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Matrix M-Stage amp review: simple, cheap, and excellent. - Page 226

post #3376 of 3983
Quote:
Originally Posted by chicolom View Post

 

Yes, TamAudio is legit, and is a official distributor for matrix gear.

 

Check out the matrix's actual website under :Contact Us":

http://www.matrix-digi.com/english/lxwm.asp

 

 

I sent an e-mail just now. I just want to be 100% sure that I get the latest version. If this is too much of a headache...I might just go get an Asgard. Is the Asgard as versatile/good sounding as the M-Stage? 

post #3377 of 3983

Ok guys,here it is...

 

    Got my dip-8 sockets this afternoon.Having only one OPA2227 I soldered the two 5.6k resistors on the socket so that I could switch between biased and unbiased configuration.As a procedure,switching was not that easy (one resistor was cut off while trying) as the position  of the resistors makes unpluging difficult.Anyway,the result was so obvious that switching twice sufficed...! It was more obvious than switching between 2227 and 2134.Listening to the same songs for the past month seems to have helped distinguishing subtle changes.''Paper Airplane" album by Alison Krauss and Union Station at a 24/96 recording and there it was:

    Bass got a little deeper.I felt I didn't have to use the extra gradually decreased 6db-3db gain of the 50Hz-220Hz bands on foobar's equilizer( AKG K701....yes I know....)

    Mids came out warm and highs  were less sibilant.Some slight granulation previously present in the vocals, vanished completely.My overall impression was that sound came out in a more tamed and civilized way without losing any detail.I detected a  tiny decrease in openess but nothing diminishing the overall improvemet. I'm quite happy with the result and biased OPA2227 is a keeper.How much better can Matrix sound anyway? I don't think I'll bother trying the 627 setup.

The op-amp is running some 10-15 C hotter (~38-40C right after switch on so I guess higher than this a couple of hours later) but nothing to worry about since it can handle temps up to 85 C.I think I could use one of those mini heat sinks used in VGA's RAM chips.Wouldn't hurt anyway...
 

 

DONE!!!

 

400400


Edited by George_63 - 12/8/12 at 2:41pm
post #3378 of 3983
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrSponge View Post

I sent an e-mail just now. I just want to be 100% sure that I get the latest version. If this is too much of a headache...I might just go get an Asgard. Is the Asgard as versatile/good sounding as the M-Stage? 
Why u want the last version persee? All versions of mstage sounds good..and for me the version 1 sounds warmer and more neutral then the newer version..so for me its a nobrainer..the asgard is a completely different amp...more in ur face amp..also a very good amp for the money!..if thats ur thing..u better forget mstage and go directly for a shiit..imho u cant compare those two..maybe only in pricing..
For me..if u buy from a reputable seller (tamaudio) u will get the most recent model. If its 1.1 or 1.2..for me..and i know..i just sold mine 2weeks ago..the version 1.0 of 2011 stays my favorite for laidback listening to my he300 that i had..only when i changed to the he500 just recently i bought my 337. But ofcourse this is how i feel about it.. I would look for a good condition mstage of 2011..it will be much cheaper and as the quality of the amp is excellent it will be faultless for many years to come biggrin.gif
Good luck with ur search wink.gif
Edited by hifimanrookie - 12/4/12 at 3:23pm
post #3379 of 3983

How does the M-Stage compare to the Lyr? I know it's SS vs Tube, but just so I know I'm making the right decision, value wise. 

post #3380 of 3983
Quote:
Originally Posted by Apo0th3karY View Post

How does the M-Stage compare to the Lyr? I know it's SS vs Tube, but just so I know I'm making the right decision, value wise. 
Its SS vs hybrid actually biggrin.gif

i never made a 1 to 1 comparision between both asi sold the mstage since i now have a 337...but i did owned a modded mstage for a year and i did listen to the lyr for at least an hour seperately..so i do this from memory..and all i can say is..compared to the mstage the lyr is a powerhouse.. Allthough i loved the mstage the lyr is a step up..but then again it does cost almost double.. If u have a hard to drive phone and ur budget is around 400.. Then this is the amp to go..and u can upgrade it with other tubes to improve it... I did find it to be a bit blurry on the lcd2 rev 2 and he500 compared to my excellent 337.. For around 400 the shiit is a great deal..as is the matrix for 249. Imho
post #3381 of 3983
Quote:
Originally Posted by hifimanrookie View Post

 
Its SS vs hybrid actually biggrin.gif
i never made a 1 to 1 comparision between both asi sold the mstage since i now have a 337...but i did owned a modded mstage for a year and i did listen to the lyr for at least an hour seperately..so i do this from memory..and all i can say is..compared to the mstage the lyr is a powerhouse.. Allthough i loved the mstage the lyr is a step up..but then again it does cost almost double.. If u have a hard to drive phone and ur budget is around 400.. Then this is the amp to go..and u can upgrade it with other tubes to improve it... I did find it to be a bit blurry on the lcd2 rev 2 and he500 compared to my excellent 337.. For around 400 the shiit is a great deal..as is the matrix for 249. Imho

 

I had a very similar experience with the Lyr, I own an M Stage and tried a Lyr out one day.

