[krisno]

I just installed my Audiotrack Advance HD2 DE soundcard. I run AKG K 701 directly in it.
 
It is just incredible bright compared to my Asus Xonar D1 card.
 
It is a little more detailed and little more refined sound I guess, but the brightness makes it actually unusable.
 
If the opamp / caps burn in, will the brightness settle down or should I return / sell it?
 
Kristian

 

[leeperry]

Driving a K701 from a $0.3 NJM4580V might have been a little optimistic...a friend of mine said that getting a proper amp for his 701 provided a far better SQ than the HD2 HP out...you can play around w/ one of the jumpers to beef up the gain of the HP out if you like, but don't expect a miracle.
 
Yes, the HD2 DE stock opamps are lousy...it's been thoroughly discussed in the HD2 opamp rolling thread

 

[krisno]

But my Xonar D1 and even analog out of my laptop didnt have problems driving the AKG K 701.
 
It is something seriously bright about this card. It is actually the worst brightness I ever experienced. Any opamps you recommend? I thought the Xonar ST was supposed to be bright. haha
 
I could try increasing the gain, but that will not cure the brightness.
 
K
 

 

[leeperry]

many ppl feel that the HD2 needs a couple of days to sing, me included....well, put some AD797B as DAC LPF and LT1363 as final buffer, let it burn-in for a week 24/7 and it'll sound pretty darn good! but it still won't drive a K701 properly IMHO. This phone is known to require some serious juice to get any kind of serious bass through. Alternatively, you could get an easier to drive phone maybe

 

[krisno]

I want to make it less fatiguing treble. More bass and definetly darker. It really sounded extremly bright when i tried it for 10 minutes. Fatigue at once... it shocked me compared to the crappy Xonar D1 which is fine with the AKG K 701.
 
Is this combo darker, i saw it recommended: 
 
 2x LT1364 + LT1361
 
or the
 
2x LT1364 + LM4562NA
 
I dont want to do any soldering..... or anything unstable,. 

 

[krisno]

How does the 
 
2x AD797B I/V and 1x LT1363 sound that you recommend, vs stock ??
 
K

 

[leeperry]

only one way to find out...but AD797B is famous for its amazing 3D SS and LT1363 its very tight and balanced sound. LT1360 is a sub-par LT1363, not worth the trouble(in Andrea's and my opinion)

 

[krisno]

great.... but do i need to solder to install those??
 
secondly..... will it be "darker" sounding than the freaking stock opamps? is the lineout darker?
 
thanks

 

[leeperry]

yup, you need to solder them on browndogs..the dual opamps counterparts sounds worse and the presoldered units on ebay use cheapo adapters IMHO.
 
I can't say if it'll be darker, but it sure will be fuller, more refined and a clear notch above...the stock opamps sound very "thin" and worthless in comparion, but the 4580 on the HP out still won't drive your K701 properly IMHO.

 

[krisno]

I think this is a very bright soundcard, and that is my main problem with this and AKG. Yes I know it wont run it properly, but still this is very bright sounding.
 
and its starnge since 2134opamps from BB is supposed to be quite dark and mellow sounding. I had 2134 based amps before.
 

 

[leeperry]

well, try some OPA2132P and you'd be surprised how dark the HD2 can get...the stock opamps are crap.

 

[krisno]

OK.
 
you say: "AD797B is famous for its amazing 3D SS and LT1363"
 
does this combo work nice on the line-out also?
 
Can you send me 2x AD797B which I can plug right in and LT1363 too?
 
Is this opamp combination completly stable, and not shrill ???
 
K

 

[leeperry]

I don't sell opamps, look up on digikey or farnell

 

[krisno]

but both need this adapters.... I just need 2x ad797 and 1 x lt1363
 
But one thing - you change your mind alot... how long you used this last combo? you really like it?
 
K

 

[leeperry]

either you get a proper amp, get an asux or start rolling...simple plan, but rather complicated solutions. good luck, then!