I have been trying out the addition of the Caiman related pages in the MENU. I might have restored a previous menu script by accident. I'll look into that. I assume you tried www.homehifi.co.uk ?
Stan
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I have been trying out the addition of the Caiman related pages in the MENU. I might have restored a previous menu script by accident. I'll look into that. I assume you tried www.homehifi.co.uk ?
Stan
yes.
The homehifi seems alright to me at present.
Are you sure you haven't been looking at any dodgy websites? (headfi or somewhere?)
as I explained before the site with the mods link appears for only a second then switches back to the older site without the mods page.
Haven't seen too many (any?) reports of observations on here of what happens if you go from the MLC5/6 back to the 4032, rather than the other way so I may as well share my experience.
Despite the DAC running almost constantly since I did the mod last week, the sibilance and treble wasn't getting any better, it had actually got to the stage where I started hating the sound. I'd switched off tone defeat on the amp and turned down treble but it didn't help.
So, a visit to Maplins and this evening contained a large chunk of soldering in the guts of an old transistor radio and a singing Santa Claus to learn the basics.
And then the real thing. MLC5 was easy - plenty of space around it, MLC6 is an absolute utter pain, made a real balls up of it, its now soldered to outer shell of the neighbouring resistor, it looks horrendous, can't be healthy. Trembling hands and a cheapo iron that didn't really insulate my fingers from its heat didn't help.
Feared the worse, but put the 4032 back in, plugged it all back in and..... love it. I have my DAC back. Sibilance is gone, bass is more impressive, the wall of tinniness is conquered.
Its pretty clear going in this direction that you're losing detail and in hindsight I can't help but feel that was a major player in the sibilance/treble problems. I have to conclude that the 4562/MLC5/MLC6 is musically more pure, clearer and audiophile.
But the 4032 is so much more fun and suited to my kit and tastes.
And now, finally I get to have breakfast, its nearly bed-time after all!:doh:
So we have Gaz firmly in the 4562+MLC5/6 camp and Spod in the 4032 camp.:scratch:
Anyone else with an opinion?
At the moment I am inclined to leave the 4032 in place. After all the Caiman cant be far away now.
H Guys,Quote:
Originally Posted by Covenant
You all know (possibly :lol: ) that I like to be constructive but sometimes it just ain't possible. When I gave Stan brief details of my listening habits (50/50 headphones and speakers) and of my headphones (Senn HD280) he advised that LM4562NAs in BOTH, with no mention of MLC5/6.
Hope this helps but I guess it probably won't :doh: :confused: .
Cheers,
The music you listen to is massively relevant here. For classical I'm pretty sure I'd have prefered the 4562+ mod for the extra detail. But for the female vocalists and 70s pop/punk I listen to, it was just too screechy etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Covenant
But if you're going to get the Caiman anyway and, unlike twitchy me, you have the patience to wait then that's probably the best thing to do.
And here's the wierd thing,
I have eclectic tastes and listen to heavy charging rock AND classical and I find the 4562 not in any way sibilant, overtly detailed or harsh at all.
I reckon system synergy comes into play a lot here, with (like anything hifi related I guess...?) any component being system dependant.
Might be significant that I've always found my AE109 speakers a bit dark and shut in at low levels till I fitted the 4562s.
Perhaps the extra detail is of benefit in my system as opposed to others which are already quite treble heavy?
The 4562 in my 7520 sounds great, not bright yet plenty of detail. There is greater soundstage width and instrument separation compared to the original op-amps. Bass is tight and punchy but I would like a bit more richness overall so the mlc5/6 mod may just do the trick. I'll try it when I get the chance
Agreed - my amp and speakers together are pretty bright (or as I prefer to think of it "light and fresh") which was necessary when I was feeding in the CD players direct. The 7520 with the 4562+ mods just took it over the edge. Way over the edge!Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazjam
You can see why NE5532 is a good choice in a stock unit;)
It surprises me that so many people rush out to upgrade to the LM4562NA without any idea why. My US reseller charges U$75 for the operation:scratch:.Quote:
Originally Posted by leo
Anyhow, I have a couple of LM4562NA in stock so anyone who is thinking of buying a TC-7520 and doesn't know how to fit a set of opamps can have it done for an extra £20 plus VAT.
