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

[StanleyB]

Just when you thought you couldn't get any more out of a Caiman/Gator combination, something new comes along!

And there is still more bite left in those teeth I reckon . Not a bad upgrade for little more than the cost of two pints down my local.

Stick a Mark Grant or Lurcher power supply at the DC input and you have a high-end DAC system for next to peanuts.

[DSJR]

One day again, I hope to regard a couple of hundred notes as "peanuts"

[DaveK]

One day again, I hope to regard a couple of hundred notes as "peanuts"

Sadly, too often in the world of hi-fi audiophilia, it is, but folks like Stan are doing their best to prove that it does not have to be.
For my part, my soon-to-be-modded Caiman/Gator is fed by an ex-eBay (el cheapo) linear PSU through a small regulator module (made on breadboard by a member here) through a JLH Ripple Eater, (total cost really was 'peanuts') and I'm very happy. As and when the modded B-DAC lifts it a little higher I shall be even happier .
Did I mention I am born and bred in Yorkshire?
Dave.

[Canetoad]

And there is still more bite left in those teeth I reckon . Not a bad upgrade for little more than the cost of two pints down my local.

Stick a Mark Grant or Lurcher power supply at the DC input and you have a high-end DAC system for next to peanuts.

I already have a PSU using a SuperTeddyReg feeding the DAC 15.8v. Mods to the main board include Dexa regs and Silmic II caps.

I can't hear any background noise at all when listening to quieter sections of music. As a result I can hear all the micro detail in the recording.

Vey pleased with the results of the latest mods.

[slate]

Did I mention I am born and bred in Yorkshire?

aka a born and bred cheap bastard


Hmm still trying to get to grips with the "stereo types"... here I thought that scotsmen were considered the notorious penny pinchers

[brian2957]

aka a born and bred cheap bastard


Hmm still trying to get to grips with the "stereo types"... here I thought that scotsmen were considered the notorious penny pinchers

Cheeky boy

[brian2957]

Hi Stan you have PM.
Brian.

[Covenant]

DaveK-I guess when you add it up, over a few years, we have spent a few bob on our 7520's. Think about it:
Wolfson dac chip
Murata regulators
Silmic capacitor upgrade
Gator board
Gator Simic upgrade
15v linear supply

My memory is hazy over the price of individual parts but I would guess about £200 in my case. Was the 7520 about £150? So I wonder what you could get for £350 now? It wouldn't buy you, for example, a Rega or Mdac which ours must be very close in quality to.

[StanleyB]

DaveK-I guess when you add it up, over a few years, we have spent a few bob on our 7520's. Think about it:
Wolfson dac chip
Murata regulators
Silmic capacitor upgrade
Gator board
Gator Simic upgrade
15v linear supply

My memory is hazy over the price of individual parts but I would guess about £200 in my case. Was the 7520 about £150? So I wonder what you could get for £350 now?

. Is it THAT much already? I better let this topic run its course before it does any more damage to the depleted wallets.

[DaveK]

aka a born and bred cheap bastard


Hmm still trying to get to grips with the "stereo types"... here I thought that scotsmen were considered the notorious penny pinchers

Scotsmen do have the reputation for being a bit 'tight' with their money, but so do Yorkshire folk, particularly the older ones - I qualify on both counts and I understand my surname has Scottish origins.
Bar steward would be preferable to bastard though from someone I don't know - no offence taken but the next Brit you call a bastard might not be so easy going, particularly if you were face to face.