[joomongj]

Thinking of upgrading to this model right now. What kind of improvement can I expect sonic quality wise? Also does 637 provide higher amplification yield at the output over the stock LME4972 (loudness)? Any constructive feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[muad]

Seriously.... for that kind of money you could buy an external dac that could possibly sound better than your soundcard. From my experience opamp changes can change the sound dramatically, but more in the sound signiature than the overall sound quality and clarity.

 

[joomongj]

I already have an external dac, dac1 pre that cost me $2000 in my currency. $1600 USD is the MSRP I believe. Anyways looking for 1st-person experience w/ this opamp other than speculative comments.

 

[Hybrys]

Why don't you google it instead of relying on us for information, if you're going to be like that then?
 
http://www.datasheetcatalog.org/datasheet/texasinstruments/opa637.pdf
http://www.national.com/ds/LM/LME49720.pdf
 
There's both for you.

 

[joomongj]

Not sure what you're trying to insinuate but I had looked at the spec sheets prior to posting and I haven't found any info on the discrete hp amp used in forte. Thx a ton for stating the obvious ROFL. BTW I've done googling prior to posting in case I haven't mentioned either. The only comparable info I found was OLG of 112dB and CMRR of 106dB on 637 and >120dB of the stock. You advising to compare the spec sheets of the hp amp of the forte to that of the 637 is like telling me to compare apples and oranges since 637 does the voltage gain which is in contrast to the current gain provided by the discrete hp amp of the forte. I've opted to seek direct fb from people here and yes I had asked rob and apparently he doesn't seem to have much concrete answer either. Wanted to gain some more fb if someone else can chime in since I read about a few who were contemplating to get it.

 

[audiofil]

First of all your resident LME49720 is a dual opamp and a very good one.
 
1. The OPA637 is a single opamp (you'll need 2 + adapter).
2. The OPA637 is the uncompensated version of OPA627 (which is unity gain stable). Translated: OPA637 is stable in gains equal to or greater than five.
3. When swapping opamps like LME49720 you'll be making differences mainly in tonality and only very subtle ones (if any) in sheer performance.

 

[joomongj]

Thx very much audiofil, I was looking at the price quoted on their website. So it may be overpriced as some of you said it but as I read the adapter itself is a rare find so might as well save some time and pay 'em to do the pre-job. I will keep that in mind.

 

[leeperry]

http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/opamp_intro.php

 

[joomongj]

Quote:

http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/opamp_intro.php

Man about time someone posted a link to their opamp page! I had no idea what even opamp stands for lol. I decided to keep the stock based on af's fb. Thx af.

 

[leeperry]

my experience tells me that "af" didn't roll many opamps, as the stock LM4562NA is one of the worst choice you could possibly make

 

[joomongj]

Quote:

my experience tells me that "af" didn't roll many opamps, as the stock LM4562NA is one of the worst choice you could possibly make

Was it? I thought the stock was LME4972, supposedly similar to 456 but different nonetheless? How would you characterize the improvement?

 

[leeperry]

oh yes 49720/4562NA...same story.
 
well, there's many opamps that will trounce this "toy"...AD797, ADA4627-1, LT1363, the list goes on and on.
 
2 single opamps on an adapter offer a much better stereo separation, and the 3 aforementioned will offer a major SQ improvement in the low end bass response(49720/4562NA weakest point), clearer mids, wider SS and non-shrill trebles: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f6/audio-gd-discrete-op-amps-reviewed-OPA-earth-OPA-moon-OPA-sun-v-2-a-397691/

 

[joomongj]

Interesting...that somewhat echoes what rob said. I think the link refers to the old one so doesn't seem to work but I will do a search. Much appreciated.