Capella Headphone amp paired with the Caiman MKII Dac

Good Evening All,

Just wanted people's opinions on how these 2 paired up sound etc? I have the Capella headphone amp which is a great bit of kit so considering purchasing the DAC to go with it and a external power source such as the one linked here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GSLRKJ...5UWAKDCD&psc=1

I'm currently leaning more towards the Caiman as it has been a great experience so far with Beresford but also considering the Schiit Bitforst Uber as I have read good things (any users would be great to hear your thoughts).

Many Thanks

Regards

Rupert

Am I going mad... I thought Werner replied to this thread...?

Richard.

Richard,

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Originally Posted by Bonky

Am I going mad... I thought Werner replied to this thread...?

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no need to worry about your mind, I actually did reply to this question, but shortly afterwards I deleted my answer because I have no hands-on experience with a second generation Beresford Caiman, which is what Rupert is asking for. Four or five years ago I replaced my first generation Caiman with a Schiit Bifrost the moment this DAC became available.

I never had a reason to compare a Caiman Mk II to the Bifrost, because I’m very satisfied with the Bifrost’s performance (even without the optional “Uber” upgrade), its build quality and its overall appearance. Considering this, I think a Beresford DAC might be a more suitable supplement when placed side by side to a Beresford headphone amplifier.

Werner.

I use a Bushmaster 2 with the Capella....it works very well. The ability to power both components from one DC power supply such as a car battery or quality psu is right up my street. The BM2 was modified by Stan to optimise it for battery power. The Caiman 2 is a better Dac sonically with built in USB.

Is using a single battery for the 2 devices only convenient or is the Capella (like the BM) optimised for battery power as well?

If it's not optimised, I can re-use my BotW 15V linear psu that is now collecting dust since I feed my BM2 with an Ankaka.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fi-Wi

Is using a single battery for the 2 devices only convenient or is the Capella (like the BM) optimised for battery power as well?

If it's not optimised, I can re-use my BotW 15V linear psu that is now collecting dust since I feed my BM2 with an Ankaka.

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You can use battery, linear, or SMPS with the Capella. I use my Mark Grant linear PSU with the Capella on my main system. I am still trying to find my Lurcher Linear PSU to try that as well.

Just feed both with the battery utilising the DC lead Stan supplies. The battery powers the Capella and the DC output from it powers the BM2.
There is nothing stopping you use two separate power supplies but you will struggle to better a good battery.

Good Afternoon,

thanks for the info Stan. Has anyone had the auto shut-down issue with the Anker battery (linked below) with the Caiman MK11 and Capella amp connected together?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GSLRKJ...5UWAKDCD&psc=1

Thanks

Rupert

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Originally Posted by Harvey13

Good Afternoon,

thanks for the info Stan. Has anyone had the auto shut-down issue with the Anker battery (linked below) with the Caiman MK11 and Capella amp connected together?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GSLRKJ...5UWAKDCD&psc=1

Thanks

Rupert

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....a very good question Rupert. I currently use the previous generation Anker battery with my Bushmaster MK2 only and have to use a split lead to grain of wheat bulb to avoid the auto cut out.

Later this month I hope to get hold of a Capella. I would think the extra current draw of the Capella will allow me to kick the bulb into touch. Stan - what is the current draw of the Capella ?

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Originally Posted by StanleyB

You can use battery, linear, or SMPS with the Capella. I use my Mark Grant linear PSU with the Capella on my main system. I am still trying to find my Lurcher Linear PSU to try that as well.

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Thanks, my psu is the same as the Mark Grants so that should work.

So I guess it's a matter of personal taste which power source suits best.

Just for info....the Capella DC output still functions with the unit switched off. It lets you use it purely as a HPA with your DAC still in play with the main system if you choose to not utilise it as a pre.

My Capella arrived today, impulse buy.
My Dac arrived yesterday.

First impressions OMG.
I've linked them to my Cyrus 6 DAC in AV Direct mode to act as a power amp using the Capella as a pre amp.

Dark side of the moon sounds wonderful, I can see me using the money I just saved on a good power amp.
And to think I was going to spend over a £1K on a Dac.....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wee tee cee

I use a Bushmaster 2 with the Capella....it works very well. The ability to power both components from one DC power supply such as a car battery or quality psu is right up my street. The BM2 was modified by Stan to optimise it for battery power. The Caiman 2 is a better Dac sonically with built in USB.

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Hi

I have a Bushmaster II and am thinking about getting a Capella. I have a spare Mark Grant linear power supply I can use for the Capella and will be using Sennheiser HD650 headphones.

My question is, would it be a worthwhile upgrade?

Regards

Darren

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Originally Posted by Darren Cotter

Hi

I have a Bushmaster II and am thinking about getting a Capella. I have a spare Mark Grant linear power supply I can use for the Capella and will be using Sennheiser HD650 headphones.

My question is, would it be a worthwhile upgrade?

Regards

Darren

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The only person who can give you that answer is you. So far only one person has sent back his Capella, and that was because he fancied something several times more expensive that also had a DAC built in. But not everyone is a big spender :).

