[huspas]

Hello,
I have Essence one mkii version. I've just changed 1st and 3rd I/V opamps to muses01, lpf and headphone buffers to Muses 8820. When I use headphone amp, after a while I hear very little distorted sound for a very little moment. I think the problem is arise from that I use only 1st and 3rd opamp.

 

[huspas]

Here what I did. I swapped muses01s to lcf, and put 4 8820s to i/v and problem was solved. I guess we should put the same opamps in all I/Vs.

 

[raoultrifan]

1. Hmmm, this is odd...are you sure you do have original MUSES01?
2. Can you please post the vendor name where you bought them from?
3. After how many minutes from power-up you've heard the distortions, please?
4. How hot were the 2 MUSES01 when you heard the distortions?
5. Have you tried to unplug the opamps from sockets #2 and #3 and check if distortions reappear?
 
Anyway, you should find some decent FET-input opamps for I/V stage, but usually people who tried MUSES01 in I/V stage is quite pleased and never rolled anything else after.
 
I've tried myself my E1 with only 2xMUSES01 in I/V stage, but not for hours...perhaps for 10 minutes or so, but never heard any distortions. MUSES01 were a bit hot to touch, but it's the same temperature, no matter I'm using 2xMUSES01 or 4xMUSES01 in I/V.

 

[raoultrifan]

Hi again,
 
Here's a short answer from PETRA about your transformer. They are able to build you one having the following specs:
- 8.5V, 1.7A
- 15V-0-15V, 1.3A
Total power: 53VA (a lot I'd say, but definitely will not burn again).
Estimated dimensions: ext. diam. x H : 86x37mm or 71x52mm or 100x26mm (you need to choose one)
Price: 15.60 Euro + VAT. Locking/fastening system: 0.61 EURO + VAT.
Shipping: about 18-20 EUR, depending on the size you choose from above.

 
Raul.

 

[Whit3Rav3n]

  Hi again,
 
Here's a short answer from PETRA about your transformer. They are able to build you one having the following specs:
- 8.5V, 1.7A
- 15V-0-15V, 1.3A
Total power: 53VA (a lot I'd say, but definitely will not burn again).
Estimated dimensions: ext. diam. x H : 86x37mm or 71x52mm or 100x26mm (you need to choose one)
Price: 15.60 Euro + VAT. Locking/fastening system: 0.61 EURO + VAT.
Shipping: about 18-20 EUR, depending on the size you choose from above.

 
Raul.

Hi, thanks for contacting them for me. The price seems reasonable, I will meause which size replaces the original one best, hopefully it is possible to a fit a repacement in the original case. 

 

[Pipppero2007]

Hi,
I use it with foobar2000 and WASAPI or ASIO, I wonder, how I have to set the Windows driver format?
 
Actually I use "24 bit - 48Khz".
 
I have to put it at "24 bit - 192Khz" in order to avoid the hiccups and clicks that I have when it switch frequency rate (from 44Khz to 88Khz for example)?
 
Thank you

 

[grig]

I just done a good deal buying an used Muses Ed but when I opened the case i saw traces of soldering on the pcb. I'm no expert so I don't know why. I'm uploading a couple of pictures maybe one of you can figure out happened.

On the first picture you can find traces around the LPF area; on the second one there's traces at the bottom between the volume potentiometer and the power cables plugged on the pcb. Any help is very appreciated!

@cssarrow

 

[raoultrifan]

Maybe some macro pictures would be better. Also, you could try taking off the motherboard and inspect the bottom and look for unsolder/solder or some joints.
Anyway, if sound is perfect, then maybe there's nothing wrong with the device and all you see is the result of some modded op-amps the former owner did. Why don't you ask the guy who sell it?
 
Like I said before, if sound if OK you shouldn't worry too much, just keep on listening, because visually I don't see anything suspicious...all components are in the right place, though I don't like how those MUSES opamps look like, so maybe you'd like to do some macro photos to those op-amps from top and from both sides.

 

[grig]

I'm going to add some more pictures. Unfortunately the previous owner is "warehouse deals" so there's nothing that i can ask. For sure they changed the toroidal power supply. The first week's he used to do some smell but now is pretty much gone. I use my dt990 pro and for what i hear now is pretty much ok. Another problem probably is the heat, after a couple of hours is getting pretty warm on the top. I'm thinking to add an internal 40mm fan on the power supply side. brb with some pics ...

 

[grig]

Well not, opening the case there's still smell inside but still a little bit less than before.

 

[raoultrifan]

Why would you think the toroid has been changed? Can you please take some pictures of the toroid from both sides, eventually with the label side?
 
It's quite normal for the Essence One to get almost hot after 2-3 hours of operation. This is due to internal power supply mostly, but also to the high number of op-amps.
 
BTW, from my opinion your MUSES are not original, so I strongly suggest you to change them with originals, either MUSES01/02, either MUSES8920/8820 in IV/LPF.
 
Thank you, 
Raul.

 

[grig]

Just curious what makes you think the muses are not original?! Pics are on the way....

 

[raoultrifan]

Your toroid doesn't looks like the original indeed, but I'm pretty sure it does the same job. How hot is the toroid and the power regulators after about 1 hour of operation?
 
I know about MUSES because I have in my Essence One and I've worked with MUSES op-amps recently in other DACs. Feel free to bend their legs and you'll see that bending force is about the same as for bending 4562 op-amp's pins. Usually on MUSES01/02 pins/legs are bending extremely easily; you need ti use about 20% bending force than an ordinary op-amp. Also, the face printed on your MUSES tells me that are fakes...sorry. Hope I'm wrong...
 
http://www.head-fi.org/g/i/1119497/a/882938/elekit-tu-hp01-tube-hybrid-headphone-amplifier/sort/display_order/
http://www.head-fi.org/t/674808/fiio-e12diy-limited-edition-version-diy-your-own-sound/615
http://www.head-fi.org/t/674808/fiio-e12diy-limited-edition-version-diy-your-own-sound/630
http://www.head-fi.org/t/432749/the-opamp-thread/4590

 

[grig]

The toroid for what i found online it can be an original replacement, it can be more than one supplier, or it can be still enertronix. I'm not worried, for now is working properly. About the temperature I don't know i will have a better look into it next week.

About the muses indeed they look fake, the bend force is pretty much the same as other Opamp. What really disappoint me that this soundcard how i said before was an warehouse deal sold by one of the major seller in the world. Which is unbelievable that a huge company like this sell fake stuff. This is not a game is serious stuff here....

 

[raoultrifan]

I've heard about people purchasing online Essence One Muses or even DSD upgrade kit, then replacing original MUSES with fakes, then returning back the products to the seller.
 
Now I strongly suggest you to replace those op-amps with LM4562 if you can't find MUSES8920 and 8820 right now. Of course, original MUSES01/02 would be perfect match here, though BURSON V5 duals might be a better option for low-pass, output buffer and amplifier's voltage gain. I bought my MUSES from PROFUSION UK, original NJR/JRC dealer and quite customer friendly, so strongly recommended if you can't find on Digikey/Mouser.