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Review: ZERO 24 BIT/192KHz DAC/Headphone Amp/Pre-Amp - Page 60

post #886 of 9242
1/17/08 at 7:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by fault151 View Post
Right so that explains why it dint work for me then? Because it's a single op amp. I thought i had screwed up my zero for a minute when i heard the crack/pop.
Sounds like what happened to me with the same op-amps (I think maybe the green LED came on but much dimmer than usual as well, also got a bit of sound out of one channel/totally silent the other side, but it didn't go louder/quieter when turning the volume control - was pretty worried I'd broken it too
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post #887 of 9242
1/17/08 at 7:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dsmudger View Post
Sounds like what happened to me with the same op-amps (I think maybe the green LED came on but much dimmer than usual as well, also got a bit of sound out of one channel/totally silent the other side, but it didn't go louder/quieter when turning the volume control - was pretty worried I'd broken it too
I got full sound out the right channel, but left was dead. I just remember it making an awful popping sound very loud when plugging in my headphones. I'm keen to try it on the browndog adaptors though. I may try it in the Dac section.
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post #888 of 9242
1/17/08 at 7:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Penchum View Post
That is normal. The default is to always turn the volume down all the way, plug in the headphones and run up the volume. No biggie though. I do it out of habit, but I've also forgotten and had it pop without problems.
Right, thanks for the tip/didn't know to do that, but guess it sounds pretty obvious now I've been told

I still get the first of the two pops with the volume all the way down though (don't get the one from the relay any more) - that ok too?
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post #889 of 9242
1/17/08 at 7:19pm
Thread Starter 
I had to laugh at myself last night. I spent all that time swapping those Opamps and collecting the data and when I was done, I put the LT1364 in the DAC and the LT1469s in the headboard, gave a quick listen...great! Screwed it back together and put away everything. Then, it dawned on me. I have the 2nd Zero to configure for my Vintage Pioneer stuff! Arrguh! Back out with everything, took the lid off, looked at the Opamps I had left and realized that I had used some in the 1st Zero. I had to go look at the table to remember what combinations I could make with what Opamps I had left!! Silly me! I decided to put the one remaining LT1364 in the DAC, and the LT1361s in the headboard. A quick listen...Great! Now everything is in place and I'm waiting on my new Optical cables to come in.
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post #890 of 9242
1/17/08 at 7:20pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by dsmudger View Post
Right, thanks for the tip/didn't know to do that, but guess it sounds pretty obvious now I've been told

I still get the first of the two pops with the volume all the way down though (don't get the one from the relay any more) - that ok too?
Are the pops you are talking about coming out of the phones, or in the open air from the Zero?
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post #891 of 9242
1/17/08 at 7:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Penchum View Post
Are the pops you are talking about coming out of the phones, or in the open air from the Zero?
err.. well, yeah, I meant the phones (oh-oh... ) - both sides, medium volume/not especially loud
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post #892 of 9242
1/17/08 at 7:35pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by dsmudger View Post
err.. well, yeah, I meant the phones (oh-oh... ) - both sides, medium volume/not especially loud
No problems. I get two as well. Everything is fine. Breathe, Breathe, that's better.
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post #893 of 9242
1/17/08 at 7:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Penchum View Post
No problems. I get two as well. Everything is fine. Breathe, Breathe, that's better.
hehe good-good.. was thinking plugging/unplugging the phones would've damaged the connector before long

So what's the DC offset thing about then? Is it related to that thing someone mentioned in this thread about some op-amps not being "unity gain stable"?
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post #894 of 9242
1/17/08 at 7:42pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by arteom View Post
hey guys, well after about ~ 150 hours I think I may be ready to roll opamps. I have never done that before, so any tips on how to do so properly (what tools to use, etc) are welcome.

also, if any would recommend what opamps to get it would be much appreciated.

I'm looking for something that will add a bit of that musical quality, really liquidy, larger soundstage, better/no-sacrifice in detail, something that doesn't lack in adding weigh/body to the sound.

any help is much appreciated!
Did you see the list on page 100 yet? It is a good starting place. There are going to be variables between different types of equipment used and variables due to musical preferences, so I made that list to "point" people in the right direction. Anything "great" is NOT going to disappoint in most cases.
I really liked the OPA627s on adapter in the mainboard DAC, and the LT1364s in the headboard amp. I also really liked the LT1364 in the DAC and the LT1469s in the headboard. Anyway, you have lots of options and already, everyone is posting what they have found out too.
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post #895 of 9242
1/17/08 at 7:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Normality View Post
Yup that should work. I envy your Solo.
Ha ha, cheers. Why don't you get one?
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post #896 of 9242
1/17/08 at 7:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Normality View Post
lack of dinero
It was the first Headphone amp i bought. I went round to listen to it at Grahams house with his set up and was told the history of the amp. I was very interested but i was so desperate to get home and have a listen! ha ha.
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post #897 of 9242
1/17/08 at 7:58pm
Oh one thing i have noticed and i'm sure it's not that obvious to others, i have been using my mac to play lossless songs through to my zero and the sound is no where near as good as my cd player via the digital out in to my zero. Don't get me wrong the sound drastically improves my music of my mac, but i think the actual CD sounds that bit better.

Anyone else notice this?
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post #898 of 9242
1/17/08 at 7:59pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Normality View Post
My only concern is - with the LT1364 and the LT1469, does the sound have the same sense of body as with the OPA627 in? (with the HD650)

If yes, I shall go straight with the two LTs.
It may not have been as "warm" as the OPA627s, but it wasn't lacking anything either. I actually liked the bass in the headphones too. I'd say that if a person hasn't paid for the OPA627s + adapter yet, they should try a couple of combos first. They may save some bucks that way.

The LIST question:
Part of the difficulty in perception also has to do with my small rig. The Super-T is a true T-amp, and it articulates EVERYTHING. Other amps do or don't depending on design and Opamps on board or not and other factors.
Maybe I should change the "verbiage" in the list to "N/R" not recommended and "R" recommended? I'm open to ideas for sure!
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post #899 of 9242
1/17/08 at 8:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Normality View Post
Now that is going directly to the source!
Yeh i heard lot's of good things about his gear so i thought why not and the fact he lives down the road from me was a shock. It was really nice to let me go round and intrude and interfere on his work.
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post #900 of 9242
1/17/08 at 8:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Normality View Post
I hope it doesn't mean you did some damage to his laboratory or his house.
Nah i was just having a good look around. He's extremely passionate about his work and as a newbie in decent audio gear he was very helpful and honest with the questions i asked and he didn't try rush me in to buying.
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