[jamato8]

You can tell the counterfeit one has a sanded top. 
 
 
I just got the E12 DIY, very nice out of the box. Now to let it burn in. Very good clean sound. The form should work with a lot of daps. 

 

[doki81]

  You can tell the counterfeit one has a sanded top. 
 
 
I just got the E12 DIY, very nice out of the box. Now to let it burn in. Very good clean sound. The form should work with a lot of daps. 

sigh..lesson learnt...fortunately i am able to get full refund for both the fake muses01 and 02...

 

[j0ewhite]

doki81, can you confirm the one with the more rounded circled part is the fake one?
 

 

[doki81]

  doki81, can you confirm the one with the more rounded circled part is the fake one?
 

yes...you have label correctly

 

[jamato8]

Even without the obvious printing problems, the fake has been sanded smooth. That is so very obvious. Unless, of course, They mislabled the 02 at the factory and did a quick fix. (just kidding). 
 
--------------------
 
 
After 16 hours or so, the 12E DIY has opened up very nicely. I have yet to try any thing besides the buffer and op amp it came with. Will have some time off and then will roll. I am looking forward to trying the opa627. I have a special low over and under adapter that will fit. I do like the solid bass and the fact that it does not bleed into the lower miss and that the bass itself, is well defined and has a true bass line. Very good! 

 

[hkfriends]

  yes...you have label correctly

 
Thanks doki81
 
the fake one is too colorful in printing... I think more ppl get fake in China and thought that it was true...
then comes up. fake will becomes their genuine.
 
It is so sad, we will make wrong feeling on MUSES02. I only has time in weekend to receive my genuine MUSES02. I hope it will has a good sound signature.

 

[K.T.]

We must be ultra vigilant. I don't think that it's too hard for the scammers to retool their stamps to make the image look just like the real thing. Once they hear of folks are noticing the difference, I'm sure that will happen.

Maybe the only sure way is to buy from reputable sellers only. I wish such a thing existed in the US.

For those who have tried out OPA627, what are the long term impressions? I've recall hearing the OPA627 pairs well with BUF634. Any observations for or against?

Thanks.

 

[jamato8]

Funny, I just soldered up pair of 627 and am using the buf634. The sound is slightly warmer than the op amp that came in the E12 and as usual, I prefer the sound of the 627. I do not like warm sound but it wasn't totally to my liking before. The combination of the opa627 and the buf634, when the supplies are right, is a very good combination. Good imaging, well rounded bass and a natural soundfield. Works well with my TH900 but I still want more hours on the E12 but the amp drives my favorite phones with ease. 

 

[ClieOS]

For those who have tried out OPA627, what are the long term impressions? I've recall hearing the OPA627 pairs well with BUF634. Any observations for or against?
 

 
Yes, it does. I have been listening OPA627 + BUF634 for the last week and they are indeed a good combination.

 

[jamato8]

Always been one of my favorites since getting the Super Macro III from Xin what seems like years ago now. 
 
Better focus, depth and sole with the 627, IMO. Driving the TH900 well. I am using all Whiplash gold plated IC's and cable for the phones and the combination with the E12 DIY is very fine.
 
The 12E diy is really opening up now. Very nice! Layering is happing, which I wasn't getting before and excellent transient response. The Allman Brothers Band, An Evening With the Allman Brothers, has all the drive and speed you could ask for. Very good delivery.  

 

[jamato8]

I got some 8599 op amps and soldered them to the adapter board . Read good things about them. So it sounds a little thin and anemic, not good at all. Hopefully with a bit of run in it will sound more cohesive otherwise this isn't an opamp for me in this amp. The opa627 sound very good. 
 
see second post down. . . lol

 

[Chefano]

Would be nice If we had a google spreadsheet with the combination of the opamp + buffer and the  impression about it. 
What do you think?

 

[jamato8]

The AD8599 is sounding better now. You have to have the IC plugged in alllll the way. lol So the hollow and anemic sound. . . Stuff happens. :^)

 

[Loquah]

I received a bunch of chips yesterday including AD8599, AD8066, OPA2107, LM4562 and others I can't recall. Have nearly finished burning in and will then complete a full comparison with each op amp and buffer combo (incl. the op amps that came with the DIY). Happy to share the sheet for others to add to once it's done. Or, if anyone beats me to it, happy to share my notes for addition to your work.

 

[jamato8]

The AD8599 is a little warm and unexciting. A little flat for my liking. I prefer the opa627 as it is more dynamic and there is a better contrast between instruments, voice and transparency. The opa627 also produces a larger soundstage and one that is more layered.