caiman vs dac magic vs v dac

[StanleyB]

That's some effort to avoid problems from the postal strike! He must have wanted his Caiman very much!

I hardly ask these days. I have had some weird requests, including delivery to some weird addresses that even the postman had to look up.

[Marco]

Hi Stan,

Thanks for clearing up the PSU pricing thing - much appreciated, as it was a bit of a grey area that needed clearing up

I have learned from my mistakes. Some people have been expanding what I wrote into what they assume. So now I am more careful and stay away from
that sort of hassle.
Not so long ago you even ended up sending me a PM as a result from a PM sent to you by someone else to question me about a message on the forum that appears to have been by me. Whilst you even phoned me to apologize about the misunderstanding, the instigator of the 'cut & paste' and the person who complained to you never showed such decency towards me. Since then I have used extreme caution where possible with regards to anything I write on AoS that has to do with my products. I never know where it could end up being used with 'my name' being attached to it.

I completely understand, but with respect, that was a very different situation.

This time you've got one of the forum owners asking you a question and seeking some specific information.

In those circumstances, it's best not to be evasive and supply the requested information A.S.A.P because he'll just keep asking anyway until he gets it.....

Not to worry, it's good now that the rather grey area regarding the cost of the Caiman PSU has been cleared up and put into the public domain for reference. You know that I'm a big supporter of your products

Marco.

[StanleyB]

You know that I'm a big supporter of your products

Of that I have no doubt. We do go back many years and many collective forum expulsions after all.
But not everyone who asks me questions may have honest intent. Apparent innocent questions could be the results of attempts to arrive at the source of my cost cutting design secrets.

[Gazjam]

Fair comment I'd say?

[Marco]

But not everyone who asks me questions may have honest intent. Apparent innocent questions could be the results of attempts to arrive at the source of my cost cutting design secrets

Indeed! But you should know that doesn't apply to me, not least because I couldn't solder anything to save my life!!

Sometimes it's best just to tell it as it is, as 'grey areas' can cause speculation which may not always be in your best interests. Quite simply, if the facts are out in the open then there's nothing to speculate about

Marco.

[Fi-Wi]

I sold a Caiman to a guy from Holland in August, ......

What?! There's another Caiman singing in the Netherlands?

[Gazjam]

Guess everyones different....

[CanDAC]

I've posted before on Benchmark vs. Caiman, but for those who haven't read it here goes. I owned a DAC-1 for more than a year ( it was a late '06 build purchased used). The Caiman showed it's superiority after only several hours burn-in as it was more detailed and musical at the same time. My DAC-1 had also benefitted from an upgraded power cord, and it still lost (and has found a new owner since). The Benchmark is more hefty and rugged (for pro studio use), but that's not relevant to me, nor I imagine most in this forum. The Caiman is still being broken in, and doesn't even have the upgraded PSU which I've ordered (waiting patiently, Stan).

Given that the Caiman costs about 1/4 what the equivalent model Benchmark costs, Stan is to be congratulated for offering such value to the consumer.

[Chippy_boy]

They do not. The DAC1 and TC-7520 use the NE5532, whilst the Caiman and HDR us ethe LM4562NA. Those two opamps sound completely different in their respective environment.

Good point - I forgot that. It's only the "USB" model and later that use the LM4562's.