Matrix M-Stage amp review: simple, cheap, and excellent.

[chicolom]

Just got my USB M-stage.  Doing some listening right now on the stock opamp and going back and forth with the E10 DAC/M-Stage DAC.  Very early impressions are that M-stage is certainly holding it's own compared to the E10.  I can't pick a winner yet, but Its still very early.  Will keep listening.....

 

[Tribbs]

Quote:

Anyone ever noticed any distortion when listening to music via the M-stage and low impedance headphones? I seem to be getting some distortion listening to certain kinds of music when using my UM3x's while on the lowest gain settings. Wondering if these headphones are too sensitive or if I should be concerned that this is an issue with my amp.

Food for thought...
 
Originally Posted by Chris J
An interesting article on the effect of headphone output impedance on the apparent frequency response of a headphone:
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/blog/2011/11/14/output-impedance-show-and-tell?page=0,0
 
Westone UM3X impedance graph (Graph #05)
=390]http://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=0&graphID[]=390
 
Matrix M-stage output impedance = 5 Z (ohms)
http://www.head-fi.org/t/475618/matrix-m-stage-amp-review-simple-cheap-and-excellent/2220#post_7972495
 

 

[chicolom]

Is this the correct way to install OPA602BP on a dual DIP adapter?  I lined up the dots the same way as the original OPA2134 - on the top left.  Does it matter which end of the 2x DIP adapter they're on?  I noticed there's a square in the top left of the adapter.  I lined up the top left dots on the opamps with the top left square, same as combining the 2 pics below, but I don't know if that matters.

<  +  >

 
 
Also, I noticed there's an OPA2134 on the USB module as well...
 

 

[genclaymore]

You need to put the dip-8 sockets on the adapter first then you can slot in two single channel dip-8 op-amps on it.

 

[chicolom]

Quote:

You need to put the dip-8 sockets on the adapter first then you can slot in two single channel dip-8 op-amps on it.

Sorry, I already have the dip adapters.  I just wanted to know if there was a right/wrong way to put the opamps in the dip sockets (like upside down).
 
I can see in the pic the adapter has a yellow opamp outline with a little dip/indentation in the top middle, so I assumed that lined up with the "top" of the opamp where the dot and indentation are.

 

[Mad Max]

That's right, line up all the little notches or kiss your headphones bye-bye. 

And you will probably damage the amp a bit, too.
 
All printed or physical notches must face towards the M-Stage's inputs.  If in doubt, check again.  The adapter will have some indicator of which side should line up with the notch on the amp's socket.

 

[chicolom]

Quote:

That's right, line up all the little notches or kiss your headphones bye-bye. 

And you will probably damage the amp a bit, too.
 
All printed or physical notches must face towards the M-Stage's inputs.  If in doubt, check again.  The adapter will have some indicator of which side should line up with the notch on the amp's socket.

 
LOL!  yikes, I got lucky then.  Before I even posted about it I had already installed it and fired up the m-stage.  I did it the way I showed above, and it must be right because I'm listening to it right now

 
I would take it apart right now and check for more indicators on the adapter (all I saw were the squares in the corner), but my m-stage is warm as I've been listening for a few hours - so I'll do it later after it's cool again.
 
 
Anything else I should know that can damage the amp/headphones?  I know messing with the Dip switches while its running is a no-no...I assume if you power it on with the dip switches incorrectly set something bad could happen.
 
 
 

 

[Chris J]

Quote:

 
Anything else I should know that can damage the amp/headphones?  I know messing with the Dip switches while its running is a no-no...I assume if you power it on with the dip switches incorrectly set something bad could happen.
 
 
 

Turn the volume down before changing gain (especially when going from 0 to 20 dB!) to make sure you don't get too much volume and blow your ears out!

 
 

 

[ZenErik]

M-Stage with USB DAC will be here today. It'll help me determine whether to keep both the Q701 and DT990/600 or return one. So far I am more satisfied with the Q701 but the bass on the DT990 is lovely.

