Caiman passive output mod revealed

[MartinT]

I'm going to try the grey non polar Rubycons again in a few days if the standards don't improve

Yes, these bipolar Rubycon CE (the grey ones) are superb at depth portrayal and you may well prefer them to the BGs.

[NRG]

See my post here: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showp...&postcount=117

BTW, I'm still getting great timing, detail, spaciousness and texture from the Black Gate FKs - but not really getting the bass power I am after (my Linn Genki still betters it in that respect) - this is likely a factor of the Black Gates and probably needs about six more weeks to overcome that deficit Also extreme left and right of the stage sound very convincing - it's just the centre image that the BGs portray as a bit flat.

Andrew

Exactly, the diffuse sound I mentioned earlier, the center image is weak and with rock guitar and vocals it doesn't sound right. The bass is lighter than the standard BG's and doesn't drive rock tracks along as it should.

Seriously thinking about the grey non polar Rubicons....

[MartinT]

So I need to ask for 47uF bipolar caps from jimmy and they will go in either way round in the top an bottom 2 of the 5 hole slot on the left looking at it from the button side... Right?

Yes, Hamish!

[NRG]

Please help a poor chap out, where are you guys getting the Rubicons from?

I've dug up some Elna SilmicII and Starget ROD to try (black can and red can)

[Peter Galbavy]

Not meaning to derail the thread, but those of us who have forgotten almost everything, can someone explain - using "springs", "hosepipes" and "counterweight" level language, what the caps in this mod do, how the value affects the output etc. ?

I am fine with resistors and volt/amps etc. in general, but capacitors - and the difference between capacitance and inductance - continues to confuse me.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Yes, Hamish!

Just making sure

[HighFidelityGuy]

Please help a poor chap out, where are you guys getting the Rubicons from?

I've dug up some Elna SilmicII and Starget ROD to try (black can and red can)

I think Tirna Electronics are the only place you're going to be able to get them in small quantities. You need to speak to Jimmy.

[StanleyB]

Please help a poor chap out, where are you guys getting the Rubicons from?

I have asked Jimmy at Tirna Electronics to supply them for the MOD21 on the TC-7510, and the passive mod on the TC-7520 and Caiman. Jimmy can be reached on:
Tel: +44 (0)1968 660605
Email: sales@tirnaelectronics.co.uk

He has agreed to ship to just anywhere on the planet . Price is around £2 delivered to the UK. I reckon it will cost a few pence more for postage outside the UK.

[MartinT]

Not meaning to derail the thread, but those of us who have forgotten almost everything, can someone explain - using "springs", "hosepipes" and "counterweight" level language, what the caps in this mod do, how the value affects the output etc. ?

I am fine with resistors and volt/amps etc. in general, but capacitors - and the difference between capacitance and inductance - continues to confuse me.

In simple terms:
Capacitors pass AC and block DC.
Inductors pass DC and block AC.
The amount by which they pass AC is determined by their value. There's a lot more to it than that, but it'll do for now.

The output of the Wolfson DAC in the Caiman is at about +2.5V DC with the AC signal superimposed. If you were to connect it directly to your preamp/integrated amp you would be trying to amplify DC and either your speaker cones would come at you across the room or your amp would be uncomfortable, go into protection, overheat or otherwise. Some amps have an input capacitor and they would be ok, but in principle you need to block the DC so that only the AC gets through.

So you use a capacitor to pass the AC signal through. The value, together with the input impedance of your preamp/integrated, determines the lowest frequency (bass) that can pass. Simplistically. For common values of input impedance, values of 10uF to 47uF should be fine, as Stan says. The voltage handled needs to be 6.3V or higher (to comfortably deal with the 2.5V). The difference in sound quality is more likely to come from the different construction used to make different capacitors than its exact value. And that's where the fun begins...

Does that answer your question?

[The Vinyl Adventure]

I have asked Jimmy at Tirna Electronics to supply them for the MOD21 on the TC-7510, and the passive mod on the TC-7520 and Caiman. Jimmy can be reached on:
Tel: +44 (0)1968 660605
Email: sales@tirnaelectronics.co.uk

He has agreed to ship to just anywhere on the planet . Price is around £2 delivered to the UK. I reckon it will cost a few pence more for postage outside the UK.

i just spoke to him he is going to put them on his site for buying by paypal today or tomorow