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

[MartinT]

It's a tough one, Bernie, as the SuperTeddy was very good for the Caiman. However, it is more of a filter than a dynamically responsive PSU like Paul's. I feel that overall the PH 1st and 2nd stage regs work in harmony for a very good outcome. There is more welly, slam, whatever, to the PH combo than there was with the ST feeding the Dexas.

[StanleyB]

Thanks to Stan for another excellent chapter in the almost infinite upgradeability of the Caiman.

Let's hope that I can get the 24/96 USB upgrade board working as well . Unfortunately for me I have an error somewhere in the layout of it. But once the Bushmaster is shipping I'll get back to sorting out the TC-7520 series USB upgrade PCB. So stay tuned.
The Caiman still has lots of bite left in it. There can't be many DACs out there with such a long term upgrade support structure built into them from day one. I wish many more designers did things that way, instead of designing something with a steep declining redundancy built into them.

[Canetoad]

The problem is that they make more profits if you throw out the old and buy a new one.

I'll be up for a 24/96 board for my Caiman when they're available Stan. Come to think of it, I'll be getting a Bushmaster too.

[keiths]

I'll be up for a 24/96 board for my Caiman when they're available Stan.

And me...

[Gints]

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.

One amp responded well when was switched on, other did change nothing. But I read all thread and saw that others also had the same problems, so it is nothing unique. Looks that I need to use my amp with variable output. I does distort on variable output too, a bit less and only close to max volume on dac. Probably there is somehow involved gain.
If somebody interested amp is Miniwatt N3, input sensitivity 500mV, input impedance 50Kohms, song was Katie Melua I cried for you, around 1min.

[charonme]

I just got a gatorized caiman (with AD826) and when the digital input signal is too loud, I hear clipping and distortion with my headphones even on low amp levels. I tried 3 different headphones. When I replaced the gator board for the original one the problem vanished.