I agree, the Lyr is a step up!

post #3382 of 3983
Quote:
Originally Posted by hifimanrookie View Post

 

Its SS vs hybrid actually biggrin.gif
i never made a 1 to 1 comparision between both asi sold the mstage since i now have a 337...but i did owned a modded mstage for a year and i did listen to the lyr for at least an hour seperately..so i do this from memory..and all i can say is..compared to the mstage the lyr is a powerhouse.. Allthough i loved the mstage the lyr is a step up..but then again it does cost almost double.. If u have a hard to drive phone and ur budget is around 400.. Then this is the amp to go..and u can upgrade it with other tubes to improve it... I did find it to be a bit blurry on the lcd2 rev 2 and he500 compared to my excellent 337.. For around 400 the shiit is a great deal..as is the matrix for 249. Imho

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris J View Post

 

I had a very similar experience with the Lyr, I own an M Stage and tried a Lyr out one day.

I agree, the Lyr is a step up!

 

Thanks for the responses guys! Good to know! 

post #3383 of 3983
I'm not too versed with turntables and how they work, but would it be able to hook one up directly to the M-stage into the rca input? Or is something else needed in between?
post #3384 of 3983
Quote:
Originally Posted by beaver316 View Post

I'm not too versed with turntables and how they work, but would it be able to hook one up directly to the M-stage into the rca input? Or is something else needed in between?

Yes, you need "something else".
You need a phono pre-amp.
I think the cheaper ones start at $100.00 and up.
post #3385 of 3983
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris J View Post


Yes, you need "something else".
You need a phono pre-amp.
I think the cheaper ones start at $100.00 and up.

Yes, and I'd advise spending closer to 200 as a minimum.

post #3386 of 3983
Quote:
Originally Posted by JosephsART View Post

 

If headphones are plugged in, the preamp output can not be heard.

 

If headphones are not plugged in, the preamp output can be heard.

 

This is what my M-Stage does anyway.

 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by svoboda123 View Post

Can someone please confirm for me that the pre-outs are not muted when headphones are inserted?  Isn't this a problem for anyone who wants to use it as both?  I mean, speaker sound reaching (often open) headphones and no ability to quiet speakers, such as in an office or late at night?


Although this was 2 weeks 5 days ago posted, I am just reading back from when I left off from this thread, but my with my Matrix, I can hear both headphones and speakers at the same time, i'm not sure why this is different for everyone  else but I prefer it like this. Could 'burn in' headphones whilst actually listening to the music using speakers for e.g. 
|

post #3387 of 3983
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris J View Post

 

I had a very similar experience with the Lyr, I own an M Stage and tried a Lyr out one day.

I agree, the Lyr is a step up!


What headphones were you using with the Lyr?  Do you think it would be better for something like k701s than the M stage?

post #3388 of 3983
Quote:
Originally Posted by hifimanrookie View Post


Why u want the last version persee? All versions of mstage sounds good..and for me the version 1 sounds warmer and more neutral then the newer version..so for me its a nobrainer..the asgard is a completely different amp...more in ur face amp..also a very good amp for the money!..if thats ur thing..u better forget mstage and go directly for a shiit..imho u cant compare those two..maybe only in pricing..
For me..if u buy from a reputable seller (tamaudio) u will get the most recent model. If its 1.1 or 1.2..for me..and i know..i just sold mine 2weeks ago..the version 1.0 of 2011 stays my favorite for laidback listening to my he300 that i had..only when i changed to the he500 just recently i bought my 337. But ofcourse this is how i feel about it.. I would look for a good condition mstage of 2011..it will be much cheaper and as the quality of the amp is excellent it will be faultless for many years to come biggrin.gif
Good luck with ur search wink.gif

How can it be both warmer and more neutral?  Do you mean the version 1 is warmer, but version two more neutral?

post #3389 of 3983
Quote:
Originally Posted by nickwin View Post

How can it be both warmer and more neutral?  Do you mean the version 1 is warmer, but version two more neutral?

yes thats what i mean..sorry for the confusement..the newer one has a more US apreciated tuned sound then the chinese appreciated more darker tuned sound v.1 has

post #3390 of 3983
Quote:
Originally Posted by nickwin View Post


What headphones were you using with the Lyr?  Do you think it would be better for something like k701s than the M stage?

I used the AKG Q701s.
Based on a short listen, I thought it sounded better than the Q and M Stage.
It added a bit of warmth and fullness and just sounded "right".

Hey, this is post 2100!
Edited by Chris J - 12/10/12 at 2:55pm
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