes as well for the left and right channels. That kind of design layout is more often found in the high-end stuff because of the increase in complexity in the layout, which ends up as a bigger board in a bigger case. But that design method can produce a lower noise floor, better signal headroom, and better signal separation. I managed to cut a lot of the cost down by using a multi layer PCB design instead. But the end results were worth the relatively small cost increase. These kind of differences are often given a massive price hike by some companies. But I am merely charging the additional costs of the parts and manufacturing for what is quite a big step up in performance.

[Lee]

I received my Caiman SEG yesterday. I'm in the strange position now of having both the Caiman II with all the latest upgrades installed by Stan very recently and the now the new Caiman SEG. I was a bit hesitant to order the SEG, since I had just upgraded my two Caiman IIs. Well, I had no need to worry. The SEG is one magnificent piece of audio kit. The emotion it conveys through my system is something that has to be heard to believed.

When I last wrote my impressions of the Caiman II, I honestly didn't think there would be much if any room for improvement. I was wrong. Dead wrong. As great as the Caiman II with the upgrades installed is, the Caiman SEG is in a completely different league..... Revealing, smooth, dynamic, articulate .... top to bottom. Strings, horns, drums, both high and low; piano, percussive and reverberations, room ambiance, sound effects, both dramatic and subtle; and voices anchored in space, articulate, present in the room. All of these could be said of the Caiman II, but the SEG just does it so much more effortlessly, elegantly, emotionally.

Anyone, everyone who loves GREAT sound, both music and soundtracks, should do themselves a favor and order one now. If there is any justice in the audio world, Stan should be selling these by the truck load!


Also, I'm using the preamp function directly to my power amps (Four Pass Amp Camps, bi-amped to my Hornshoppe / Heil AMT speakers. I have a very good separate preamp (Hornshoppe Truth), but now there is no need for it. The sound directly from Stan's DAC using the preamp function is absolutely top notch. And the sound into my Grado GS1000's is as well. I'm a very happy man!

[OD1]

Can you give the details of the battery you use Stan? The Anker is a pain, I have to unplug it then plug it in again every time I listen to music. Also its 12/16v so I dont think I would chance the higher voltage.

Jerry,
With my Anker if I press the charge level button the Caiman powers up, but only works when the battery is >60% charged.
Hope this helps ?

[Covenant]

Jerry,
With my Anker if I press the charge level button the Caiman powers up, but only works when the battery is >60% charged.
Hope this helps ?

Oooh, I will have to try that-thanks Oliver

[Covenant]

It's a bit tricky for me to do comparisons as I never owned the standard Caiman. I had the Bushmaster Mk11 for a couple of years with a decent passive pre-amp and, from various comments, thought that the Caiman wouldn't be much better.
Stan let me try the prototype of the new Caiman SEG and I knew that the passive pre was going to be made redundant when the SEG arrived.
It has been in my system a week now and probably needs a bit more time to reach peak performance but I can say this-it is the best upgrade I have made regardless of cost.
Others have mentioned aspects of the SEG's performance-I just sit there with my mouth open, the difference in quality is that great.
I wonder how much you would have to spend to get a better dac than this. I suspect it would be four figures.
This is a stunning piece of equipment that is a tribute to it's designer. Whatever next?....
I have no connection with Beresford except to have owned 4 of them and done lots of mods over the years.

[jon1]

Anyone thinking the SEG is a big step up, can I ask;

Are you using fixed output or as preamp / headphones?
Do you have the GFU upgrade on the Caiman II?

Cheers.



Yes it is a big step up....I am using the preamp and it is quieter than a church mouse;)

No i do not have a GUF upgrade on my caiman II

This a different dac all new:)It is not a caiman II



jon

[DSJR]

The original Caiman was comprehensively trounced by the Rega DAC, not that it may mean anything to you. The original Caiman sounded spatially flat, although the bass was fleshed out over the unmodified base unit. Several years on, I suspect this new one is on a different plane, as the Bushmaster was supposed to have more depth and 'air.'

Keep 'em coming Stan. Sorry I can't try one at present. The added Caiman supply is still in all-day use (with added MG SBooster) and I'm stunned on a daily basis how good my tweaked but agricultural, workroom digital sources now sound...

[jon1]

It's a bit tricky for me to do comparisons as I never owned the standard Caiman. I had the Bushmaster Mk11 for a couple of years with a decent passive pre-amp and, from various comments, thought that the Caiman wouldn't be much better.
Stan let me try the prototype of the new Caiman SEG and I knew that the passive pre was going to be made redundant when the SEG arrived.
It has been in my system a week now and probably needs a bit more time to reach peak performance but I can say this-it is the best upgrade I have made regardless of cost.
Others have mentioned aspects of the SEG's performance-I just sit there with my mouth open, the difference in quality is that great.
I wonder how much you would have to spend to get a better dac than this. I suspect it would be four figures.
This is a stunning piece of equipment that is a tribute to it's designer. Whatever next?....
I have no connection with Beresford except to have owned 4 of them and done lots of mods over the years.



Is there anything left in stans locker? I wounder... another great bit of kit at this price;)




jon

[worrasf]

The original Caiman was comprehensively trounced by the Rega DAC, .
Not to my ears and in my systems it wasn't Dave :ner:
I owned the first incarnation of the REGA DAC very soon after release and around the same time had an M2TECH Young DAC (grossly overpriced IMO) on sale or return trial as well as an original Caiman. The Young DAC got returned and the REGA (which I did like) sold on. I eventually moved on the Caiman to get a Caiman II I now own a Bushmaster II, Caiman II and Caiman SEG all in different home systems.

Stan is the Phaedrus of DAC's :peace:

Steve

[StanleyB]

The original Caiman was comprehensively trounced by the Rega DAC, not that it may mean anything to you.
In those days the £150 Caiman MKI was a bargain compared to the £499.99 Rega. I wouldn't say however that it was trounced. many people tried both and many preferred the Caiman with its far more detailed presentation, compared to the more muddled sounding but warmer Rega. Most of the folks who had sang the praises of their Rega had got rid of it within less than 18 months. Even after 8 years you'll still have to pay £80 or more for a 2nd hand Caiman MKI. So they hold their price well.

[worrasf]

many people tried both and many preferred the Caiman with its far more detailed presentation, compared to the more muddled sounding but warmer Rega. Most of the folks who had sang the praises of their Rega had got rid of it within less than 18 months.

:exactly:

I sold my REGA after about 6 months

[Clive]

The Rega was boring and especially poor if used with USB.

[Mark Grant]

I have one on active duty for listening to my HD800 when I am in the office doing paperwork. The higher 15V setting on the eBay sourced linear power supply helps the HD800 produce some amazing sound.

http://www.homehifi.co.uk/aos/aos_7535.jpg

The new DAC looks great Stanley :)

How many milliamps does it draw at 15 volts ? ( just so that I can check it is OK to use with an Sbooster Ultra as I have an enquiry from a customer)

[mike1210]

Got me SEG yesterday, excellent service from Stan as always.

Sounding great fair play. Excellent clarity in the sound, music sounds really well separated. Vocals and high frequencies really clear.

Bass really tight, punchy and transparent while going really deep at the same time.

Mike :-)

[StanleyB]

The new DAC looks great Stanley :)

How many milliamps does it draw at 15 volts ? ( just so that I can check it is OK to use with an Sbooster Ultra as I have an enquiry from a customer)
Hi Mark, it is between 50 to 100mA.

[Getgaff]

In agreement with all before me, the SEG is a worthwhile upgrade. Currently streaming Spotify via a Chromecast Audio: Simply sublime even from a 320kbps source and no hint of any digital harshness.

[DSJR]

Not to my ears and in my systems it wasn't Dave :ner:

Steve

I think it depends on where one comes from here. An old pal of mine insists on precise rhythm, clarity and detail, where I like the atmospheric, melodic and harmonic nature in a recording first. The earlier Rega DAC (this was several years ago) was more 'musical' and 'atmospheric' to me, even if the very slight added warmth (they're vinyl people remember) may have been called a slight colouration. The original Caiman just sounded a bit 'Hifi,' two dimensional and more restrictive to the 'flow' to me, that's all, but maybe you had larger more capable power supplies for it and it's been brought home to me how important these things are.

Maybe not something you'd ever try Steve, but one very positive aspect of the little amps I make up is that it just seems easier to hear 'through' them to the music in the source. The digital systems I use are way behind today's efforts possibly, but the ton-up twin-supply DAC I use in the workroom never fails to surprise me and I'm convinced I'm hearing more in the playing and 'what' they're playing than I ever noticed before - maybe a maturity/old age 'appreciation' thing, but you'd know far more about this than I, the nature of the work you do. The thirty year old CD player I still use was the first I ever heard that could generate a proper walk-in soundstage and this is something that cheaper digital systems had great difficulty with. Once heard, never forgotten and I used to be very frustrated with people slagging 'digital' off, when it could sound so good, albeit once at a high price.