Darren,
The Capella enables you to get the best out of the 650s IMHO. I rate the 650s very highly and regarded the BM2 as an excellent match performance wise. The Caiman2 is a better DAC sonically but for headphone use the Capella is excellent with every pair of cans I have plumbed into it-the tunability is invaluable and really lets you get the most out of what you have.

Amping headphones properly makes a very noticeable difference. I had a MF HPA previously ,the Capella to my ears surpasses it on cans and as a single line active pre by a noticeable margin-at a fraction of the cost.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Harvey13

Good Afternoon,

thanks for the info Stan. Has anyone had the auto shut-down issue with the Anker battery (linked below) with the Caiman MK11 and Capella amp connected together?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GSLRKJ...5UWAKDCD&psc=1

Thanks

Rupert

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I am very interested in the answer to this also.

Hi CADCAM,

I can confirm I have had no auto shut down issue with both the Caiman MK11 and the Capella connected together using the Anker battery linked :) Been using the set up for over two weeks now with my 600ohm Beyer DT 880's linked by Optical cable to my PC (currently using Qobuz) and my Cambridge CD player. FLACS and CD's are sounding superb using this gear. Cannot recommend enough!

Regards

Rupert

I have the Astro Pro2 which is shutting down powering the Bushmaster and I just ordered the 2nd Gen last nite. Hopefully the 2nd Gen stays on and I will return the original. Battery will be here tomorrow and I will update.

If you are on a budget, then the battery pack that was first tried out without any shutdown issues is of the type shown at http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-9800mA...item1c467c4e3e for UK
and
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/9800mAh-DC...item461fd3a2da for EU

If you need the battery level indicator, then try http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-3800ma...item1c47aaa935

These Ankers are $80. & $100. US dollars. I'm not on a budget so much as just want the unit to stay on. I'll have to check if the batteries you suggested are available in the US if this new 2nd Gen Anker shuts down. To bad because the first Anker seems to be a great battery, it has powered the BM for awhile now and I've charged 2 smartphones on it and it's still showing 3 out of 5 LEDs.
I've read here a member has the 2nd Gen Anker and it isn't shutting down but he is powering a Beresford DAC & amp. Wish me luck!

I used 2g Anker battery pack with BM2, Caiman2 separately and it never shuts down. I am using it now to power both Caiman2 and Capella headphone amp.

I have to turn on the dac before I turn on the battery pack in all cases.

Awesome, the battery should be here today. I hope it stays on.

So...got the battery (2nd Gen) in and first off it uses a different cable that did not fit the Beresford! I tried the cable from the original Anker and it did work but with an adaptor from the original battery which I did plan on returning. I tried the new 2nd gen and it did power up but then shut right down, ended up you need to hit the power button twice as once is 9V and the second puts it into 12V operation. Took a quick listen and something was different, it sounded good but my memory told me it used to sound better. I switched back and forth a few times and I can't put my finger on it but the original (1st gen) battery sounded better to me. The bass seemed to have a bit more authority and it had an inky blackness to the background with delicate delicious detail. The 2nd gen sounded really good but something was missing. Maybe I'm just loosing my mind but I have the old battery on now listening and unfortunately the 2nd gen is going back. Never even tried to see if it would shut down after 20 min. Looks like I'll be needed that grain of wheat bulb...
Does anyone know if I purchased the new Capella amp with the fly head (I have no idea what that is) and powered it and the Bushmaster off the Anker if it would stay on.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CADCAM

So...got the battery (2nd Gen) in and first off it uses a different cable that did not fit the Beresford! I tried the cable from the original Anker and it did work but with an adaptor from the original battery which I did plan on returning. I tried the new 2nd gen and it did power up but then shut right down, ended up you need to hit the power button twice as once is 9V and the second puts it into 12V operation. Took a quick listen and something was different, it sounded good but my memory told me it used to sound better. I switched back and forth a few times and I can't put my finger on it but the original (1st gen) battery sounded better to me. The bass seemed to have a bit more authority and it had an inky blackness to the background with delicate delicious detail. The 2nd gen sounded really good but something was missing. Maybe I'm just loosing my mind but I have the old battery on now listening and unfortunately the 2nd gen is going back. Never even tried to see if it would shut down after 20 min. Looks like I'll be needed that grain of wheat bulb...
Does anyone know if I purchased the new Capella amp with the fly head (I have no idea what that is) and powered it and the Bushmaster off the Anker if it would stay on.

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Well I use the 1st Gen Anker with my Bushmaster MKII and Capella (attached with fly lead) and inexplicably still need the grain of wheat bulb!

To be honest - after using the bulb for around the last year - it is something I have just got used to (I tuck the bulb behind my Hi-Fi rig). I have never been disappointed with the sound of the 1st Gen battery. In my setup it actually powers the Capella, BM2, Squeezebox Touch and the bloody bulb ! I just recharge it every night and still have plenty of juice for a listening session of several hours the next day.

