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Should I invest in an amp?

post #1 of 8
12/19/11 at 7:37pm
Thread Starter 

As the title suggests, I am looking into buying myself a amp (tube amp I suppose, still new to the concept and having trouble finding what would best work for me).  My current setup is a Xonar STX paired up with my A900s.  In the next few months, I plan on investing in a pair of Grado 325i's as well.  I currently use the A900s for heavy gaming and a lot of music listening, and intend to use the Grados for dedicated music listening and just use the A900s for gaming.  I don't currently have another source I use for my music, just my computer via the STX using FLAC music (eventually I want to build a dedicated music PC....should be a fun project!).

 

Anyways, should I purchase a tube amp to setup on my desktop and pair it up with the STX for a little more of a kick?  Would it be a noticable difference or just a waste of money.  If I should, what would be a good entry level amp to purchase?  Only one I've stumbled upon that seemed reasonably priced was a Little Dot Mark III.  Don't really see myself spending too much more than what that costs, may consider going upwards of $300.  Sorry for the noobish question, but I've been looking around for a little more a week now for more info, but can't find a solid answer/don't understand what I am reading.

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post #2 of 8
12/20/11 at 1:10am

I would say to just save your money.

When you use the RCA outputs on the STX to run the signal to an external headphone amplifier, you lose Dolby Virtual (5.1) headphone or any surround sound for gaming or movies.

The RCAs will only output stereo (2.0 channel) to the external headphone amplifier.

 

You can upgrade the three op-amps (operational amplifiers) on the Essence STX for $15-$30

I currently use 3 LME49860NAs op-amps ($15) and have one OPA2107AP (for buffer) op-amp ($5) on order.

Also AD797 op-amps have good reviews, I might try ordering a pair ($16).

 

Still try to find out more on the LME49990 op-amps.

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post #3 of 8
12/20/11 at 1:26am

I would advise against opamp rolling in general. Generally, the best that can happen with opamp rolling is that you don't audibly degrade the performance. Obviously, the nature of the change makes any before-and-after comparisons difficult and incredibly bias prone.

 

The amplifier on the Essence is good, but has quite a high output impedance, so some low impedance headphones will exhibit a significantly altered frequency response and possibly audible inferior damping. However, the impedance of both the headphones you mentioned barely changes with frequency, so the FR will remain unchanged by the Essence's output impedance.

 

So, you can get an external amplifier, but don't expect big differences. Avoid opamp rolling like the plague.

 

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post #4 of 8
12/20/11 at 1:51am

The choice on the factory installed op-amps on the Essence STX (& ST) was not really about the best sound quality, but the best price.

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post #5 of 8
12/20/11 at 2:13am

My 2cents, I was pleased with the improved SQ when I got an amp (Lyr) for the ST. The lineout is of better quality than the HP out. And I would advise opamp rolling, my favorite combo is 1x49720HA and 2xAD797. The sound to me is quite dark, analogue and boomy, nice for bright headphones. 

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post #6 of 8
12/20/11 at 4:13am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Willakan View Post

 

So, you can get an external amplifier, but don't expect big differences. Avoid opamp rolling like the plague.

 



What type of amp would you suggest?

 

I am not sure how comfortable I am about changing anything on my soundcard.

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post #7 of 8
12/20/11 at 12:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZorgDK View Post
My 2cents, I was pleased with the improved SQ when I got an amp (Lyr) for the ST. The lineout is of better quality than the HP out. And I would advise opamp rolling, my favorite combo is 1x49720HA and 2xAD797. The sound to me is quite dark, analogue and boomy, nice for bright headphones. 

Which AD797s did you get (BRA, ARZ, BNZ, ANZ)? and who did you buy them from?
 

 

 

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post #8 of 8
12/20/11 at 4:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PurpleAngel View Post

Which AD797s did you get (BRA, ARZ, BNZ, ANZ)? and who did you buy them from?
 

 

They're AD797AR SOIC on DIP8 adapters, I bought them from ROBSCIX.

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