Stan hit the nail on the head - the caiman was pronounced 'more detailed' where to me, the Rega was 'more musical' and I certainly never found it muddled, but that could be down to system and taste. *

The point I was trying to make was that Stan has progressively moved his designs on incrementally and judging by comments over the years about all the replacement models and my knowledge of his old ones, the new ones would float my boat a heck of a lot more, as bass and 3-D aspects have reportedly been much improved with each new generation and that side is important to me.



* A new train of off-topic thought, so possibly a topic for a new thread.. One of us tries a different item in our system and finds it wanting in some way. A third party comes along with a 'goodie bag' and 'tweaks' it to sound much better.. I'm minded of positive claims for a power socket costing shedloads of dosh, after the supplying dealer had made some 'adjustments' to the recipient's system. Maybe we all do this with our own gear, fine tuning it to work for us and the specific situation its used in. I mean, I spent ages trying to remove a motor drone in one of my turntables, where someone else would have just rejected the turntable and moved on. Maybe the Caiman I heard wasn't properly supplied? A system balanced around sources like the Caiman possibly would make the Rega DAC sound over full of itself and listening to Rega's bigger digital players does show where improvements could be made. Hmm... Apologies for the thinking out loud here. At least Stan LISTENS and for just over two hundred quid, it's never bank-breaking is it (and bank breaking is another sore point, where Lloyds fat-cats are creaming shedloads off the likes of us/me, yet closing branches and making 3000 people redundant)...

Sorry for the rambles.

[worrasf]

Maybe we all do this with our own gear, fine tuning it to work for us and the specific situation its used in.
Now that is something we can agree on Dave - one only has to hear the difference swapping valves makes to support this.
Stan has actually told me that from detailed feedback I've made in the past he reckons his DAC's behave "differently" in my system than some others. I certainly have spent years fine-tuning the sound/tone to my liking.

[maxrob200]

My Caiman GFU is only used as a DAC, so I am curious as to whether the SEG's performance as a DAC only device is noticeably better than the GFU.
From the design improvements that Stan has made to the SEG, I can only surmise that there would be sonic gains.

[StanleyB]

My Caiman GFU is only used as a DAC, so I am curious as to whether the SEG's performance as a DAC only device is noticeably better than the GFU.
From the design improvements that Stan has made to the SEG, I can only surmise that there would be sonic gains.
The production version of the SEG is clearly superior to the prototype PCB that I designed for testing purposes. I based my initial comments that the GFU and SEG were sound wise basically the same purely on the prototype. But the finished article has turned out to be even better sounding than the prototype. I have had that double checked by someone else who had prototype for a while to compare against his GFU. But he too agrees that the SEG is clearly superior in several, for him critical, areas.

[DSJR]

Now that is something we can agree on Dave - one only has to hear the difference swapping valves makes to support this.
Stan has actually told me that from detailed feedback I've made in the past he reckons his DAC's behave "differently" in my system than some others. I certainly have spent years fine-tuning the sound/tone to my liking.

One thing I genuinely regret is not being able to demonstrate the things I hear to you and all, and vice versa. Family and vast distance prevents me from travelling all over to bake-offs and so on (my bad, my issue, although I am eternally grateful for the invites I've had). The way I am, is that if I can demonstrate things, I learn as much as the listener and if I'm wrong, I'll sincerely apologise and forever relate the story of setting out to show one thing - and getting the opposite effect.

I dare not speak much on valve swapping, as the preamp I have for sale was tuned as reasonably possible for it to NOT have a sound, rather than fill it full of vintage valves with a vintage 'sonic glow' to them. It's still very slightly sweet, but in a lovely way, but at least I have the input dynamics amplified correctly with it, in a similar way to the current 25R, which is rather more subtle musically speaking than the stock 25 and especially the much more raw Micro basic.

What I do have an aversion to, and I suspect it's something Stan has sorted on his more recent designs, is what I call the 'solid state whiter than white' portrayal of timbres that many cheaper solid state components seemed to be afflicted with to my ears. For example, I seem to remember mid 80's Sony CD players doing this - and how it became less and less as the generations went on and without losing the basic clarity they offered into the music mix - 502es to 505es, to 555es and then the rather glorious 700 series and the rather splendid and musically captivating separate DAC Sony made that Marco and RD use. If anyone else has tried this, they'd hopefully get what I mean.

Stan, I do apologise for drifting off. Maybe I could try a DAC one day, although at the moment I'm in kind-of selling mode rather than adding to what I have - and I'm the polar opposite of Jerry, who 'seems to' find it so easy not to get too attached to most audio gear ;)

[worrasf]

I dare not speak much on valve swapping, as the preamp I have for sale was tuned as reasonably possible for it to NOT have a sound, rather than fill it full of vintage valves with a vintage 'sonic glow' to them. It's still very slightly sweet, but in a lovely way, but at least I have the input dynamics amplified correctly with it, in a similar way to the current 25R, which is rather more subtle musically speaking than the stock 25 and especially the much more raw Micro basic.

I guess this is an area where it really is "meat and poison" - I know some folk say they can't hear any (or negligible) difference between valves various but I most certainly can - both in my Croft headamp (settled on NOS Siemens CCA's) and the 25R (NOS Tungsram BH7a in line stage and [depending on the cartridge I'm using {Goldbug Briar or DH103R} NOS RCA 5751 command series, or NOS Siemens & Halske ECC83's or S&H ECC801s's)

Now we are thread drifting :offtopic:

[Mark Grant]

Hi Mark, it is between 50 to 100mA.

Thanks, that is really low power consumption :)

[worrasf]

Well after several hours of "burn in" all the previously noted superlatives have gotten better and at the risk of questionable vocabulary it has kick ass bass!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Wakefield Turntables]

Here's a peculiar things. I have Mark Grant Oyaide FTVS-510 pure silver stereo cable fitted with WBT 0110 Ag IC's and also the Co-Ax version. Great I thought I'll plonk both of these in the back of the SEG and get ultimate bliss. NO-NO. I seen to be getting better results with my Nordost Valhalla IC's and the top Mark Grant Co-Ax cable. :scratch:

[mikeyb]

Thinking about one of these to use with my Pi instead of the IQAudio DAC, what you think?

[Wakefield Turntables]

Thinking about one of these to use with my Pi instead of the IQAudio DAC, what you think?

You get a 30 day return if your not happy. So you have nothing to loose, check with Stan though.

[StanleyB]

Thinking about one of these to use with my Pi instead of the IQAudio DAC, what you think?
It depends what you intend to use a DAC for. If it is just general music listening then the IQ Audio DAC would be just fine I reckon. But if you are looking at more refined listening with the aim of getting as much as possible out of not just your music, but also your amp and speakers, then the SEG would be a major step upwards. The good thing about a musical DAC like like the Caiman SEG is that it is not so much system dependent, unlike many other DACs.

[marflao]

Hi Stan,

Couldn't find further specs on your webpage maybe you let me/us know a bit more about the inputs/outputs.

From the pic in this thread and your page I assume the SEG has 1x Spdif, 2x Toslink and 1x USB.
In addition I assume the SEG is single ended out (no balanced), or?
And which DAC IC have you used and what are the bit-/sample rates for each of the inputs?

Thanks in advance.

[StanleyB]

Hi Stan,

Couldn't find further specs on your webpage maybe you let me/us know a bit more about the inputs/outputs.
They are on my site. The inputs are: 2 x TOSLINK, 1 x coax, 1 x USB. You can play music with a bitrate of up to 32 bits, and a sample rate of up to 192kHz. Only PCM. No DSD.

[marflao]

They are on my site. The inputs are: 2 x TOSLINK, 1 x coax, 1 x USB. You can play music with a bitrate of up to 32 bits, and a sample rate of up to 192kHz. Only PCM. No DSD.

Thanks Stan.
My bad..found the specs on the site.

[mikeyb]

Will my HD-Plex Linear PSU run the SEG ok, it outputs 12v on one of the connections?

I'm hoping this would be fine and that it would be an improvement on a basic wallwart.

[StanleyB]

Will my HD-Plex Linear PSU run the SEG ok, it outputs 12v on one of the connections?

I'm hoping this would be fine and that it would be an improvement on a basic wallwart.
It will work with the SEG, but I can't find any noise figures of it at 12V. But there is no need to buy a basic wallwart. The SEG is shipped with a very good power supply as well.

[coolblue]

Is caiman and seg same size ? Both shows the same specifications on the web site.

[StanleyB]

Is caiman and seg same size ? Both shows the same specifications on the web site.
Yes they are the same size and have the same number of inputs and bitrate/sampling frequency support. So the SEG is a straight swap over for the Caiman in your hifi rack without any additional wiring or location requirements.

[coolblue]

Yes they are the same size and have the same number of inputs and bitrate/sampling frequency support. So the SEG is a straight swap over for the Caiman in your hifi rack without any additional wiring or location requirements.

