Going Linear with the Caiman

[Gazjam]

No probs.

That sounds a bit dodgy of Maplin. I would have thought that contravenes UK distance selling rules where you're entitled to return the item for a full refund (minus shipping) within 7 days of purchase. I thought that was law. It's supposed to protect you against accidentally purchasing an unsuitable product due to you not being able to actually see the item in the flesh. I'd pull them up on this.

EDIT: Here's a link to the regulations LINK. You want section 3.22 onwards. Basically you have the right to return the item within 7 days of receiving it even if the item is fully working.

Thanks for that Dave, very interesting..
Theres a Maplin 10 mins away from me, but I think I'll order through their website

(From the Maplin Website..)

Unwanted Goods under Distance Selling Regulations:
"The Distance Selling Regulations give customers the right to change their mind and to cancel an order within seven working days. Reasonable care should be taken whilst the goods remain in your possession and goods must be adequately packaged when being returned back to Maplin. Customers whose transactions are covered by the Distance Selling Regulations, the seven day cooling off period is inclusive within our 28 day returns policy."

Their own "28 day return policy" dictates that once an item is "used" (i.e. plugged in or even the box opened) it cant be returned unless faulty.
The wording above is a bit ambigious have to say..."the seven day cooling off period is inclusive within our 28 day returns policy"..which I TAKE to mean that 28 days included the 7 day cooling off period, meaning an extra 21 days over and above it.

Sounds like someone clever has worded it to make it look as though their returns policy supercedes the Distance Selling regs?

You see any probs with this?

Ta.

[Puffin]

I have one of these Maplin 3A supplies in the garage which I used with some Class D amps. I will have to give it a try with the B/F.

[Gazjam]

Sounds good Rob!

[HighFidelityGuy]

The seller can offer extra days above and beyond the 7 day cooling off period and these don't have to be as generous as those layed down in the distance selling regs but they do have to state what the returns policy is in writing. From what I understand the 7 day rule will always supercede the sellers own policy. As for the bit about it being used, I doubt they could prove this if you packed it up exactly as you received it and returned it within 7 days of receipt.

So in the end it seems that you have more rights by buying online than you do by buying in store. The only downside is that you'd have to pay for the return postage. Unless you can return it to your local store.

Thanks for that Dave, very interesting..
Theres a Maplin 10 mins away from me, but I think I'll order through their website

(From the Maplin Website..)

Unwanted Goods under Distance Selling Regulations:
"The Distance Selling Regulations give customers the right to change their mind and to cancel an order within seven working days. Reasonable care should be taken whilst the goods remain in your possession and goods must be adequately packaged when being returned back to Maplin. Customers whose transactions are covered by the Distance Selling Regulations, the seven day cooling off period is inclusive within our 28 day returns policy."

Their own "28 day return policy" dictates that once an item is "used" (i.e. plugged in or even the box opened) it cant be returned unless faulty.
The wording above is a bit ambigious have to say..."the seven day cooling off period is inclusive within our 28 day returns policy"..which I TAKE to mean that 28 days included the 7 day cooling off period, meaning an extra 21 days over and above it.

Sounds like someone clever has worded it to make it look as though their returns policy supercedes the Distance Selling regs?

You see any probs with this?

Ta.

[Puffin]

OK. Tried the Maplin tonight. The PS has previously been modded with a larger smoothing cap by-passed with a poly cap, that's all.

I have been using a Teddyregged supply made up with bits plundered from wrecks. The tranny is probably only about 15va. The Maplin tranny I would guess at about 80va.

I was a bit surprised at the presentation. Very solid and has brought the mid-range out. Bass seems more a part of the whole and treble very sweet. I find that if you can increase the volume and not get harshness, then something must be right. I like improvements that cost nothing (well, relatively speaking as a garage cast off)

I have been listening to the passive mod (the white caps are 4.7uf Sonicaps) I will do some listening over the weekend with the active mode.

[leo]

Leo,I'm already feeding the dac with a regulated linear supply.Do you think there's any mileage in using another linear supply to feed 5v to the dac chip directly?

You use the 7510 don't you? I think the 5v reg in these isn't as close to the dac chip and receiver as they are in the 7520/Caiman.
Instead of running a separate 5v supply to dac which may add a few probs because of the lead lengths, longer grounding returns etc I'd keep your main linear supply if its good and try improving the onboard 5v regulation , you could try tightening things up and run it closer to the dac and receiver chip.

[Ali Tait]

Yes it's a 7510.Ok thanks,I'll have a look.Even as it is though,it's not as good as the AN dac,that is comfortably better,but then it should be,given the retail.

[leo]

Well if you've now gone passive its a good enough time for you to try a valve output stage like the AN dac

[Ali Tait]

Aye,thats a thought too.Have you tried one with the Beresford?

[leo]

I've not tried one with the Caiman yet Ali, if anybody has any idea's what we can try