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

[Peter Galbavy]

Slightly (OK, very!) off topic, but here they are as of Saturday (CATurday!) when I drove an 8 1/2 hour roundtrip in the chaos to the breeder's to visit. Three boys from a litter of 6 - 4 boys, 2 girls. Maine Coon giants on the way...

[Stratmangler]

Just listening to The Beatles "Help !" album in 24 bit, via the Caiman/Gator and my latest toy - a pair of Goldring DR150 headphones, purchased this evening from Richer Sounds for the princely sum of £20.

Sounding very nice, although I've heard that the Goldrings take a while to loosen up.

I found the 'phones through the clearance section on the Richer Sounds website, and they are only available for collection from stores that hold stock.

I'm rather pleased with my purchase, to say the least

[Carson]

Looking forward to giving this Gator board a try in my Caiman.

Recently bought a pair of Denon AH-D5000 headphones, and using the passive mod for normal Hi-Fi listening. Since something is wrong with my headphone out stage (some kind of weird distortion/interference audible at certain times within songs) this should allow me to run my Denon cans straight from the Caiman rather than through my integrated amp. Bring on the full potential of my new cans....oh yes!

[bergdus]

Got the Gator now for a week burning in, after using my Trends audio with the passive mod (rubycons). -3dB is too much for the tiny Trends, so went on with the Gator. Volume is what it was before now. Got the idea that there's more space en definition, more then with the passive mod. But possibly my ears are disturbed by the extra dB's the Gator delivers. But overall very impressed with it's brillant non fatique sound!

grtz

Ron

[Labarum]

Ordered my Gator after Christmas and got it today.

Just fitted.

Easy to fit: Stan's web instructions could not be clearer.

Initial impression? Better piano sound.

Will leave it for a few hours. Other things to do.

Listening in my Southampton flat so with a Quad 77 Integrated Amp and AVI Neutron 4s.

I would expect the Gator to have more effect in Nicosia when using the Caiman-Gator directly to drive a Quad 405-2.

Have you Stan, or anyone made any objective measurements to compare the Caiman with and without Gator?

[Gazjam]

Good stuff Brian..

did you try out the Passive Mod beforehand or go straight to the Gator?

[Labarum]

Good stuff Brian..

did you try out the Passive Mod beforehand or go straight to the Gator?

No passive mod. Need phones and vol control. Didn't know how DAC without buffer would drive power amp direct.

Just back in. Will have another listen.

[CanDAC]

My Caiman got its Gator mod nearly three weeks ago, and has burned-in enough for some initial evaluation.

First off, it is definitely a worthwhile upgrade. The Caiman already had the full slew of Tirna mods, and still revealed a noticable improvement. There is more detail in the lows, while excessive brightness has been trimmed off the highs. I also noted a marginal improvement in soundstage on some tracks, but the most significant improvement comes with headphones. Not only are there the previously mentioned detail improvements, but also a much better sense of space between voices and instruments, considerably closer to what my speakers produce.

Stan's service was excellent as usual, and it would certainly seem logical to expect this upgrade on the next incarnation of the Caiman. I'm waiting with eager anticipation Stan!

[Labarum]

Done a bit of listening now, and the Caiman-Gator has been powered up seven hours.

As I said, better piano tone.

With the Gator the Caiman seems to have more clarity and is less aggressive, though it was neither clouded nor abrasive before. I am always wary of subjective descriptions (my engineering background!), but the 'picture' projected by my little Neutron 4s seems bigger, deeper and more convincing. I look forward to hearing what the Gator will do on my big system in Nicosia.

I have now listened to the news and a Feature Film with energetic soundtrack. Speech is better, and the film soundtrack seemed to have more life and more size.

Verdict: An improved sound - a worthwhile purchase.

Edit: I have just read what Stan himself said

The sizeable improvements from both the fixed and variable outputs are noticeable within the first few seconds of playing music through the Gator. Speaker output is far more extended, with a more energetic and punchy bass. Treble is also less edgy and more natural. Soundstage is wider and open, with no hint of a veil.

It's true.

I would like to see some data: how does the DAC measure with and without the Gator? Stan? Leo?

[Paul]

Got My Gator board in a T7520 with an AD826 opamp + Caiman psu , hadn't tried the passive mod due to needing volume control, had tried cutting the MLC5 & 6's but after initial extra detial lovelyness ,was far too harsh so reconnected.
Also put in LM4562NA's and liked what I'd heard.

All I can sat now is WOW, extra bass definition , a more 'realistic sound' to instruments and voices,silky smooth with fantastic detail and a more open soundstage. I've only had about 30 or so hours through the board so will probaly try the LM4562NA opamp in about a week , by then I should have put around 100 hours into it.



If anyone has a T7520 I can honestly recommend the £50 ish upgrade, I'd love to hear what a Caiman sounds like with this in if it can make mine sound this good .

Just wondering what opamp you are all using ?

Cheers
Paul