Thank you Stan.

[mrboonmee]

Is the headphone section of SEG more powerful than the Caiman MKII? I have HD800s and the Camain II works, really needs an amp tho.

USB DDC is different now? Still need ASync-1 for higher bit-rate files?

[StanleyB]

Is the headphone section of SEG more powerful than the Caiman MKII? I have HD800s and the Camain II works, really needs an amp tho.

USB DDC is different now? Still need ASync-1 for higher bit-rate files?
The headphone gain on the SEG is adjustable. So you can increase it to taste. Scan from the beginning of this thread to see a picture of my SEG and my HD800 in use together. But neither the MKII or the SEG were designed to be headphone amplifiers. The headphone section is for low to medium levels of volume output. High volume output duty is reserved for my Capella headphone amp.
You don't need async-1 for higher bitrate files. It is quite possible to play those files with
the MKII and the SEG if you follow the info in the manual. The Caiman Firmware has its own USB handling software so that you don't to install any special drivers in Windows, MAC OS, or linux.

[robtweed]

This is an initial assessment of the SEG that I received last Friday (thanks, Stan, for the prompt service!). By the way, what does SEG stand for?

After running it in over the weekend, I got a chance to power it up using my Anker power bank. Just a word on my set-up:

- streaming from my iTunes library is via a Raspberry Pi 2 + HiFiBerry Digi+ (the model with galvanic isolation), running Moode 2.6 (battery powered by the Anker)
- this feeds the SEG via co-ax connection and TosLink - I tend to use the co-ax though difficult to say that there's any audible difference
- the SEG feeds into a Naim NAP 100 power amp which, in turn, powers PMC TB2i speakers

Suffice to say the sound is amazing. Crystal clear, all manner of nuances within the music are clearly audible. Cymbals have a feathery delicacy and realism I've not heard through the system before. Bass - well, it has to be heard. Deep, powerful but controlled. Try out Hans Zimmer's soundtrack to Interstallar, or Bela Fleck's "Flight of the Cosmic Hippo" - I didn't think the PMCs could go that low :-)

I'm awaiting linear power supplies for the SEG and Pi, but in the meantime, this is definitely the best my set-up has sounded. If you want to hear what Pi + Moode can do, feed it into the SEG!

Now, what to do with my redundant Caiman II? :-)

Anyway, I thoroughly recommend the SEG. Congratulations, Stan, on another piece of magic at a very reasonable price. Hard to imagine this can be bettered, but knowing Stan, he's already working on it!

Rob

[coolblue]

I am planning to add Capella to my system as preamp to my roksan m1 power amp. I also have a radio, cassette and vinyl player too. So I'll use TC-7240 in between. I have the regular caiman mk2. My question is, should I switch to caiman seg or should I upgrade my caiman to GFU as I will just use their dac output only?

[StanleyB]

I am planning to add Capella to my system as preamp to my roksan m1 power amp. I also have a radio, cassette and vinyl player too. So I'll use TC-7240 in between. I have the regular caiman mk2. My question is, should I switch to caiman seg or should I upgrade my caiman to GFU as I will just use their dac output only? I would just fit the GFU mod and use the Capella if you are more into headphone listening. The SEG has a headphone socket just like the MKII, but the output level is not the same as what the Capella is capable of.

[coolblue]

I would just fit the GFU mod and use the Capella if you are more into headphone listening. The SEG has a headphone socket just like the MKII, but the output level is not the same as what the Capella is capable of.

How is the pre section of SEG different from the Capella. If they are the same then I'll definitely do the GFU mod first.

[robtweed]

OK a follow-up on my experience of the SEG so far.

I purchased and just received one of the cheap Chinese linear power supplies (as per the link provided by Stan in an earlier posting in this thread) - 15V as per Stan's recommendation. Sound quality from the SEG is quite extraordinary. It's so damned detailed and yet relaxed sounding with even the most complex music thrown at it.

My advice - don't hesitate, just get an SEG!

I think I'll now get a 5V version of the PSU for the Raspberry Pi - it's a pain having it powered by the Anker power bank.

One question for Stan (or others who may wish to chip in): do you think an SBooster would add further benefit?
https://markgrant.co.uk/sboosters/22-sbooster-with-21mm-connectors-8718309151034.html?search_query=sbooster&results=128

Also, does anyone know if the SBooster supports 15V? Is it a "one size fits all" device or do you have to specify a voltage when ordering?

[Mark Grant]

Hello Rob,

I have added more details to my website.

The Sbooster filters can be used at any voltage up to the maximum current rating, Stanleys new DAC uses hardly any power so you will be OK for sure.

[StanleyB]

How are you getting on with your Caiman SEG Mark? I'll be interested in your findings with your various leads and the recent 15V power supply for the Caiman on your website. I am having extremely good results with the older 15V power supply in my main living room setup.

[sondale]

My Caiman SEG arrived yesterday and today I got round to plugging it in. It has replaced my fully modded Caiman MkII which I thought was very good, plays tunes wonderfully, makes your foot tap etc, etc.

So in went the SEG on a linear 12 volt power-supply - no running in before a listen - plays tunes wonderfully, makes your foot tap (a lot - in fear of it dropping off!), vista opens up, complex tunes handled easily, the clarity just opens another window on all parts of the music.

I have turned the volume down and gone into the next room to type in my impressions - even at this level my head is rocking from side to side listening to a Rachmaninov Piano Sonata.

The SEG is running as a DAC at the moment but at some point over the weekend I will run it as a preamp directly into some power amps and post my impressions. I will do the same when I get a 15 volt power supply up and running.

Stan - a Masterpiece!

[Getgaff]

Ordered one of these and it arrived yesterday:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112043512540?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Although the pictures indicated the chassis is earthed my one isn't :steam: , so pls beware, all is not as it seems. The output voltage also needed adjusting to bring it closer to the 15V I requested.

Overall I'm satisfied but irritated by the inconsistency of service.

EDIT: Was thinking of purchasing a second one to power a RPI3 but after this experience I'm not so sure.

[Covenant]

Are these cheap linear supplies any better than a battery? A decent UK spec one would be in the £200 + region.

[StanleyB]

The cheap one is good enough for me for headphone duties. However, for the main hifi I am using the latest 15V one from Mark Grant.

[StanleyB]

Ordered one of these and it arrived yesterday:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112043512540?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Although the pictures indicated the chassis is earthed my one isn't :steam: , so pls beware, all is not as it seems. The output voltage also needed adjusting to bring it closer to the 15V I requested.
You could send them a message via eBay to let them know that you received the wrong item. Send them some pictures of the unearthed one versus what is shown on ebay. Many of these Chinese sellers do not want any bad feedback.

[robtweed]

I must confess I didn't check mine for earthing - must do that. If it isn't earthed, presumably it's something that I can do? Any details welcome.

I added an SBooster between the PSU and SEG - not sure if it's helped, but I reckoned a "belt and braces" approach wouldn't do any harm.

My PSU tends to read out 15.1V on its display. Is it possible to trim that back?

Waiting now for my 5V supply for the RPi.

[robtweed]

Ordered one of these and it arrived yesterday:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112043512540?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT



That's a different link to the one Stan provided - his was on ebay.com: I ordered mine via that link without any problem.

I'll take a look inside soon to verify if it's earthed as per the picture on eBay

[worrasf]

I also ordered one of these.

Mine arrived with a stated 15.3 V output and no earth.

Easy enough to trim back to the correct output and add an earth tag to the case via the existing bolt.

Can't fault the sound though. Much deeper and wider soundstage with improved dynamics compared to the Anker battery I was using before - and that's no slouch.

Edit: This unit has an annoying tendency to output voltage drift by between 0.1 & 0.3V. I have had to trim it 3 times over the last few days!
I'm leaving it switches don 24/7 to see if it will stabilise.

[TAD12]

Hello, I received my SEG about a week ago and plugged it in immediately. All previous observations are confirmed. Deeper but more controlled bass output. Soundstage is expanded and the sound is smoother. I have played one of my favourite Blurays, Return to Forever at Montreaux festival from 2008. The Lenny White drum solo is now sounding the best i've ever heard. Cymbals, side drums and bass drum is a great test of a system when played together.
I use a custom made power supply made by Custom HIFI cables of Leeds, the DC3 with all the bells and whistles. Expensive you may say BUT a great piece of kit IMHO.
The output is 15v and also supplies the mono blocks with 18v
Tony, aka wee tee cee, the Temple mono blocks are just the business, I hope yours are performing as well as mine.
Stan, the SEG is way above the C2 with all the mods.
Stunning.
Many thanks for making an old f*rt very happy.
Tad.

