Going Linear with the Caiman

This is the PSU I'm using with my Dac...
I'm running it at 15V with Mutara regs.

No doubt it might be better than the stock one..but how would it compare to the Mapin CD radio Linear supply I wonder?
Any experiences of them both?

I used the Maplins Bench supply with a 7510 and then Caiman and it worked very well with both. I found that using a better linear supply improves the sound further though. The Maplins Benchy is good and cheap but the traffo and regulator are clearly built on a budget with low cost components.

The smoothing caps could easily be swapped out though.

Regards

Chris

Cheers for that Chris..

so you reckon then the linear CD radio supply Stan suggests would be better than what im running just now?

Just wondering where the most benefit would come from - 15V switching supply or 15V linear...and would it be worth shelling out for?


Gaz.

I think a good linear supply beats switched mode in this application as the DAC chip appreciates a very clean, low noise DC rail. With the Murata reg that you have, a low noise supply just gets even more out of it.

As to which linear supply, that's a good question. Most of us only have the one to listen to so it's hard to compare.

My Maplins smps is hot, hot, hot! I thought smps was attractive for its energy efficiency but I have my doubts now. Perhaps this smps was built cheaply and so is overheating!?? My other 12V amp SMPS modules are cool as you like.

I think I'll go for the CB PSU Stan suggests since I just ordered the Caiman kits (regs, caps, opamps) from Tirny, which Stan claims will benefit more from the linear PSU.

Can anyone tell me how hot does the CB PSU get, if that is an indication of the energy efficiency? I would like to keep the electricity usage down where possible:)

The Maplins CB Linear also runs hot but it has a decent heat sink and the case is ventilated. Hums a bit as well but this does not affect the sound at all.

I really don't like switching supplies as they tend to set my power amp off humming as well. I can always hear a difference with my set up when a SWPS is plugged into the mains as well.

Well designed linear ones with a nice quality toro, good quality smoothing cap and two stage regs keep the floor noise down to the Muratas. I am looking at a multiple supply that will do away with the Muratas presently.

Regards

Chris

Let's not get carried away with the SMPS versus Linear PSU issue. The differences between the two when using the Murata regs is only noticeable on top notch amps, speakers, and headphones. Personally it does not make sense to me, since the Murata regulators are also based on the switching principle. In theory the Murata regs should give the same output noise results when used with a MSPS or Linear PSU. It doesn't however according to my scope. The Murata seems to have been designed for linear power supplies in my view.

I have designed a prototype regulator filter, and Leo kindly built a couple of samples for both of us to test. It's more filter than regulator, and is used in the place of the 12V regulator. It works on both SMPS and Linear, matches the Murata for noise filtering, and costs less than £1 in components. So that might be a far more economical method to consider once I have fine tuned the filter design.

Bloody hell. More upgrades.

:sofa:

Does anyone sell replacement screws for the case? I think the heads on mine are getting worn off.

:piano:

They are not upgrades ;). On AoS we try to find sensible low cost solutions to otherwise expensive alternatives, and then share the information with anyone interested who has a working soldering iron:ner:.

Actually, on reflection, you make a very valid point. Here I am dreaming up all sorts of mods etc. for people to try on my DACs. But that might give the impression about the product. One only has to look at my competitors who do not have a long list of mods to recommend. So maybe I should halt thinking up any more mods for the rest of the year or even longer. I can ask a small company to advertise mods etc. instead. Worth me thinking about, since business is slow right now and other means of income need to be looked at.

PM me your address and I'll see how many screws I can find for you next time I sweep the floor in my office :lol:.

No. Keep on with the mods Stan as I think it is a big selling point and hugely enjoyable. You can always periodically sell an updated model when the time is right encompassing the mods for those who prefer unmolested original kit.

A Linear PS is best (based on my dabblings) but at a high cost compared to the SMPS. I don't think one can be built for under £100.00 or so.

The latest one that I am trying to get up and running has multiple voltages i.e. 12v, 5v and 5v and is to power each critical bit of the Caiman without the need for internal voltage regs. I agree that the Murata switching regs are a great low cost soln but could be a bottleneck for further gains.

Will let you know how I go on.

Regards

Chris