I'm curious about whether chicolom will find more differences compared to the FiiO E10 with more listening. I go in expecting an upgrade. Not a side step. Hope I am right.

Edit: My M-Stage is right next to me right now, but I'm at work and thus can't make use of it for another 8 - 9 hours. :'(

 

[Chris J]

 


 
Quote:

M-Stage with USB DAC will be here today. It'll help me determine whether to keep both the Q701 and DT990/600 or return one. So far I am more satisfied with the Q701 but the bass on the DT990 is lovely.
I'm curious about whether chicolom will find more differences compared to the FiiO E10 with more listening. I go in expecting an upgrade. Not a side step. Hope I am right.
Edit: My M-Stage is right next to me right now, but I'm at work and thus can't make use of it for another 8 - 9 hours. :'(

 
Having the M next to you must be torture..............

I bet you will keep both your 'phones!
I have a pair of Q701 and DT880/600 and would not want to give up either 'phone.
DT990s are great too.

I would be happy with either DT990 or DT880.
I suspect you will prefer the DT990 thru the M Stage..................but that is only my opinion.

 

[unixdog]

Just pulled the trigger on an m-stage order. (USB Model)  Couldn't wait until after the holidays.  Wife is going to kill me. 

Any idea how long it takes for shipment from TamAudio to the US East Coast?  Tnx.

 

[chicolom]

Quote:

I'm curious about whether chicolom will find more differences compared to the FiiO E10 with more listening. I go in expecting an upgrade. Not a side step. Hope I am right.
Edit: My M-Stage is right next to me right now, but I'm at work and thus can't make use of it for another 8 - 9 hours. :'(

 
In my earlier post I was just referring to the DAC comparison.  The amp section is obviously an upgrade on m-stage, especially after swapping opamps.  The M-stage amp pulls more detail/resolution than the FiiO which sounds a little muddier and closed in comparison.  Soundstage and seperation are also better on the M-stage. 
 
The DACs are closer.  The M-stage dac seems to have slighly stronger and more foward mids, and possibly slightly more bass impact, whereas the FiiO E10 has a little more soundstage depth and width.  Detail and separation are about the same. 
 
Quote:

Just pulled the trigger on an m-stage order. (USB Model)  Couldn't wait until after the holidays.  Wife is going to kill me. 

Any idea how long it takes for shipment from TamAudio to the US East Coast?  Tnx.

It took mine 15 days to get here from when I ordered it online and when it got delivered.  I ordered on Nov 30th, it shipped Dec 6th and was deliverd the 15th..  So 10 days in transit (8 business days).
 

 

[unixdog]

Thanks Chicolom.  I'm now curious as to how the m-stage DAC compares against the HRT Streamer II.
Anyhow, off to the UPS store to return my e7/e10.  I need to recoup some money from the m-stage
purchase.

 

[ZenErik]

 
Quote:

 
In my earlier post I was just referring to the DAC comparison.  The amp section is obviously an upgrade on m-stage, especially after swapping opamps.  The M-stage amp pulls more detail/resolution than the FiiO which sounds a little muddier and closed in comparison.  Soundstage and seperation are also better on the M-stage. 
 
The DACs are closer.  The M-stage dac seems to have slighly stronger and more foward mids, and possibly slightly more bass impact, whereas the FiiO E10 has a little more soundstage depth and width.  Detail and separation are about the same. 
 

It took mine 15 days to get here from when I ordered it online and when it got delivered.  I ordered on Nov 30th, it shipped Dec 6th and was deliverd the 15th..  So 10 days in transit (8 business days).
 

Thank you for the input. I wonder how your OPA602BP's compare to the OPA627AP's in mine.
 
BTW, where can I find info on what the bottom switches do? Thanks!

 

[Guess?]

It's obvious the DAC isn't great, but in fact it's a perfect fit for the m-stage, for a minimal price increase you get a combo, whereas the amp part isn't compromised...