[robtweed]

So I think I now have my set-up working to its ultimate. The SEG is powered by one of the Chinese Linear PSUs (see Stan's eBay.com link early on in this thread), with an SBooster added for good measure. I've earthed the PSU and trimmed it down to 15.0V. The latest addition is to have the Raspberry Pi powered by another of the Chinese PSUs, earthed and trimmed to 5V and also with an SBooster inline for good measure. The sound is now fabulously and delicately detailed, massive sound-stage, everything pin-pointed within it, and deep, powerful but controlled bass.

I'm certainly now a believer in the difference made by having clean power supplies! The SEG just sings now and makes me want to just keep listening to hear those details I never heard before in recordings. Chapeau, Stan (as they say in cycling circles)!

[Jankoff]

Learned yesterday about the new product. Congratulations, Stan!

:mex:

I already PMed him with a request for a picture of the back panel. I have the Capella and two Asynch-1s - totally satisfied. Looking forward to more comments by owners of the new Caiman, especially with regard to its performance as a preamp.

[sondale]

After my initial listening with the SEG in DAC mode I changed to using it in PreAmp mode.

At first all I got was silence - I had to reboot the computer to get it to re-recognise the DAC - after that back came the music.

Sonically I cannot say that I could detect any difference in the sound quality, the SEG still performed as beautifully as it did in DAC mode. The output stage does appear to be very quiet, the volume control allows for fine adjustments at low-levels and it drove a variety of my power amps with no problems whatsoever.

So if all you are running is the one source then I can heartily recommend the SEG in preamp mode.

[Jankoff]

In my experience pre-amps are strange and capricious beasts. At one point in time I bought the much acclaimed Sony TA-E80ES - "neutral, transparent, dynamic, dead silent and built like a tank" http://www.thevintageknob.org/sony-TA-E80ES.html. It cost bags of money. I bought it new, demo, twice below the regular price! Neutral and dead silent tank indeed, and a total disappointment musically. A year later a Chinese-made valve amp costing 4 times less blew it out of the water in a minute, although it hissed. And still hisses - but stays in my setup because it also sings. Sold the Sony happily at half the price bought at. The person I sold it to sold it for less money. Sorry, Sony, to have to say this, but it is a fact. I believe in small enterprises such as Stan's and not in monster enterprises such as Sony's - though, of course, I respect Sony's history and achievements, Akio Morita, etc. Will Sony ever ask you (or care) what you think about their amp or TV or camera?
:lol: :mental:
Thank you, Alan! The good thing about the SEG is that you can use it in several other ways, apart from its DAC duty: as a headphone amp, hook it up directly to a PC and then immediately to a power amp or active speakers, etc.

[Sherwood]

Hi, Just added Digi+ to Raspberry Pi v2 and trying to decide on which software to go with. I will be using this to feed a new Caiman SEG.

Can Moode be run as a headless system from an Android phone or tablet? How is the SQ into the SEG?

Geoff

[Sherwood]

Hi, Just added Digi+ to Raspberry Pi v2 and trying to decide on which software to go with. I will be using this to feed a new Caiman SEG.

Can Moode be run as a headless system from an Android phone or tablet? How is the SQ into the SEG?

Geoff

[robtweed]

Yes it can. I have this same configuration. Sound quality is excellent, particularly if you provide a clean power supply to the RPi

Do you have the galvanically-isolated version of the Digi+? It's the one I got, for good measure.

[Sherwood]

Rob,

thanks for the info. No, I went for the basic Digi+ as I prefer to use optical rather than coax.

I have installed Moode on the Pi and got as far as entering id (pi) and password (raspberry).

How do I proceed from here and what app do I need to install to run the kit from my Android devices?

Geoff

[mikeyb]

Rob,

thanks for the info. No, I went for the basic Digi+ as I prefer to use optical rather than coax.

I have installed Moode on the Pi and got as far as entering id (pi) and password (raspberry).

How do I proceed from here and what app do I need to install to run the kit from my Android devices?

Geoff
Just use a web page with the Pi's IP address, this will show you the MoOde interface for setting everything up.

I'll try and find the info I posted before with screenshots hello you and I'll post the link here.

[robtweed]

Nothing to install - just open a web browser on your Android (or any other) device and point it at http://moode and away you go.

If your network router is doing its job, it should recognise moode rather than needing the IP address

[Bourneendboy]

Stan,

Do you have a 'loan' SEG? Would rather try at home before purchasing (and a Capella come to think of it).

Cheers,

Bill.

[robtweed]

Just switched my SEG to Mode 3 for playback from the RPi / Moode. All I can say is Wow! Jaw-dropping sound now! A while different league.

[Sherwood]

Mode 3?

[robtweed]

Sound Signature Mode 3: Data recovered clock processing mode

There's actually 4 different processing modes available on the SEG. Mode 3 seems to work particularly well on my set-up.

[Sherwood]

Rob,

Found reference to modes on Beresford web site. Will try to implement.

What do you find different about the SQ of this mode?

Geoff

[robtweed]

Worth trying them out, Geoff. I found I suddenly had a massive soundstage and loads more clear detail.

[isj1202]

The specifications say

"Line out minimum impedance - 1 K Ohms"

Does anyone know if this is the output impedance of the DAC or the minimum input impedance of the connected device,

I was thinking of using one as a preamp into a Linn LK100, which has a 4.7 K Ohm input impedance.

Iain

[StanleyB]

The DAC and the pre-amp are two different things, separated by a switch on the front panel. The DAC has a minimum impedance requirement of 1K. You can't use it in DAC mode as a pre-amp.
If you want to use the pre-amp section, then the minimum impedance of the DAC is irrelevant as far as the output on the back of the Caiman is concerned.

[isj1202]

Guess I didn't ask that properly,

As a preamp will the SEG drive a power amp with an input impedance of 4.7K ohm?

If I have read the websites properly that would need an output impedance of 470 ohms or less for the Caiman2 SEG.

Thanks
Iain

[StanleyB]

The preamp output is designed to drive low, medium, and high impedance inputs on a power amp. That's what the pre-amp section was designed for in the first place :).

[robtweed]

I don't know how the Linn power amp compares, but my SEG is driving a Naim NAP 100 perfectly

[isj1202]

I don't know how the Linn power amp compares, but my SEG is driving a Naim NAP 100 perfectly

Thanks the Naim has an input impedance of 18k Ohms, which is low but not ridiculous like Linn's 4.7K Ohm impedance, I'll maybe get one after payday and try it to see. Would allow use of Caiman2 in the living room and the SEG in the computer room.

Just need to figure out what to use the Bushmaster for.

[Theadmans]

On the subject of Naim amps - this caught my eye :-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Finished-Black-Box-Clone-Naim-NAP200-Amplifier-Audio-Power-amp-75W-75W-L165-72-/121994362456?hash=item1c676e3e58:g:qQYAAOSw1h5XQdY t

.....is supposedly a virtual clone of the the NAP 200 for less than £400 delivered - should I be wary ?

[walpurgis]

Says 230 volt. Might be chancy.

[struth]

ok if you use a regen like mine as it puts 230v out. Trouble with higher priced items like this is difficulty in resale at anywhere near what you pay

[Theadmans]

Good points about the voltage and resale.

I see mains voltage in the UK is specified as 230V -6% / +10%, so the voltage can be from 217 to 253 and still be within the required limits.

Probably too much to ask for the clone to operate within these limits.

The resale to me is not much of a concern as I tend to run most of my equipment into the ground. Still run a Creek 4330 Integrated at the moment which has been powered on for about the last 10 years! Starting to worry about bulging caps though blunting it's performance so I thought I might try something new.

[MrRadish]

I have the GFU at the moment which goes through a Tisbury passive pre when using a separate power amp. Has anyone compared the SEG to the GFU, either directly or with the GFU going via a passive pre? I've decided I'll probably stick to digital from now on, so I don't need the extra inputs on the pre and it would be nice to reduce boxes and cables.

I'll be running my HD800 off the h/phone socket too, which I believe is better on the SEG. Does the SEG come with a 15v PSU or the same 12v unit as the GFU?

Apologies if these have been answered before.

[StanleyB]

The SEG comes with a 12V power supply. But if you intend to use the original power supply instead of buying an upgrade such as a linear PSU at some stage, let me know with the order. I got a couple of 15V power supplies somewhere.
To use the SEG with a HD800, you'll need to turn the headphone gain up. See the on-line instructions on my website on how to do that. But again, I can do that for you before shipping.

[MrRadish]

Thanks Stan, I should be able to go ahead with this at the beginning of October. I'll let you know about the 15v and HD800 when I order it (if you still have the 15v available).

[MrRadish]

Actually, I've just had a thought given the gain setting. I listen to music really quietly at home through speakers and the GFU set to 8 oclock on the volume control is close to my peak level, which doesn't give me much room for manouevre. That's with a DIY amp that only has 14db gain I believe. How does the gain on the SEG compare? ie will I have more room at the bottom of the scale or is it the same as the GFU? Does changing the gain for headphones affect the line level output for the amp?

