New 15v Capella headphone amp - Legend!

[worrasf]

Stan kindly lent me one of these to audition knowing I was running a standard 12v Capella from battery and a Caiman SEG from a 15v LPSU.

I have only had it up and running for 24 hours but even in that short time I'm in no doubt it is a significant step up over the 12v version.

I have so far used my Beyerdynamic DT990 600 ohm 'phones which are pretty demanding to drive.

Listening to the Hans Zimmer Interstellar double CD the bass is just immense - really deep and powerful with chord detail I'd not previously heard - I had to turn the Capella gain down to zero and back off the volume pot a bit as the 15v version was driving the Beyers so much easier than the 12v.
It's not just the bass that's better, there is much more fine detail, precision and clarity - drum kit is snappier and vocals (Lightnin Hopkins) have more expression and "natural" tone. I'm guessing the 15v version has lower background noise.
The whole presentation seems effortless with improved dynamics, PRaT.

I'll do a bit more old/new demoing and listen also with my Grado RS1000's but I'm already convinced there is no going back.

FWIW I have suggested Stan calls the 15v version the Capella Legend!

Steve


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Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Alan D]

Is the case size the same as the Caiman SEG ?

[StanleyB]

Is the case size the same as the Caiman SEG ?
Yes.

I must add that the Capella that Steve has in his possession is a standard Capella that has been upgraded/modified for testing and interest check purposes. So any existing Capella owners would be able to get their HPA modified at a reasonable cost. I am still waiting for some additional parts to do the upgrade on more than a handful of units. But interested Capella owners should email or PM me to register their interest. That will make it easier for me to make sure I can arrange a schedule of when each person can have the mod done.
I'll also mod some for stock, but note that you'll need to supply your own 15V linear power supply.

[Alp]

I simply use the Capella as a pre-amp. It is powered with a 12V output from an Ankaka battery and the Caiman II is powered from the Capella 12V output. A few questions:
1. Does the mod make similar improvements when being used as a pre-amp?
2. The Ankaka has a 16V option. Is that too high for the upgrade?
3. I suppose that 16V (assuming this is what would happen) going into the Caiman II won't make it very happy. Correct? So I would have to power the Caiman II another way.

[StanleyB]

1. Yes the mod improves the pre-amp section as well. The sound was described by someone as being "too clean", which is a result of the far lower noise floor. So you hear more detail as a result.
2. The Ankaka seems to have a minimum current sensing point that is below what the Capella and Caiman draws. I can't get it to hold the 16V output level for more than a minute or so myself. So that is why I use a linear PSU from China just for that purpose.
3. The CMII will work with a voltage of 16V, which is the absolute maximum that it can be used with.

[robohifi]

Well done Stanley
what a improvment over the 12 v version
I have a pr of akg K340 electrostatic-dynamic the most difficult headphone to drive on the planet
I say a game changer the bass now is so immense on these headphones now they are interesting to listen to
Also I have a pr of Aldeze LCD 2 wow its given them a actual top end also pin point imagery thanks to the controls on the Capella they almost sound a good as the lcd3 s which I can confirm have a pr a work
I will do some more tests with other high end headphones shortly
Congratulations Stanley on a another fine product


Yours feqencey
Robohifi