HELP! Neco Soundlab portable CMoy amp

Hi all.

Does anyone have this CMoy amp by Neco Soundlab (ebay seller). I read some very good things about it in this wonderful place!

I received it recently received it (about a week ago), shortly after receiving some Sennheiser HD595 phones. I ordered them mainly in a bid to acheive the most from the Senns (I know that money could have gone toward even better phones, but then the same amp scenario would be lurking in my wallet).

Anyhow, I was a bit curious about the sound because I found it to be not THAT much better than from my ipod touch. It is a little clearer and more open. Although running it (and the Senns) for maybe 15 hours now has made a little difference, it is not worlds away from the ipod sound. It is definately better, no question, but the sound from my little Teac all in one (and Marantz integrated amp) produced to my ears a more favourable sound. This may be because it was what I would describe as a richer and warmer sound, with more bass, albeit not as revealing (which I don't mind sacrificing).

You can probably see what I like from my music now. This Neco amp has the AD8066 in it. Is this the reason why I find the sound to be a little "thin", as I would put it? Or is that just the nature of the amplifier? I understand you may have the experience to compare, based on your other posts.

Would inserting an OPA2228 op amp produce a sound more in line with what I want? i.e. warm, rich and deep. And perhaps not quite as revealing. The gain on this headamp is 5.7, I think.

Or is the deeper, warm, bassier sound because the other equipment is mains powered? Sure power can't be the issue as the headphones don't use that much and the HD555s are only 50 ohms.

Is this sound that I describe as thin just a character of this amp and/or other porable amps.

Just for extra info, the amp was £64+£6 p&p.


Thanks in advance guys!

BASS BOOST

I see no one replied to my question, but I have since solved my problem.

I spoke to Neco, the seller and he was more than extremely helpful! He suggested to leave the AD8066 op amp in, but to send it back to him and he would increase the bass slightly.

I did exactly that and Neco did his magic on it. He told me that the bass increase would be similar to that of the John Seaber JDS Labs Bass Boost CMoy. As I have not heard the JDS amp, I cannot compare, but what I can say is that it exactly what I want. Bear in mind I'm driving Senn HD555 phones.

The detail is excellent, just as it was before; the top end it clear, without being too bright- it's natural. The mid range is also unaffected from the modification- it remains punchy, reminiscent of my Monitor Audio S5 floor standers driven by my old Cambridge A500 amp (NICE).

The sound is very natural, which I like, until I get to the low frequencies, at which point I like to sacrifice a bit of true to the recording sound, for a light tweak in the warmth. I like a warm sound, but with all the detail. I'm not a bass head, but I don't like things to get too clinical.

I can see that this follow up has turned into something of a short review, but on that note, I may as well continue in this fashion.

This amp is truly EXCELLENT. I think Neco should offer the bass boost amp for sale on ebay an an option. Maybe if you ask him, he may do it.
But for all those headfiers out there who don't like the added warmth, order it as normal and you will not be disappointed. For the money, it is well worth it.

LOD to headamp

Hi sorry for late response!

I'm using LOD, not HO. Nice one too, from eBay. Appears to be an unbranded version of the iBasso LOD with silver plated cables- looks like a ribbon cable.