Stan
I might be able to send out the first orders on Thursday once I have confirmed who has paid already.Quote:
Originally Posted by Covenant
Stan
I am having the same problem. The new page shows very briefly then defaults to an earlier site page.Quote:
Originally Posted by freddiecas
Regards
Chris
I think its the sort of posts they read on forums which say upgrading the op-amp makes a huge differenceQuote:
Originally Posted by Sensimilia
Rather than wait for a unit to run in with its supplied parts they just want what they think is best tbh, of course best in one persons system may not be the best in another
we both know the WM8716 makes a difference too and most on here still have the PCM1716 fitted:)
I updated the link for those of you who are not on a European recognized domain when accessing my sites.Quote:
Originally Posted by chrism
I hope that the Caiman owners don't make that mistake as well. It's a pity that only those with a Maplin PSU set at 13.8 V will be able to enjoy all the extra benefits, until the Caiman PSU comes out at the end of the year. I use a variable power supply from my lab to dial in various voltage levels and then listen to the result. 13.5 to 15V is the sweet spot with the LM4562 and THS4032.Quote:
Originally Posted by leo
Stan
we both know the WM8716 makes a difference too and most on here still have the PCM1716 fitted.
Because 99% of us are too scared to attempt it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Covenant
Agreed Jerry, outta my league I gotta say.
(Wish I could but I know I'd lunch my Dac ):doh:
Hi Stan,Quote:
Originally Posted by Sensimilia
Strange but I did not have any probs until the last few days so could it be a mod to far!
Regards
Chris
Hi Jerry and Gary,Quote:
Originally Posted by Covenant
I wonder if Tirna would do it for us (me included) as a sub-con job?
Cheers,
Its worth asking them but I still fancy the Caiman as Stan will have sprinkled magic fairy dust on it. :)
Dave,Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveC
You do the honours? :)
All right for them as can afford it - Ive only just bought my 7520 !! :steam: (sans fairy dust but avec new PSU :) )Quote:
Originally Posted by covenant
I thought that might be the response - I almost volunteered :) !Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazjam
Daft question I know, but what exactly is involved - what do I ask them to do? -- remove what and replace with WM8716?
Cheers,
You mean Caiman specific mods that aren't of much or any benefit to the PCM1716 based TC-7520?Quote:
Originally Posted by Covenant
Well, I was listening to some previously hidden instruments in the upper treble region and wondered how come I didn't notice those before. Then it dawned on me that the WM8716 has an extra 10 dB of SNR, which is perhaps why I couldn't pick it out clearly enough before. Mind you, I had to use headphones to notice them. My speakers couldn't pick them up amongst all the ambient noise. The one side effect is that I can now also hear SNR problems that are embedded in some recordings.
Stan
This is the kind of sound I'm looking for!
Are there any recommended modifications to the circuitry besides swapping out the WM8716 directly?
As a quick update, I was listening to an acoustic recording by a friend over the weekend and decided to give the THS4032 a spin. Popped it into the line socket, with the 4562NA still in the HPA stage.
The sound hasn't improved significantly, but there is a better sense of detail coming through. On busy pieces it sounds somewhat muddy, relatively hard to pick out instruments and individual components of the music, though I expect it's still running in.
As a quick update, I was listening to an acoustic recording by a friend over the weekend and decided to give the THS4032 a spin. Popped it into the line socket, with the 4562NA still in the HPA stage.
The sound hasn't improved significantly, but there is a better sense of detail coming through. On busy pieces it sounds somewhat muddy, relatively hard to pick out instruments and individual components of the music, though I expect it's still running in.[/QUOTE]
Maybe because you are using some awful speakers? :) I dont experience muddy sounds with the 4032-quite the opposite.
The THS4032 is best suited for use via the DAC's variable output to a power amp. An integrated amp with all its extra capacitive stages would put a damper on the THS4032 low frequency response.
I listen to a lot of internet radio (that circuit which improves low bitrate transmissions deserves an award)-do you think it may sound worse because of background noise?Quote:
Originally Posted by Sensimilia
Just to be clear is there anything different about the Caiman other than the following:
1. Improved dac chipset
2. 4562 op-amps to line and headphone
3. MLC5/6 removed.
4. Improved power supply (at a later date)
I was using the K701's, all the speakers are packed up at the moment.
