Fostex HP-A4BL (the A4 with balanced output)

[davehutch]

You could also pick up a DAC-less Jotunheim (or other amp) and continue to use the m9xx as your source. The Jotunheim doesn't require a balanced input.

Thanks, yes, I did think about that but as I have limited space i.e. no 'desk' I should really stick to a one-box solution.

 

[Ad-Astra]

Is it a dac with a small amp?

 

[davehutch]

Is it a dac with a small amp?

The Grace Design? It’s a good DAC with a pretty reasonable amp. It’s on their website and now called the m900

 

[davehutch]

Anyone seen/heard the Klipsch Heritage DAC/Amp? Balanced out and seems to have a lot more power than the Fostex. Looks are very 'Marmite' but personally I like it. Balanced amplifier and a single Sabre DAC
I read the review on Headfonia and it could be an option.

 

[davehutch]

I managed to eventually find my missing extended, tuneful bass and my extra soundstage width and some musicality...I found it inside my new Fostex HP-A4BL.
Plugged my Hd6xx in and there it was all the time!

 

[KinoS]

I managed to eventually find my missing extended, tuneful bass and my extra soundstage width and some musicality...I found it inside my new Fostex HP-A4BL.
Plugged my Hd6xx in and there it was all the time!

You sound pretty happy. I'm curious, how would you describe the difference between the Fostex and the Questyle CMA400i? I seem to recall we were trying the Questyle around the same time with the HD650/HD6XX.

 

[davehutch]

You sound pretty happy. I'm curious, how would you describe the difference between the Fostex and the Questyle CMA400i? I seem to recall we were trying the Questyle around the same time with the HD650/HD6XX.

Well, I could barely hear any difference between my m9xx and the 400i, but I must admit I do sometimes struggle and maybe I just didn’t play the right selection of tracks.
Given the opportunity again I might have a better idea of what to listen out for but the biggest issue was that I didn’t have a reliable balanced cable last time. One channel kept cutting out. This time I made my own.
If I were to guess, I’d say I couldn’t justify paying double the price for the 400i as the differences are likely to tiny between that and the Fostex, at least in my case.

 

[kvn864]

What I can see so far is (main components):
1 DAC PCM1792(A)
3 opamps 2114D (whatever they do)
2 TPA6120A2 High Fidelity Headphone Amplifier (I guess for balanced out)
1 OPA2134 for SE?? (sits in the socket, swapable)
Won't go much to the sound, as I just got it. Are the socks off my feet? No. Is it a good dac/amp? Yes.
Listening with TH900, HD650, Utopia.

 

[Dartin Bout]

Holy flipping hell, is that a replaceable opamp? I think this would take a full dual Burston V6. I've wanted to know if this was possible since I got this lovely dac\amp for my HD650's.

 

[skingg]

Holy flipping hell, is that a replaceable opamp? I think this would take a full dual Burston V6. I've wanted to know if this was possible since I got this lovely dac\amp for my HD650's.

Coincidentally I had just purchased this dac/amp last month and my HD650 arrived last week. However haven't had much time to listen to these babies yet.

 

[KingFiercer]

Tried OPA637BP, OPA1642, OPA2604, but default OPA2134 still the most balanced sound overall. Next is 1642, but it's too fast and a bit fatiguing. 2604 is a bit harsh and with slightly recessed mids. 637 is bold, natural, nice resolution, but have a bit bloated ~100Hz bass and less upper highs.
Now waiting for arriving of OPA2209. Maybe it will be better than stock 2134.

 

[kvn864]

here is what I always think when I see "opamp swapping thing". most likely the original would work the best, within its specs, because there are people that designed the thing, and some amount of thought and testing was put in before they decided to go with one or the other. and trying to challenge that would be "hunting ghosts", I have done it myself on a different equipment, and results I got make me say what I just said. its exciting to do though

 

[Dartin Bout]

Please forgive me, but is the swap able op amp is the one that control the balanced output or the SE?

 

[KingFiercer]

Burson V6 may be too tall for this DAC. You need smaller opamp. Swapping affects both line-out and RCA-out.

 

[Dartin Bout]

The shorter burson would fit. https://www.bursonaudio.com/products/supreme-sound-opamp-v5i/
I've been playing with ooamp swapping with my Auzentech, Currently running Muse 2 in a 5.1 configuration. So if the V6 are too big after I get them, they would still have a good home..
Are you saying swapping the opamp in the Fostex would't affect either the balanced or single end outputs?