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Cold souding op-amps for Asus Xonar STX

post #1 of 9
8/9/11 at 12:46pm
Thread Starter 

Hey all,

I'm a computer enthusiast, and more recent audiophile convert. This is my first post on head-fi, and it scares me, as I don't have massive amounts of money smile.gif

So i just went ahead and bought myself an Asus Xonar STX DAC as an upgrade for a Xonar DX.

What enticed me most were the swappable op amps on them, that could really let you vary their sound signature. 

Personally, i like a cold and analytical tone, with plenty of intensity. Laid back and warm tones start to get too blended together in my opinion, and i like my instrument seperation, and the maximum amount of clarity I can achieve.

I've never done an op amp swap, and honestly, i don't really know how they work, so if you guys could recommend me a set with which i could swap out the stock ones to achieve the above sound, i'd be really grateful. 

Thanks all!


 

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post #2 of 9
8/9/11 at 1:20pm

have you tried this http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/421890/the-xonar-essence-stx-q-a-tweaking-impressions-thread thread?

that thread full of recommendation. if the amount of post just too much for you to read, try post the question and ask there.

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post #3 of 9
8/10/11 at 9:46am

Cold, transparent and clear with good details. I'll recommend the opa627 series.

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post #4 of 9
8/10/11 at 12:58pm
Thread Starter 

Theres so much there, but most of the op amps recommended in the OP were for brighter and warmer sounding sound.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Xymordos View Post

Cold, transparent and clear with good details. I'll recommend the opa627 series.

Thank you, this is exactly the kind of post i was hoping for. 
Does opa627 require soldering, and is this ebay link the ones i want? http://cgi.ebay.com/Burr-Brown-OPamp-OPA627BP-OPA627AP-OPA627-2pcs-/330549195380?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf6447274#ht_3168wt_1163
 

 

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post #5 of 9
8/10/11 at 2:20pm

many ppl wouldn't call OPA627 "cold", more like the opposite IME...and forget about 627's from china, they're all fake.

 

I'd try AD797B for instance, or OPA827 maybe.

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post #6 of 9
8/10/11 at 2:24pm
Thread Starter 

http://www.newark.com/analog-devices/ad797brz/ic-op-amp-110mhz-20v-%C2%B5s-soic-8/dp/88H0088?Ntt=AD797B

http://www.newark.com/texas-instruments/opa827aid/ic-op-amp-22mhz-soic-8/dp/12P6261?Ntt=OPA827
 

these? Would i need to solder them? Are these just for the I/V, or do i need to get 3 for the buffer as well. 

Sorry about my inexperience 

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post #7 of 9
8/10/11 at 2:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pangolinman View Post

Theres so much there, but most of the op amps recommended in the OP were for brighter and warmer sounding sound.
 



actually most of the opamp recommendation buried between those 100+ pages and not in the op.

 

Im not sure about cold and analytical (prefer to call them neutral and detalied) but you might want try either AD797B or ADA4627-1A

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post #8 of 9
8/11/11 at 6:26pm

Originally Posted by pangolinman View Post

http://www.newark.com/analog-devices/ad797brz/ic-op-amp-110mhz-20v-%C2%B5s-soic-8/dp/88H0088?Ntt=AD797B

http://www.newark.com/texas-instruments/opa827aid/ic-op-amp-22mhz-soic-8/dp/12P6261?Ntt=OPA827
 

these? Would i need to solder them? Are these just for the I/V, or do i need to get 3 for the buffer as well.


You'll have to solder them on adapters, yes. The third opamp is unused if you run off the HP output.

 

You might like this thread: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/476634/give-me-a-crash-course-in-opamps

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post #9 of 9
8/13/11 at 9:37am

opa627sm certainly isn't warm...I'm using it right now...

It is a very bright and transparent opamp with a large soundstage and excellent details. You need to get used to its dynamics though.

I would call it cold.

 

op128sm would be warm

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