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

[CantScareMe]

damn. Left my allen keys, screwdrivers and stuff of that sort back home (i'm at uni). Ain't buying new ones, so will wait till next week to change opamps. As of yet, the mstage is out of commission. It's just too fatiguing, sharp and bity for listening more than an hour a day with my cans here- especially with the d7k.

 

[the search never ends]

I'll take a 4562 opamp off your hands, not sure you're looking to sell.  Shoot me a pm if you do, and I'll send the funds.  Maybe the output impedance of the M Stage is the problem with the D7k's? Trying this opamp is a very good idea IMO, hope it works for you!

 
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damn. Left my allen keys, screwdrivers and stuff of that sort back home (i'm at uni). Ain't buying new ones, so will wait till next week to change opamps. As of yet, the mstage is out of commission. It's just too fatiguing, sharp and bity for listening more than an hour a day with my cans here- especially with the d7k.

 

 

[CantScareMe]

Thanks for that offer- just that i'm v close to exam time which is quite time consuming so I'm staying away from the post office a bit. Long long long ques in this part of central london!

Anyway, perhaps the output impedance is a slight problem, but not according to reviews here. I think i read that v1 of the m stage was better for the denons than this v2. Don't matter though as the mstage sounds great with the k550 (32ohms). Surely with easily most of the headphones out there being 32ohm the mstage should be okay with these. I mean the rule of multiplying an amplifiers output impedance by 8 is a rule of thumb.

 

[putente]

If I'm looking for an opamp with smoother highs (less brightness/sibilance) than the OP2134, which way should I go? 

 

[Chris J]

LM4562NA

 

[the search never ends]

Beat to the punch ^^^^
Quote:

If I'm looking for an opamp with smoother highs (less brightness/sibilance) than the OP2134, which way should I go? 

 

 

[Chris J]

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Beat to the punch ^^^^


 

Mean, aren't I?
 

 

[the search never ends]

Nah, just fast.......

4562 enroute, I just ordered it from Tam since a friend asked me to order an M Stage for him. I have had to wait at times from him, but he's been pretty good. It's just coolfungadget anyway.  IMO the M Stage beats out the Asgard all in all. Of course that's highly subjective, and the Asgard is a bit less grainy.
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Mean, aren't I?
 

 

 

[the search never ends]

@ Chris J, what value resistors did you use with the 4562? 

 

[Chris J]

 
I plugged the 4562 straight into the original Matrix M Stage op amp socket, I did not run the LM4562 with a Class A mod, i.e. no extra resistors soldered to the Op Amp socket. Uncut, unfiltered as they say.
 
I guess this means that I'm not so mean.   And I support the Military.

 

[EraserXIV]

Couldn't find too much info on this, has anyone tried the LME49990 on the M-Stage? I'm currently using the LME49720HA but I'm finding it to be a little too lean on the low end now and a bit plasticky.
 
Edit: took the dive and purchased it, I'll report back when they arrive.

 

[the search never ends]

 
lol, ok  I'll try it w/o the biasing and see what I think. Looked around for info, seems like 3.9 k will work and thats the same as on the 627.
Yeah Eraser, let us know, there is a following for that 49xxx series, but it seems that the 4562 is the most favored, then again some swear by the 627. Chris J, you are mean, you have me perusing opamps again   Eh, cheaper than rolling tubes, so if you have any tube/hybrid amps and tube roll, please keep it to yourself, since your taste in opamps seems like it coincides with what the most serious diyers like.
 
 
Quote:

 
I plugged the 4562 straight into the original Matrix M Stage op amp socket, I did not run the LM4562 with a Class A mod, i.e. no extra resistors soldered to the Op Amp socket. Uncut, unfiltered as they say.
 
I guess this means that I'm not so mean.   And I support the Military.

 

 

[Chris J]

If it makes you feel any better,  I stopped rolling Op Amps after using the LM4562!
And I didn't even try Class A biasing it!
 
Tube rolling will drive you nuts.

 

[EraserXIV]

I think the LM4562 and the LME49720 are the same part. The LME49860 is similar too I believe, just passed different voltage testings.
 
I also believe the LME49720HA, which is the metal can version, has a slight different sound character too.

Check out this thread: http://www.head-fi.org/t/521972/lm4562-lme49720-lme49860-do-they-sound-different-to-you​

 

[EraserXIV]

Pretty busy this entire week, but the LME49990 just arrived and I couldn't help but take it for a test drive. I only have less than 15 minutes of listening time, so take everything with a grain of salt.
 
First impressions on the LME49990 are very good. Definitely much more natural than than the LME49720HA, the plasticky sound is gone and feels like there is much more flesh in the notes. It's not as thin and I'm loving the impact on the low end. Not a basshead, but the LME49720 was definitely making me thirst for some more bass, and the LME49990 is just where I want it. Overall: natural and musical.