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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2014 6:32:37 GMT
Interesting. I am tempted by one of these to upgrade either my Arcam Alpha 7SE or my PD-S703.
My only quandary is if I should sort my amp and/or speakers out first. I'll wait until Pinkie has paid his visit I think.
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Post by pinkie on Jul 5, 2014 6:56:27 GMT
I'm interested too, although there is a limit to how much of my hifi I can lug on holiday with me. I am very happy with dacapo atm since I am only "doing digital proper" with Cd's. (i'm slightly interested to hear the 2 filters that were after my time, and I can probably prize the 24bit out of ak's clutches one day) But I know need to get to grips with file based audio properly some time -( hoping for a tutorial some time from john). And I think my dear old dacapo is limited for this. Anyway it'll go pop one day... And right now I have some speaker and cartridge Hoovering and dusting to do  |
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Post by Rexton on Jul 5, 2014 19:53:57 GMT
I bought my Caiman II as soon as I heard about it purely on the strength of the Bushmaster II, fantastic bit of kit, can you imagine what Stan could do if he produced a reference level DAC?
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Post by John on Jul 5, 2014 19:57:24 GMT
Stan sees this as pretty much his reference DAC
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Post by Rexton on Jul 5, 2014 20:00:04 GMT
Have you heard about the new fuses that Stan is recommending from Mark Grant??
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jrh101
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Post by jrh101 on Jul 6, 2014 7:23:02 GMT
I think come next payday I will order one of these as the inclusion of USB is a vital addition for me, I predominantly listen to Qobuz and Spotify via a Windows laptop.
My current dac is a Naim DAC v1 and I will look forward to comparing between the two.
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Post by MartinT on Jul 6, 2014 14:35:53 GMT
If you do, please report back!
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Post by icehockeyboy on Jul 24, 2014 11:58:47 GMT
I've also very recently joined the Caiman Mk11 appreciation society, and am rather amazed at how Stan does it!
Mind you, as he says, if it isn't a night and day difference, he won't release it, which is a very good ethic I believe ,
As for the SQ of it, it really is a step up from the BM Mk11, which, like a number here, ive owned previously, I've actually sold mine on to a friend who is as enthusiastic about it, as I (we) are, which is good!
Stan says that to sound it's best it will need a bit of time, but straight out of the box it was singing, making me wonder how much better it could sound a week or two down the road....
Once again Stan, a brilliant piece of kit, at a real steal price ,
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Post by MikeMusic on Jul 24, 2014 12:15:03 GMT
Damn, another nudge |
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Post by MartinT on Jul 24, 2014 12:30:20 GMT
Mind you, as he says, if it isn't a night and day difference, he won't release it, which is a very good ethic I believe Very little is 'night and day' in hi-fi. However, the Caiman Mk. II is another good step up the sonic ladder from the BM2. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2014 12:35:41 GMT
You're as bad as Mike! There is a black facia version, but it's got writing on it to, like, tell you what the buttons and lights do  So they don't just flash along with the music then  |
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Post by stanleyb on Jul 24, 2014 13:00:55 GMT
You're as bad as Mike! There is a black facia version, but it's got writing on it to, like, tell you what the buttons and lights do So they don't just flash along with the music then It's a DAC, not a Sound to Light unit . |
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Post by Dave on Jul 24, 2014 13:37:18 GMT
I've just put Stan's latest firmware in the Caiman-II and have to say that it continues to impress me with its detailed high end sound.
One of the most amazing demonstrations might sound silly, but it's very effective: there is a section in the Blu-ray Super Speedway which features Mario Andretti taking a new Indy-car design out on the oval for a test run. It's an IMAX transfer and the picture and sound are beyond stunning. They mounted an IMAX camera on the car and the view above the driver is incredible. But the SOUND! Playing my system at more than my usual volume, the impression of being up close to this beast of an engine developing over 900bhp and being driven at over 200mph is visceral in the extreme. The Caiman-II nails it
I'm curious Martin and would be interested to hear your thoughts on this engine recording through the CII BRM V16
p.s: Loud is the way to go here and hold onto your hat... hehe
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Post by MartinT on Jul 24, 2014 14:07:33 GMT
Ok, I'll give it a go tonight.
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Post by Dave on Jul 24, 2014 14:12:51 GMT
!.5 litres and sixteen cylinders worth of pure magic IMHO. The quality of the equipment used to record this must have been something else as you can close your eyes and imagine yourself standing at the pitwall  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2014 15:06:11 GMT
!.5 litres and sixteen cylinders worth of pure magic IMHO. Didn't BRM do that in 1949 link |
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Post by BilliumB on Aug 4, 2014 17:56:31 GMT
I'm wondering about people's experience with the Caiman II DAC - I've got a Bushmaster II and am considering upgrading to something 'much' better. A Metrum Octave II has been suggested, but I've been wondering how the Caiman II would compare with the Metrum especially using the Caiman II under battery power?
It sounds like most people are impressed by the Caiman II, apart from perhaps the USB aspects. If USB isn't a key requirement, what would you think one would need to spend on a DAC that would significantly better the Caiman II (itself on battery of course) - and what product(s) would you be thinking of?
Thanks. Bill
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Post by John on Aug 4, 2014 18:05:32 GMT
I not heard the Octavia Mk 2
The Caiman MK2 is a really good DAC and would certainly beat the Mk1 Octavia and guess it be pretty equal with the Mk2 You need to use the external battery so far I tried a few lead acid and the Ankaka and prefer the Ankaka
Its hard to know what it compares to but goes toe to toe with the Cunas using MQn and Caiman using a Blue ray player using files and the Cunas is very highly rated
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Post by MartinT on Aug 4, 2014 18:12:05 GMT
The Caiman II with Ankaka battery is a superb combination and very hard to beat on S/PDIF inputs. I don't rate its USB input as highly.
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Post by BilliumB on Aug 5, 2014 8:09:48 GMT
Hi John - interested in what lead acid batteries you have tried and rejected in favour of the Ankaka? I'd been thinking of using a sealed 70AHr Optima Blue Top deep cycle / high current starter 'spiral gel' battery, big enough for me to power the Beresford and Touch (obviously stepped down to 5v) without having to recharge very often (impedance approx 0.003 Ohm). If it doesn't turn out too well, I can always use the Optima battery on a tractor, digger or bobcat!
Cheers. Bill
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