Any Digital Impressions of the Caiman yet?

[chrism]

Very happy with the Caiman and really enjoying it in my system.

I am usually a bit skeptical about "extended" burn in of components but I must say that now I have reached the 1 month mark for the Caiman the sound is really beginning to open out much more. I accept that things change a bit over the first week or so but surprised that the sound is still changing. I had also experienced a bit of a "whispy edge" to voices but even this is beginning to gain clarity (I had thought it was down to some poor quality MP3 copies).

I am not complaining just wanting to point out that we may need to give the DAC plenty of time before judging it and - mod it (gulp).

Anyone else found the same?

Regards

Chris

[Alex_UK]

I think that's fair Chris - had mine 5 weeks I think, and although a few things have changed to make judgement via speaker a bit subjective (i/c, speaker cable) listening through headphones to the laptop hasn't changed in setup, and the treble which could sometimes show harshness has settled down the longer I've had it and the bass has improved a little too, I think. In another post Stan says the Caiman needs 200 hours in use before it is run in - must be getting close!

[marscay]

With quite a lively system you might find the combination of LM4562NA + Wolfson 8716 a bit overpowering, at least i did and a few others on here.

The AD826 is a good opamp to calm things down a little w/out losing any detail, improving my speaker cable in the last couple of days certainly helped me out too - i could be ready to stop tinkering...for a little while

[aBe]

Well, mine has passed 5-days of burning in. Still a long way to go.

The new Caiman is definitely an improvement over 6/4.
Corny statements notwithstanding - I'm hearing new details & rediscovering my music.

I'm still in the process of getting used to the so-very laidback new sound.
Not that it's a bad thing anyway.
I am a sucker for such a 'tardy' timing.
But it might not be to everyone's liking, especially so to my metalhead brother.

I could not care less.

[Ashmore]

OK so following much deliberation I decided life is short and ordered the Caiman. Hopefully life won't be too short for it to burn in properly.

It arrived today (thank you Stan) and is now churning through a truly bizarre mix of Elisabeth Batiashvili, Janine Jansen, Seasick Steve, Buddy Guy, Belle and Sebastian, Regina Spektor, Penguin Cafe and bit of Rush for good measure (just a bit, you can overdo things).

Initial impressions, straight out of the box:

There is no doubting that there is a difference and improvement to the stock SB3 through my system (Rotel RA 05, Quad 11L, Kef sub). It is very apparent. The words that come to mind are: detail and precision (timing). Drums seem to come as a tighter punch as though thrown by a fitter boxer, and as someone else has also observed, I can make out lyrics that were out of reach before. This surprises me. I thought my system was quite revealing.

The box is itself couldn't be less sexy if it had been designed by an elderly nun.

I am conscious of not over-egging my enthusiasm at this stage. I recognise there is a psychological need to like what one has done, or in this case bought. I will attempt a considerate and honest appraisal over time.

Simon

[NRG]

Mine arrived today as well, stunning service Stan, thank you.

I've had my 7510 6/4 running non stop for about 48hrs in preparation and I compared the Caiman cold...immediately I could tell there was an improvement...after an hour it was getting even better. The presentation is very interesting... in a good way...it does not sound like a 'DAC'...I had preconceptions, it has a more 'analogue' presentation that is very agreeable. It now faces 24/7 burn in when I'll compare to my DIY Arcam 1541a DAC and a MF 3.24

[Labarum]

OK so following much deliberation I decided life is short and ordered the Caiman . . . There is no doubting that there is a difference and improvement to the stock SB3 through my system (Rotel RA 05, Quad 11L, Kef sub). It is very apparent. The words that come to mind are: detail and precision (timing).

I have great difficulty with "Pace, rhythm and timing" (PRAT http://www.audioenz.co.nz/2008/archi...ryofprat.shtml )

These qualities belong to the musical performance, not to the recording or replay chain. In the audio chain I would be looking for clarity, definition, resolution, accuracy, precision, transient reponse . . . - it is these qualities that allow the HiFi to convey the pace, rhythm and timing of the musical performance.

If the performance is as dull as ditch water, no HiFi will render it exciting!

[Codifus]

I have great difficulty with "Pace, rhythm and timing" (PRAT http://www.audioenz.co.nz/2008/archi...ryofprat.shtml )

These qualities belong to the musical performance, not to the recording or replay chain. In the audio chain I would be looking for clarity, definition, resolution, accuracy, precision, transient reponse . . . - it is these qualities that allow the HiFi to convey the pace, rhythm and timing of the musical performance.

If the performance is as dull as ditch water, no HiFi will render it exciting!

I beg to differ. When I installed the OPA2132 in my 7520 I was tickled by a newly introduced sense of timing, and all I changed was the opamp. All my music stayed exactly the same. For example, on a particular classical music soundtrack, I can't recall which (either the Schindler's List, Glory, or Gods and Monsters soundtrack), the string section would start and the female chorus would gently join in at an almost imperceptibly small delay in time. It sounded so human, so real.

I have gotten used to the opamp now and so I'm not as tickled as I was from the beginning. It still sounds wonderful, but those initial impressions were more apparent.

CD

[Labarum]

I beg to differ. When I installed the OPA2132 in my 7520 I was tickled by a newly introduced sense of timing, and all I changed was the opamp. All my music stayed exactly the same. For example, on a particular classical music soundtrack, I can't recall which (either the Schindler's List, Glory, or Gods and Monsters soundtrack), the string section would start and the female chorus would gently join in at an almost imperceptibly small delay in time. It sounded so human, so real.

I have gotten used to the opamp now and so I'm not as tickled as I was from the beginning. It still sounds wonderful, but those initial impressions were more apparent.

CD

Perhaps we don't differ. Pace, rhythm and timing are qualities of the music - if those qualities are to be transmitted, the transmission medium needs the qualities of clarity, definition, resolution, accuracy etc.

The HiFi has no soul, it is a piece of engineering, and should not be given the more exalted qualities that properly belong to the humans who made the music.

That's all I'm saying. The HifI can wreck music, but it cannot create it.

[Ashmore]

Gosh, could you try to be just a little more condescending?

I made no mention of pace or rhythm and my use of the word 'timing' was merely an attempt to define the 'precision' I was hearing (hence the parenthesis). Maybe it was the wrong word.

I think you'll find that my perception fits very neatly within your definitions.

The Beresford has not yet changed the time signature of any tracks I've played through it, but I am hopeful that after the seventeen year burning in process some of my least favourite tracks will be end sooner.

Simon