The main reason why the BM, CM, and Capella draw so little current is because the external power source is primarily used as a charger to top up the VirtualCD circuit inside the DACs and headphone amp. Unlike "conventional" designs that use an external power supply, I use the VirtualDC design of mine to do the power driving part of things, and then sort of trickle charge it to top it back up. But that trickle charge current can be so low that it falls below the holding current of many of these battery packs that are used to recharge iPads etc. The Ankaka battery recharging pack is the only one that I knew of that didn't employ a cut off circuit if it didn't detect a load. But the inexpensive 12V batteries that I linked to are in my opinion worth trying out in preference to the Anker. They don't switch off, but they do need recharging a bit more often since they are of a lower capacity.

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Originally Posted by Theadmans

Well I use the 1st Gen Anker with my Bushmaster MKII and Capella (attached with fly lead) and inexplicably still need the grain of wheat bulb!

To be honest - after using the bulb for around the last year - it is something I have just got used to (I tuck the bulb behind my Hi-Fi rig). I have never been disappointed with the sound of the 1st Gen battery. In my setup it actually powers the Capella, BM2, Squeezebox Touch and the bloody bulb ! I just recharge it every night and still have plenty of juice for a listening session of several hours the next day.

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How does the grain of wheat bulb get sliced in? Is there a picture? I work behind a computer all day and don't have a lot of experience splicing cables and wiring in a bulb. Does anyone have a quick detail on how you do this. Sorry I love music and equipment but don't have much experience making or slicing cables.

The simplest and quickest way is to get one of http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Way-DC-P...09733905&rt=nc
Cut off one of the plug and strip that end till you have the bare positive and negative wires. Solder, crimp, or wrap together each side of the lead of a grain of wheat bulb on that end. Then plug the Anker battery into the socket on the 2-way power splitter, and the plug end goes into the socket of the BM.

I'll order one of those leads and take some pics of the procedure. I don't have a grain of wheat bulb though. I gave away all the ones that I had. So anyone who bought a packet full and has one to spare, please let me know.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by StanleyB

The simplest and quickest way is to get one of http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Way-DC-P...09733905&rt=nc
Cut off one of the plug and strip that end till you have the bare positive and negative wires. Solder, crimp, or wrap together each side of the lead of a grain of wheat bulb on that end. Then plug the Anker battery into the socket on the 2-way power splitter, and the plug end goes into the socket of the BM.

I'll order one of those leads and take some pics of the procedure. I don't have a grain of wheat bulb though. I gave away all the ones that I had. So anyone who bought a packet full and has one to spare, please let me know.

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Could you confirm this is the correct one from Amamzon in USA?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0050H9A18/...=IS1SRD0B6DIIJ

It looks the same. So it is most probably from the same Chinese manufacturer.

The annoying thing that I find with the first generation Anker battery is that you need to unplug it and plug it back in for every listening session.

OK strange turn of events here. I returned the 2nd gen Anker battery and charged my Astro Pro2 (original) last night. Woke up this morning hooked it up to the Beresford Bushmaster MKII and it didn't turn off! I have literally had it on all day and it has not shut down??? Is it because of the fresh charge? I have no idea but it's great having the unit stay on. Hope this stays.

Anker Astro Pro2 does not turn off after 20 min. any more...:scratch:
Any ideas? It's powering a Bushmaster MKII only.
Strange...
Guess I'm just lucky

My vinyl system has to have a holiday as my rega rb250 is being rewired by originlive so i have been listening to my laptop running fidelizer with 96/24 upsampling and meier dsp.

I have to say the sound is superb (for digital) excellent soundstaging, air between instruments and the sound through my nad hp50 makes we want to listen and listen as i am hearing more of my music. The adjustments available on the capella make a small but significant difference in tailoring the sound and the combination of dac/amp seems to produce an intimacy previously lacking in my digital system.

So i am not becoming too impatient while i await my tonearm's return, than you Stanley for 2 excellent products which have synergy and value for money.

When the Capella is paired with the Caiman MKII should the dac be set to variable or fixed line out? The headphone amp isn't connected to an amp.

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Originally Posted by fourtetisburial

When the Capella is paired with the Caiman MKII should the dac be set to variable or fixed line out? The headphone amp isn't connected to an amp.

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Fixed, the Capella is then your volume control...

I have the 12v iFi iPower arriving tomorrow. says 12V/1.8A, would this be enough if i add the Capella to my Caiman II? will it work well with HD800?
http://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/accessory-ipower/

That's more than enough current to drive both.
I am using the Capella with a HD800, and it's the best that I have heard the HD800 sound at this price level.

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Originally Posted by StanleyB

That's more than enough current to drive both.
I am using the Capella with a HD800, and it's the best that I have heard the HD800 sound at this price level.

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Hi Stan there is also a 15v version of the iFi Power, which would you recommend for the Caiman II/ Capella combo, 12v or 15v? :)

I didn't think of that, I have the 12V arriving today. the stock power supply that came with the Caiman II is 15V .8A

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Originally Posted by WAD62

Hi Stan there is also a 15v version of the iFi Power, which would you recommend for the Caiman II/ Capella combo, 12v or 15v? :)

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Stick to 12V.