[unclejr]

So there seems to be precious few impressions on Ray's XP-7. I like my Tomahawk very much and like the way Ray does things, so I am thinking of moving up on the line, especially for a transportable, more home based amp.

I have read conflicting opinions regarding hiss and the noise floor of this amp. Maybe one of my primary features is that I would like an amp that is very quiet. Will they be quiet with my RS-1s?

And has anyone heard that combination specifically? Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[MaloS]

I am not certain of this, but I would be very very surprised if an RSA amplifier hisses. Most likely the case was with the source, as the better, more transparent amplifiers make the hiss dead obvious.

 

[jpelg]

I loved my XP-7 when I had it, and is one of the amps I miss. As a 'tweener' amp that spans the gap between portable and home, it is far too underrated around here, imo.

Wrt to noise floor, I have never heard an RSA amp that did not have a silent background, even with Grados. I used my XP-7 with RS-1's & HP-2's - no hiss.

I can only imagine that the reports you may have read involved ultra-low impedance/high-sensitivity IEMs.

 

[unclejr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaloS /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am not certain of this, but I would be very very surprised if an RSA amplifier hisses. Most likely the case was with the source, as the better, more transparent amplifiers make the hiss dead obvious.

This is the feeling I get too. My impression is that Ray cares about this issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpelg /img/forum/go_quote.gif I loved my XP-7 when I had it, and is one of the amps I miss. As a 'tweener' amp that spans the gap between portable and home, it is far too underrated around here, imo. Wrt to noise floor, I have never heard an RSA amp that did not have a silent background, even with Grados. I used my XP-7 with RS-1's & HP-2's - no hiss. I can only imagine that the reports you may have read involved ultra-low impedance/high-sensitivity IEMs.

How long did you own/why might I ask did you sell the XP-7? Any glaring flaws? I listen to jazz, blues, funk, hip hop, soul, etc. -- anything funky! Oh, that includes the occasional Shabazz Shostakovich and Funk Master Prokofiev ....

Oh, and I was reading the website propaganda ... err ... info (just kidding, Ray!), and I was particularly interested by the dual mono design. I'm buying into the whole idea of separating channel circuits -- is this what it's referring to?

 

[MaloS]

Ya dual mono basically means the individual channels exist on separate side of the PCB, to avoid cross-talk.

 

[GAD]

I own one and use it as my home amp (possibly until my GS-1 is resolved), and I love it. Awesome sound, utterly quiet, great sound and power, opamp rolling, etc.

If I had a complaint it would be that the power umbilical is too short- I'd love to be able to put the power supply next to the amp, but it only fits under it.

GAD

 

[unclejr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GAD /img/forum/go_quote.gif I own one and use it as my home amp (possibly until my GS-1 is resolved), and I love it. Awesome sound, utterly quiet, great sound and power, opamp rolling, etc. If I had a complaint it would be that the power umbilical is too short- I'd love to be able to put the power supply next to the amp, but it only fits under it. GAD

Ah, and it's some sort of proprietary connection for which another cable doesn't exist? I wonder if Ray would/could do a quickie custom length?

So about this opamp rolling business. What are we talkin' here? (De-)Soldering? Tucking? Joints? What's required?

 

[GAD]

I don't know if it's proprietary, but I wouldn't call it common.

The opamps are socketed. You can pull them with a small flat-blade screwdriver, though I'd recommend a chip-puller.

GAD

 

[skullguise]

The XP-7 was my first serious amp. I bought the PS with it.

There were thjose who said that there was some hissing with the Sony CDR-3000's; I had that combo and it was dead silent for me. I imagine if you run it with battery power it would be even more "dead silent"

I also had Grado SR-225's at that time, and remember liking the sound there as well. Didn't listen a lot, but don't remember any hiss or other noise from that combo either.

 

[Loftprojection]

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclejr /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ah, and it's some sort of proprietary connection for which another cable doesn't exist? I wonder if Ray would/could do a quickie custom length? So about this opamp rolling business. What are we talkin' here? (De-)Soldering? Tucking? Joints? What's required?

The XP-7 is dead quiet with low z cans. I have one and use it with the ultra sensitive W5000, no noise. I also own a Tomahawk and used to own a SR-71. These 3 RSA amps all have one thing in common, no noise!

As far as the XP-7, with my W5000 using an Imod as source, I find a big difference in sound quality versus the Tomahawk. The TH is a marvelous tiny amp but it does not have the refinement in sound that the XP-7 has.

For opamp rolling, you just open the top (4 screws) of the amp and pull on the two tiny chips that are socketed beside the volume pot. Then you replace them with a different opamp. With the W5000, the ones I like best is the OPA627 but it depends on the type of music because I also love the sound of the AD797.

