[RiseFall123]

OMG, thank you for the fast and very deep answer... firstly I will read all these reviews because I think I didn't read at all, and then, I will back to define my "situation"!

 

[shyamelge]

I am touching base on opamps after two years or so. 
 
Could someone enlighten me which new opamps have appeared in the last two years which are on par or have a competitive edge over Muses (1/2) and Opa827, LME49600.

 

[raoultrifan]

You can use BURSON SS V5i in LPF and GAIN stages, just check out http://www.head-fi.org/t/542563/asus-essence-one-headphone-amp-dac-cebit-2011/3375#post_12959422.
 
For I/V i don't trust so much the PCB of E1, so can't recommend you to try other opamps than MUSES01, unless you have access to a decent scope to do some testing.
 
LME49600 should not be replaced ever, sorry; it's way much easier to use an external balanced amplifier if you really want to upgrade the amp part.

 

[shyamelge]

Thanks raoul... for your inputs. 
 
I just opened essence one and found that I am currently using following op amps set up:
 
I/V: L49990x4
LPF: OPA827x2
HP section: OPA827x2
RCA: OPA827x1
Balanced out: 4562NA (though I am not currently using this output)
 
Kindly suggest some better options (other than Muses and Burson) based on your experience.  

 

[raoultrifan]

I/V: MUSES8920
LPF: MUSES8820
VOLTAGE-GAIN: MUSES8820

 

[shyamelge]

Do you think Muses8920 would perform better than L49990 at I/V section? I can explore this option as 8920s are relatively cheaper than 01/02. 

 

[raoultrifan]

MUSES8920 is J-FET input opamp designed for I/V converters, so it should sound as a wire with gain.
If you don't have access to a decent scope I can't suggest you to install LME49990 in I/V or LPF, sorry.

 

[shyamelge]

  MUSES8920 is J-FET input opamp designed for I/V converters, so it should sound as a wire with gain.
If you don't have access to a decent scope I can't suggest you to install LME49990 in I/V or LPF, sorry.

kindly clarify what do you mean by "decent scope" in this context.

 

[shyamelge]

Is OPA827 suitable for I/V section?
 
How about using OPA827 in all sections?

 

[raoultrifan]

Well...>1MHz scope should probably do, just use a scope and check for oscillations. You can also apply some test tones and check FFT on output, see if it looks fine.

 

[raoultrifan]

I'm sure it's very good for I/V, you just need to check the entire forum for others that have done it before. In this thread lot of people modded their E1 and all of them settled down to MUSES01 and MUSES02 and recently BURSON or other high end opamps.

 

[Leonarfd]

Hey, my Essence One just died and im getting the money back instead of repair, since its to expensive and the store dont have any models to replace it with. And since the prices has gone up alot since i bought it im stuck with alot less money than something similar is costing.
 
Anyone know of a good sounding replacement that have a good amp/dac with balanced xlr out to speakers? 
 
Can stretch it to about 600USD
It either needs to shut of the pre outs xlr/rca when I plug in a headphone or to have knob.
 
Been thinking about the new Jotunheim or something like PARASOUND ZDAC V2 or Cambride Audio Dacmagic Plus(might be to weak amp wise)

 

[raoultrifan]

Sorry to hear about it, Leonarfd. Wondering what issues occurred, what happened to your E1?
 
I would suggest you to get a bit more money and buy a TEAC UD-503, else...Jotunheim could be a very good replacement.

 

[Leonarfd]

Very little available in Norway that is not way to expensive, but if I use the jotunheim I need to get remote control outlet to turn of the active speakers. PARASOUND ZDAC V2 got the volume knob to adjust the pre outs, but it is not as transparent as the Essence one. to bad its no place where I can buy it in Norway would bought it again, Asus products is very cheap here aswell. Costed 2700kr (about 260usd) 3 years ago.
 
As to what happened, the right side XLR out has been iffy the last year not being able to turn of the signal completely even with the knob at zero. Then a month ago coax stopped working, then the rca stopped to give out signal completely. Was working as an headphone amp only and trough USB.

 

[shyamelge]

A few minutes back, I replaced 49990 with OPA867 in I/V section. So it's all OPA867 now. This set up sounds less bright, perhaps a bit more clean/transparent with warmish tone than the previous combo of 49990 in I/V and 827 in the rest of sections.