To see if I can make this switch sound better, I replaced the top housing with YOK Panda top. Result was closer to Cream sound, except for the hallmark hollow sound I like so much. I had to remove the film to fit the top but there was no noticeable wobble with Panda top. Kinda neat.
I’m going to try the same with Ink and Tealios later. Panda housing top was too snug for Ink and Tealios stem. Same with Cream top. Tops fit but fits too tightly, adding friction. And sound didn’t improve as much as Tangerine R2.
UPDATE: I’m now building a board of the above C3 Tangerine R2 + Panda top hybrid. Instead of using new Panda housing, I’ve opted to reuse GSUS tops from old Holy Panda switches. A word of warning: Panda/GSUS tops fit very very tightly with C3 Tangerine R2 bottom housing so it’ll be easy to miss a leg not completely latched. Result is worthwhile though. Solid clack.
UPDATE2: Outemu Sky top housing also fits with similar effect on sound but I liked the sound of Panda top more. Pitch was OK-ish but seem to have some reverb. Applying some thick lube to the top could change the sound but didn’t try.
For those who’re into switch look, this is how they look on a board:
UPDATE3: I was wrong. A day after lubing, this switch feels smoother than even Tealios. Feels slippery. Maybe lube needed time to settle. Dang, oops, I meant Tang!