Caiman passive output mod revealed

[Gazjam]

Just intalled Stans eBay recommendation 10uF film cap...

They only JUST fit in the case. and that's lying flat on the pcb.
Also, the connecting wire is quite short- so a permanent install in the Dac would need some hookup wire soldered on to increase the length.

I've got them in with the case off...too early for a final idea of sound quality but out the box they are better than the Nicheon Muse I had in before...a fair bit better actually in transparency and solidity in the soundstage?
Because of this you get drawn into the music with hardly any effort, regardless of what it is.
Also, the bass is awesome. My amp is 50k Ohms and it's a 10uF cap...it goes L O O W..
Good stuff, film caps are better...

Can I expect the sound to change over time the way the electrolytic caps did?

Ta.

[MartinT]

Yes, the midrange becomes even more transparent and the bass fills out a little.

[Alex_UK]

Just intalled Stans eBay recommendation 10uF film cap...

They only JUST fit in the case. and that's lying flat on the pcb.
Also, the connecting wire is quite short- so a permanent install in the Dac would need some hookup wire soldered on to increase the length.

I've got them in with the case off...too early for a final idea of sound quality but out the box they are better than the Nicheon Muse I had in before...a fair bit better actually in transparency and solidity in the soundstage?
Because of this you get drawn into the music with hardly any effort, regardless of what it is.
Also, the bass is awesome. My amp is 50k Ohms and it's a 10uF cap...it goes L O O W..
Good stuff, film caps are better...

Can I expect the sound to change over time the way the electrolytic caps did?

Ta.

Oohh, Mr. Postie delivered mine today, they're BIG! I shall install later and see how they sound. Are they bipolar or whatever it's called - i.e. does it matter which leg gets plugged into the +/- hole? (Sorry for getting really technical! )

[Gazjam]

Hey Alex,

Naa, doesn't matter which way they go in...
simples!

[Alex_UK]

Hey Alex,

Naa, doesn't matter which way they go in...
simples!

Cheers buddy, going to get my screwdrivers now!

[OLED]

I'll give this one another go to see if anyone can shed light on this;

Something Martin included in his 'final' iteration raised a question for me. How exactly does the muting relay work and when does it take effect? Can it introduce artificial silences into the music? I am pretty sure that's not the case but I'm wondering if Stan's very first post might be the best way to do the passive mode, taking the output from as close to the DAC as possible, via the coupling capacitors straight into the output pin of the RCAs. Using Auri's or Clarity caps will make this quite straight forward.

Like a Dornier pilot over London, I await to be shot down

Cheers Andy

p.s. not sure why I came up with that one, unless it's because I'm off to Dresden next week

[Alex_UK]

All done, the case is a little bowed but its screwed down (I have to worry about little fingers) and there is sound coming from both channels... Let the burn-in commence!

[MartinT]

Something Martin included in his 'final' iteration raised a question for me. How exactly does the muting relay work and when does it take effect? Can it introduce artificial silences into the music?

Hi Andy

As I understand it, the muting relay only kicks in when there is no signal lock into the DAC and ensures that no spurious noise emerges from the DAC in an unlocked condition. I don't think the relay enables between tracks as far as I can tell.

[Stratmangler]

There may not be spurious electrical noise coming out of the Caiman, but I have noticed mechanical noise - ie. the muting relay opening & closing.

It can occasionally be annoying.

Any suggestions for a more mechanically quiet relay ?

[Gazjam]

All done, the case is a little bowed but its screwed down (I have to worry about little fingers) and there is sound coming from both channels... Let the burn-in commence!

How did you get them in Alex...?
I tried and gave up figured I'd need to solder extra wire onto them
Also, where abouts in the Dac did you put them

An help Appreciated...no little fingers here, but two yellow "candles" sticking out under my tellys VERY annoying!

Ta.