Finally found time to record and upload the single channel ones: Ray Charles - Doodlin' - NE5534 Ray Charles - Doodlin' - OPA627 As expected, the OPA627 sounds great and it almost matches the reference performance of the fully discrete transistor RIAA. It's very close to it, but the discrete...

Don't know if your unit is faulty. But, I remember some of my 'metal-head' friends frequently remarking how metal was more satisfying when played on cassettes than on any other media. That was a prevalent notion in their scene back then, so you might consider that as a kind of advise. To...

Next ones coming: - OPA627 by Burr Brown - Legendary status, no need to elaborate on them. - NE5534 by Texas Instruments (and others) - The single-channel version of the NE5532, although they are 'faster' and sound somewhat different. So these are single channel and i use them with a single to...

Another couple of well-regarded opamps, are the MUSES8820 by Japan Radio Co and the AD823 by Analog Devices. The latter is a very nice sounding opamp, performing well in a variety of applications. In my opinion, the AD823 gets top ranking together with LM4562 and LME49720HA. Ray Charles -...

Two more commonly used opamps, are the LM4562 by National Semiconductor and the OPA2134 by Burr Brown. The LM4562 in particular is one of my favorites, but It needs proper decoupling to perform as intended. Ray Charles - Doodlin' - OPA2134 Ray Charles - Doodlin' - LM4562

Hi! Was thinking of a way to audition and compare dual opamps. Tools for the task: - Modified AD24QS: good quality ADC to feed the digital signal to a computer - Modified VSPS: simple, opamp-based stage that would serve as the platform for rolling different opamps - A Jico J44A-7 on an...

The dust cover in front of the baffles can be removed. As long as you treat your HD490 with proper care and your ears stay clean and are not a bugs nest, you could use them with the baffle and the driver exposed. This will affect their sound, of course. It doesnt take a scientist to...

Digital EQ is always an option, if one wants to actively and easily alter the character of a headphone and many people choose to do it. There are also passive ways to EQ by applying a permanent electronic filter with resistors, chokes and capacitors. Provided you know how to calculate and...

Indeed, if tools and skills allow. (joking of course) But, more seriously on that topic: Seems it might be prudent to clarify that any modifications done in a headphone could damage the warranty. And if you don't know what you are doing, you are running a risk of damaging your cans altogether...

Did some more experimenting and to my ears, the best results came by simply removing the OEM dust cover. The driver baffle is completely exposed and the driver dome visible. I've tried foam, wool and cotton gauze but still the naked-baffle came on top in terms of speed, clarity and impact. I...

You are on to something. Tried it with completely exposed baffles and with an 1mm synthetic foam. Both were an improvement over the OEM dust cover. But i think the totally exposed baffle was better. More clarity and a gain in speed which is what was essentially needed. Since i want to cover...

Yes. If you enjoy the sound of the HD6XX and the stage of PC38X, they are worth trying. And comfort with the HD490 Pro is guaranteed. More or less, this seems to have been the targeted sound signature for this pair: A refinement of the sound of an HD650 (bit more low-end), with the stage...

OK, after listening to this pair for a few hours here it is: Quick note: HD490 Pro is stock, while both HD599 and K612 Pro are re-cabled, internally with silver-clad copper wires and externally with Belden 46349 cable. ------------ Bass: Good quantity and extends quite well to the lower...

Hi, Have my HD490 Pro running at low levels for a few hours before trying a proper audition on them. Received them last night but had little time to do a test. First impressions, are quite positive. Build quality is excellent, with a lot of attention to long-term usability, comfort, ergonomics...

Waiting for these ones to arrive. I had the HD560S, but i blew one of its drivers by mistake on the bench. I did managed to use them for a while and remember that they sounded a bit on the thin side, thinner than my HD600 for example. Didn't find that very pleasing, although they did have a...