Bypassing Caiman Seg Preamp with a Standalone Unit

[Pepperamip]

How much benefit would I gain from bypassing the preamp in my caimain seg and using a standalone preamp.

I'm currently using an anker powered chromecast audio for Spotify and my PC for Flacs into my linear psu powered caiman seg. Caiman seg into my quad 306 and this is driving my upgraded Klipsch KG4.5's very nicely indeed. By upgraded I've renewed all caps on the crossovers and have the Bob Crites titanium diaphagms

What difference if any would I hear from a dedicated preamp? Or I am just doing what we all do with HiFi and trying to over complicate matters?

[Sherwood]

I would say that you would need to spend as much as you already have on the Caiman SEQ and CCA in order to get a preamp that would not make things worse. I am assuming that you do not need a preamp for additional analogue sources. Keep it simple!

Geoff

[Pepperamip]

yes you're right Geoff I don't need additional inputs at this moment.

Trying to convince myself there will be an improvement in sound when in actual fact it could do potentially the reverse.

[Sherwood]

yes you're right Geoff I don't need additional inputs at this moment.

Trying to convince myself there will be an improvement in sound when in actual fact it could do potentially the reverse.

Have you considered the £40 Caiman SEG upgrade which entails cap replacements but requires a 15v power supply?

I plan to get this myself when I can find time to ship my SEG back to SB.

Geoff

[Alp]

I tried using my Caiman SEG as a pre-amp but found a low cost passive pre-amp better, less veiled. But that was not the only reason, I also wanted to switch between inputs from the DAC and my surround sound amp, and drive each of my four monoblocks. Various people on the forum have praised the Tisbury passive pre-amp but I have not tried it. Its about £140 and they have a 14 day return policy if it does not work for you. You'll also need more cables of course...

[Bonky]

I have the excellent SEG but use a Schiit saga preamp which I also recommend. It has an (optional) valve-based output, several inputs and a remote!

[hayche]

I tried using my Caiman SEG as a pre-amp but found a low cost passive pre-amp better, less veiled. But that was not the only reason, I also wanted to switch between inputs from the DAC and my surround sound amp, and drive each of my four monoblocks. Various people on the forum have praised the Tisbury passive pre-amp but I have not tried it. Its about £140 and they have a 14 day return policy if it does not work for you. You'll also need more cables of course...

I have a Mdac pre in to a Croft series 7. I tried a Tisbury and it really did kill the sound for me. It seemed to compress everything slightly and make it not natural. Seemed to alter the attack on instruments. Removed it and back to big organic natural drums. Maybe the Croft is sensitive to pots.

[Covenant]

I use a BTE passive pre and a Croft 7 amp. Sounds great to me and I have no urge to use an active. The pre in the SEG is fine but I think the passive is an improvement and I dont have to worry about blowing fuses-the order of power up/power down is critical with the SEg's pre.

[Pepperamip]

I wasn't aware of this Geoff but will definately given I already have the 15v linear psu and I can use a soldering iron. Is obtained directly from Stanley's website?

[Pepperamip]

I use a BTE passive pre and a Croft 7 amp. Sounds great to me and I have no urge to use an active. The pre in the SEG is fine but I think the passive is an improvement and I dont have to worry about blowing fuses-the order of power up/power down is critical with the SEg's pre.

I've priced up a BTE passive with stepped attenuator and silver wiring and it came in at a very reasonable £140 especially with an oak and acrylic finish. How is yours spec'd Jerry?

[Pepperamip]

Have you considered the £40 Caiman SEG upgrade which entails cap replacements but requires a 15v power supply?

I plan to get this myself when I can find time to ship my SEG back to SB.

Geoff


I wasn't aware of this Geoff but will definately consider it given I already have the 15v linear psu and I can use a soldering iron. Are they obtained directly from Stanley's website?

[Sherwood]

I wasn't aware of this Geoff but will definately consider it given I already have the 15v linear psu and I can use a soldering iron. Are they obtained directly from Stanley's website?

Yes. Email Stanley and he will give instructions on how to ship the SEG for the upgrade.

[Covenant]

I've priced up a BTE passive with stepped attenuator and silver wiring and it came in at a very reasonable £140 especially with an oak and acrylic finish. How is yours spec'd Jerry?

Hi Paul,
24 stepped attenuator,variable and fixed output and all silver wiring. Black case and aluminium controls to match the rest of my kit. Go for it!

[Getgaff]

Just to add my opinion: I’ve used the Tisbury MKI & MKII passives and a BTE Designs passive in the past and the BTE was better by a considerable margin. Regretted selling the BTE to be honest, but flip me, it took Anthony an age to make the damn thing.

EDIT: If I ever needed a passive preamp again, it’d be a BTE, no hesitation.

[Digibart]

Hi all,

The pre-amp in the newest Caiman SEG is not that good as others say, try Caiman in DAC mode, it was for me WOOW moment ( mind to put volume down on your active speakers/power amp before try it as you could blow it), so I'm using it now in combination with external head amp/pre amp. I believe there is now possibility to upgrade pre amp section of Caiman but you need to talk to Stan about it........

[Pepperamip]

Just to add my opinion: I’ve used the Tisbury MKI & MKII passives and a BTE Designs passive in the past and the BTE was better by a considerable margin. Regretted selling the BTE to be honest, but flip me, it took Anthony an age to make the damn thing.

EDIT: If I ever needed a passive preamp again, it’d be a BTE, no hesitation.


Hi Gareth, Was wondering how those compared and also thinking of an LDR passive. Has anyone owned both the BTE and LDR on here?

[Covenant]

Hi Gareth, Was wondering how those compared and also thinking of an LDR passive. Has anyone owned both the BTE and LDR on here?

I tried a basic LDR many moons ago and wasn't that impressed. It was fairly ordinary sounding but probably not well matched (impedance wise) to my amp.

[walpurgis]

I tried a basic LDR many moons ago and wasn't that impressed. It was fairly ordinary sounding but probably not well matched (impedance wise) to my amp.

I guess system matching is as crucial with an LDR pre-amp as it is with any other component. I have seen very positive comments about them and would certainly like to try one.

They seem to elicit a similar response from people as TVC and AVC pre-amps. Those who have not implimented one successfully not being impressed and those who have, being very pleased.