Caiman SEG “supercap upgrade” - [emoji106] [Archive]

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worrasf

24-11-2017, 19:56

A few weeks ago I bought a new “high end” 15v linear PSU for my SEG and Stan very kindly offered to “tweak” it to take full advantage of the capabilities of the new PSU.
This involved fitting 47000uF super capacitors to achieve a higher dynamic ceiling for the discrete output stage, before the onset of clipping from the power supply level (if I understood correctly). 🤯
Arrived and installed today. First impressions straight out the box were disappointing with “overblown” bass and a somewhat aggressive forward presentation. I didn’t like it 🤢

However,after 3 or so hours of “burn in/warm up” things changed dramatically for the better [emoji3]
Compared to my standard SEG the bass is fuller and goes deeper but more importantly it’s resolving low volume low frequency stuff I’d never heard before. This improved resolution isn’t just confined to the bass areas - there’s a noticeable improvement in fine detail with guitar and piano pieces where individual plucked strings/keys are audible within the mix rather than tending to bleed into each other. Nick Cave’s The Boatman’s Call demonstrates this perfectly. This results in a more musical experience which extends across multiple types of music (flamenco, Rod & Gab, Einaudi, Lightnin Hopkins, Floyd,Jan Garbarek etc etc).

I’m currently listening to Flamenco Arabe 2 (loads of complex strings, wind, vocals and percussion) - I’ve heard music of this genre live loads of times in Andalusia and Morocco and the sounds I’m hearing this evening take me as close as I’ve ever been to that live sound. It really is that good.

In a nutshell the SEG SUPERCAP sounds significantly better than the standard SEG which was already bloody good so my thanks Stan [emoji106]

I should add that these benefits were heard using both CD and Bluetooth streaming as sources.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171124/e58010b68a3b142801743c84ceda549f.jpg

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StanleyB

02-12-2017, 19:48

I managed to get a small quantity of the components to do the upgrade. So if anyone with a 15V power supply is interested in this mod, just PM me for more details.

Wakefield Turntables

02-12-2017, 20:07

So, whats supposed to be the best way of powering the SEG. The ankaka battery or a 15V linear PSU?

worrasf

03-12-2017, 11:55

So, whats supposed to be the best way of powering the SEG. The ankaka battery or a 15V linear PSU?

IMO having used both, the best by far is with a high quality LPSU such as the Nick Gorham (Long Dog Audio) LPSU I purchased from MCRU

Getgaff

03-12-2017, 12:18

Very interesting. I use this linear PSU configured with a 15v & 5v output:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2016NEW-S130-Ultra-Low-Noise-DC-Linear-Power-supply-2-way-LPS-12V-12V-3-5A-L161/121858195663?hash=item1c5f5080cf:g:uc8AAOSwFqJWjSi U

PM sent to Stan.

wee tee cee

03-12-2017, 15:53

Was this on cans or your full rig-just out of interest?

worrasf

03-12-2017, 17:36

Was this on cans or your full rig-just out of interest?

Full rig. TBH not tried with cans yet (I use the Capella for these)

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Bourneendboy

03-12-2017, 20:39

Just ordered a Longdog PSU, should be arriving at the end of the week!

worrasf

03-12-2017, 21:47

Just ordered a Longdog PSU, should be arriving at the end of the week!

I think you will be very pleased with the improvement it brings -

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StanleyB

04-12-2017, 08:43

So, whats supposed to be the best way of powering the SEG. The ankaka battery or a 15V linear PSU?
Both are equally excellent to my ears, and many others are of the same opinion. But the 15V option does allow for a better dynamic range, which is further exploited by the SEG mod.

Bourneendboy

09-12-2017, 17:36

I think you will be very pleased with the improvement it brings -

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Been in a couple of days and my SEG is sounding superb!

Anker battery arriving Monday for the Chromecast and that's me done!

worrasf

10-12-2017, 12:27

Been in a couple of days and my SEG is sounding superb!

Anker battery arriving Monday for the Chromecast and that's me done!

Excellent!

Getgaff

19-12-2017, 17:00

Had Stan fettle my SEG last week, very quick turnaround. Unfortunately I can’t comment on any improvements right now as I’m suffering with a head cold :(
Stay tuned, I hope to post my impressions when it’s abated.

MrRadish

13-02-2018, 23:13

A few questions for Stan:

Is the Supercap upgrade still available?
Will it make any difference if the SEG is just used as a DAC?
Will it work normally on 12v until I get a 15v PSU?

Thanks

StanleyB

14-02-2018, 00:54

Is the Supercap upgrade still available?
Will it make any difference if the SEG is just used as a DAC?
Will it work normally on 12v until I get a 15v PSU?

It's still available.
It is designed to improve the DAC and the pre-amp.
You need a 15V power supply from the word go. I have a couple of UK plug 15V power supplies that will do for a while till you get a decent 15V linear PSU. Only available to AoS members due to limited stock. It's not listed on my site.
But the 15V PSU I have should be replaced with a linear one ASAP if you want to hear the upgrade at its best.

