Caiman and TC-7520 case project

Guys, I have been in negotiations with a UK company who are willing to make an aluminium replacement case for the Caiman/TC-7520. It will be a straight swap of the PCB from the existing case to the new one. Exact cost is not yet certain, but based on a minimum run of 100 pieces it could be between £50 to £80 each. For larger quantities like 1K the price would obviously be a bit better, but let's not get unrealistic.

It will cost me around £400 plus VAT to get them to make me a couple of samples. I am quite willing to fork out that amount on the samples if I have sufficient interest to cover me on the bulk purchase of the 100 pieces.

Any comments on this before I bite the bullet or pull the trigger on this project?

Hi Stan,
Very interesting but, for me, I have to say that £50+ makes it a non-starter. I am happy with the current case design and can't justify spending that sort of money on merely a cosmetic improvement, despite the current lack of a lid :). I feel it might help others to make their mind up if you could provide some indication of what the new case might look like, without giving away anything sensitive.
Cheers,
Dave.

This is a good idea as I think quite a few people would like a posher case for their Caiman, myself included. If a version was available with a brushed silver anodised front panel then I'd definitely consider it for around £50. Something that looked similar to this perhaps:

http://www.modu.it/gx16x12_411x308.jpg

If the price went much above £50 then I'd probably give it a miss and make something myself from a Galaxy case. £50 is approx double the price of a Galaxy case of a similar size. So when I factor in the amount of time I'd save by not having to do all the metal work my self, then paying double seems reasonable to me. :)

Stan,
you have PM

I have no idea what style the case will be since the company has a number of case styles, but not all are able to accept the Caiman PCB. See their website for more info on their case styles.
They'll make up, punch the holes, and do the engraving on the front and rear panel, once I supply them with the info where the holes should go and what has to be printed or engraved on the front and rear panel. Plus they'll make a carrier plate onto who the rear and front PCB of the Caiman is screwed, and the carrier is then inserted into the case.

I'm very interested, Stan. Perhaps not everyone has considered the impact of a heavier and more stable case but I see the benefits as:

- Enhanced solidity should reduce resonances and improve sound quality
- Heavier weight would prevent stiff cables from attempting to tip it over
- Ability to use larger coupling caps
- Would look much nicer :)

Count me in.

I'd be interested too. :)

Yep...
Would/could it be black?
If so for £50 ish I'd prob be interested ...
With the snazzy psu I got for it ita sounding fairly remarkable at the mo!
Nice new care would do it justice I think!

I can have it in brushed aluminium at a better price than in black. But I can have brushed aluminium or black front panels, which can be swapped over to taste.
Is that a good idea?

Brushed ally would suit all my kit :)

Would it be relatively easy to swap the cases over? Would (could) it include an improved knob? (Oohh err missus!) Sounds interesting. :)

The knob is standard fit, Alex. You could fit many different types to the Caiman.

The case company doesn't make knobs.
As for swapping over the PCB: as I mentioned they would make a carrier plate for the case, and the two boards would be screwed onto the plate and slid inside the case.

Once we have a majority agreement on the case colour and the option of a black or brushed aluminium front panel, I can try to get samples of the case made.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by StanleyB

I can have it in brushed aluminium at a better price than in black. But I can have brushed aluminium or black front panels, which can be swapped over to taste.
Is that a good idea?

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I'd say so!
Black front/silver sides would suit me! :)

Black or silver chassis would suite me but I'd prefer a brushed silver front. So perhaps just make the chassis in whatever the most popular colour is and then offer the choice of black or silver front. :)

A sturdy case would be nice... and the other two boxes are black so....

Thought of giving it a go myself but the without access to prober tools the punching of back and front is the challenge... well the holes would be there but the alignment could be so so :doh:

Silver for me. :)

A Black case for me.

Maybe you could change the RCA socktes to a real 75 Ohms like Canare or Neutrik RCA.

regards
Joao

How is this project coming along, Stan?

Not very well I am afraid. The cost is getting far higher than expected.

Whys that?

Tooling up and doing the drawings for the front and back panel, delivery from the factory to me, VAT. It's closer to £80 for 100 pieces.
Anyone knows a cheaper way of solving the problem?

Where are these being done Stan?

http://www.panel-print.com/

I personally wouldn't object to that price for a good quality case, but I guess you have to make up the numbers from everyone.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by StanleyB

Tooling up and doing the drawings for the front and back panel, delivery from the factory to me, VAT. It's closer to £80 for 100 pieces.
Anyone knows a cheaper way of solving the problem?

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I could certainly help out Stan with any Cad work required?
(assuming its typical AutoCad type software you would use)

Thanks for the offer, but the charges have nothing to do with me. The cost of copying the design over from the existing case and programming it into the cutting equipment are all from the case manufacturer. I am only passing on the info that I have received from them.