Matrix M-Stage amp review: simple, cheap, and excellent. - Page 249

I don't know much about the LME49990, but the LM4562 has a lot of fans here, including me.

 

And I thought I was alone in this world.....

Join the club who uses hours and hours to decide what amp sounds best for ur ears and ur cans instead in believin numbers. Welcome to the club.

Subjectivists unite!

Shhhhh!

Don't tell the Object-to-it-all-ivists in The Science Fiction Forum!

Thanks for the reply.  I was thinking of using the M-Stage v2 mostly with my PC and Fiio E17.  Do you think that'd be a good combo?  Not sure how an amp like the M-Stage and DAC combo works.

 

From what I've gathered, the LM4562 is the same exact part as the LME49720. The LME49990 conforms to tighter specs for audio applications than the LME49720. I've personally compared the LME49720HA (metal can) to the LME49990 and prefer the LME49990.

It isn't really "the brightnes". It is attack and dynamics, punch. X-Can adds little more punch to the overall sound. The mid-bass becomes little leaner and the bass overall gets tighter.

 

I've rolled a few Op Amps into my Matrix M Stage.

I have to admit that I do not hear large differences between Op Amps.

 

I've been using my M Stage with my E17 for a while, while the combo works quite well and I'm quite happy with it, I have this nagging feeling that the M Stage deserves a better DAC.

But since I don't have the money right now to upgrade my DAC, so that's what I use when I listen to music off my computer!

 

 

For reference:

Occassionally I plug my CD player into my M Stage, the CD player has a much better DAC.

  I spent a bunch of time comparing the o2 and m stage, and while the o2 might be a little boring with certain headphones (k701s for example), I did not find it to be sibilant in the least.  In fact to me, with both headphones I tried, (k701 and dt990) the o2 had smoother less fatiguing treble than the m stage.  I actually find that the m stage has some congestion/distortion in the mid-treble that can make it seem more sibilant and fatiguing than either of the other amps I've used (o2 and shanling ph100).  I have v2.1 with the opa627 class a bias mod.

Edited by nickwin - 2/16/13 at 8:23am

I wasn't the one who thought the O2 was sibilant, just lifeless. Cans I tried included Fostex t50rp's (modded), K701, K401, K240m, HD600, DT880, SR125', and Yamaha YH-3's. Just didn't do it for me with any cans.

 

Interestingly, I found the class A opa627 to be a little hot in the upper mid and treble range and thus fatiguing. Went back to the standard 627 and liked it much better. Although, it was subtle for me. Eventually ended up with the LME49720HA over the 627. Have been happy with the M-stage ever since.

Edited by dogwan - 2/16/13 at 9:00am

I wasn't trying to single you out, I just wanted to share my thoughts on the o2 being sibilant. In my experience the m-stage opq627 class A has more fatiguing treble than the o2.  That said I can definitely see where your coming from about the o2 being "lifeless".  I felt the same way with my k701s.  I felt it had great synergy with the dt990s thought which have a lot of "life" of there own and almost need to be toned down.

 

Very interesting about the class A 627.  Maybe I have some opamp rolling in my future .

Edited by nickwin - 2/16/13 at 9:15am

Just bought one of these from Tam Audio... Pretty excited to hear what they can do with my Mad Dogs.

Waiting, waiting for it to arrive in the post.

Talking O2 I didn't end up getting the M Stage with the OPA627 after reading NwAvGuy's blog entry on opamps. He's amusingly condescending on the topic of whether the difference in opamp can be heard.