[Mad Max]

Quote:

iPod Video 5G and Etymotic ER-4P. Do any of these reduce the hiss of the MiniBox? It's pretty bad.

The 75-ohm button on the minibox-E+ should help as well as changing opamps. 4627-1 will reduce hiss. If you are going to use the ER4, you may want the warmer A version of 4627-1 than the more neutral B version. I read those etys are real bright and the B version may leave the Minibox without enough warmth for your 'phones or taste, though I can't say for sure. I use RE0, RE252, and MTPC.
AD744 will not have a lower noise floor than 8610 and probably not the same synergy with the 5g classic as the 6g.
LT1028 kind of works but it will be underpowered and will give you sine sweeps not to mention a big loss of detail compared to 8610, 744, and especially 4627-1.

 

[headphoned]

What? The LT1028 less detailed than an AD8610? It's totally the opposite, IMHO. I think you're confusing aggressiveness with detail. Midrange articulation, for instance, is far superior with the LT1028 than with the AD8610/8620. And I don't remember the AD746 (dual AD744) as being ultradetailed, too. I would say that detail is a strong point of the LT1028

 

[headphoned]

At the end of the day, a couple of LT opamps, namely LT1028 and LT1363, are some of the best I've ever heard. Plus they happen to have a kind of synergy.
 
After the Super Pro is repaired, I could get a new NG98 (mine is no more probably with the AD1852 (just for a change), and give it the LT1363 for the line out, and the LT1028 for the headphone amp (with BUF634).

 

[buz]

What the heck did you to your NG98?

 

[headphoned]

Broke it intentionally after something went slightly wrong, lol. I'm toooooo emoooootionaaaaallll with these things, hehe

 

[bcpk]

Quote:

The 75-ohm button on the minibox-E+ should help as well as changing opamps. 4627-1 will reduce hiss. If you are going to use the ER4, you may want the warmer A version of 4627-1 than the more neutral B version. I read those etys are real bright and the B version may leave the Minibox without enough warmth for your 'phones or taste, though I can't say for sure. I use RE0, RE252, and MTPC.
AD744 will not have a lower noise floor than 8610 and probably not the same synergy with the 5g classic as the 6g.
LT1028 kind of works but it will be underpowered and will give you sine sweeps not to mention a big loss of detail compared to 8610, 744, and especially 4627-1.

Thanks for the suggestion. Now I just don't know where to buy them. The LME49710 was suggested for the MBE+ and it's easily available on eBay, but I can't seem to find any of the other opamps listed here with such ready availability.

 

[headphoned]

I don't know why you listen to his suggestions and not mine, lol. Anyway the ADA4627-1 is specified at +/- 5V or more, check supply voltage or you're gonna waste your money. The OPA827 is specified at +/- 4V or more. I still recommend the latter.
 
 
The LME49710 is a mediocre choice. You can consider the LME49710HA though, put on proper adapters TO99 to DIP. Specified from +/- 2.5V

 

[headphoned]

To me the ADA4627-1 looks like another OPA627. I'm sure it's going to sound clear and unmusical. Luckily I have a number of OPA827 with me, in case a FET opamp is what I strictly need.

 

[SpudHarris]

ADA4627-1 is a detailed chip for sure but it's not unmusical by any stretch of the imagination, I love it.
 
I have 2 x P3+ amps - One for a laid back listen and one for monitoring or critical listening.
 
a) OPA2111AM (TO99) - BUF634 (Stacked) - OPA627's in G/VG
 
b) ADA4627-1BRZ - BUF634 (HiC) - OPA627's in G/VG
 
Both amps sound fantastic but different......

 

[headphoned]

So you're putting it on the same level as a OPA2111AM. Therefore, OPA1611 and LME49720HA (two of my favorites) are definitely competitive with the ADA4627-1. Most probably the AD845KN too

 

[Spacehead]

I think I broke two ADA4627-1B 
 
What a pain!! 

 

[SpudHarris]

Quote:

So you're putting it on the same level as a OPA2111AM. Therefore, OPA1611 and LME49720HA (two of my favorites) are definitely competitive with the ADA4627-1. Most probably the AD845KN too

It's all subjective isn't it. you most definately have your favourites as they have synergy with all the other parts in the chain i.e. Source, Circuit, Phones etc.....
 
The OPA2111AM is the most beautiful chip in my P3+. It is detailed yet warm and musical, it is a full fun sounding chip. In your set up it may sound pants
 
I must try the AD845KN.....
 

 

[SpudHarris]

Quote:

I think I broke two ADA4627-1B 
 
What a pain!! 

How? Overheated?
 
I used to do that on a fairly regular basis before discovering Cardas Solder...... It's great to work with and runs real fast at low temp even.
 

 

[headphoned]

Quote:

It's all subjective isn't it. you most definately have your favourites as they have synergy with all the other parts in the chain i.e. Source, Circuit, Phones etc.....
 
The OPA2111AM is the most beautiful chip in my P3+. It is detailed yet warm and musical, it is a full fun sounding chip. In your set up it may sound pants
 
I must try the AD845KN.....
 

 
Well said.
 
I use a pair of bookshelf speakers, anyway. Nowadays I only use my phones in a secondary system & driven by the CMOY. I do plan to break out my HD650 again some time soon
 
 
Try the EL2228 too, it's a great chip: full & fluid sounding yet quite resolving but pay attention to the 4.5 uA bias current.
 

 

[Mad Max]

Quote:

I don't know why you listen to his suggestions and not mine, lol. Anyway the ADA4627-1 is specified at +/- 5V or more, check supply voltage or you're gonna waste your money. The OPA827 is specified at +/- 4V or more. I still recommend the latter.
 
 
The LME49710 is a mediocre choice. You can consider the LME49710HA though, put on proper adapters TO99 to DIP. Specified from +/- 2.5V

This guy, wait 'til you hear 4627-1, then you'll eat your words, lol.

 
Head-Direct told me Minibox-E+ is 7.4v
 
49710HA will not fit with TO-99 adapters, the leads have to be bent and trimmed little by little very carefully.
Other Minibox-E+ users found OPA627 to sound no better than AD8610 in this little amp. 8610 gives the best battery life, but certainly not the best sound.
 
I also did not imply 744 being ultra-detailed. LT1028 is noticeably more detailed than the plastic dip J version but in my Compass DAC only. Minibox-E+ is just not suited for 1028 and 797.