Caiman PSU

[Shanedudddy2]

Lovejoy:
So something like this you mean?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Variable-Line...item3a543b1b36

and by my understanding do you get rid of the capacitor on the input?, since the power is always constant, not switching...sorry if I`m totally off the mark for the theory.

May consider what you have done, I`m sure having a linear power supply around the place would be handy for other applications down the track anyways.

[lovejoy]

Lovejoy:
So something like this you mean?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Variable-Line...item3a543b1b36

Yes, that's the sort of thing. I thought of getting something like that myself as it would be handy for all sorts of projects, but having all of the bits left over from previously obsolete or aborted projects, I used a toroidal transformer, a bridge rectifier and some smoothing caps, then used one of these to feed the Beresford:

http://www.acoustica.org.uk/t/teddyreg.html

and by my understanding do you get rid of the capacitor on the input?, since the power is always constant, not switching...sorry if I`m totally off the mark for the theory.

Yes, that's right. My linear supply has already taken care of ripple and noise levels, so the cap could be safely removed.

[chrism]

Just to point out that the bench supplies are not the quietest when looked at under a scope. They will do the job (I used a £20.00 Maplins XM22Y for quite a while set at 14.5v).

The new one I have got is a purpose made linear set at 15v with a cracking toroidal trafo and the difference over the Maplins one is quite staggering. The cost is substantially higher than Stan's solution though.

Regards

Chris

[MartinT]

They have all been sold and the offer closed

No worries, I'll pay the standard price.

[ZebuTheOxen]

Any news on the 7520 upgrade to make it work with the Caiman PSU?

[Shanedudddy2]

Just wondering are people using the Caiman as just a preamp? or using it into a seperate preamp or integrated amp?

Has anyone done comparison of the differences between the 2?

caiman (variable) -> power amp

vs

caiman (bypass) -> preamp/integrated

Was wondering if it was worthwhile doing the bypass all the preamp and get a dedicated preamp or integrated.
cheers

[Themis]

I did two tests :
The first an A/B between
- the Caiman's fixed output to a NAD C-162 preamp to the C-272 power, and
- the Caiman's variable output directly to the NAD C-272 power amp.
Bypassing the preamp was better to my ears. More raw, punchy. And more detailed.

The second an A/B between
- the Caiman's fixed output to a Cyrus 8xp integrated amp line input, and
- the Caiman's variable output to the same Cyrus AV input (which bypasses its preamp)
The first solution (through the preamp) was far more detailed and relaxed. Visibly the direct-in section of the Cyrus was too sensitive for the variable output of the dac (I had to keep it almost at minimum) and lacked the dynamics and detail.

So, I think that there's no "easy" answer to your question. You'll have to test on the particular amp to know whether it fits well.

[Shanedudddy2]

Wait, fixed as in the fixed line output (still through the oppamp and stuff)?
Sorry for confusion but more curious how bypass of opamp, straight connection from DAC output, straight into a premp/integrated compares

[chrism]

Yes, The Caiman variable outputs will be better than just about any preamp you try if you are after a sound true to the recorded material. Stan's Caiman pre is really transparent and does not add or take anything from the signal path that I can detect.

I use a Caiman and a top notch linear supply feeding an Avondale A260 using the variable outputs and I have never owned a more enjoyable setup (and I have gone through lot's of them in my time).

Internet radio through the SB3 into this set up is fantastic.

Nice one Stan.

Regards

Chirs

[Themis]

Wait, fixed as in the fixed line output (still through the oppamp and stuff)?
Sorry for confusion but more curious how bypass of opamp, straight connection from DAC output, straight into a premp/integrated compares

Sorry, I misunderstood.
Thought you were looking for test of Caiman directly into a power amp.