The discrete TC-7520(SE)(+) line output

[Alex_UK]

Gatorised Caiman - I like it!

[Jason P]

Let's just say that I have very much undersold the performance of the discrete PCB .

Now I'm excited, the passive mod is really working in my system.

Roll on October!

[leo]

For the coupling caps I've tried a few including grey Rubycons (I removed them from the original op-amp audioboard ) also green Nichicon BP's , metalic blue sleeve Panasonics , Nichicon FG ,Elna silmicII and Rubycon ZL.
I still like those grey BP Rubycons best so far out of the lytics , its a shame their hard to find now Still need to try some more, I'm also going to try the 10uf 50v Wima which are quite compact although obviously won't be as good as the best film caps

Heres my cut down version bodged on vero

[BoD]

Does this bypass the muting circuit as that does my head in with the huge blips at the start of a track.

[Dougr33]

Could you lovely Brits save me some forum reading (I'm swamped with school right now, and I'm getting old) and let me know:
1. i just received my new Caiman. Love it! UNmod'd at this time. Is this board meant for a mod'd Caiman or good to go for mine?
2. Do I have to perform some other mods to get all the improvement out of this new board?
3. I love my headphones (AKG 702s), and have wanted to use the Caiman as a pre-amp. Does this board mean it would only do fixed line out and phones? (not a deal killer.. I might end up using an integrated amp anyway), or does variable out still work (and be improved).

Thanks folks!

[StanleyB]

Does this bypass the muting circuit as that does my head in with the huge blips at the start of a track.

When I have the Gators in, send me the DAC and I'll check that out for you.

[StanleyB]

2. Do I have to perform some other mods to get all the improvement out of this new board?
3. I love my headphones (AKG 702s), and have wanted to use the Caiman as a pre-amp. Does this board mean it would only do fixed line out and phones? (not a deal killer.. I might end up using an integrated amp anyway), or does variable out still work (and be improved).

2. Yes you have to remove one of the opamps from the old audio PCB and fit it to the Gator PCB instead.
3. You can use the stock Caiman as a pre-amp. Many already do and have mentioned it on AoS many times. Did you not notice that before?

To understand what the Gator is designed to do, see the opening lines in the first post in this thread.

[slate]

Hi Stan

Sign me up for one of these...

Finally got around to cycle to Holstebro the other day and fetch a couple of Dexa's UWB regulators; time to dust of the iron.

Cheers
Jan

[Dougr33]

3. You can use the stock Caiman as a pre-amp. Many already do and have mentioned it on AoS many times. Did you not notice that before?

To understand what the Gator is designed to do, see the opening lines in the first post in this thread.

Hi Stanley. Yes, I've used my 7520 as a pre amp for a year. I'm just not aware of what all the previous mods do. "I wanted to find a solution for the low output of the passive mod..." Does this board only go into a Caiman that's had the passive mod applied, or does this board take the place of it (an improved version of the passive mod). Also, what I'm not clear on, is if after
I insert this board, can I still use as a pre, or does it become a passive fixed line output (and HPA) only. Sorry not clear to me, and thanks for your response.

[StanleyB]

The Gator maintains all the functionality of the stock audio PCB. So fixed, variable, and headphone output are all present and unaffected.
In other words: the first opamp on the stock board has been replaced with discrete transistors. Everything else is the same. That includes the connections and signals to every pin on the connectors.
Or to put it another way: the Gator does not remove the variable output, nd does not override the muting circuit.

Have I missed anything in the explanation?