Caiman Comments

[admin_exported]

After careful consideration, l have decided to have a change from a CD front end to pc/laptop & a pair of space saving Temple Audio Mono Blocks. l will need a dac/pre amp & have heard/read good things about the Beresford Caiman; any good?

 

[marou]

Good enough, I'd say, for the price, especially if you're going to use it as pre-amp as well. You need to be thinking about a DAC around four times as expensive or more to get anything significantly better.

 

[DavieCee]

I have not done a direct comparison with another DAC but have to say that my Mac front end with the Caiman is the equal of a Roksan Kandy K2 Cd player. Plus I get the benefits on my DVD player plus others to boot.

K2 player is now sold. That should tell you something.

 

[Anonymous]

I am in the market for a DAC having recently purchased my first Hifi set up (Monitor Audio BX2's, Marantz PM6003 with QED silver anniversary cables). I am running it through a Mac mini and so wanted something to compliment the system with the Caiman being currently at the top of my list. Comparing it to the Roksan Kandy has strengthened its position in my book especially as you too are running it from a Mac. Do you have any comments on draw backs in terms of sound? As in I am looking for something to maybe smoothen the edges of a currently very clear and very detailed sound (maybe a bit too detailed but then I have only had the set up for 1 and a half weeks so am hoping it will smoothen out after a while), the Arcam rDac was also in thought along with of course the Dac Magic.

Anyone with any ideas will be greatly appreciated as the choice is so vast!

 

[True Blue]

Good enough, I'd say, for the price, especially if you're going to use it as pre-amp as well. You need to be thinking about a DAC around four times as expensive or more to get anything significantly better.

Not correct, the rega DAC is something very special @ £500. A whole lot better than my Caiman.

 

[DavieCee]

@ Benvos

With regards to the Apple set up and Caiman v Roksan CD player through a K2 amp & speakers.

The sound is identical. Not similar or close but identical - to my ears at least. My guess is that the DAC is of a similar standard in both. The Roksan sound in my room is more neutral than bright or bass heavy and I don't know how that would translate to other amp/speaker set-ups.

I have got added functionality and convenience with no draw backs. Hope that helps.

 

[marou]

Is the Rega a pre-amp too?

 

[Dave_]

Is the Rega a pre-amp too?

Nope.

 

[Anonymous]

Good enough, I'd say, for the price, especially if you're going to use it as pre-amp as well. You need to be thinking about a DAC around four times as expensive or more to get anything significantly better.

Not correct, the rega DAC is something very special @ £500. A whole lot better than my Caiman.

+1, i will be selling my TC-7520 soon for a rega dac

 

[garyw77]

Just invested in the new M2Tech "Young" Dac.... an absolute stormer for it's price...i'd recommend a listen... and with the new M2Tech "Vaughan" due soon which will include the pre-amp, that will be worth looking at for those that need i think.....

 

[Anonymous]

I believe the price from what I have seen is way above the Caiman and also the Rega therefore I dont think they can be compared, testing one would be foolish as I would probably end up selling an organ to fund it...

 

[Blackdawn]

The Firestone Audio Spitfire Mk2 and CA Dacmagic are similar prices to the Caiman and worth looking at.