Caiman Mods

[StanleyB]

Hi Dave, the externally cased volume control, frequently referred to as a passive preamp, will be fine with the mod.

It's the integrated amps with a maximum input voltage of 2Vrms on the CD input that could experience overload problems. It works fine on my integrated amp, but it might not on many others. So at this moment in time I am bordering on the cautious side until anyone else flouts my suggestions and proves me wrong .

[HighFidelityGuy]

Hi Dave, the externally cased volume control, frequently referred to as a passive preamp, will be fine with the mod.

It's the integrated amps with a maximum input voltage of 2Vrms on the CD input that could experience overload problems. It works fine on my integrated amp, but it might not on many others. So at this moment in time I am bordering on the cautious side until anyone else flouts my suggestions and proves me wrong .

Thanks Stan.

So does the 12K resistor simply allow a little more voltage on the output?
The reason I ask is that I've put an attenuator between my Caiman and my external volume control to allow me to get the volume knob to 12 O'clock for normal listening levels. If I swap to the 22K resistors will I be partially undoing this? Or is it more complicated than that?

Thanks.

[StanleyB]

Remove the attenuator and fit a 6.8K or even 5.6K instead of the recommended 12K ( it isn't 22K as you quoted ). Let me know what the difference you now hear.

[HighFidelityGuy]

Remove the attenuator and fit a 6.8K or even 5.6K instead of the recommended 12K ( it isn't 22K as you quoted ). Let me know what the difference you now hear.

Thanks for the help Stan and sorry about the typo. I've edited my post to prevent confusion. Unfortunately I don't have either of those resistor values at the moment. I do however have some 10K and 100K trim pots spare. Would I be ok to use the 10K ones? They're Spectrol 64Z.

Providing you think they're good enough for the job I guess using these would provide easy testing of different values and fine tuning.

Cheers.

[StanleyB]

It's got to be metal film resistors of the value I mention There is no rush so take your time . Is there a Maplin close by to you?

[chrism]

Hi Stan,

I would like to try the track length mod. Can't quite see the joint to the tracks in the photo and wondered if you actually cut the tracks on the PCB.

Regards

Chris

[StanleyB]

Hi Chris, if you look very carefully at the spot on the PCB where the two yellow wires are soldered on to you'll see two small holes of about 0.1mm . You'll need 0.1mm insulated wire to fit into those holes. Soldering should be straight forward for a skilled operator of a hot iron..

[chrism]

Thanks Stan,

Just done the mod - had to file down some slightly bigger wire to fit. Small blob of solder top and bottom to hold it in place.

Regards

Chris

[Carson]

Thanks Stan,

Just done the mod - had to file down some slightly bigger wire to fit. Small blob of solder top and bottom to hold it in place.

Regards

Chris

Any noticeable improvements?

[leo]

it was the 50v that confused me Leo, I had thought the original rating for those caps was 10uf 16V?
Obviously its working though!

Theres only about 2.5v across that cap, the caps I fitted are suitable for voltages up to 50v, its always best to fit the highest voltage rated caps which fit physically