Caiman Mods

[MartinT]

Got my caps, just haven't had time to perform the mod yet and too busy enjoying my new Dynavector arm.

[StanleyB]

I've just been reading up on this new Elna cap mod and having a look inside my Caiman and I've noticed something odd. Sorry if this has already been mentioned but I've noticed that there seems to be more than one circuit layout in Caiman's owned by AoS members.
I've managed to find a couple of pictures that show this:


If you look to the left of where the left ribbon meets the PCB, you'll notice that MartinT's has an extra electrolytic cap and resistor. That's the only change I can see but there may be others.

Does anyone know what the story is on this?

I try mods out all the time. But some might turn out to be of no value, in which case I would remove them at some stage. Can't remember what that mod was supposed to do though. Couldn't have been important.

[Frizzup]

Thanks for the mod with the caps Carson, completed mine this weekend using SILMIC II's and "WOW" even in the first few hours the change is sublime, detail, broader dynamic range, and presence. This mod was done on top of the previous Murata Regaulators and Rubycon output caps I did last month. This Caiman never ceases to impress how it makes quite dramtic improvements for very few dollars and a couple of hours DIY.

Seeing as I was in the "mod mood" I also followed Leo's example and swapped coaxial 2 to a 75ohm BNC connector.

The final mod for the weekend was the most dramatic...............
I swapped the 5 blue LED's on the front panel for red ones....looks the bees knees in the rack as everything else is red LED.
I thought I detected an improved soundstage with the red LED's over the blue

Frizzup

[Covenant]

Thanks for the mod with the caps Carson, completed mine this weekend using SILMIC II's and "WOW" even in the first few hours the change is sublime, detail, broader dynamic range, and presence. This mod was done on top of the previous Murata Regaulators and Rubycon output caps I did last month. This Caiman never ceases to impress how it makes quite dramtic improvements for very few dollars and a couple of hours DIY.

Seeing as I was in the "mod mood" I also followed Leo's example and swapped coaxial 2 to a 75ohm BNC connector.

The final mod for the weekend was the most dramatic...............
I swapped the 5 blue LED's on the front panel for red ones....looks the bees knees in the rack as everything else is red LED.
I thought I detected an improved soundstage with the red LED's over the blue

Frizzup

Thats great. How do the SILMIC II's compare in price to the Elna's?
Whoops-forget that-just spotted that SILMIC II's are Elna's

[Carson]

Thanks for the mod with the caps Carson, completed mine this weekend using SILMIC II's and "WOW" even in the first few hours the change is sublime, detail, broader dynamic range, and presence. This mod was done on top of the previous Murata Regulators and Rubycon output caps I did last month. This Caiman never ceases to impress how it makes quite dramatic improvements for very few dollars and a couple of hours DIY.

I'm glad it wasn't just me who noticed a nice improvement then

[StanleyB]

Anyone got some of those 47uF Rubycon caps left over? I need about 6 pieces so that I can try the mod out on the TC-7520 and report back on my findings.

[Carson]

I have about 16 left I think. Would you like me to send you some?

[Gazjam]

Anyone got some of those 47uF Rubycon caps left over? I need about 6 pieces so that I can try the mod out on the TC-7520 and report back on my findings.

Can safely say in my case with my modded 7520 ("Caimen Spec" Wolfsen Dac, upgraded opamps AND Mutara Regs and Rubycon caps) that it's a very different product from the original 7520.

The 7520 is great, modded it's sublime. The latest Rubicon cap/mutaras was at least as big a jump to me as the Wolfsen dac and upgraded opamps, probably more.
Smoother yet far clearer and "real" sounding. More high end sounding.

There's another round of mods on this thread..will get that sorted hopefully before I get my Sb Touch...

[StanleyB]

I have about 16 left I think. Would you like me to send you some?

Yes please.

[Carson]

Yes please.

Ok Stan, whats your address and I'll post you some.