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Post by brettj on Aug 19, 2018 1:02:11 GMT
What order do you suggest, with TonyC upgrades?
I will only have the SEG in the UK once, before shipping to NZ.
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Post by stanleyb on Aug 19, 2018 8:22:58 GMT
I just have to make it clear that the SEG shipped from the UK is more expensive than the one shipped from the factory in Taiwan. The factory has to ship the units to me for modification, which adds cost of various types.
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Post by brettj on Aug 19, 2018 9:25:35 GMT
I just have to make it clear that the SEG shipped from the UK is more expensive than the one shipped from the factory in Taiwan. The factory has to ship the units to me for modification, which adds cost of various types. That seems fair.
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Post by MartinT on Aug 19, 2018 10:35:53 GMT
Best to ask @tonyc as you will have one chance for him to do them. All his mods are capacitors, very high quality ones in the power supply section and around the DAC chip.
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Post by brettj on Aug 23, 2018 1:55:32 GMT
Is the Capella upgrade on the Caiman SEG a worthwhile purchase?
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Post by MartinT on Aug 23, 2018 5:56:42 GMT
I *think* it's only for headphone users. Calling stanleyb for confirmation?
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Post by stanleyb on Aug 23, 2018 6:28:17 GMT
There is an upgrade for the SEG so that it can use the 15V headphone chip from the 15V version of the Capella. But it's such an involved job, I have only done it on three units. One of them is my own. Unless you have a pair of headphones that are towards the high-end side it's not something I would recommend.
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Post by brettj on Aug 23, 2018 10:14:03 GMT
Are Grado RS-1 getting towards High End? Although older, still good.
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Post by brettj on Aug 26, 2018 6:13:26 GMT
Living in New Zealand, the opportunity to listen to many of the quality Dacs available is limited (and they are even more expensive to import). I have to rely on reviews and opinions.
I read on one of the pages, one poster considered the Caiman SEG Dac to be better than their Mytek Brooklyn (US$2000). According to the Darko Index, the Brooklyn is a very good product.
Is the SEG that good? And how much better will it be after adding the Coherent PSU with supercaps, and Stage 1/2 Dac mods?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2018 8:38:42 GMT
Are Grado RS-1 getting towards High End? Although older, still good. I think Grado RS1’s would be at least considered in that bracket, yes.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2018 8:44:31 GMT
Living in New Zealand, the opportunity to listen to many of the quality Dacs available is limited (and they are even more expensive to import). I have to rely on reviews and opinions. I read on one of the pages, one poster considered the Caiman SEG Dac to be better than their Mytek Brooklyn (US$2000). According to the Darko Index, the Brooklyn is a very good product. Is the SEG that good? And how much better will it be after adding the Coherent PSU with supercaps, and Stage 1/2 Dac mods? To give you an idea, I have compared the Caiman II to the Rega DAC and a couple of others including the Audiolab MDAC and the Beresford won each time, and the SEG is even better than the II. Not sure how good the Mytek is because I haven’t heard one, but I suspect the standard SEG will give it a run for its money, and that’s without the Coherent PSU and mods.
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Post by brettj on Aug 26, 2018 8:51:10 GMT
To give you an idea, I have compared the Caiman II to the Rega DAC and a couple of others including the Audiolab MDAC and the Beresford won each time, and the SEG is even better than the II. Not sure how good the Mytek is because I haven’t heard one, but I suspect the standard SEG will give it a run for its money, and that’s without the Coherent PSU and mods. Thanks PaulD Exactly what I'm hoping to hear. Comparisons to products I've only read about. I know the quality of Stan's work, having the Bushmaster II for 4-5 years, with upgrades over that time. Certainly an 'under the radar' Dac, with ability way beyond it's price. And expecting the Beresford signature will remain in all his Dacs. A run for its money is what I'm after. With upgrades, hoping for there to be no contest!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2018 8:56:07 GMT
I have a Bushmaster II too and the Caiman II bettered it, the SEG is in a different league altogether.
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Post by brettj on Aug 26, 2018 9:27:02 GMT
I have a Bushmaster II too and the Caiman II bettered it, the SEG is in a different league altogether. I am rubbing my hands with glee at the prospect.
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Post by MartinT on Aug 26, 2018 10:45:22 GMT
My response to that is look at my system components listed below. Currently, ALL of my listening is going through a modified supercap powered SEG. Yes, it's that good.
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Post by MartinT on Oct 13, 2018 14:41:49 GMT
Today I upgraded my SEG's phono sockets with Stan's nice little kit. Since all of my music now runs through the SEG, it makes sense to replace anything I can with better components if it stands a chance of improving sound quality. Two nice phono socket replacement kits (L and R). The original PCB mounted sockets. The installed replacements. Stan gave me the tip of cutting out a section of the old PCB mounted sockets to enable the screw to be used to cover up the old mounting hole. It also has the useful benefit of preventing the new sockets from moving in their slightly over-sized holes. My only comment is that the sleeving over the provided wires melts very easily so you need to be quick with the soldering iron. Otherwise, this is an easy upgrade for the SEG. A quick listen reveals that all is well and it sounds better than ever.
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Post by MartinT on Oct 14, 2018 17:08:10 GMT
I may have under-called it. Further listening reveals a decent step up in sonics over the standard sockets.
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Post by zappytheviking on Oct 14, 2018 18:53:15 GMT
Thats good news Martin, worth the tweaks, always seems to improve.
Another bit to upgrade, I like that so much with the SEG, keeps evolving and doesn't cost a mint either.
Dorado PSU is getting better too, the lows sound fantastic a week or so later, oomph and godly definition, base guitar sounds like a proper instrument.
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Post by MartinT on Oct 14, 2018 19:44:47 GMT
Yes, I remember hearing that slow improvement when listening to the prototype Dorado, too.
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Post by covenant on Oct 15, 2018 7:24:47 GMT
My experience was that the Dorado took about two hours to settle down and then improved steadily over about a week.
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