Don't get me wrong, the soundstage is better with the 4032's without a shadow of a doubt, the location of instruments etc. but it was harder to pick out individual components and follow them.
Though to keep it in context, I can happily listen to either the 2 x 4562s or the 4032 + 4562 combo all day, it's much of a muchness.
Hi Jerry,Quote:
Originally Posted by Covenant
from an earlier post of mine.
--------------------------------------------------------
Just working out how far my 7520 with 4562 and Mc5/6 mod if far removed from the Cayman!
Not by much. Except for the 192KHz 64X oversampling WM8716 and the Caiman logo you are about there already.
Stan
-----------------------------------------------
Thanks Gaz. Its getting rather big this thread.
Not that I paid attention, but I shall check.Quote:
Originally Posted by Covenant
I would have to check my notes and bill of material. I tend to adjust component values in line with any updated information relayed back to me.Quote:
Just to be clear is there anything different about the Caiman other than the following:
1. Improved dac chipset
2. 4562 op-amps to line and headphone
3. MLC5/6 removed.
4. Improved power supply (at a later date)
Stan
In summary would folk say that the MLC5/6 removal is op-amp dependent or not?
Trailer,
I've a handful of opamps borrowed from another member, and in a couple of weeks ill be sitting down to do a proper comparison between them all.
I've the MLC 5/6 mod with my 4562 so the information might be useful?
Bogged down with work stuff ATM, so will do it in a couple of weeks.
Cheers,Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazjam
I'm running the 7520 Wolfsoned with two AD826's at present and didn't know whether the extra mods would be appropriate.
No probs, will post something useful hopefully!Quote:
Originally Posted by trailer
*You find the AD826's to be better than 4562/4032 in your system?
* How do you rate the Wolfson DAC compared to the standard fitted to the 7520. Night and Day or....more subtle?
(I'm particularly interested in the bass on the Wolfson compared to the standard one - ta)
Thanks.
Yes, very much night and day. The reason I went for the AD826's was that all the usual suspect op-amps I hadQuote:
Originally Posted by Gazjam
from the pre Wolfsoned 7520 were WAY too bright. The AD826's calmed it down no end. One of the "issues" I have with the Wolfson mod is the extra everything. The detail etc is very acceptable of course! I guess this
might have something to do with the extra S/N that Stan has mentioned. Forget all your op-amp preferences
with the Wolfsoned 7520. It's a case of start again!
Hey, thanks for that.
Can you remember (and this is a big ask :)) about the 4562 compared to the 4032 thru the Wolfson?
Unless you have NO life chances are you wont remember, be good if you did though!
I did do a post on here somewhere going through the op-amps post Wolfson somewhere on here. Needle/haystack?
Yes I would be very interested too. I have settled on the ths4032 in the std tc7520 after trying quite a few combinations, but am interested in the extra detail and the need for opamp reassessment that you are picking up in the wolfsoned 7520.
Cheers
Ade
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazjam
Tell me about it! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by trailer
I'll have a rummage.
Ta.
I found your original post.... for info.
Quote:
Originally Posted by trailer
Thanks for that Ampusson, interesting stuff.
Seems theres a real need for reasessing the best OpAmp with the Wolfson?
Oh, woe is me, I'm even more confused now !!:scratch::mental::steam: - and here's me thinking that it was a straight choice between 4032s and 4562s and now: -
I think I'm going for a long lie down until there is some sort of concensus, or maybe I'll ignore the 4972s and stick with Stan's views expressed to different people - I really need that lie down.Quote:
Originally Posted by trailer
Good Night :)
Not sure about a real need. I fitted the LM4562NA, which is the best choice IMHO. The LM4562HA is superior, but also more than double the price.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazjam
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveC
I've observed the OpAmps to be system dependant, with sounding good for one not neccessarily good for another.
I'd stick with what Stan says ;)
And I'll stick with your opinion Stan, at least as a Baseline ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Sensimilia
Snap!! - seen his very last post? - the one posted immediately prior to yours?Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazjam
Cheers,