I got a Matrix M-stage and have been trying it for the past 48 hours with my D2000s. It was quite a step up in soundstage going from the the Little Dot I+ to the M-stage. However, the bass response has been disappointing to say the least. Though the bass is tight, it lacks punch and definition (compared to the bass from Little Dot I+ which is gorgeous). I tried all the gain settings and settled with 0dB. Am I missing something here? Will replacing the stock opamp improve the bass response?
I've got the 2000, too, and I'm running them with an M-Stage. I've had the combo for a couple months now and lack of definition isn't something I've noticed at all. But the issue may be in the opamp...just throwing it out there. When I got the M-Stage, it had a BB 2107 in it and I liked the overall sound with the 2K's but it seemed a little dry and hot to me. Extension was there but there wasn't much smoothness and everything seemed peaky.
Since then, I've rolled in an LM4562 which is a very big improvement to my ears. Bass is now back where it should be (I actually preferred the bass out of my PA2v2 portable before the 4562) and everything seems much smoother. I've heard folks say the 4562 is slow and/or that it extends the treble to annoying heights but honestly I don't hear either and it's the best I've heard in the M-Stage by far. YMMV, of course but I would give a new opamp a shot before you give up on the M-Stage. I got my 4562 at Audiophile Products.
For reference, I'm using the 10dB gain setting and I find it very much preferable to 0dB. Sounds like your experience is different but making that switch was also a pretty big help in getting the humble (but awesome) M-Stage to sound its best.
Thanks for the reply irishsammy. I was suggested the same opamp on the long M-stage thread too and am planning to get a class A modded LM4562 if possible. Else, I think I'll just get the standard LM4562.
