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

[Pharmaboy]

Hm... It's not clear if they talk about listening through the DAC section or just AMP, there might be the Sinergy problem between HPA and different headsets and the burn in thing that generates so much argue, and then the human factor, tastes etc. I don't know what to say. I use mine with HD800 and sometimes with JBL S700. I'm totally good with it! I'm no expert but I use only WAV up to 192khz and sometimes I can feel when for instance a track has bad masterization or bad compression. It just sounds screechy or congested. Many times I load the tracks in Adobe CC to see what's going on and you can see if it's compressed and mastered like a big chunk of wood with all freqs up on the same level and then cut like with a knife.

 
Yes, reviews are unclear. All that IS clear is how the HPA-2 sounds to you (think you're talking about the HPA-2). As Duke Ellington famously said, "If it sounds good, it is good."
 
My HPA-1 has no DAC. My DAC is the Audio GD NOS 19. That makes evaluating the HPA-1's inherent sound a little easier: I used it as a preamp and sometimes as headphone amp. I have other headphones amps, one of which is also a preamp, so I can compare the HPA-1 to other quality units. For example:
 
HPA-1 vs Burson Soloist (the big/powerful one, not the SL model)--as both a preamp and a HP amp: The Burson is larger, clearly more powerful, but much harder to actually use because it's stepped potentiometer has relative few steps (21 or 22 total). The Burson has slightly greater extension at both ends and the bass hits like a hammer. It's probably "technically" better than the M Stage, but I actually prefer the HPA-1 for its easy-to-use volume pot and listener-friendly qualities of warm and slightly elevated bass.
 
HPA-1 vs Lake People G109A (as HP amp): These 2 sound rather different, but in very subtle ways. The G109A is more powerful, relatively flat, with a hint of warmth and smoothness. It doesn't exaggerate treble (any frequency, really). I call it a "truth-teller," but it's not fatiguing at all. The HPA-1 is slightly looser, less of a grip on everything, but somehow is fun & friendly--a somewhat warm, bass-rich sound. 
 
The HPA-1 should fail in comparison to these more powerful headphone amps, but it doesn't. It always sound good and has plenty of power for any of the headphones I've used: I use it on the lowest gain setting and can't get the volume pot up even halfway w/o going deaf.

 

[leeperry]

melodies with high pitch trumpets scratch my ears and brain like crazy no matter how good or expensive the hardware is

 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/413900/how-to-equalize-your-headphones-a-tutorial 

 

[Andreeas1978]

Thanks, leeperry, I know the thread, a good one!
Pharmaboy, yes I have the HPA-2 DAC version, sorry for not being clear!  I was talking only about the AMP section, I have the DAC version but it has 2 different lines which you can select. Either usb-dac-amp either whatever input I want RCA-AMP only section. In this regard it is the same build like the non DAC version, but with one of the input lines replaced by usb input. Most of the times I do not use the DAC. 

 

[clarktrent]

This seems just a bit fishy but it's the best deal in town for one of these. Has anyone had any experience with this dealer before?

 

[peter123]

This seems just a bit fishy but it's the best deal in town for one of these. Has anyone had any experience with this dealer before?

I'm actually pretty sure that's where I got my HPA-1 about two years ago....

Edit: no problem whatsoever with the transaction btw

 

[Pharmaboy]

I'm actually pretty sure that's where I got my HPA-1 about two years ago....

Edit: no problem whatsoever with the transaction btw

 
I agree.
 
I didn't buy either of my HPA-1's new--purchased both used from different sellers on AudioMart--but when I researched sellers for new HPA-1's, "coolbaby11" kept popping up as a longtime/OK seller on ebay. I remember seeing 1-2 other positive comments about this seller, either in Head-Fi or the computeraudio board.
 
So I can't say this from personal experience, but it does seem this seller is OK.

 

[393699]

I have had the M-Stage HPA-2 (NON USB Version) for a while now. A short time after I got it, I ended up putting in the LME49860. It was a great upgrade. Well, I ended up taking out the LME49860 today. In its place, I put in the LME49990. This opamp makes the M-Stage sound amazing. I can see why it was one of the most recommended opamps to put in this puppy. The sound stage got even wider than it was with the LME49860. The bass has more extension. This opamp is very fast and extremely detailed. Everything is just so spacious, clean, and articulate sounding. The midrange is rather lush and layered. With my DT880 250 Ohm I am totally impressed. The synergy with this amp, and with this opamp installed is the best I have found yet with these headphones.

