Quote:
Originally Posted by
Derelict 
Quote:
Originally Posted by
PurpleAngel
"receivers"? are you talking about external headphone amplifiers? other sound cards? DACs?
If your talking about stereo receivers, the Yamaha RX-V700 (3 year warranty) is a good value, the Yamaha RX-V667 (2 year warranty) is a closed second.
Question since you own a couple of pair of Beyers and an STX. WOuld the DT880 600 Ohm work well with the STX + better OPAMP? If it will work well, what kind of OPAmp would you recommend?
Do not see any Head-Fi complaining much about 600-Ohm headphones used with the Essence STX, but feel free to search Head-fi yourself.
Three LME49860NAs are the safe upgrades, the stock buffer op-amp on the STX is the LM4652, which has been renamed the LME49720NA, the cherry picks (better voltage range) of the LME49720NA are labeled LME49860NA.
Lots of Essence STX (& ST) owners like the sound after replacing the two JRC2114 (I/V sockets) with the LME49720NA, I just decided to go for the LMR49860NAs (for all three slots)
A pair of LME49710 (single channel op-amps) are considered to have better sound then a then one (dual channel) LME49720NAs.
The two LME49710 need to be soldered to DIP-8 adapter for use in one slot.
There are all so LME49720HAs ("H") which are TO-99 (round metal op-amps) which have better sound, then the regular DIP-8 LME49720NA, but have to be soldered to a DIP-8 adapter before installing into the Essence.
I'm sure the metal housing of the "H" version cut electrical noise interference.
The best op-amp upgrade appears to be the AD797BR (or AD797BRZ), they are single channel, so to have to be soldered in pairs to a DIP-8 adapter.
But they are considered finiky op-amps, might have to do other mods to the Essence to work well.
Right now I have a OPA2107AP op-amp on order I want to try in the buffer socket.
