Gatorized Caiman, my first impressions

[Aturion]

Just received a Gatorized Caiman and sold the old one (actually a deal with a friend of mine who never uses headphones, so he took the non-gatorized caiman)

My first impressions in use with my AKG K 701 headphones :

-The bass is much more present and richer, nice work
-The sound seems globally more dynamic to me
-Clarity seems unbeatable, I can't imagine a sound more defined than that, I can hear every instrument distinctly, even in a crowded symphony
-Treble seems sometimes, as with the previous caiman, a bit harsh, it's very slight, but to be fair, I can't define if that comes from certain records themselves, or from my AKG headphones response, or simply from my sensitive ears , as I have no point of comparison.

Overall, I'm very happy with my upgrade, just listened to Yehudi Menuhin's record of Beethoven's 9th symphony... simply a delight, Thanks Stan

[Werner Berghofer]

I'm very happy with my upgrade

Just out of curiosity: If you compare the DAC’s volume knob to a clockface, where do you position it (10 o’clock, 11 o’clock and so on)? In which position of the volume dial are volume and sound most pleasing to you?

Werner.

[Aturion]

Hi Werner, it really depends on what is playing, most of time somewhere around 2 o'clock seems to be fine

When listening to some classic music I may have to "push" the knob almost all the way to the right to have enough power

Speaking of trebles, It's definitely smoother on my loud speakers than on my headphones, I guess I have to try another set of headphones before deciding if this is and output issue or a headphone issue

[Fi-Wi]

Hi Werner, it really depends on what is playing, most of time somewhere around 2 o'clock seems to be fine

When listening to some classic music I may have to "push" the knob almost all the way to the right to have enough power

My standard position when listening through headphones (Superlux HD668-B) is 10 o' clock. Sometimes the knob hits 11 o' clock and very rarely 12 o'clock but only for shorter periods. My source is a Squeezebox for 99% of the time.

Besides the fact that any louder gets really unpleasant, I cherish my hearing as well. I am not saying that you don't by the way.

[Werner Berghofer]

most of time somewhere around 2 o'clock seems to be fine

Thanks, this was also my favourite position of the volume knob when listening with the AKG K701 from the Caiman.

Werner.

[Werner Berghofer]

Steven,

My standard position when listening through headphones (Superlux HD668-B) is 10 o' clock.

are your headphones connected to the Caiman’s headphone plug?

Werner.

[Fi-Wi]

Yes, permanently.

[Aturion]

@Steven : The Superlux HD668-B have slightly less impedance (56 ohms) than the Akg K 701 (62 Ohms), and yes may be 2 o'clock is a bit on the high side , but the average position wouldn't be less than 1 o'clock for me

[Werner Berghofer]

The Superlux HD668-B have slightly less impedance (56 ohms) than the Akg K 701 (62 Ohms)

I’m not sure if an impedance difference as small as this is the reason for the 10 or 11 o’clock position on Steven’s DAC.

I just plugged my Beyerdynamic 990/600 (!) Ω into my Caiman’s headphone plug. Also with this headpone, my prefered dial position remained something between 2 and 3 o’clock. However, even if I turned the Caiman’s volume knob to the maximum position, no distorsions where audible with the DT 990, but everything beyond 3 o’clock is unlistenable with the AKG K701.

Werner.

[Fi-Wi]

I checked both impedances as well as I thought that would be the cause of the big difference in knob position, but being that close to each other (6 ohm), other factors may play a bigger role in this. Maybe someone technically informed here can tell me how this can be. The Squeezebox has fixed volume at 100% and is connected to my Caiman by a Mike Homar WBT-plugged coax.

I have a Sennheiser HD570 here as well but I use the same knob position for my Caiman/Gator when listening to the Senn.