Gator aid. Or how to get the most from your Gator.

[Werner Berghofer]

how to mod the gator board so I can get the most out of the akg k702?

What are you missing, what do you want to improve, what do you intend to achieve? Do you operate the AKG K702 directly from the DAC’s headphone plug?

Werner.

[audionewbi]

What are you missing, what do you want to improve, what do you intend to achieve? Do you operate the AKG K702 directly from the DAC’s headphone plug?

Werner.

i learned if I make the changes it will benifit the k702 alone and will not allow me to enjoy the hfi 780 anymore. I think it is best to leave it untouched and use it as how it is for my remaining cans and save up for a good enough amp for the k702. I feel they lack body and weight.

[Werner Berghofer]

I feel they lack body and weight.

This is exactly also my opinion. I’ve read very often that the AKG K701 really shine when they are used with a matching amplifier and I really hope and wish for you that you find such an amplifier.

We should keep in mind that the primary purpose of Stanley Beresford’s DACs is the conversion of digital data to analogue signals. Maybe it would be wiser if Stanley would omit the headphone plug in future versions.

I guess my Schiit Valhalla is not the perfect amp for the AKG K701. For me it was not only the not satisfactory sound of these headphones; also the bumps of the headband caused a lot of pain, and after two years of trying to get happy with the K701 against all adverse circumstances I decided to call it a day and switch to another headphone. The Beyerdynamic DT 990 feels very comfortable on my head, and powered by my headphone amplifier eventually body and weight returned to my headphone listening experience.

Did you read what Mark recently wrote about the K701 used with the Caiman?

Werner.

[StanleyB]

We should keep in mind that the primary purpose of Stanley Beresford’s DACs is the conversion of digital data to analogue signals. Maybe it would be wiser if Stanley would omit the headphone plug in future versions.

Many people have been encouraged to listen to headphones a lot more after trying out the headphone section on my DACs. Instead of removing the headphone socket, and thereby limiting even further the availability of DACs with a headphone output, an alternative solution would be to offer an improved headphone section as an upgrade for those who need it.

Did you read what Mark recently wrote about the K701 used with the Caiman?

Be careful with recommending ill informed and inaccurate advise, especially when readers do not stop and question the accuracy of any statement that could determine their final decision on what to buy.

[Peter Galbavy]

I'm with Stan on this one. There are many solutions ranging in price and flexibility. Some work for me, some for you and so on. If people had the "only the 100% correct solution to any problem" attitude then we wouldn't have an music at all, let alone the equipment to record and play it back on.

[Werner Berghofer]

Stanley,

limiting even further the availability of DACs with a headphone output

I’m not an expert in this area, but I think there must be a certain reason why many manufacturers of DACs decide against including a headphone section in their products.

an alternative solution would be to offer an improved headphone section as an upgrade for those who need it

This sounds like a good idea, and I shall be watching the further evolution of your products.

Be careful with recommending ill informed and inaccurate advise

Thank you, I acknowledge the warning. Until now it has been my impression that the purpose of this forum is exchanging and sharing of opinions and empirical knowledge. I was not aware that “The Art of Sound” might be some kind of marketing vehicle for your or any other products. If you consider Mark’s comment as ill informed and inaccurate why don’t you post a rectification or explanation in the original thread?

You know that I really like the DACs sold with the “Beresford” label – come on, there are five of them in my home (2 × TC-7520, 3 × Caiman). They offer a great value for their price, and I recommend them to anyone considering the purchase of a DAC within a certain budget. However, in my opinion the performance of their headphone section leaves a lot to be desired for when used to drive AKG K701 headphones, and I see that I’m not the only person with this opinion. Even you declared (June 20th, 10:00 AM):

“As I mentioned in previous threads, the headphone section of the Caiman was not designed for high-end usage from the outset. It got upgraded with various tweaks in order to push it to handle high-end cans.”

Why tweak a device to mimic a function it was not designed for originally? A true motorcycle is still very different from a bicycle with an auxiliary engine added later due to popular request.

Werner.

[slate]

Well having owned a Caiman+ since it came out (later gatorized), it didn't take long for me to order a 7520 SEG when Stan introduced it with his AoS offer.
It is now running in my office feeding a pair of Superlux 668B

[Werner Berghofer]

It is now running in my office feeding a pair of Superlux 668B

Congratulations! The headphone section of my Caiman DACs works just wunderfully when driving my pair of Sennheiser PX 200, but the synergy between Caiman and AKG K701 headphones is far form perfect.

That’s just all I wanted to express.

Werner.

[Peter Galbavy]

That’s just all I wanted to express.

You know what? I think we understood that. About 20 posts back.

[audionewbi]

please do not get me wrong, I love the DAC and AMP ability of the gator, it is a perfect match most of my cans and i am so happy it has that instead of not having it all. I love it and for most cans it is a perfect all in one solution.