Hadakan
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2008
- Posts
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While deciding what internal sound card to buy as an upgrade of my current integrated solution it was pretty easy to settle with Prodigy HD2. However because I was only able to order the basic version with mediocre opamps, I searched for better, available and simple (no soldering) opamp configurations.
Well, I compiled a list of what I found, so I thought I could share my findings with head-fi.
There are three official manufactured configurations (as far as I know):
LITE --- 3x NE5532
GOLD --- 2x OPA2134 + JRC5532
ADVANCE --- 2x OPA2134 + OPA2604
The ADVANCE version perfectly fits my needs and it will definitely be the first replacement to try.
BEST --- 2x OPA2604 + AD8022 or AD8599
- no DIP version available for any of those two Analog Devices amps, which means adapter and soldering
- Majkel, a head-fier here, named the option above the "best", but I don't feel like soldering. Not yet, anyway.
These three configurations with Linear Technology opamps bellow are from user pdm:
A --- 2x LT1364 + LT1361
- unmuddled mids, more detailed highs, a little bit more bass, broader soundstage
B --- 2x LT1469 + LT1361
- a lot of detail everywhere, weak bass, too big soundstage
C --- 3x LT1361
- preferred and best sounding out of many LT opamps configuration
These four configs bellow are originally from BadassBob
D --- 3x LM4562NA
- definitely an upgrade over stock config
E --- 2x LT1364 + LM4562NA
- nice sound, punchier bass, mellow highs, and a more detailed midrange, recommended by two users so far
F --- 2x LT1364 + LME49720NA
- worse than config E - lost some midrange and had extremely harsh highs, also very much disliked by pdm
- GuyMe is generally pleased by this config and he doesn't get the harsh highs on neutral headphones, he tested bright headphones and the highs were there so headphones may be at fault not the opamps
BEST --- 2x LT1364 + LT1361
- punchier bass, great midrange, and nice and mellow highs - favorite setup
HYBRID --- 1x 2xOPA627BP on browndog + 2x LT1364
- update of config E mentioned by mnemoniak - by his comparasion E is missing soundstage and detailed highs, which are there with config - however HYBRID is lacking life and ejoyment factor and voices seems to got a sort of veil wasting overall presentation
Burr Brown opamps
G --- 3x OPA2134PA
- by frankR - much much brighter, sharper highs, almost too bright, stronger perhaps a little muddy bass, much wider and deeper soundstage
I wonder if any of you could suggest other combinations and perhaps share your experience with them and I will add them to this list. Thanks for any input, guys.
For the record, there are also two headphone amps (JRC4580) on HD2. Those can be used to boost the signal by 250%. They are switched on by two jumpers on the PCB. They are soldered in place.
Well, I compiled a list of what I found, so I thought I could share my findings with head-fi.
There are three official manufactured configurations (as far as I know):
LITE --- 3x NE5532
GOLD --- 2x OPA2134 + JRC5532
ADVANCE --- 2x OPA2134 + OPA2604
The ADVANCE version perfectly fits my needs and it will definitely be the first replacement to try.
BEST --- 2x OPA2604 + AD8022 or AD8599
- no DIP version available for any of those two Analog Devices amps, which means adapter and soldering
- Majkel, a head-fier here, named the option above the "best", but I don't feel like soldering. Not yet, anyway.
These three configurations with Linear Technology opamps bellow are from user pdm:
A --- 2x LT1364 + LT1361
- unmuddled mids, more detailed highs, a little bit more bass, broader soundstage
B --- 2x LT1469 + LT1361
- a lot of detail everywhere, weak bass, too big soundstage
C --- 3x LT1361
- preferred and best sounding out of many LT opamps configuration
These four configs bellow are originally from BadassBob
D --- 3x LM4562NA
- definitely an upgrade over stock config
E --- 2x LT1364 + LM4562NA
- nice sound, punchier bass, mellow highs, and a more detailed midrange, recommended by two users so far
F --- 2x LT1364 + LME49720NA
- worse than config E - lost some midrange and had extremely harsh highs, also very much disliked by pdm
- GuyMe is generally pleased by this config and he doesn't get the harsh highs on neutral headphones, he tested bright headphones and the highs were there so headphones may be at fault not the opamps
BEST --- 2x LT1364 + LT1361
- punchier bass, great midrange, and nice and mellow highs - favorite setup
HYBRID --- 1x 2xOPA627BP on browndog + 2x LT1364
- update of config E mentioned by mnemoniak - by his comparasion E is missing soundstage and detailed highs, which are there with config - however HYBRID is lacking life and ejoyment factor and voices seems to got a sort of veil wasting overall presentation
Burr Brown opamps
G --- 3x OPA2134PA
- by frankR - much much brighter, sharper highs, almost too bright, stronger perhaps a little muddy bass, much wider and deeper soundstage
I wonder if any of you could suggest other combinations and perhaps share your experience with them and I will add them to this list. Thanks for any input, guys.
For the record, there are also two headphone amps (JRC4580) on HD2. Those can be used to boost the signal by 250%. They are switched on by two jumpers on the PCB. They are soldered in place.