Caiman passive output mod revealed

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Originally Posted by Gazjam

Got around last night to fitting 0.1uF bypass caps onto the yellow ebay film cap?
Stan B had mentioned it as a good thing to do...in his usual understated way of course...

flippin 'eck!
:eek:

I noticed a difference right away, the mid and treble had "changed" somehow...it was a different kind of presentation?

More "texture" is how I would try to describe it?
Theres detail coming through I hadn't heard..really subtle stuff, for instance the WAY a guitar note is being strummed...sustain, harmonics, amplifier noise, all of that.

At first I thought I had lost a bit of bass depth - and I had - and there was less "impact", particulalrly with the big classical stuff.
But the detail was all there, much more so than before. Room ambience, mike noises...very distracting.

I left the Dac playing the telly overnight, I had noticed cap burn in before and whilst I hadnt expected anything (dont know why) with the wee 0.1uF caps I thought I'd give it a go anyway.

This morning the bass was back, big time.
A lot tighter and with more depth..the kind of bass you feel in your trouserlegs!

If you have done the passive mod..get some film caps.
If you have film caps...fit a bypass cap.

..dont ask why, just do it :)

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Gazjam,

Done the passive mod with those 10uf Italian film caps so.....

What brand/type of 0.1uf bypass cap did you use please?

Cheers
Frizup

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Originally Posted by Gazjam

Dave,
I'm in the same boat as you, looking at better film caps.
I started a thread over on the 'Wam, some good links/responses from the guys over there.

http://www.hifiwigwam.com/showthread...LY-priced-type

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Hi,

I've just looked at the Hifiwigwam thread (but can't post) and I notice that Ansar Supersound get an honourable mention. I was wondering if you guys knew you can buy the top of the range Ansar SPA caps with solid silver leads direct from the manufacturers (they even take paypal). I emailed them for a quote and the prices pleasantly surprised me (less than 10GBP each inc p&p for 8uF). I'm a big fan of silver as I use solid silver interconnects and a silver wired passive pre so these fit in well and I love the smooth, articulate sound. To be honest I was rather underwhelmed by the Rubycon 47uF bipolars and I even reverted back to listening through the opamp but these Ansars are a whole new ballgame. (maybe not a fair comparison as I hadn't at that stage employed a linear PS but they do say don't put 'lytics in the signal path ;) )

Here's a link - http://www.suppression-devices.com/a...apacitors.html

Ian

Thanks for the links guys. :)
It's also good to know that the 0.1uF bypass caps seem to work well. I can't wait for mine to arrive now. :cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Frizzup

Gazjam,

Done the passive mod with those 10uf Italian film caps so.....

What brand/type of 0.1uf bypass cap did you use please?

Cheers
Frizup

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Good news Frizzup, a friend of mine can post a couple out for you to try. They are the same as the ones I'm using.
Can organise it over PM.


Gaz.

Anyone swapped out the large input cap in the Caiman when using the output mod and also using a linear p.s?

I already have a Kendeil 10,000uf cap in my ps in front of double regulation and would like to try removing (or changing) the 16v cap in the Caiman.

Any thoughts?

Regards

Chris

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Originally Posted by chrism

Anyone swapped out the large input cap in the Caiman when using the output mod and also using a linear p.s?

I already have a Kendeil 10,000uf cap in my ps in front of double regulation and would like to try removing (or changing) the 16v cap in the Caiman.

Any thoughts?

Regards

Chris

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Thats my next mod to the Dac, await this one with interest :)
Couple of guys have done it, with improved results I think?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chrism

Anyone swapped out the large input cap in the Caiman when using the output mod and also using a linear p.s?

I already have a Kendeil 10,000uf cap in my ps in front of double regulation and would like to try removing (or changing) the 16v cap in the Caiman.

Any thoughts?

Regards

Chris

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This subject came up in one of the linear supply threads a few months ago. For people running a high end linear supply based around something like the SuperTeddyReg the 10,000uF resevoir cap should be replaced with a smaller film or tant cap as this type of supply isn't designed to charge large caps. If the cable length between your supply and DAC is anything more than a few CM then you should use 10uF (some people have used 20uF). 1uF can be used if the cable is only a few CM, but that's unlikely unless you've put the supply in the same case as the DAC.

I tried a 10uF film cap but didn't notice any difference in the sound. I don't think it's something that's likely to make much of an audible difference, it just makes sure that the supply isn't being strained. I ordered a few other caps to try out but never got round to it. Maybe one day. :)

EDIT: If you do swap the resevoir cap you may as well get one with a higher voltage rating to make sure that you don't damage it with 15-16V supply.

The reservoir caps in my DACs are before the regulators.

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Originally Posted by StanleyB

The reservoir caps in my DACs are before the regulators.

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Thanks Stan,

I already have a nice 10,000 uf cap in my PS and am looking to try taking out the one in the Caiman as I don't think that I need it now. A 10uf film cap has been suggested instead but I wonder if I need anything at all as the PS is very well regulated.

Regards

Chris

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chrism

A 10uf film cap has been suggested instead but I wonder if I need anything at all as the PS is very well regulated.

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Hi Chris, it's always best to have something local to the circuit for decoupling purposes ;) Nothing like a nice low impedance near where the current is being drawn to prevent any oscillations :)