Greetings

[TonyCa]

Greetings!

I’ve been lurking on this site for some time and can see that it’s time to introduce myself. I have lived San Francisco, CA for many years but am originally from New York. I became infected with audio and DIY through Heathkit and Eico and bought my first loudspeakers, the large Advents (vinyl finish) in the early 1970s.

About a year ago I bought a Beresford Caiman DAC, largely on the basis of favorable reviews on this forum and the potential for DIY upgrades. I have since performed the cap/regulator/passive mods and would like to install a Gator board for some headphone listening; hope one is still available. (Recommendations on headphones are much appreciated.) The variable output on the Caiman drives a Conrad Johnson MF2500 power amp; speakers are Revel Performa F30. I’m learning about computer audio and drive the Caiman with squeezebox touch or pc-based server.

I enjoy most kinds of music, but lately after every system tweak seem to return to Gotan Project.

I hope to learn a lot more from all of you and to contribute as well.

TonyCa

[MartinT]

Welcome, Anthony. Nice system, I have heard the Revels on a few occasions and they sound good. You might want to try a linear external PSU for the Caiman next, it sounds like your is ready for it.

What prompted the move to San Francisco?

[Alex_UK]

Welcome Tony, good to have you aboard. I've not seen every US city, but of the ones I have, San Francisco is by far my favourite - just such a great vibe to the place.

Glad you're enjoying the Caiman, and that you've decided to get stuck in on AoS - I'm sure you will be able to pass on some of your knowledge and experience. I'm still evaluating it, but the Gator is a definite upgrade from the passive output mod I was running, and although not listened too much on headphones, my Grado SR60s sounded superb - I've also got a pair of Goldring NS100M's, which weren't nearly as successful -needed almost full volume, whereas the Grados had plenty to go. You're in the right place to try some of the Grado range, I suspect - they are definitely a love or hate relationship though, as they do seem to divide opinion, so try before you buy if you can I would suggest. I would love to offer to come over and lend you mine and then hang around the Bay for a few months! Depending on your budget, the 325iS is top of the Prestige range (http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Grado-Prestige-Series-SR325is-Headphones-/280628866702?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4156c8ae8e#ht_1164wt_905) and the ones I will eventually be aiming for -

Enjoy AoS and look forward to your contributions.