[Jonny-76]

Im looking at potential new dacs, mine is a dacmagic (pre plus and 100 models). Would i notice that much difference if I bought a seg or dacmagic plus? My amp is a Roksan Kandy K2 and my speakers are Q Accoustics Concept 20's

[PeteC]

You should certainly find that the Caiman sounds way better than the Dacmagic. The level of clarity, transient response, bass response is awesome, but at the same time so smooth and natural. Also Stan will give you a refund if you are in any way unhappy with your purchase. Go for it!

[Jonny-76]

Thanks for the recommendation! It all sounds great especially regarding clarity. The only thing that's nagging me is the smooth sound, only because both my amp and speakers are quite smooth sounding. Would a smouth dac be overkill or am I overthinking?

Anyone have any experience with a roksan amp and a seg?

[PeteC]

That's the amazing thing, although smooth sounding sounds that are meant to be hard are indeed so. It still surprises me how a device that can deliver rasping brass, hard cymbal crashes and deep, tight bass is still able make those things that are meant to be smooth sound as they should.

[StanleyB]

That's the amazing thing, although smooth sounding sounds that are meant to be hard are indeed so. It still surprises me how a device that can deliver rasping brass, hard cymbal crashes and deep, tight bass is still able make those things that are meant to be smooth sound as they should.
That's because I concentrated on getting an accurate decoding of the audio data. If the info was there in the digital audio signal in the first place, you are more than likely to hear it, and to experience it with the greatest amount of pleasure.

[Canetoad]

Looking forward to mine arriving. Can't wait to plug it in and have a listen. :)

[StanleyB]

Looking forward to mine arriving. Can't wait to plug it in and have a listen. :)
Haven't you received it yet Bernie? It takes normally only three to five working days to almost anywhere in Australia for a delivery from me to arrive. Hopefully it should be with you by tomorrow :)

[Canetoad]

No, not yet Stan. It's a long weekend here this weekend. That may be the reason.

[sugden]

hello everyone
could anybody tell me if the power supply shipped with the bushmaster 2 is the same as the one shipped with the caiman seg as i don,t have that one and am using the one from my b2
many thanks
paul

[StanleyB]

Yes you can use the same power supply as long as it is the 12Volt version. It is written on the label on the power supply.
i shipped a 15V power supply as well. That too can be used on the Caiman SEG.

[sugden]

cheers stan
wasn,t expecting to get my answer straight from the horses mouth but who better?
very much enjoying my caiman seg by the way its a big improvement your a clever lad
thanks
paul

[nortot]

Thank you Stan for the really fast service and delivery of this very very satisfying upgrade to this old bloke's hearing experience. Ive just unplugged the Caiman and pnp'd the SEG in, and what a delight!! I'm one of those shallow types who is impressed when I get more info from the source material/hardware than I got before, and THEN listen for musicality. I've got both in spades, AND I'm only at this about 4 hours now. I stream music mostly but occasionally listen to my old Arcam 73 disc player. I was listening to Nik Kershaw today as I have his stuff in spades on both formats-the streamed info is better... but ALL my music is presented with much more focus and musicality (I DO know what it means) and slurry sounds that I would have been aware of on all my music is now explaining itself out of the mix. As a retired bloke I now have time for, and intend to, have extended sessions. I am delighted with this purchase.
BTW , thanks y'all for Brexit; I imagine it will all end in tears, but as a Euro customer for Stan's stuff (and other items in the UK) I could'nt be happier with the lower cost. Happy Days.

[StanleyB]

Glad that you are enjoying the SEG Tom. I am getting a bit more sales form the € regions, now that the SEG is about 20% cheaper in € terms.


I was listening to Nik Kershaw today as I have his stuff in spades on both formats-the streamed info is better... but ALL my music is presented with much more focus and musicality (I DO know what it means) and slurry sounds that I would have been aware of on all my music is now explaining itself out of the mix.
The clarity with which the SEG plays tracks that other DACs play back as a slurry sound is possibly one of the most striking feature of this Caiman. One of my customers told me that tracks that were subject to the loudness war, and sounded hard limited on his previous DAC, were now a lot more pleasant to listen to as well.

[SantanaCorreia]

Dear Stan,

Two queations if I may.
1. Will the SEG play DSD in a future update?
2. Does it require a better power suplly to work correctly?

[StanleyB]

1. It is work in progress.
2. You can use the standard power supply quite happily. Many do. But I designed my DACs to be able to take advantage of any breakthrough in power supply technology. So when power supply designers come up with improved audio performance from their power supplies, all my DACs able to make use of some of those improvements. That includes the TC-7535. There are not many DACs on the market with that kind of flexibility.

[SantanaCorreia]

1. It is work in progress.
2. You can use the standard power supply quite happily. Many do. But I designed my DACs to be able to take advantage of any breakthrough in power supply technology. So when power supply designers come up with improved audio performance from their power supplies, all my DACs able to make use of some of those improvements. That includes the TC-7535. There are not many DACs on the market with that kind of flexibility.
Many thanks.

[nortot]

Hi Stan, puttin this on the AOS website apropos of nothing really , except to say after bedding in, the SEG is absolutely singing for me now with all my music. However I am having a rethink on stored music v streaming per se ( I wish I was more techie so I could describe what I mean exactly, but hey ho!!) ..get to it Tom !
I have just subscribed for a trial of Tidal Streaming service and it'll be a keeper. I have not found a stream of any music that I own or can play (NAS, CD,streaming etc) that cannot be bested in spades by Tidal. Just struck me that I no longer need to do all the storing bit and the other 'work' , just let Tidal handle it for all my devices but mainly the hi-fi with the fabulous SEG inserted. I'm probably so far behind others in my aha moment but now I don't really care. I can download to my tablet with storage inserted for offline playing etc....lovely! Drawback is the cost $10 pm for lo fi and $20 per month for fab FLAC 16/44.1 but a bitrate of 1411 kbps. Now 20 per month is not chicken feed but it either goes into my ears or down my neck so there goes their inheritance huh??

[Pieoftheday]

Hi Stan, puttin this on the AOS website apropos of nothing really , except to say after bedding in, the SEG is absolutely singing for me now with all my music. However I am having a rethink on stored music v streaming per se ( I wish I was more techie so I could describe what I mean exactly, but hey ho!!) ..get to it Tom !
I have just subscribed for a trial of Tidal Streaming service and it'll be a keeper. I have not found a stream of any music that I own or can play (NAS, CD,streaming etc) that cannot be bested in spades by Tidal. Just struck me that I no longer need to do all the storing bit and the other 'work' , just let Tidal handle it for all my devices but mainly the hi-fi with the fabulous SEG inserted. I'm probably so far behind others in my aha moment but now I don't really care. I can download to my tablet with storage inserted for offline playing etc....lovely! Drawback is the cost $10 pm for lo fi and $20 per month for fab FLAC 16/44.1 but a bitrate of 1411 kbps. Now 20 per month is not chicken feed but it either goes into my ears or down my neck so there goes their inheritance huh??

I know many like streaming, but I just don't get paying for posh radio when you can own a physical copy? Appen I'm just getting old....

[nortot]

I know many like streaming, but I just don't get paying for posh radio when you can own a physical copy? Appen I'm just getting old....

Good point...well made...but as I'm now in my early sixties and retired with a few bob handy I am having a rethink on all the gear and such plus all the physical media around my house....the amount ofmoney I have spent over the years on gear and stuff is crazy...I have now reduced the stuff to articles that can play through Stan's SEG and I'm happy out.ebay has taken care of my castoffs and they've gone to good homes I think.
I was listening to a guy over here talking about making a v good business of installing good gear and software into shops,restaurants etc here and making a v good living as when people hear good sounds they tend to linger rather than move on.t he businesses are happy with the results which really are all based on psychoacoustics but that is the role of music in our lives I think
Rambling again so I'll sign off but if you have good broadband and a Chromecast audio or some such you can try tidal yourself for free for a month before you decide..the smile on my face is worth the cost I'll be paying next month.ps..did I say you can download the music as youre listening for offline use at any time??

[Kit1cat]

Posted this a while back, but it might be of interest.

"Any one interested in a free tidal subscription should have a look at sandisk ultra fit usb flash drives, I bought a 32GB drive for £7.99 from PC World which came with a free 3 months subscription for Tidal, worth nearly £60."

[nortot]

Thanks Barry, I shall call to my local PC World later and check it out.

[Kit1cat]

Thanks Barry, I shall call to my local PC World later and check it out.

They are still doing the offer on line.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing-accessories/data-storage/usb-flash-drives/sandisk-32-gb-ultra-fit-usb-3-0-memory-stick-silver-10028883-pdt.html

[nortot]

Thanks v much for the heads-up!!

