Excuse my noobish excitement.
So the Fire Phoenix using the Cirrus Logic CS4398 chip. Had a decent headphone amp in the JRC4556. Nothing too crazy as this is the same chip that the Cmoy uses in their altoid amps. I threw in the dual op amp LT1028 and the sound. Went from a stereo type output to a surround type one is the best way to put it. Everything has dimensiality to it. The same clarity is there but now it has layers and more layers of it.
Quite the sound change. I didn't like how this chip sounded on the Ha-Info but on the Fire Phoenix it actually gives a completely new take on the Cirrus Logic sound..So I decided to keep this chip in place over the Opa2132p. This chip sounded great too but I immediately noticed I lost that unique layering and fullness that is on the LT1028.. So LT1028 it is.

Now I am gonna listen to these using some different cans just to get a better understanding of the sounds..Considering I spent $17 on this dual op am and about $5 a piece for the other 2. Getting this sound in combo with the 2 DACs with swapable op amps. This is yet another great way to upgrade the sounds...By the way, actually taking out the screws on the housing is more work than changing out the op amps..Was definitely worth it.
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So I am getting used to this sound change. My brain is adjusting to it and..Previously I thought. Sounds great. Now I think this CS4398 chip is being optimized..The sound is energetic.. Almost too much imagery. People that love their full surround like stereo sound...In some slow times it is good to discover something this cheap that does something amazing..Pair this sound with a well balanced can and it is starting to kinda freak me out. I wasn't prepared for this much of a sound change.. For the guys that have the Fire Phoenix..This sound has to be experienced. Then the sound started to smooth out. Some harshness was detected on first try. I am not hearing any. Absolutely a clean sound and I just have it on 16bit audio using the USB..
After several more hours use. I am detecting the tone to be changing in the sound.. Much more smoother. Sound tighter. Tonality a touch more neutral than the slightly bright sound I was hearing Other words the refined version of what I was hearing earlier. Lol. I am left speechless.
Edited by Dsnuts - 12/7/12 at 4:04pm