A great amp that does not have a lot of hype but that delivers great sound quality.

 

[unclejr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GAD /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't know if it's proprietary, but I wouldn't call it common. The opamps are socketed. You can pull them with a small flat-blade screwdriver, though I'd recommend a chip-puller. GAD

Wow. Now don't get me wrong, I'd love to claim to be a soldering genius and be able to comfortably mod all my gear. I'd have Frankenstein Amps and CDPs and all kinds of weird cables -- that sounds like fun. However this stuff is expensive!! But gee, socketed opamps. It's kind of like my computer CPUs. I can do that!

And thanks for the reco on the chip puller. It sounds friendlier than jamming a flat head into the board there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by skullguise /img/forum/go_quote.gif The XP-7 was my first serious amp. I bought the PS with it. There were thjose who said that there was some hissing with the Sony CDR-3000's; I had that combo and it was dead silent for me. I imagine if you run it with battery power it would be even more "dead silent" I also had Grado SR-225's at that time, and remember liking the sound there as well. Didn't listen a lot, but don't remember any hiss or other noise from that combo either.

Glad to hear some XP-7 + Grado love. Might have to give it a go myself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loftprojection /img/forum/go_quote.gif The XP-7 is dead quiet with low z cans. I have one and use it with the ultra sensitive W5000, no noise. I also own a Tomahawk and used to own a SR-71. These 3 RSA amps all have one thing in common, no noise! As far as the XP-7, with my W5000 using an Imod as source, I find a big difference in sound quality versus the Tomahawk. The TH is a marvelous tiny amp but it does not have the refinement in sound that the XP-7 has. For opamp rolling, you just open the top (4 screws) of the amp and pull on the two tiny chips that are socketed beside the volume pot. Then you replace them with a different opamp. With the W5000, the ones I like best is the OPA627 but it depends on the type of music because I also love the sound of the AD797. A great amp that does not have a lot of hype but that delivers great sound quality.

Thanks for that. I am considering a source upgrade -- iMod 5g. I am really happy with hard drive based audio storage and playback primarily because my CDs don't go through anything but a rip every once in awhile when I upgrade a source file. So, two opamps. Do these things come in pairs or are they separate? What kind of price range are we talking, anyway?

What are the opamps in this stock? I briefly came across the AD797 -- what did you like about it? Were the differences dramatic at all?

 

[Loftprojection]

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclejr Thanks for that. I am considering a source upgrade -- iMod 5g. I am really happy with hard drive based audio storage and playback primarily because my CDs don't go through anything but a rip every once in awhile when I upgrade a source file. So, two opamps. Do these things come in pairs or are they separate? What kind of price range are we talking, anyway? What are the opamps in this stock? I briefly came across the AD797 -- what did you like about it? Were the differences dramatic at all?

TTVJ sells the AD797, I think it's about $20 for a pair. The XP-7 comes stock with the opa627. The difference is not dramatic at all, it is subtle to clear depending on the type of music and cans used. The 627 is a bit darker, smoother but very refined and lush with jazz. The 797 sounds more lively, maybe a bit more detail. If you decide to get a XP-7, make sure you have at least those two so you can compare for yourself, both are excellent and very satisfying but it's fun to be able to switch, a bit like a tube amp!

 

[unclejr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loftprojection /img/forum/go_quote.gif TTVJ sells the AD797, I think it's about $20 for a pair. The XP-7 comes stock with the opa627. The difference is not dramatic at all, it is subtle to clear depending on the type of music and cans used. The 627 is a bit darker, smoother but very refined and lush with jazz. The 797 sounds more lively, maybe a bit more detail. If you decide to get a XP-7, make sure you have at least those two so you can compare for yourself, both are excellent and very satisfying but it's fun to be able to switch, a bit like a tube amp!

I'm really curious about differences in opamp sounds. It'd be great to be able to switch relatively easily (and not be dealing with a breadboard!). Anyway, thanks for all the info.

 

[GAD]

I tried the AD797 and to me the difference was substantial. The 797 was much warmer to the point that I felt it was too much with the HD650s.

GAD

 

[unclejr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GAD /img/forum/go_quote.gif I tried the AD797 and to me the difference was substantial. The 797 was much warmer to the point that I felt it was too much with the HD650s. GAD

How would you describe the sound signature of the 650s? Already warm? How about in comparison to the RS-1s + flats? Laid back in comparison? I'll be interested to know what I find too warm, etc. I like the ety sound signature very much. I also like the Grados very much. Finding a balance sounds appealing.