[Pieoftheday]

Good point...well made...but as I'm now in my early sixties and retired with a few bob handy I am having a rethink on all the gear and such plus all the physical media around my house....the amount ofmoney I have spent over the years on gear and stuff is crazy...I have now reduced the stuff to articles that can play through Stan's SEG and I'm happy out.ebay has taken care of my castoffs and they've gone to good homes I think.
I was listening to a guy over here talking about making a v good business of installing good gear and software into shops,restaurants etc here and making a v good living as when people hear good sounds they tend to linger rather than move on.t he businesses are happy with the results which really are all based on psychoacoustics but that is the role of music in our lives I think
Rambling again so I'll sign off but if you have good broadband and a Chromecast audio or some such you can try tidal yourself for free for a month before you decide..the smile on my face is worth the cost I'll be paying next month.ps..did I say you can download the music as youre listening for offline use at any time??

Tom,when all is said and done,if you like it,thats what matters:) and Stan's gear is very good :cool:

[Getgaff]

I recently purchased three of the cheapest USB sticks from Currys, stripped out the Tidal vouchers and resold the sticks on eBay. Nine months Tidal for around £10. Just cancel before the 3mth trial expires, then signup with a different email address. Repeat until offer ends 31/12/17.

[MarginWalker]

I recently purchased three of the cheapest USB sticks from Currys, stripped out the Tidal vouchers and resold the sticks on eBay. Nine months Tidal for around £10. Just cancel before the 3mth trial expires, then signup with a different email address. Repeat until offer ends 31/12/17.

I think a Saturday trip to Currys is in order! Thanks for the tip!

[struth]

I think a Saturday trip to Currys is in order! Thanks for the tip!

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing-accessories/data-storage/usb-flash-drives/sandisk-dual-usb-2-0-otg-memory-stick-16-gb-black-10142989-pdt.html

[Getgaff]

Best to purchase in-store, not all are included in the offer. I think its limited to the Sandisk Ultra range.

This is the last one I purchased, £6.49: http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing-accessories/data-storage/usb-flash-drives/sandisk-16-gb-ultra-fit-usb-3-0-memory-stick-silver-10028880-pdt.html

[MarginWalker]

Thanks! I'll definitely try it in store. Is it obvious from the packaging if the stick is included in the promotion? My Beresford is arriving tomorrow and I'm keen to try it out with tidal hifi!

[Getgaff]

Look for a small black sticker attached to the front of the pack. The actual voucher is stuck on the inside so you'll need to cut it open carefully. Sandisk Ultra memory cards are also included in the promotion, but it all appears to exclusive to Currys.

[MarginWalker]

Look for a small black sticker attached to the front of the pack. The actual voucher is stuck on the inside so you'll need to cut it open carefully. Sandisk Ultra memory cards are also included in the promotion, but it all appears to exclusive to Currys.

Lovely, ta.

[Theadmans]

Got my SEG earlier this week with Stan's usual super fast next day delivery. Was one of the coldest days of the year so far and as I took the SEG out it's box it felt like a block of ice in my hands!

So I set about warming it up playing a constant stream of Radio 3 from my Squeezebox Touch. Set all inputs to sound signature no.3.

I use the SEG in Dac mode and it feeds a heavily modified Musical Fidelity x10d valve buffer and then onwards to my Creek Integrated amp and AVI Neutron IV speakers.

I didn't listen critically for the first few days as I wanted the SEG to burn in. However, what was immediately pleasing was that the Headphone amp used with my HD650s sounds much better than that on my previous Caiman II. Not only can I use more of the volume dial - the sound is much fuller. It sounds more like my Capella (which I sold along with an old Bushmaster Dac to fund this purchase). I am glad I sold the Capella now as I wanted to simplify my setup, with the Capella and Valve stage I always felt I was sending the music through too many boxes and interconnects.

Today I am listening to the SEG properly through my speakers and it sounds terrific. The sound is for want of a better word just more chunky and consequently more analogue. The tiny bookshelf Neutron speakers don't really do deep bass but the SEG is extending the bass far more than the Caiman II did.

For now I continue to use my Anker battery to power both the SEG (12v) and Squeezebox (5v). However, I have one of those Chinese 2 way linear power supplies on order which give the SEG 15v. Looking forward to finally getting rid of the grain of wheat bulb I still have to use on the Anker!

[Theadmans]

Well after several hours of "burn in" all the previously noted superlatives have gotten better and at the risk of questionable vocabulary it has kick ass bass!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

..I agree the bass on the SEG is a completely different animal to that on the Caiman II. I remember Stan saying that the II and the SEG would be essentially the same in Dac mode. For this reason I initially held off purchasing the SEG. But I am so glad I finally did !

.....the bass on the SEG is amazing - listening to an old Edwyn Collins CD this afternoon (analogue enhanced digital is written on the sleeve) and I haven't heard bass like this before!

[Alp]

I had a different experience bass on the SEG I ordered a few weeks ago from Stan. I let it burn-in for several days but when playing FLAC files with my picoreplayer streamed from my Logitech Media Server (LMS), the bass was very lacking, far worse than my Caiman II. However, with a 320Kbps stream from Radio Paradise the bass was full. I queried this with Stan. He said I should try WAV files instead of FLAC because the SEG exposes the lower bass in FLAC. I have to say I was rather sceptical (FLAC is a totally lossless format, right?) and not wishing to convert my entire music library to WAV, I switched the LMS to stream the FLAC files to the picoreplayer. As soon as I did this, the bass was back so Stan was right on the nail.

Whether this is true for all players or just the implementation of the FLAC decoding in the picoreplayer, I cannot be sure. Has anyone else experienced something similar?

[Theadmans]

Interesting - I switched from Caiman II to SEG using a Touch and FLAC. I was instantly struck by the deeper, more controlled bass of the SEG. In the last couple days I have switched to using my Raspberry Pi and Wolfson Card outputting via Coax to the SEG. The bass is still fantastic (even more so I am now using a Linear Power Supply to power both SEG and Pi instead of my old Anker battery).

The only other thing I should mention is that my SEG feeds into a heavily modified Musical Fidelity X10D valve buffer stage using premium NOS Russian valves. See here for details of mods :-

http://rockgrotto.proboards.com/thread/1961/work-progress?page=15

..no doubt the modified X10D has an influence on the bass I get (maybe not strictly purist but I like it a lot).

[StanleyB]

All you need now is a pair Tannoy Westminsters to bring the roof down.

[Theadmans]

In my dreams Stan. I am afraid neither my wife or room would take the Westminsters ! Mind you my tiny AVI Neutron IV speakers make a decent fist of things. You can see just how small they are from this pic :-

http://www.thedigitalmusicexperts.com/TDME/AVI_NIV_files/avi-neutrons_4_with_wine.jpg

...due to the layout of my room the speakers have to be on bookshelves. I tried many small speakers from Tannoy, Mission and Wharfedale until I found the AVI Neutrons about 10 years ago. The Neutrons are purposed for bookshelves and just sound right with no bass chuffing.

[Alp]

Interesting - I switched from Caiman II to SEG using a Touch and FLAC. I was instantly struck by the deeper, more controlled bass of the SEG. In the last couple days I have switched to using my Raspberry Pi and Wolfson Card outputting via Coax to the SEG. The bass is still fantastic (even more so I am now using a Linear Power Supply to power both SEG and Pi instead of my old Anker battery).

Thanks. I still have my SB Touch, I'll have a play with it to see if I get the same difference between FLAC and PCM.

[mikeyb]

Thinking of adding one of these to my Chromecast setup via Toslink, I have an HD-Plex Linear PSU that can run 12v will that be fine for the SEG, or is it better at 15v?

Thanks,

Mike.

[StanleyB]

It will work fine at 12V. At 15V it will sound better with some power supplies, but not all of them.

[mikeyb]

It will work fine at 12V. At 15V it will sound better with some power supplies, but not all of them.
Thanks for the info, I'll have a think, I'm testing a Chromecast Audio at the moment with Spotify so the DAC would be for that setup.

[KevOvo]

Just ordered myself a SEG after reading all the positive comments both here and on other areas of the net.

I have a chord Mojo at the minute which I'm not really getting on with. Don't get me wrong its a fantastic bit of kit but it just doesn't seem to match my system. Connectivity is limited too. Its a bit too forward and bright for my set up. I'm getting better sound from my CD player alone (Marantz). I'm running Naim Nait 5si & Focal Aria 906 which need to be partnered carefully anyway.

Looking forward to hearing the Caiman when it arrives!

[Theadmans]

...have to say regarding your comments about the Chord being too forward - I have to agree. I have a SEG and am sure you will be pleased with your purchase.

[Sherwood]

I have an SEG and I am pleased with its performance. However, I have noticed some digital clicks when I move from streaming standard flac files to high resolution 24/96 files.

Has anybody else experienced this and is there a solution to prevent it?

Geoff

[Theadmans]

It is a feature of the design - I have learned to live with it - a click on changing sampling rate is a small price to pay for excellent sound IMHO.

[StanleyB]

I have an SEG and I am pleased with its performance. However, I have noticed some digital clicks when I move from streaming standard flac files to high resolution 24/96 files.

