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

[StanleyB]

Yes it does.

[Gints]

Great! One other question. I connected Caiman Gatorized fixed output by Y cable to two amplifiers and sound was distorted (one amp working and other switched off). Is that normal? I tried the same with variable output and sound was ok.

[StanleyB]

When you use a Y-cable you have to take into consideration the fact that you are also changing the output and input impedance of all the items that are connected to that cable. If the amps are not designed to operate at a lower input impedance you would get all sort of possible fault condition.

[Gints]

Will there be no such problems if I use fixed output for one and variable output for other amp?

[StanleyB]

I haven't experimented with that option, but feel free to report back on the outcome of your experiment.

[Gints]

I meant, having connected both fixed and variable outputs is the same scenario for a DAC as Y cable or it is different?
I tried it and did not hear the same problem as with Y cable to fixed output, but maybe if I can not hear does not mean that they do not exist. One amp has 50kohm, other 47kohm input impedance.

I have a miniwatt n3 valve amplifier which is just a power amp with volume pot and I am thinking about should I bypass it and use DAC volume control for both amps, or better no. At the moment other amp is integrated but it will be replaced with studio monitors.

[Gints]

Now it gets weird. I am listening headphones and only one amp connected to dac (switched off). When amp connected to variable output, sound is fine. When amp connected to fixed output - sound is distorted. Tried with two amplifiers, the same thing. If nothing connected, sound is fine. Does it mean that dac must be investigated? Distortion is not a straight way, just in certain places of music.

[StanleyB]

Your amp is shorting out its input when it is off, which is affecting the direct audio path from DAC to amp.
In the variable output path there is a buffer stage that splits between amp and headphone. That one is disconnected from the amp when the headphone is plugged in. So use the variable output if your amp is exhibiting this problem.

On my next DACs I shall remove the option of having a fixed and variable output at the same time, and fall in line with the other DAC manufacturers.

[MartinT]

Thanks to Stan for another excellent chapter in the almost infinite upgradeability of the Caiman. I'm late to the Gator because I found the passive coupling caps so good, but now I have to say the Gator with Stan's mod kit sounds superb and has the visceral welly that the passive version lacks.

So far, having just got it powered up, all is well and the sound is already very good. I'll fire up my headphones later to hear how that side of things perform.

[Canetoad]

Martin I meant to ask you how you were getting on with your Caiman PSU these days.

I'm thinking of replacing the SuperTeddyReg in mine with a Paul Hynes module as per yours. Still a worthwhile update?