[JiggaD369]

Im planning of building a M3 as my first DIY project. IM decent at soldering but hopefully I learn something from this. Ill be using Muse caps and good products in order to build it. My question is...which opamps should I use to best match AKG K701 headphones? I was thinking of doing OPA637BP for right and left channel and OPA627AP for ground channel. What do you guys recommend?

 

[PFKMan23]

What's your source? And even disregrading that, there is no "best" op amp for any particular phone. Different people accentuate different things, and hence why you see people liking different stuff.

 

[Andrea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFKMan23 What's your source? And even disregrading that, there is no "best" op amp for any particular phone. Different people accentuate different things, and hence why you see people liking different stuff.

True.


You may want to try the LT1122, too. It is said to be "very similar to the OPA627, even with the forward midrange but not by as much".

 

[JiggaD369]

so i can use 3 LT1122 and still see good results?

 

[PFKMan23]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiggaD369 so i can use 3 LT1122 and still see good results?

Sure, if you're pleased with the sound, then it's fine.

 

[JiggaD369]

My source will be a computer with a Audio Alchemy DDE v1.0 modified DAC for now. then ill pas it to the M3.

 

[spike33]

Never heard of LT1122 but you'd want something warm with alot of bass. OPA627 or OPA637 would be fine.

 

[Andrea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiggaD369 so i can use 3 LT1122 and still see good results?

Sure. The LT1122 is perfect for use in an M3.

On paper, this op-amp sholuld be on par with the OPA627. It's even faster, since it slews at 75 V/us vs. 55 V/us.

I have a couple, but I haven't the amp to fit single op-amps like these, yet. (if I ever want to, as my incoming amp will already have OPA637/627's in)

 

[Andrea]

I know the LT1361 (double op-amp, bipolar inputs (beware), single version is LT1360) has a fabulous sound in my tiny Zero Audiocraft amplifier and with my HD595. Sounds effortless and very full when made to work like a buffer, at unity gain. Icing on the cake is, together with the AD823 gain stage, it delivers the most musical timbre I've heard from my Zero -- warm & 'luminous'.

 

[JiggaD369]

are these all DIP-8? because im scared of soldering SOIC on sockets. Id rather just solder DIP-8 sockets and plug DIP-8 IC's in.

 

[Andrea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiggaD369 are these all DIP-8? because im scared of soldering SOIC on sockets. Id rather just solder DIP-8 sockets and plug DIP-8 IC's in.

Yep, LT1122, LT1360, LT1361 can all be had in DIP8 format, another nice thing I forgot to mention.


edit:

Another LT opamp to try is the LT1115 -- designed for audio, said by Xin to have extraordinary highs; but likely a brighter overall signature.