Has anybody else experienced this and is there a solution to prevent it?

Geoff
Have a look at http://www.beresford.me/downloads/CAIMAN%20WASAPI%20Mode%20REV6.pdf

[Sherwood]

Have a look at http://www.beresford.me/downloads/CAIMAN%20WASAPI%20Mode%20REV6.pdf

Stanley,

I am not sure about the relevance of this link as I am not using the usb input. I am using the optical input. If I am listening at high volume the click can be quite worrying!

Geoff

[StanleyB]

OK, got it. I haven't done any streaming for some considerable period of time now. But I'll have a look at that. Maybe I need a dedicated data handling option in the firmware that can be manually selected for streaming.

[Sherwood]

OK, got it. I haven't done any streaming for some considerable period of time now. But I'll have a look at that. Maybe I need a dedicated data handling option in the firmware that can be manually selected for streaming.

Look forward to developments ....

[OD1]

Just ordered a SEG, can't wait to hear it versus my Caiman 2 :)

[icehockeyboy]

I'm unusually late coming in for one of these, please tell me how much better it is than the Caiman 2 that I currently have? ��

[AndrewR]

I'm unusually late coming in for one of these, please tell me how much better it is than the Caiman 2 that I currently have? ��

Same here. I normally buy on alternating generations.

Andrew

[Sherwood]

OK, got it. I haven't done any streaming for some considerable period of time now. But I'll have a look at that. Maybe I need a dedicated data handling option in the firmware that can be manually selected for streaming.

Stanley,

any progress in dealing with the problems when changing data streaming bit rates?

Geoff

[icehockeyboy]

I'm unusually late coming in for one of these, please tell me how much better it is than the Caiman 2 that I currently have? ��

Anyone?

[MrRadish]

I'm unusually late coming in for one of these, please tell me how much better it is than the Caiman 2 that I currently have? ��

It's not that simple, and I can't give you a definitive answer (IMHO obviously) quite yet.

I have the GFU and the SEG and if I only wanted a DAC and didn't want to spend more on a decent power supply for it I'd just keep the GFU, which is excellent. However I wanted to use it as a preamp and headphone amp also, and the GFU isn't brilliant at those tasks. With HD800 (admittedly one of the most demanding headphones on the market) the GFU sounds tight, constrained and somewhat head-ache inducing. It has more bass than the SFW3 it started life as (and is better as a DAC), but it struggles more when driving headphones now. When used as a preamp the low-level channel balance on the volume pot caused problems with the power amps I had at the time. I also got a ground-loop type hum with some amps. If I used a Tisbury passive preamp with the GFU then those issues went away and the combo was superb. That of course meant I also needed a better headphone amp to run off the Tisbury tape outputs, so I was then up to three boxes requiring more shelf space. There was nothing wrong with that combo sonically (I enjoyed it a lot), but it looked messy.

So I decided to simplify the system and bought the SEG, assuming it would be the best of all worlds. It is - and it isn't. Using the supplied SMPS, or any of the other cheap SMPS or linear supplies I had to hand when I first bought it, it actually sounded worse than the GFU using the same PSU. The headphone output was easier to listen to, and the volume control was much better, but the overall sound quality of the DAC suffered enough that it was a trade-off I wasn't willing to make. The SEG therefore gathered dust and the GFU came back into the system. However since then I've tried it again with various PSU that i found, this time including a linear wall-wart from a Netgear router. That actually proved to be very listenable, sounding good as a DAC and also good as a headphone amp. Having renewed my curiosity I decided to try a really good LPSU with it to see what it could do and ordered a Longdog Audio high-current 12v unit. I went with 12v because if the experiment failed I had various other devices I could use it on (router, switch, NAS, headphone amp etc). First 5 days monitoring with headphones were promising but slightly tight and bass light. As the SEG comsumes so little power I wondered how long the burn-in process would take so I left the PSU powering a tube headphone amp instead for a few days, which got the output module warm at least. I tried it on the SEG again yesterday and now there was copious bass through the HD800, but slightly bloated and indistinct. Still, change is good so I've left it feeding the tube amp again and will have to see how it sounds tonight. I really want this to work, but the HD800 are seriously fussy. I have my fingers crossed.

From my point of view, if the SEG matches or betters the GFU as a straight DAC (when powered properly) then I'll be happy, and if the headphone output and volume control both improve over the GFU (which they already have done) then I'm sorted. But it's not an unconditional recommendation for the SEG. I believe (and Stan will have to correct me if I'm wrong) that the SEG reduced the internal power regulation so as to allow more power through for the headphones, but in so doing the DAC is more dependent on the quality of the power supply that feeds it. The GFU (or its SMPS) needs a mains filter to remove noise (as do all the DACs I've used), but otherwise seems largely unconcerned with power quality.

[StanleyB]

I went with 12v because if the experiment failed I had various other devices I could use it on (router, switch, NAS, headphone amp etc). First 5 days monitoring with headphones were promising but slightly tight and bass light. As the SEG comsumes so little power I wondered how long the burn-in process would take so I left the PSU powering a tube headphone amp instead for a few days, which got the output module warm at least. I tried it on the SEG again yesterday and now there was copious bass through the HD800, but slightly bloated and indistinct.
The HD800 needs the extra supply of the 15V in order to deliver the extra dynamic range to stop the bass from sounding compressed. It is a bit of an effort to get the HD800 to work off anything other than a dedicated HPA. I myself use a modded SEG that has the upgraded output driver from the upgraded Capella, which is running off 16V from the Chinese linear PSU mentioned by various users on AoS. The extra 4V plus the better HPA output stage does the HD800 a lot of good.

[powereppe]

hy to all
i've Stan's dac since a month e i'm in love whit it!
more details and organic medium than items costs double and triple to my ears !
i wait dsd support and for me it is good enough for years!
thanks Stanley

[icehockeyboy]

GFU? Girl friends undies?

I'll ask again, is the latest Stan Dac a much better Dac than th mk2 Caiman I currently have? ��

[MrRadish]

There are several versions of the Caiman mk2. Mine started as the mk2 SFW3 (iirc) then was upgraded to the mk2 GFU. The SEG came along after that. Do try and keep up :eyebrows:

If yours is pre-SFW3 then I've not heard it and can't compare them, but it'll be several generations out of date now rather than just one.

[maxrob200]

I am debating on whether I should get an SEG. My current Caiman 2 GFU (all mods) with 15V Linear power supply has performed admirably as a DAC and I am curious as to any sonic improvements that the SEG has to offer if used only as a DAC. Other DAC options will unfortunately be quite expensive (e.g Metrum NOS Musette, Schiit multi-bit Gungnir).

[StanleyB]

I am debating on whether I should get an SEG. My current Caiman 2 GFU (all mods) with 15V Linear power supply has performed admirably as a DAC and I am curious as to any sonic improvements that the SEG has to offer if used only as a DAC. Other DAC options will unfortunately be quite expensive (e.g Metrum NOS Musette, Schiit multi-bit Gungnir).Since you won't have to order another 15V power supply the DAC only cost to you would be very small. And with the tumbling of the £ against the U$ by about 15% the SEG now works out far cheaper than the MKII in U$ terms. PM me if you have any outstanding questions.

[Intenso]

I'm thinking of getting one of these to use with a bog standard Squeezebox Touch.

I read a bit about power supplies and wondered if there are any suggestions that would be worth pursuing to get the best out of both the SEG and the Touch.

Would I need separate PS for each to get the best sound and lowest noise floor?

[StanleyB]

The Touch needs 5V. The SEG will work with 12V or 15V. So you don't want to accidentally plug 12V or 15V into the Touch.
There are sellers, and even at least one user on AoS, who use one of those twin output power supplies that can have 5V on one end, and 15V on the other. So that would be an option.

[Theadmans]

I'm thinking of getting one of these to use with a bog standard Squeezebox Touch.

I read a bit about power supplies and wondered if there are any suggestions that would be worth pursuing to get the best out of both the SEG and the Touch.

Would I need separate PS for each to get the best sound and lowest noise floor?

...I use this successfully with my Touch / SEG :-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-way-linear-power-supply-DC-2-USB-preamp-DAC-external-linear-PSU-5V-9V-12V-15V-/111328891082?hash=item19ebb810ca:g:utcAAOxy4YdTT-fq

...because the 5V LED display is to 2 decimal places it tends to drift from 5.00 a bit (adjustment brings it back in line). The 15.0v for the SEG tends to stay rock solid at 15.0v. All sounds good to me - depends how OCD you are about the 5v displaying as 5.00v.

[Intenso]

...I use this successfully with my Touch / SEG :-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-way-linear-power-supply-DC-2-USB-preamp-DAC-external-linear-PSU-5V-9V-12V-15V-/111328891082?hash=item19ebb810ca:g:utcAAOxy4YdTT-fq

...because the 5V LED display is to 2 decimal places it tends to drift from 5.00 a bit (adjustment brings it back in line). The 15.0v for the SEG tends to stay rock solid at 15.0v. All sounds good to me - depends how OCD you are about the 5v displaying as 5.00v.

