Caiman passive output mod revealed

[MartinT]

I'm waiting for the new Caiman case project so that I can use larger values than the Ansar 2.2uF caps I'm currently using.

[LittleTone]

For those who may be interested and like me; are spending a fortune trying loads of different caps (the postage is a killer); my Auricaps (2.2uf/200V for 47K load) arrived today. They REALLY ARE GOOD; and they haven't run in yet. At last some caps that gave me the same buzz as installing a Gator PCB with my previous amp.

*****Highly recommended*****.

Thanks to AoS members for their contributions.

Tony

[MartinT]

my Auricaps (2.2uf/200V for 47K load) arrived today. They REALLY ARE GOOD;

Nice one, Tony. I'm still running mine. They get better over about a week of use, too.

[LittleTone]

Hi Martin,

Well I think it was down to you. THANK YOU very much.

Regards
Tony

[Maestro]

Hi
Hello! I just bought a Caiman G and would like to know if I can use this capacitor in the upgrade revealed by StanB in the begining of this post, the one in the fixed output - sorry to come up with such an old subject - and also, can I use these in tha variable output, with the same values?
Voilà the capacitor (ignore the photo, the right values are in the title, wich is 10uF/630V ). I hope this is not a ridiculous question, my knowledge in electronics are almost zero... Thanks a lot to everybody!

[Maestro]

I forgot to post the link

http://www.audiophonics.fr/condensat...0uf-p-988.html
and also this one
http://www.audiophonics.fr/condensat...dc-p-3564.html
Thank you.

[HighFidelityGuy]

Hi Francisco. You need to check if your Caiman has the Gator board fitted. I'm guessing it might have seen as there's a G on the end of the name. If it has a Gator board fitted then you don't need to do the capacitor mod. The Gator board was designed to replace the original output board and provide a similar improvement to the capacitor mod while making sure the Caiman is still compatible with any amp. The capacitor mod only worked well with some amps. If you are in any doubt then I would recommend that you get in touch with Stan Beresford before you make any changes.

[Maestro]

Hi Highfidelityguy
Thanks! Well, this is the last version with the gator board, so I don't want to make this upgrade. That's good news! Now, I know that Mr Stanley choosed a very nice opamp, but I want to change it against a better one. I thought about the burson opamps, but they are not compatible. A very nice and competent seller in France explained me that and sait that Audio GD has discrete opamps with a similary circuitry. (I think you know them...). Audio gd has 3 different ones, and more affordable. For those who want neutrality, the answer is the "Earth". Now the question: how the hell do I know if I connect it the right way? Do I make some damage in my gator board if I place the opamp in the wrong way? Thanks again. Hope my english is not so bad, it has a lot of mistakes.
http://www.audiophonics.fr/audiogd-o...ts-p-5309.html
http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/diy/OPA/OPAEN.htm

[HighFidelityGuy]

Hi, before you do anything with opamps you need to understand more about the Gator board. The Gator board uses a discreet transistor output for the line level outputs. The opamp is only for the headphone output. So if you are mainly going to use the line outputs then changing the opamp is pointless.

If you want to try different opamps for the headphone output then you need to be very careful that you install them the correct way round. Also, many discreet opamp replacements like those by Burson etc are physically much bigger than standard opamps and are unlikely to fit inside the case. Another thing to remember is that not all opamps work well in every DAC. Again, I would recommend that you talk to Stan as he will know which opamps work well in his DAC.

For future reference, this diagram shows the correct numbering of an 8 pin DIL socket like those used with standard opamps:



Most opamps will either have a notch cut out at one end between pin 1 and pin 8 or a white dot next to pin 1. The opamp socket will have a notch at one end also. Make sure that the notch or white dot on the opamp is at the same end as the notch in the socket. Also ensure that all the pins drop into the holes. Sometimes a pin can get bent the wrong way.

You also need to be careful of static electricity. If you don't have an anti-static wrist band, then at the very least make sure that you regularly touch some bare metal that's grounded to discharge yourself. If you don't then you can easily damage the opamp or the DAC with your static.

Obviously you also need to unplug your DAC before you start changing anything.

Personally I don't think you need to change the opamp as the one Stan fits is very good for most headphones. You are likely to get better improvements by upgrading the power supply to a good quality linear model.

Please don't do anything unless you are 100% sure you know what your doing as several people have damaged their Caiman's by doing things wrong. As I've already said, if you are in any doubt, ask Stan.

[Maestro]

Hey, thanks again. You are helping me a lot.
Well, may be I don't need to change the opamp, but I know, (I'm sure), that a good power supply is more than welcome, and it seems to me that it should be my next upgrade. I also learned with your reply, that the op amp only affects the phones output! Nevertheless, for me that's the weekest point of the caiman. I was expecting a big improovement over the micro dac (udac) from nuforce... but I must say that I compared both with an ultimate ears, very good, but limited. By the way, if someone has a tip about what good phones to the caiman, please be free to refer it.
I like this: amt ERGO that costs about 300 euros, for me it is so good as the big stax. YES!! I mean it. If possible something in the 200 area...
I was tempted by this:
http://www.audiophonics.fr/alimentat...ac-p-5767.html
http://www.audiophonics.fr/alimentat...ng-p-6335.html
Stalley also advised me about this: (and I respect his opinions, eyes closed)
but it is more expensive:
www.markgrantcables.co.uk
I see you have an upgraded PS, wich is....
Thanks again for you very detailed replys, I hope I will make such a good contribution in this forum. I've allready learned usefull and interesting things.