New Leckerton UHA-6S MKII Portable Headphone Amplifier Announced (Update User Impressions Added... - Page 23

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee730 

Have you even considered the Leckerton as an option? Supposedly the only portable amp that can hold a candle to it is the ALO MKIII and that amp is more than double its price. Food for thought. Doubt the ibasso will compete with it in terms of sound quality. I consider the amp section on the Leckerton superior to the one on the DX100.

As much of a fan as I am of the UHA-6S, I get uncomfortable about comparisons like this because when comparing high-quality equipment, differences become much more a matter of taste and compatibility than of quantitative advantages.

I keep a couple different amps at hand, because I like the variety in sound signature; sometimes the UHA-6S -> 4.A combination sounds just right, sometimes it seems a little too cold and dry, at which time I will try a different setup for a while. And then go back.

Which one is better? The one I'm in a mood for at the time.

I have less problem with claims that the Leckerton punches above its weight -- that you may have to spend significantly more to find an amp that does certain things better, beyond what the rule of thumb regarding diminishing returns would imply. There are a lot of amps I haven't listened to, though, so that sort of claim has to be made by somebody with better exposure to the mobile amp market than I have.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardgedee 

 

As much of a fan as I am of the UHA-6S, I get uncomfortable about comparisons like this because when comparing high-quality equipment, differences become much more a matter of taste and compatibility than of quantitative advantages.

Not in the case Lee represented, I second his impressions from a technical standpoint.  When you hear more information on a recording from one amp versus another, it's not subjective preference we are referring to.  When you get into what sounds 'best' to you at the moment it's a whole different ballgame and all bets are off unless you know the perspective of the person making the claim and their gear well enough.

Have received my Leckerton UHA-6S MKII on Saturday (fitted with the OPA209) and a pair of OPA627AP just today.

Just a note to the potential op-amp roller guys and girls wannabes: this amp is REALLY difficult to open. Sure, it is locked by only 4 screws. Yes, only 4 small screws. But hey, it took a hell lot of my strength and a sheer amount of force to unscrew them. This is nothing like those iBasso amps that were so much easier to open.

The op-amp rolling job after the case was opened is very easy. The only thing to note is to make sure that the positioning of the op-amp is correct and that all the pins are slotted into the holes of the sockets.

Just when I thought that it was a job done, I realized that screwing the screws back is even tougher! !@#$%^&*

Lesson to be learned: eat more carbo before attempting to replace the op-amps and never screw them back until you are certain that you are going to stick with those op-amps at least for a decent amount of time.

All that happened 7 hours ago before I typed this.

I have been listening to them since then and I can say that I like the OPA627AP more than the OPA209. The sound is fuller and the mids is more engaging. The soundstage is very wide and seems to have a little better depth (by my poor memory). Most devices exhibit flaws here and there when paired with the OPA627 but not on this amp. Can't say more until I am more adapted to its sound.

I have a Stello U3 (an external async USB-SPDIF converter) around and I will try to do a comparison between the UHA 6SII onboard USB receiver as well as to first go to the U3 before coming into the UHA 6SII via a Belden coax cable.

Mean while, I will just let it run in somemore =)

Quote:

Originally Posted by uelover 

Have received my Leckerton UHA-6S MKII on Saturday (fitted with the OPA209) and a pair of OPA627AP just today.

 

Just a note to the potential op-amp roller guys and girls wannabes: this amp is REALLY difficult to open. Sure, it is locked by only 4 screws. Yes, only 4 small screws. But hey, it took a hell lot of my strength and a sheer amount of force to unscrew them. This is nothing like those iBasso amps that were so much easier to open.

LMAO UElover. You only have to unscrew the 2 front screws next to the volume pot and HO/LO ;). Then you gripe the front plate and gradually wiggle it out. Not hard at all. But the first time you do it it will seem hard. Plus when you put the screws back in make sure to put pressure on the faceplate to make sure the screw holes are lined up or you will have a hard time screwing the screws back in and also lead to wear and tear. To be honest I just changed out Op-Amps 2 days ago and it took me about 2 minutes to do it. Took me 45 secs to open up the device ;).

Also regarding the sound. Op-Amp 209 is very transparent. Let them both burn in for several hours to get the best out of both. I am currently back on 209 and am really enjoying it. It depends on my mood. But I also love the full and smooth nature of 627AP. 209 will be the Op-Amp that will show you the flaws or recording and even go overboard and show you the digital artifacting due to conversion from analog to digital lol. 8610 is also great. Just depends on my mood. Right now I'm in the mood for 209 ;).

