Xonar Essence STX: Sneak Peek!
Mar 28, 2009 at 6:29 PM Post #1,186 of 2,066
For FET, I've found that I prefer dual AD825s.... they seem pretty open and clean sounding. Just tried a dual OPA827 and still find myself preferring the AD825 - the OPA827s do sound better to me than the OPA2132/34/2107, but still seem to lack a bit of the liveliness of the AD825.

Applications have been an Eden bass amp (highly modified preamp section) and a modified CMOY design. At the moment the CMOY has an AD8397, which seems to strike a good compromise between sound quality and output capability. My Echo Gina24/96 soundcard has LM4562s in the output section (replaced NJM2068), with output capacitors removed.
 
Mar 29, 2009 at 4:41 PM Post #1,187 of 2,066
@12Bass, I just got some OPA827 in, I still have to solder them into the adapters though.
I don't have very many AD units, although I would like to get more.


For those wondering about the discrete units, My initial tests have been quite positive.
I will have more info...
 
Mar 29, 2009 at 10:37 PM Post #1,188 of 2,066
Hey ROBSCIX, which modules are you testing, specifically?

I'm going to be buying one most likely but haven't yet decided on the OPA-Moon or -Earth.
 
Mar 29, 2009 at 10:39 PM Post #1,189 of 2,066
All of them
wink.gif

I have been doing basic test so far but haven't got into heavy testing yet.

Drop me a PM.
 
Mar 30, 2009 at 8:14 AM Post #1,190 of 2,066
Hi everyone. I'm apologising if i am hijacking this thread and going off-topic, but it seems this is where all the know-mores are
smily_headphones1.gif


I've both the Asus essence stx and Auzentec forte 7.1 with me now. Previously using the Onkyo SE-90 PCI, I got the essence 1st and very impressed with playing foobar2000 and could hear sounds i couldnt before. Its very smooth sounding. Of course i headed here to learn about the OP-Amps upgrades. But then came gaming. I'm currently playing Left 4 dead and Team fortress 2. The essence stx gives me misleading directional sounds, can lag in big mobs and has me frustrated! FYI i've got a decent setup for gaming, nvidia GTX 285, C2D 3.2Ghz, killer NIC.

Ok, so i read around and got the Auzen forte 7.1 with its updated Xi-fi chipset. Gaming wise, hell sweet. Framerates were consistent in huge fights, and of coz i got proper directional sounds. However forte's sound doesnt have the dynamic sound or Ooomph! in music or single player games, not that im expecting it to comparable to the essence. Also a tad disappointed the CMSS doesnt compare to the Dolby headphones in the Essence STX.

My question is are the Op-Amps mentioned LT1361 , LT1364, LM6172 , LME49720, AD8599 useable in the Auzen forte 7.1? The box says they're swappable dual DIP type OPAMP. I'm hoping a switch in the OPAMP can help the slightly muddy bass and give the forte output a more dynamic sound( not neccsarily bassier ^_^ ).
 
Mar 30, 2009 at 8:28 AM Post #1,191 of 2,066
Offtopic- wein07 you have DSGX on because I have no problems like yours while playing L4D.
 
Mar 30, 2009 at 2:05 PM Post #1,192 of 2,066
Quote:

Originally Posted by wein07 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
FYI i've got a decent setup for gaming, nvidia GTX 285, C2D 3.2Ghz, killer NIC.


The bolded is as much of a waste of money as $25,000 audio cables.
But hey, waste a couple of hundred dollars on an extra 2 FPS......
 
Mar 30, 2009 at 2:45 PM Post #1,193 of 2,066
to assume that he bought it for a fps boost is just that, as it could also be used as sending data to other comps on the lan without bogging down his server/game hosting/lan Gaming. Like some one getting maps, patches from the lan server while a game is going. Thru the device while the server is running without bogging it down and what not.

I agree it cost more then what it should. But you dont see me going after some one because they choose to buy something that you wouldnt buy.
 
Mar 30, 2009 at 2:47 PM Post #1,194 of 2,066
Quote:

Originally Posted by genclaymore /img/forum/go_quote.gif
to assume that he bought it for a fps boost is just that, as it could also be used as sending data to other comps on the lan without bogging down his server/game hosting/lan Gaming. I agree it cost more then what it should. But you dont see me going after some one because they choose to buy something that you wouldnt buy.


Kileler NIC's are marketed for gaming tbh.
 
Mar 30, 2009 at 2:49 PM Post #1,195 of 2,066
Also, price and money are relative to the individual depending on their wants and needs.
I buy many items that other people would scoff at but I don't think twice about.
I think Head-fi is full of many people buying items many others would consider crazy or insanely high priced.
 
Mar 30, 2009 at 2:53 PM Post #1,196 of 2,066
Quote:

Originally Posted by chinesekiwi /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Kileler NIC's are marketed for gaming tbh.


I know what it marketed towards. But it has other uses too outside of gaming. But I wouldnt get one my self as I have no need for it as I have Gigalan(two ethernet plugs on mobo) other then it being more then what I would pay.

Same robscix
 
Mar 30, 2009 at 2:58 PM Post #1,197 of 2,066
Back to the STX, I have been getting some very positive result using these Discrete opamps.

Since the output section are relatively similar between the HDAV and STX, how do you find the 2134/627 combo claymore?
 
Mar 30, 2009 at 3:03 PM Post #1,198 of 2,066
To me better then the 2134/LMA4562 combo, I dont know how to explain it but it sounds more open.
 
Mar 30, 2009 at 3:07 PM Post #1,199 of 2,066
The 2134 are a pricier and better spec'd audio opamps then the stock 2114D's and most would take a OPA627 over a LM4562 anyday.

I bet that setup would sound very open. That is really what I am hearing with the discrete units they just open everything up and make many chips amps sound very compressed and closed in.
 
Mar 30, 2009 at 4:19 PM Post #1,200 of 2,066
Hello this my first post


I want to ask What is the best Headphone for the card Of this price between

300-500 $ I have no experience In this area Because im noob I want to become

Audiophile like you

Is there a big difference between the hd650-hd600 Justifying the price

difference

I live outside us we have moisture and heat so Closed cans is out
 

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