Neutral op-amps for Xonar Essence ST?

I believe the Essence ST comes with one buffer op-amp LM4652 and two I/V op-amps 2114

The LM4652 op-amps were renamed LME49720NA, then the cherry picks (better voltage range) of the LME49720NA are labeled LME49860NA.

You can get 3 LME49860NAs on eBay for $15.

AD797 seem to be great op-amps, about $25 for two for the I/V slots, not sure what is a good match for the buffer slot with the AD797s

There are two threads you can check out

"The Xonar Essence STX Q/A tweaking, Impressions thread"

"The op-amp thread"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muffinator 
I've heard of the AD797 being described as neutral, but it wasn't being used in the ST.

It also seems expensive. Is that $25 for four AD797s on two SOIC to DIP-8 adapters,

or just two AD797s? Why wouldn't the AD797 work in the buffer slot?

$25 is about what it would cost for two AD797 (DIP-8) and would replace the two 2114 (DIP-8).

I'm not sure if they still make the AD797 (DIP-8), but there might be some still floating around.

4 AD797 mounted on a SOIC would cost more, not sure if you were up to doing the soldering.

and do not know if anyone sells pre-soldered SOIC AD797s

In general sometimes people who have upgraded the three op-amps with three matching op-amps

have not been happy with that combo and ended using a non-match op-amp for the buffer for better sound.

I'm in no way an expert on op-amps and did not want to advice you on something I'm not sure of.

If I was to read the 158 pages of the STX Q/A tweaking thread

and the 238 pages of the op-amp thread, I'm sure I could advice you better.

I was trying to seed you with a few ideas.

Your welcome to read the over 400 pages to make you better informed about the ST/STX and op-amps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muffinator 

So far the only op-amps I've read about that would be a substantial upgrade are the

LME49720NA and the LME49860NA. From what I've read about these two, the 49720

is rather mid-centric and the 49860 is "warm" (no idea what that means) and bassy.

Op-amps are solid state (digital) amplification.

Tube amplifiers (analog) are described as adding "warmth" and "soul" to a sound.

So it could be said the LME49860NA is a little more sounding like a tube.

Which I take as a good thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muffinator 

Regardless of it being in production or not, the DIP-8 version

of the AD797 is a single op-amp. The Essence ST requires

dual op-amps. I'll have to dig through those threads, I suppose.

Do you know anything about the AD8599?

I know nothing about the AD8599.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muffinator 
That still counts as coloration. To me, that's a bad thing.

Like I said before, I want to hear my music, not my equipment,

though I might be wrong about how exactly the 49860 sounds.

Still, neutrality takes priority.

Try doing a web search for "neutral sounding operational amplifiers" see what pops up.

also read the first page of "The Xonar STX Q/A tweaking impression thread"

lots of different op-amps described.

The Essence STX (PCI-Express) is almost exactly the same as the Essence ST (PCI).

Granted I don't have a STX any more, But I  do use 2x LME49720NA  with the default  2x LME49710NA in my X-FI HD pcie buffers for the same reason you posted for neutral sound . Then I change the op-amp in my Fiio E9 when I roll op-amps. Instead of doing it in my X-FI HD pcie.  You can use a dual to single dip-8 adapter for using Two single channel Dip8 op-amps in your buffers.

I used the LME 49720NA's if I recall in the STX's during the time I had it, i was using its headphone output which used just the I/V's.  I Havent used the LT1364CN8 in the ST, But I used it in my Fiio E9 headphone amp, its a dual channel op-amp.

The LME 49720NA if I remember correctly I enjoyed them allot when they was in the I/V's of the STX with the AKG 702s.   The LT1364CNA8 in the Fiio E9 was my fav op-amp to use with the AKG  because i Liked it Highs and Lows Like it was clear i cant explain it. I just know i loved it with the AKGs.  now with my DT880 pro 250s i dont like the LT1364s.