Thanks Adam, would you say its worthwhile over stock PS?

[Bonky]

2032620327[/ATTACH]I'm in the same boat as many others here. I have had 3 of Stan's excellent DACs (I now have 2). In the main system is a Caiman2 with a a cheapie dual-voltage linear PS (one to drive the DAC, the other to a Raspberry Pi); it works well and since I upgraded my CD player to a Cambridge CXC the SQ is demonstrably better. There's obviously a limit to 'upgrade-itis' but I do wonder if a SEG would be even better. If I did get one it would free-up my underused headphone amp. (Yes, I know Stan has an excellent try-before-you-finally-buy policy). If the next generation of Stan's DACs would have an extra input AND a remote then.....!

Just musing...

[OD1]

I'm unusually late coming in for one of these, please tell me how much better it is than the Caiman 2 that I currently have? ��

I have the Caiman 2 GFU, and recently purchased a SEG (about 40 hours use so far), both powered by an Anker battery.
Used as a DAC only fed by my Cambridge CXC cd transport.

The differences I have heard so far are a more defined & deeper bass, and better texture (tone ?) & air around drums & lead guitars. These differences are not night & day, but were immediately noticeable.

Having heard these differences, I would say that the SEG is a step up from the GFU, but I will be keeping the GFU for my bedroom system, as it is still IMHO a very good DAC.

Hope this helps ?

[Intenso]

I recently purchased three of the cheapest USB sticks from Currys, stripped out the Tidal vouchers and resold the sticks on eBay. Nine months Tidal for around £10. Just cancel before the 3mth trial expires, then signup with a different email address. Repeat until offer ends 31/12/17.

Thanks for the heads us, just bought three of these from my local Currys :)

Oh and I also pulled the trigger on the SEG and one of those dodgy ebay LPS :)

[Theadmans]

Thanks Adam, would you say its worthwhile over stock PS?

...difficult to say as I haven't used the stock psu for a good three years or so. I was using an Anker battery but got fed up of the faff involved in keeping it charged (I also had to add a grain of wheat bulb to ensure enough current was demanded to keep the Anker alive).

...what I can say is that the Chinese Power supply was certainly as good as the Anker. When I first bought the Anker it was a step up from the standard PSU so ipso facto I think the Chinese Job is a good buy.

[powereppe]

hy to all
i'd like to know if Stan thinking to improve the dsd capability
because if he'll do
the seg will be my definitive dac for long long time!

i hope so....very good music whit this dac!!!

[Intenso]

My new SEG was delivered today and straight from the off it sounds great.

Little bit of burn in and this is clearly a winner and I'm a fussy bugger :)

Dedicated dual LPS for both the Touch and SEG hopefully arriving in the next couple of weeks so maybe even a little more performance to come :)

Tempted to get some headphones now, where does it all end?

[Intenso]

Well my dual LPS arrived today 12v instead of 15v and the 5v is reading as 11v.

Can anyone advise is there a way to adjust the output or is this a return...

[StanleyB]

There are two preset controls inside the PSU that you would need to adjust. Remove the top of the case and take a picture of the inside of the PSU so that one of us here can identify the presets that need adjusting, unless you recognise them before posting the picture here. You can of course also ask the seller for instructions on how to make the adjustment.

[Intenso]

Hi Stan

I've had a bit of feedback on the Blank Canvas section of the forum and I've adjusted one side to 14.9v which seems to work well with the SEG.

The other side wont adjust to anything below 10.7v so no good for the SBT.

I'm not even sure the transformer in the unit would go below 7.5v.

Here's a pic.

[robtweed]

Unfortunately my Chinese 5V Linear Power Supply has stopped working. Don't know if anyone else has had this happen. Checked all the fuses etc, but something else has gone wrong. Not being an electronics person I've no idea how to fix. I think the time has come to buy an expensive Mark Grant one. If anyone has use for a non-working 5V PSU, let me know, particularly if you're in the Redhill, Surrey area.

[StanleyB]

Unfortunately my Chinese 5V Linear Power Supply has stopped working. Don't know if anyone else has had this happen.
Drop it off by me if you ever come this way and I shall have a quick look at it for you. Or you can post it without the mains lead.

[robtweed]

Drop it off by me if you ever come this way and I shall have a quick look at it for you. Or you can post it without the mains lead.

Stan, many thanks for that very generous offer - you are a true gentleman! I'll probably post it to you to take a look. Since it didn't cost a great deal in the first place I wouldn't expect you to spend much time on it, but of course it could be something trivial, in which case it would be cool to have it fixed :-)

[southall-1998]

Thinking about getting one of these. To use with a Cambridge Audio CXC.

S.

[Theadmans]

Thinking about getting one of these. To use with a Cambridge Audio CXC.

S.

Funnily enough I am thinking about getting the CXC to use with my SEG.

How do you find the CXC ?

My main source is a Raspberry Pi with Wolfson Card. However, I like to run a CD player in case of IT failures etc. For the last 20 years I have had a Pioneer Stable Platter CD player which is good but I would like something a bit more modern looking in my rig.

Do you have the black CXC ? I want the black one to match my other components. Some CXC's look like a proper black colour in photos (especially the ones with Union Jack Sticker). Other black ones look more like a graphite / grey colour - if yours is black how black is the black ? I would prefer a proper black to match my SEG and black Creek 50A amplifier.

[southall-1998]

The CXC is a great bit of kit. That is all I can say, Adam.

Have fun.

S.

[OD1]

Funnily enough I am thinking about getting the CXC to use with my SEG.

How do you find the CXC ?

My main source is a Raspberry Pi with Wolfson Card. However, I like to run a CD player in case of IT failures etc. For the last 20 years I have had a Pioneer Stable Platter CD player which is good but I would like something a bit more modern looking in my rig.

Do you have the black CXC ? I want the black one to match my other components. Some CXC's look like a proper black colour in photos (especially the ones with Union Jack Sticker). Other black ones look more like a graphite / grey colour - if yours is black how black is the black ? I would prefer a proper black to match my SEG and black Creek 50A amplifier.

My CXC (with Union Jack Sticker) is as black as my SEG, and sound very good together :D

[Theadmans]

My CXC (with Union Jack Sticker) is as black as my SEG, and sound very good together :D

Yes that is what I wanted a black like the SEG.

It is strange though - looking at all the official photos of the CXC - the ones with Union Jack stickers look black - the ones without the sticker look more like graphite. Hope they haven't changed the colour. Perhaps I'll keep an eye out for a secondhand one with the sticker.

[Landloper]

I have a CXC [flying the Union flag] and it is a super bit of kit: it looks fabulous and in my opinion performance is well beyond the price tag.

[Also, should you find it not to your taste the CXC commands a good second-hand price and seems to be sought after.]

[mnuno10]

I want to use the SEG only as a Dac, to do so I will connect it to a pre-amplifier. It is possible to bypass the volume control of the SEG or the signal will pass everytime by the "volume signal path" of the SEG? Basically I want that the SEG to function with a fixed output.
Thank you in advance.

[mikeyb]

I want to use the SEG only as a Dac, to do so I will connect it to a pre-amplifier. It is possible to bypass the volume control of the SEG or the signal will pass everytime by the "volume signal path" of the SEG? Basically I want that the SEG to function with a fixed output.
Thank you in advance.That's how I use mine, volume control doesn't affect volume into the pre when on DAC setting, it can control the headphone volume when in DAC mode however.

[mnuno10]

That's how I use mine, volume control doesn't affect volume into the pre when on DAC setting, it can control the headphone volume when in DAC mode however.

Ok, that makes sense. Thank you very much.

[agk]

I'm going to ask another potentially daft question but as I can't remember the last time I bought brand new kit I'm cautious.

In pre-amp mode the DAC is still active? The pre amp mode just adds volume control?

[mikeyb]

I'm going to ask another potentially daft question but as I can't remember the last time I bought brand new kit I'm cautious.

In pre-amp mode the DAC is still active? The pre amp mode just adds volume control?That's right, I stream from my SoTm SMS 200 into the SEG and I can either output the DAC to my pre amp or I can listen via headphones.

You can also use the SEG as a pre amp as well still utilising the DAC [emoji4]

[meBob]

Hello agk,

I've just bought the SEG this Christmas and just to confirm everything mikeyb said is correct, the DAC is active in all modes, volume is not active in DAC mode, but will become active in preamp and headphone modes (when the headphones are plugged in (while using DAC mode)).

[agk]

Thanks to both. I thought as much but was over thinking it. Not my usual style.

[Jerry B]

Bought a SEG last week to replace my Bushmaster II with all mods.

From what I've read, a big step up.
Also getting mods from Tony at Coherent, which is supposed to push the Dac even further.