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XM4 being run over by a BMW - Page 2

post #16 of 23
11/7/07 at 12:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrarroyo View Post
Keppel, enjoy your new amp. It is a nice unit for the price, if you have the time and inclination you could swap the AD8620 op-amp in place of the OPA2134 it ships out with.

If you decide to roll the op-amp do so after you have put about 100 hours of burn in followed by at least 40 to 50 hours of actual listening. The idea is that the amp woould be fully burnt in and you know its sound signature before you start tweaking it. Best of luck.
Miguel, is it best to order this amp straight out full dress with the AD8620? I ask based on your break-in comments above and op-amp rolling. I'm not sure I would do any future op-amp rolling so I just want to know if you feel this unit sounds much better with the AD8620 vs. the OPA2134? Seems like a really nice amp for $191.00 to your door

Got a little Birthday wallet padding that's to fat for my pocket (probabbly not the wallet padding that's fat though:-0) THX
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post #17 of 23
11/7/07 at 1:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Podster View Post
Miguel, is it best to order this amp straight out full dress with the AD8620? I ask based on your break-in comments above and op-amp rolling. I'm not sure I would do any future op-amp rolling so I just want to know if you feel this unit sounds much better with the AD8620 vs. the OPA2134? Seems like a really nice amp for $191.00 to your door

Got a little Birthday wallet padding that's to fat for my pocket (probabbly not the wallet padding that's fat though:-0) THX
i know this is not adressed at me, think of it as an additional comment if i may;

if it was me, i would order it stock from them with the AD8620, as its not as if its a close call between the 2134, the 8620 makes it a superior amp IMHO.

they suplly it fitted with the correct adapter, so the sizing is done and no tinkering is needed. also, that way you dont need to worry about burning it in over and above the normal burn in required just to gauge the sound differentials.

the seperate browndog mounted chip available is slightly oversized, and whilst easily remedied, by either squeezing it in or removing gain jumpers and leaving off or replacing them after fitted, is an additional factor for those not happy to 'play' inside.

HTH
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post #18 of 23
11/7/07 at 1:51pm
THX Quaddy, I'm kind of thinking Miguel will be agreeing with you here.

You are right I don't care to get under the hood but was hoping the 8620 would give this amp a totally different signature than my Toma.

If anyone has heard the PD with 8620 compared to the Toma please speak up as I don't want 3 amps that sound alike;-) THX
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post #19 of 23
11/7/07 at 9:42pm
If you can get it directly from Practical Devices w/ the AD8620 do so. However I was not aware the option was available. Another great little amp for the money is the MiniBox-E. IMO the MiniBox-E is superior and they just advertised an upgrade w/ a price of $169.

Podster, I feel unconfortable posting on the sound quality of the MiniBox-E because I may be selling an unit (time to finance another toy). However if you look back at posts I made a while back you will see that IMO the MiniBox-E kicks but and it is better than some $400 dollar amps.
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post #20 of 23
11/7/07 at 10:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Podster View Post
Miguel, is it best to order this amp straight out full dress with the AD8620? I ask based on your break-in comments above and op-amp rolling. I'm not sure I would do any future op-amp rolling so I just want to know if you feel this unit sounds much better with the AD8620 vs. the OPA2134? Seems like a really nice amp for $191.00 to your door

Got a little Birthday wallet padding that's to fat for my pocket (probabbly not the wallet padding that's fat though:-0) THX
I need to chime in too. I bought the original XM4 with the Ti (Burr-Brown) 2134 op-amp and never really felt that the amp was doing all it could. Then I was introduced to the Ti (Burr-Brown) 2227, and after more than 200 hours of listening, felt that the XM4 couldn't sound any better. Then I read about the cursed (cur-sed) AD8620 mod and the fact that Practical Devices was offering the update themselves, along with a black enclosure option. Not being able to leave well enough alone, I bought a new one with the AD8620 (Bwa-ha-ha-ha!!)

Even after 200 hours of burn-in with the 2227, the XM4 with the AD8620 put the other one to shame. The bass is tighter, the highs more refined; I can't wait till this puppy fully burns in.

Yes, it is worth it, IMHO.

-HK sends
XM4 w/AD8620 and Grado 325i w/G1000 earpads...Wow, sound AND comfort!
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post #21 of 23
11/7/07 at 10:26pm
If you can get the 8620 - do it. It's that much better.

GAD
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post #22 of 23
4/1/09 at 6:28pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Quaddy View Post
the seperate browndog mounted chip available is slightly oversized
If you get them straight from Practical Devices (which you now can), the mounted opamp oughta fit perfectly.

Whitecat vs. Browndog!

(whoa, this is an old thread)
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post #23 of 23
1/25/13 at 8:48am

Hi, has anybody tried the XM4 with an JRC4556AD/NJM4556 op amp? Or is it a no-go? Thanks! 


Edited by waxdoctor - 1/25/13 at 2:15pm
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