Hi... If you're looking for another VA1, you might want to wait for a sale. They're usually $239 but on occaison I've seen them go as low as $85. Of course, you have to add in the price of any new op amps. As I understand it, all the original op amps were proprietary - made by SMSL. Some of...

I haven't checked in a while. But yes, I'm still using the VA1 with (6) LME49990's op amps along with my T1 headphones. About a year ago I went to a meet and listened to several other very good amps. Can't remember all their names. Most were more powerful and some were very rich sounding, in a...

Yeah, I'd like a porsche turbo too, but the damn things just cost too much. It's almost like I'm not making enough money or something.

  Good point! I wish I had an oscilloscope. But I am not hearing anything unusual, bright or thin on any opamp yet, except on breakin, where the LME49990 sounded bright to me. It disappeared after about 6 hrs. The LME49990 worries me more than any other opamp due to its high power draw. I've...

Ok, here is the list of VA1 opamp configurations I've tested so far, and my comments. #1 is the clearest but too bright in the VA1, as I feared.  LME49990's work well on the SAP-8 because that amp is warm to start with.  #2 is the best overall, I think. Everything sounds great and in balance...

Not sure what you mean by oscillate. You mean how hearing can change? No, it's definitely brighter and most people like more bass than me, so that's why I recommend the LME49860 for now. The opamps completely determine the tone and coloration on this amp. I don't think the VA1 has any...

  Both T1.1 and T1.2 sound great with pop, and the bass is excellent in both versions IMO. Whether or not the T1.1 is too bright is going to depend mostly on what amp you're using. With a bright amp, T1.1 will definitely sound too bright. With a warm amp, I find that T1.1 is just perfect. The...

Well, I haven't got any of the opamps I ordered yet (slow mail during christmas season)., so I haven't tried many other combinations. But I think for most people, 2 LME49860 (and maybe LME49720HA) in the input stage will be the best. It is very well balanced with the 4 VMV opamps in the output...

Yes, they are sold on ebay with an adapter. Usually someone (more skilled than me) solders two of the single channel opamps to the front and back side of small square board. The small board then soldered onto a dip8 adapter and sold as a dual opamp. This is also done for dual opamps that are...

  This article explains the benefits of parallel amplification, but too technical for me! Apparently, it can increase the SNR: http://www.linear.com/solutions/5657   The only thing I know about the stock opamps is that they are dual channel. I assume the pin config is standard, whatever that...

I have left the amp running continuously throughout the night. It has gotten even a little bit more refined, and there is a little more bass. Honestly, I think I'd have to spend maybe a thousand dollars or more to equal the quality of this amp. Rich and very resolving with an immense soundstage...

The VA1 just keeps getting better and better with more hours breakin. With the op amps I have, this is a stunning amp! So rich and detailed and spacious through the RCA inputs. The best I've heard yet. Gino, are you sure you gave it a fair breakin? Even with the stock opamps, I think this amp...

One other thing I should mention. I'm comparing the two amps using the VA1 with balanced inputs (I have two adapters that convert single-ended to balanced). When I switch to using the unbalanced inputs on the VA1, the sound is not as good. The soundstage shrinks quite a bit. In the specs for the...

Gino,   No, there is no soldering required. I'm not very good at it either. All you do is pull out the old opamps and insert the new ones. Just be careful when pulling the old ones out not to bend the pins, and insert the new ones in the correct orientation. I use a small screwdriver to...

VMV is the same as SMSL: it's what they call themselves when they want to sound more elite. So, yes the opamps are made by SMSL. I haven't looked for any datasheets. Might be good to have them, though. Yes, the SAP-8 sounds good, and even much better with (3) LME49990! Very dynamic and open...

I could take a picure, but it would only show new op amps I put in. The input buffer has the (2) LME49990 dip8 opamps. Actually the LME49990 is single channel, so there are 2 LME49990 chips soldered onto an adapter for each socket - you buy them from eBay that way.  ...

I just got the VA1 and the SAP-8 for use with my T1, and I must say, these are great sounding amps for the money - but ONLY when you replace the opamps and break them in. The default opamps are lifeless and bland to my ears. In the SAP-8, I replaced all three opamps with LME49990 (with dual...

It's close to me, so I'll be there. Looks like a lot of fun. Will bring DT990's with T1.1 drivers, Smsl M8 dac, Smsl VA1 amp with 6 lme49990 opamps, and maybe other stuff I'll have by then.

  There have been some helpful comments here and in many other posts on head fi. However, if you buy based on recommendations, make sure you can return the headphones if something goes wrong. Especially if you are picky. We all have different ears. I have bought on recommendations before only...

Yes, I checked the voltage - it's at 115. It a good amp. From single-ended, the amp sounded a little more refined than than my VA2, but in A-B tests the VA2 is also quite good, just brighter. I would love to have heard it balanced, though.   I've read good and bad things about the Cavalli. Is...

  Yeah, it was. I haven't touched it. Worked for a few hours, them smoked when I turned it on again. Bad component somewhere, I guess. I just got the lemon this time.

Well I guess this unit is going back. Just turned it on again and smoke started coming out of it. Now it won't turn on. Not good. Don't know if I should get a replacement or refund.

Got my HPA-3B today. I can only listen single-ended since my headphone cable isn't balanced yet. After a few hours burn-in my first impressions are that the sound is quite refined - more so than my SMSL VA2, and also much warmer than I thought it would be - almost lush. Maybe even too warm. I...

  I've heard both of them. The HD800 has a better soundstage - probably the best out there. But I thought its tone was somewhat dry and uninvolving. That may be due to the way it was amped, I don't know. The T1 has the natural Beyer tone, which I find more appealing. It also may have better...

Another way to look at it:  These headphones are not too expensive. You're just not making enough money ;)   To the original poster: Are you sure that your T1's are broken in? Beyers take a while to break in and sound bad at first. I wouldn't even start judging them until 72 hours.