Lee

14-02-2018, 01:55

Stan upgraded my SEG last week and I'm happy to say that yes, it makes a real and significant improvement, top to bottom. Accuracy and articulation is very apparent. Strings, horns, percussion, deep bass, voices, sound effects ... all definitely improved. I'm lucky to have two SEGs so I could easily compare the pre-updated version with the new SuperCAP update and I"m convinced that this is the New Beast for anyone who has the 15v power supply! I've now sent my second SEG back to Stan to be upgraded as well.

MrRadish

14-02-2018, 10:16

StanleyB

14-02-2018, 20:25

Thanks all, I'll go ahead with the upgrade. I've got one of the 15v SMPS already so I'll be okay until the new PSU turns up.

Stan, can you please PM me the cost, method of payment (presumably PayPal) and delivery address? I'll need it posting back as well. Ta.

I am a bit snowed under with mods right now. So it will have to be next week at the earliest before I can tackle yours I reckon.

MrRadish

15-02-2018, 09:47

No worries, just let me know when you're ready.

Crackles

16-02-2018, 19:44

Getgaff

16-02-2018, 19:59

1. http://www.homehifi.co.uk/PP/cartlist.html
2. Yes
3. See 1
4. No idea, have never heard a Chord DAC

sq225917

16-02-2018, 20:49

47000uf caps for dac, blimey, that's as much as my 110w amps.

Crackles

17-02-2018, 11:44

Thanks Gareth, much clearer now.

One other question, there seems to be a lot of discussion around power supplies for the DAC. I like the look of the MCRU unit, is that my best option or is that subject to a lot of conjecture?

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Alp

17-02-2018, 14:10

I've noticed the Beresford craze on here so I wanted to ask a few questions if I may?

1. What are the range of Beresford DACs and how much do they sell for new?
2. Stan do you sell them?
3. Why does the Beresford site, or any other site, not have prices on it?
4. Is it likely to sound better in my HiFi than my Chord Mojo?

Cheers

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1. See homehifi.co.uk and select sales. The site is a bit flaky. It works properly in Chrome but not in Opera. Currently the only DAC for sale is the SEG (199.99).
2. Yes Stanley Beresford sells them. Customer service is great.
3. See point 1.
4. No idea, as I have not tried a Chord Mojo. Stan sells the SEG on a sale/return basis so give on a try if you are interested.

Good luck!

worrasf

17-02-2018, 19:08

All products and prices on Stan’s website: http://www.homehifi.co.uk/PP/cartlist.html

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pitadavespa

22-02-2018, 15:52

Hello Stanley,

(I'm not sure if you are receiving my PMs...)

May I ask you if the Caiman SEG has discrete or OPAM output?

Thanks,
Luis

edit: I mean the DAC itself. I believe if used has a preamp it is discrete.

StanleyB

22-02-2018, 21:34

May I ask you if the Caiman SEG has discrete or OPAM output?
edit: I mean the DAC itself. I believe if used has a preamp it is discrete.
The SEG pre-amp is made up of discrete transistors.

pitadavespa

26-02-2018, 11:00

Thank you Stanley.

Even if used just has a DAC (in no pre-amp mode)?

Sorry if this is a silly question.

StanleyB

27-02-2018, 09:48

How you use it has nothing to do with the components...

pitadavespa

01-03-2018, 18:54

Thanks

Covenant

04-03-2018, 09:48

I received my SEG back from Stan with the Supercap upgrade and found the sound quality, out of the box dull and lifeless. It took about five days to really sound better but it was worth the wait. Bass noted are not deeper but there is more bite or attack to the presentation. Greater sense of 'being there'. A nice improvement.

StanleyB

04-03-2018, 16:27

Covenant

04-03-2018, 20:05

It does take a few days for the supercaps to burn in, especially since they are composed of a solid dielectric. The bass will improve in depth in another few days, assuming that your speakers can go deeper...Hope not-floorstanding transmission line speakers have more than enough bass as it is.

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StanleyB

04-03-2018, 22:09

It's very useful with DVD audio tracks, which go lower than the 20Hz audio tracks. The Jurasic Park movies are good examples, as well as Transformers, Despicable Me, etc.

TAD12

05-03-2018, 05:13

Stan,
Your observations on bass using a revised SEG are confirmed. I have quite a few Blu ray music /video concert discs and I've had to adjust my REL bass speakers slightly because the bass output appears to be stronger. More testing / listening required. Lucky to have the 15volt option on my power supply.
Regards,
T.

Jerry B

26-08-2018, 06:23

Living in New Zealand, the opportunity to listen to many of the quality Dacs available is limited (and they are even more expensive to import).
I have to rely on reviews and opinions.

I read on one of the pages, one poster considered the Caiman SEG Dac to be better than their Mytek Brooklyn (US$2000).
According to the Darko Index, the Brooklyn is a very good product.

Is the SEG that good?
And how much better will it be after adding the Coherent PSU with supercaps, and Tony's Stage 1/2 Dac mods?