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Questions about replacing opamps on Essence STX

post #1 of 11
9/25/11 at 5:20pm
Thread Starter 

Hello all,

 

I am going to buy a Schiit Lyr soon in adition to some LME49720HAs. Now as far as I'm aware there are 3 opamps in the Essence and only 2 of them are used for the RCA output, is this true? If this is I'm just wondering where I would put my LME49720HAs once I get them.

 

Thanks in advance!

-Michael

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post #2 of 11
9/26/11 at 11:53am
Thread Starter 

bump.

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post #3 of 11
9/26/11 at 12:45pm

http://www.overclock.net/sound-cards-computer-audio/718389-opamp-changes-xonar-essence-stx.html

 

You would switch the OPA2134 with your new opamps. They can be a little hard to pull out, small pliers would help but I've always just used my fingers and wiggled them out. Be careful if you wiggle them, don't wiggle too much or you might damage the connectors.

 

Oh and make sure they're oriented the right way. Use the dot on the opamp as reference.

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post #4 of 11
9/26/11 at 1:33pm

The image in the above overclock.net link shows and identifies the opamps perfectly. The only thing that wasn't obvious to me when I replaced mine was how much pressure is required to get them out. Don't try to pry them out with a screwdriver or anything; you can and should get them out with your fingers. Just pinch the black part by its bare sides and pull directly up, wiggling a bit.

 

Should be obvious once you get the new opamp and have your sound card by itself.

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post #5 of 11
9/26/11 at 3:32pm

You can also use a chip puller (they are available on most electronic stores) to remove the old opamps. 

 

Keep us posted. 

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post #6 of 11
9/26/11 at 3:53pm
Thread Starter 

Would I have to worry about replacing that center op amp (which is a buffer op amp from what I've heard) if I'm only outputting from RCA?

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post #7 of 11
9/26/11 at 10:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by supertron421 View Post

Would I have to worry about replacing that center op amp (which is a buffer op amp from what I've heard) if I'm only outputting from RCA?


Nope

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post #8 of 11
9/27/11 at 6:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by steven_1026 View Post


Nope



other way around - the buffer is very much in the analog rca output path

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post #9 of 11
9/30/11 at 5:56am

All three opamps are used when you are using line outs.  Only the rear two (I/V) opamps are used when you are using headphone outputs.

In the above picture, the OPA2134's are the I/V and the other is the buffer opamp.

Great picture BTW!

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post #10 of 11
9/30/11 at 12:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by fzman View Post

other way around - the buffer is very much in the analog rca output path


Whoops I knew that!

 

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post #11 of 11
10/1/11 at 9:20am
When you switch to headhones mode, the buffer opamps is switched out of the circuit and replaced with the headphone amplifier chip.
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