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee730 

 

LMAO UElover. You only have to unscrew the 2 front screws next to the volume pot and HO/LO ;). Then you gripe the front plate and gradually wiggle it out. Not hard at all. But the first time you do it it will seem hard. Plus when you put the screws back in make sure to put pressure on the faceplate to make sure the screw holes are lined up or you will have a hard time screwing the screws back in and also lead to wear and tear. To be honest I just changed out Op-Amps 2 days ago and it took me about 2 minutes to do it. Took me 45 secs to open up the device ;).

 

Also regarding the sound. Op-Amp 209 is very transparent. Let them both burn in for several hours to get the best out of both. I am currently back on 209 and am really enjoying it. It depends on my mood. But I also love the full and smooth nature of 627AP. 209 will be the Op-Amp that will show you the flaws or recording and even go overboard and show you the digital artifacting due to conversion from analog to digital lol. 8610 is also great. Just depends on my mood. Right now I'm in the mood for 209 ;).

Hahah its not about the time but the effort and physical strength needed. It is not the kind of screwing style whereby you can just use your hands to screw it in a bit before letting the screw driver does the job. The need to align the screw driver with the screw and the hole right from the start takes some skills (not mentioning that they are stiff).

Op-amp won't be subjected to the effect of burn-in - I believe its more of us getting used to its sound. You may disagree with me but let's not go into there down here =)

Quote:

Originally Posted by uelover 

 

Hahah its not about the time but the effort and physical strength needed. It is not the kind of screwing style whereby you can just use your hands to screw it in a bit before letting the screw driver does the job. The need to align the screw driver with the screw and the hole right from the start takes some skills (not mentioning that they are stiff).

 

Op-amp won't be subjected to the effect of burn-in - I believe its more of us getting used to its sound. You may disagree with me but let's not go into there down here =)

I'm not so sure about that UElover. I noticed Op-Amp 627AP really opening up letting it run in for a few days. I know this isn't in my head. Initially sound was a bit closed in, and detail was lacking. Same with Op-Amp 209. Seems clarity improved as well as resolving power. Seemed OP-Amp 627AP took longer though to open up. 8610 seemed to shine more after 50 hours of usage. Noticeable clarity emphasis on its mid-range. I was skeptical myself but I do trust my ears on this one. The amp itself has had well over 200+ hours of usage already so I don't see that as having a contributing factor in these perceived differences.

I noticed a clear change after burn in as well. Even the DAC section which I didn't use that much sounded much better over time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by robm321 

I noticed a clear change after burn in as well. Even the DAC section which I didn't use that much sounded much better over time.

I agree with this as well. That may also be why I was so critical on it in comparison to the DACport LX. Because it did sound noticeably better through the Coaxil/Optical. Although I know that alone does make a difference as well...

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee730 

I'm not so sure about that UElover. I noticed Op-Amp 627AP really opening up letting it run in for a few days. I know this isn't in my head. Initially sound was a bit closed in, and detail was lacking. Same with Op-Amp 209. Seems clarity improved as well as resolving power. Seemed OP-Amp 627AP took longer though to open up. 8610 seemed to shine more after 50 hours of usage. Noticeable clarity emphasis on its mid-range. I was skeptical myself but I do trust my ears on this one. The amp itself has had well over 200+ hours of usage already so I don't see that as having a contributing factor in these perceived differences.

I hear you, but let's not continue it here. I have played with many op-amps in the past and based on my experience as well as understanding of how op-amp works, I came to that conclusion

Quote:

Originally Posted by robm321 

I noticed a clear change after burn in as well. Even the DAC section which I didn't use that much sounded much better over time.

I was referring only to op-amps. As you accumulate more listening time on the UHA-6S, no doubt other parts that are affected by burn-in would and thus, the SQ of the composite whole changes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by uelover 

 

I hear you, but let's not continue it here. I have played with many op-amps in the past and based on my experience as well as understanding of how op-amp works, I came to that conclusion

 

 

I was referring only to op-amps. As you accumulate more listening time on the UHA-6S, no doubt other parts that are affected by burn-in would and thus, the SQ of the composite whole changes.

Well lets see if your experience possibly changes. There's always a first for everything :). Keep me posted on your impressions as it burns in. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee730 

Well lets see if your experience possibly changes. There's always a first for everything :). Keep me posted on your impressions as it burns in. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

If anything change, it will be that my Leckerton has yet been fully burn-in =)

I just order a Silver one with the 209s to go with my ES5.  Hope I get it soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by uelover 

You aren't using the headphone out from the Clip+ solely for comparisons I hope?  

Quote:

Originally Posted by uelover 

 

 

I was referring only to op-amps. As you accumulate more listening time on the UHA-6S, no doubt other parts that are affected by burn-in would and thus, the SQ of the composite whole changes.

I was referring to the op-amp too. Not sure why you pointed that out? But I expanded to the DAC as well which is bypassed when its not being used, or do I have this wrong.