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Asus Opamp upgrade kit

post #1 of 26
3/7/11 at 1:52am
Thread Starter 

I just purchased the ASUS Xonar Essence ST. I remembered there there was a opamp upgrade kit for sale, but now I can't find it for sale anywhere. Everywhere I check it says deactivated, not available, etc.

 

I was wondering if anyone knows where I could pick up the kit. Thanks.

 

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post #2 of 26
3/7/11 at 3:18am

Newegg

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post #3 of 26
3/7/11 at 10:15pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hifihead View Post

Newegg



I already checked - deactivated item.

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post #4 of 26
3/8/11 at 7:27am

You could just get yourself a pair of LME49720NA's, since that's what the whole upgrade was. Probably save some money too.

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post #5 of 26
3/8/11 at 1:21pm

I also just ordered an essence ST a few days ago.

 

NCIX.com has the opamp kit on back order.

 

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=56224&vpn=90-YAA00SP1000BZ&manufacture=ASUS

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post #6 of 26
3/8/11 at 4:57pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by fufula View Post

You could just get yourself a pair of LME49720NA's, since that's what the whole upgrade was. Probably save some money too.



Thanks, fufula. I was sure I knew that, but I wasn't sure about it. I'll probably just do that.

 

EDIT: Err...I looked up the LME49720NA and there were a couple different versions - is it the LME49720NA-ND or LME49720NA/NOPB. Hahaha......I'm so lost. Someone want to link me to the correct ones?


Edited by ohaider - 3/8/11 at 5:13pm
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post #7 of 26
3/8/11 at 8:00pm

LME49720NA-ND will do.  LT1364CN8 is also worth a try.

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post #8 of 26
3/25/11 at 5:01pm

You should be able to find the chips on eBay, like I did.

It cost me $6.60 for one LME49720NA.


Edited by Tacoboy - 3/25/11 at 7:34pm
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post #9 of 26
3/25/11 at 5:21pm

What would the benefits be of actually upgrading the op amp?  Or are different op amps used for different sounds?

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post #10 of 26
3/26/11 at 10:02am

Differernt opamps sound different.  Some may help improve all aspects for your soundcard's sound.

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post #11 of 26
3/26/11 at 12:10pm
Thread Starter 

I received my lme49720's from National like a week ago. Got them for free with my student email. win.

 

I'm currently running 3xLME49720 - they sound great :) Really nice separation of instruments and the soundstage increased a bit; sounds a bit airy. The thing I love about them the most is that they bring  out the small details much better than the stock opamps.

 

Might have to try other ones sometime.

 

Thanks again for the help, Mad Max :).

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post #12 of 26
4/11/11 at 2:10am

I wanted to order the opamp kit too but they were sold out everywhere. I did buy and use the LME49720 with the Xonar Essence STX card and it was pretty good until I tried a pair of LME49860's. They are alot better opamp's. Plus you can still get them dirt cheap. Don't order from ebay, double what it costs here.

 

http://www.newark.com/national-semiconductor/lme49860na-nopb/ic-audio-amplifier-class-ab-dip/dp/53M0338?in_merch=Popular%20Products&in_merch=Popular%20Products&MER=PPSO_N_C_EverywhereElse_None

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post #13 of 26
4/13/11 at 7:16pm
Thread Starter 


How do the LME49860s sound compared to the LME49720s?

 

Off topic: I noticed you own a pair of HD650s and I plan to get a pair soon. Does your STX drive the 650s well enough?

Quote:
Originally Posted by audiofreak81 View Post

I wanted to order the opamp kit too but they were sold out everywhere. I did buy and use the LME49720 with the Xonar Essence STX card and it was pretty good until I tried a pair of LME49860's. They are alot better opamp's. Plus you can still get them dirt cheap. Don't order from ebay, double what it costs here.

 

http://www.newark.com/national-semiconductor/lme49860na-nopb/ic-audio-amplifier-class-ab-dip/dp/53M0338?in_merch=Popular%20Products&in_merch=Popular%20Products&MER=PPSO_N_C_EverywhereElse_None



 

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post #14 of 26
4/13/11 at 7:45pm
Got my Xonar STX few days ago it drives HD650 without problems. Waiting for LME49720, LME49860 and few other mentioned OPAMPS to arrive to me tomorrow
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post #15 of 26
4/14/11 at 4:36am

It sounds amazing. The new opamps are much better than the LME49720. A great song to test out these headphones and the soundcard with the new opamps is 180bpm from Hans Zimmer. Its pure heaven.

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