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

[brian2957]

Nice one Dave . I'm using speakers to listen to my Caiman with redbook CD WAV rips and the more I listen the bigger the grin on my face. I've listened to a couple of very well known albums now and have to say that this mod is worth every penny and more . I can't wait until tomorrow so I can crank up the sound and really hear my system . BTW I had a similar problem with the
coil . It does fit with some gentle persuasion however.
Brian.

[Frizzup]

Stan,

Can you give me the specifications of this coil. I already have the bipolars ready to go from my box of parts but need this coil.

Thanks
Frizzup

[StanleyB]

The coil I used so that it would fit in the available space between the two caps close by, is the TOKO 187LY-222J. It is a 2.2mH 13mA coil. But to be honest, I have experimented with the coil size and used a couple different types from my components box between 100uH to 10mH with up to 280mA capacity. The main criteria is that it can handle at least 10mA and that it can fit..

A good reference is HERE

[barry-potter]

Okay the number of mods available for Beresfords dac's is confusing me somewhat. I have a Caimen. It may be a dumb question but can I do the passive mod and the silmic mod for the gator board or does the passive mod bypass the gator?

[HighFidelityGuy]

You can only have the passive mod or the Gator board, not both. One is a passive output stage, the other is a discreet transistor based active output stage. From what I remember, the Gator was designed to provide a similar level of improvement to the sound clarity as the passive mod but being active. Not all amps are suitable for being fed from a passive output stage. The Gator board also has a slightly better headphone stage than the standard Caimen output board. The passive mod removes the headphone stage. So the Gator board provides the best balance of features, flexibility and quality in my opinion.

[StanleyB]

Okay the number of mods available for Beresfords dac's is confusing me somewhat. I have a Caimen. It may be a dumb question but can I do the passive mod and the silmic mod for the gator board or does the passive mod bypass the gator?

If you don't need the headphone output you can do the passive mod with two Silmic caps, and you won't need the Gator.

[tdog]

Hi Stan,

I installed the Silmic caps etc (green film caps and inductor included). I must say that I am impressed. I had bypassed the previous caps with film devices last year which gave a small improvement, but this is much better. More detailed, finely etched and smoother top end (not an easy combination to achieve), seemingly deeper and more authoritative bass. This is only after 30 minutes of listening, so I expect more later.

Many thanks for making this available to us, especially at a great price (cost) - you are generous and kind to do so.

Cheers,
td

[DaveK]

Hi Stan,

Many thanks for making this available to us, especially at a great price (cost) - you are generous and kind to do so.

Cheers,
td

I firmly echo the sentiments in the above sentence with the exception of the bit in brackets. Stan is a business man doing this for a living and I for one want him to carry on doing what he's doing. Unless he makes a profit that won't be possible so I sincerely hope he is not doing it at cost. Even with a mark up Stan's VFM can't be beaten IMHO so there is no need to do anything at cost.
Keep up the good work - and prices - Stan.
Cheers,

[StanleyB]

Unless he makes a profit that won't be possible so I sincerely hope he is not doing it at cost. Even with a mark up Stan's VFM can't be beaten IMHO so there is no need to do anything at cost.

A very sensible suggestion Dave. I shall consider putting the kit on my site.
Mind you, the 2.2nF Vishay is not a night and day improvement for me. I have however tried out a 33nF instead of the 47nF (early boards) or 33nF (later boards). On some headphones the 33nF is better. So I might add that to the kit instead.

[Gints]

Does this kit will improve variable output in the same way as headphone?