Introducing the Matrix M-Stage HPA-3U and HPA-3B, review to follow!
Apr 13, 2020 at 9:45 PM Post #421 of 439
How many of you have the HPA-3B? with the opa1656 I am preferring it to my 789.
 
Apr 14, 2020 at 1:18 AM Post #424 of 439
I'm still on OPA1652, because with OPA1656 the DC-output was a bit higher. With OPA1652, in HPA-3B, I get lowest DC and lowest background noise, but of course YMMV.

Interesting, both from the same family so sound is probably similar. I wasn't overly impressed with sound initially but over time it opened up or grew on me. Right now it sounds fantastic with an SU-8.

it does run warm, my unit came pre fitted with sparkos regulators. I might opamp roll this week and I remember having issues with the bursons but appear to have two different looking sets to test.
 

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Jul 14, 2020 at 2:34 PM Post #425 of 439
I have an unmodified fully stock hpa-3b and want to try swapping out the op amp. Is the opa1656 simply just a swap and drop replacement? Also is there a list of op amps that I can try that will work in this amp?
 
May 13, 2021 at 1:28 AM Post #428 of 439
The original HPA-3B is powered from +/-18V (JRC7818/7918 regulators), whike FireLion's version is powered from +/-15V (Sparkos 7815/7915). There is no need to remove any resistors, please check first pages of this thread for detailed pictures.

With the original regulators, the AC ripple and noise was lower than 1mV RMS, so quite good.

V5i are not compatible with this headamp, but I suggest you to try V6 and compare the sound with SS3602.
Are you suggesting that there are two revisions of this amp?
 
May 13, 2021 at 1:38 AM Post #429 of 439
Are you suggesting that there are two revisions of this amp?
No the one I bought is modded. I can use burson in it but it's better with opa1656 imo.
 
May 13, 2021 at 3:35 AM Post #430 of 439
No the one I bought is modded. I can use burson in it but it's better with opa1656 imo.
Oh okay. I just bought one, hope it sounds good enough :)
 
May 13, 2021 at 11:53 PM Post #431 of 439
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May 14, 2021 at 3:54 PM Post #432 of 439
IMO it's fantastic, more natural sounding than a 789 and double the power @ 300/600 Ohm.

Here are my recommendation on op amp. It doesn't look fancy but it is one of Texas instruments latest and greatest and cheap.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/333850298075
Will these opamps work with a stock amp? I currently run mines with sparkos opamps. I think they sound great but I'm open to try something different.
 
May 15, 2021 at 1:39 AM Post #433 of 439
Will these opamps work with a stock amp? I currently run mines with sparkos opamps. I think they sound great but I'm open to try something different.
Yes it should work fine.

Can I see a pic of the sparkos? I wanted to get a similar looking one but not sure if it would fit.
 
May 15, 2021 at 9:17 PM Post #434 of 439
Yes it should work fine.

Can I see a pic of the sparkos? I wanted to get a similar looking one but not sure if it would fit


received_703703276861360.jpeg
 

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