OPA Moon HDAM revelations Pt 1-first impressions, plus updates - Page 2

Hiya, mararrayo, that's great that you had one given to you like that, it IS a terrific little device isn't it!
I have since make some more mods to mine, which has basically become KHA I.5 now, it's been Franked in parts and become even more stunning, both in sound and in value. With the FrankenZero plus KHA I.5 together, it's got to be one of the greatest bang-for-buck combos out there! Not an expression I like that much, though really, value for money is something else. The FrankenZero goes way beyond such a concept and has become something else entirely!
I would love to know what mods you have made to your 'KHA', do you have that link there?
KHA I.5 has all the electrolytic caps replaced now with Nichicon Muse FA and Elna Silmic II versions, the greencaps near the inductors are now Russian PIOs of the same value and those nasty little ceramics have been vanquished and 47pF MKP WIMAs are in there instead. To say what was already a great little amp has been transformed, is almost understatement.
It's still burning in, both Frankie and KHA I.5 are at the 130 hour mark today.
My KHA II board is still waiting for Black Gates to arrive, mostly those fabulous .1uF NX series bypass caps that were brought to world attention by Matin Colloms a few years ago. And then there's the audio-gd power supply here, which I am in the middle of making the heatsink for now. I'll test it on KHA I.5, though it is destined for KHA II.
Look forward to seeing what you have done with your amp, mate!
S-Man

P.S. OPA Moon is still the greatest gift one can give to this amp, IMHO!

Well Rico67, I am not familiar at all with the gear you have there, so you need to ask yourself a couple of questions; is your system neutral in tone and if so, do you want to keep it that way? Or would you like to inject some sheer joy of life with a slightly warmer tone into your music? Both OPAs are awesome! OPA Earth in the DAC is fantastic and OPA Moon in KHA removes a slight touch of clinical-ness and adds sheer joi de vivre in an entirely natural and utterly addictive way. I find it superbly balanced in there. If you think that suits what you'd like to hear in your system, I can't imagine a better choice.
That's not to say OPA Earth wouldn't be fabulous in your amp too!
Buy both, if you can afford it, I did!

S-Man

P.S. I think your choice is good though, OPA Earth in the DAC seems to blend magnificently with OPA Moon in an amp.

Hi Hottuna, I can send you as many links as you'd like and PP is a great mine of information as well! I have built 2 of these amps and am in the middle of an even higher upgraded third (KHA II). They are well designed in the first place and can be taken to SQ far beyond the original 'sound'. Like Frankie, this amp is stunning value for money. It may take a little while to accumulate all the parts, but it is SO worth it!
Even with the standard 1% metal film resistors that come with it, she sounds magic, but you must replace every single one of those cheap caps. Power supply too, VERY important! Put the good op-amp that comes with it away and put OPA Moon in there instead and you have a superb amp for not a lot of $$$.
Hmm, if anyone wants pics I may have to start a new thread for KHA, if there's enough interest..
S-Man

Hi C, I am a little surprised by the MKV not driving the Senns, does it not do 300 ohms very well?
Um, wait til your Frankie hits the 140-150 hour mark! Streuth, mine took a dive for a day then just simply took off the next, into something a world apart from anything previously heard, tremendously exciting!
According to PP, there's another quantum shift to come yet. Gulp!
S-Man

Ok, I'm curious now, what do you like so much more about the C-2C? I really love the build quality of the audio-gd gear. I have one of their power supplies for KHA II and it really is the finest made circuit board I've seen; gold-plated through-soldering with excellent joins, thick copper tracks, quality parts, just terrific.
S-Man

Got'em, buddy. Replies in the mail. S-Man