 

[Pharmaboy]

  I have had the M-Stage HPA-2 (NON USB Version) for a while now. A short time after I got it, I ended up putting in the LME49860. It was a great upgrade. Well, I ended up taking out the LME49860 today. In its place, I put in the LME49990. This opamp makes the M-Stage sound amazing. I can see why it was one of the most recommended opamps to put in this puppy. The sound stage got even wider than it was with the LME49860. The bass has more extension. This opamp is very fast and extremely detailed. Everything is just so spacious, clean, and articulate sounding. The midrange is rather lush and layered. With my DT880 250 Ohm I am totally impressed. The synergy with this amp, and with this opamp installed is the best I have found yet with these headphones.

 
LME 49990? Never heard of it. Does that come on the little board that holds 2 of them, like the OPA627 did for my HPA-1?
 
I've learned to be wary of opamp swap-outs. I like the basic sound of the HPA-1 (non-DAC version): warm, euphonic, forgiving, bassy, totally listenable if not the ultimate in audiophile-approved razor-sharp detail (which I don't want anyway).
 
I got the OPA627's on brown dog adapter (this opamp was almost universally described as an inevitably good upgrade for the HPA-1), installed them in place of stock opamp...then for 2 weeks desperately tried to like the striking changes in sound: clearly enhanced soundstage & center-image, greater clarity. But so bright! It was pretty bad on speakers, but listening to the HPA-1 w/headphones became torture. It turned from a very listenable, friendly amp to a treble cannon.
 
I put back the stock opamp and never looked back.
 
So my question would be, exactly what changes did you hear that the LME 49990 introduced, compared to stock opamp?

 

[leeperry]

  I got the OPA627's on brown dog adapter (..) I put back the stock opamp and never looked back.

 
99% of cheap 627's are fake, especially on ebay so you dunno what you're getting as they'll just fake the writings on any cheapie they could source ^^

 

[Pharmaboy]

   
99% of cheap 627's are fake, especially on ebay so you dunno what you're getting as they'll just fake the writings on any cheapie they could source ^^

 
Normally I would agree with you. However, in this case I purchased from Tam Audio, who's been repeatedly/positively mentioned in various opamp posts here & elsewhere, including the 336-pg thread devoted to the HPA-1. He's been around for years. I purchased direct from his website, not ebay; there's a US address associated w/the website.
 
Does this mean my OPA627's are guaranteed geniune? Hard to be completely sure: still, it's way more ratification than you can find for many audio parts sellers on eBay.

 

[leeperry]

figures, tam is selling fake 627's AFAIK much like every chinese seller....anyway, get some 49990 from a reputable seller 

 
 
and tam's class A kludge is not something I'd recommend anyway.

 

[Pharmaboy]

  figures, tam is selling fake 627's AFAIK much like every chinese seller....anyway, get some 49990 from a reputable seller 

 
 
and tam's class A kludge is not something I'd recommend anyway.

 
Who is a reputable dealer?
 
And what is it you hear from the 49990 vs stock opamp that makes them worth installing? I'm talking subjective/sound impressions, that stuff.
 
I'm curious what it is you're hearing from this opamp upgrade...

 

[leeperry]

  what is it you hear from the 49990 vs stock opamp that makes them worth installing? I'm talking subjective/sound impressions, that stuff.

 
Oh, it's pure placebo actually but you might as well give it a whirl ^^

 

[393699]

  I have had the M-Stage HPA-2 (NON USB Version) for a while now. A short time after I got it, I ended up putting in the LME49860. It was a great upgrade. Well, I ended up taking out the LME49860 today. In its place, I put in the LME49990. This opamp makes the M-Stage sound amazing. I can see why it was one of the most recommended opamps to put in this puppy. The sound stage got even wider than it was with the LME49860. The bass has more extension. This opamp is very fast and extremely detailed. Everything is just so spacious, clean, and articulate sounding. The midrange is rather lush and layered. With my DT880 250 Ohm I am totally impressed. The synergy with this amp, and with this opamp installed is the best I have found yet with these headphones.

 
 

   
LME 49990? Never heard of it. Does that come on the little board that holds 2 of them, like the OPA627 did for my HPA-1?
 
I've learned to be wary of opamp swap-outs. I like the basic sound of the HPA-1 (non-DAC version): warm, euphonic, forgiving, bassy, totally listenable if not the ultimate in audiophile-approved razor-sharp detail (which I don't want anyway).
 
I got the OPA627's on brown dog adapter (this opamp was almost universally described as an inevitably good upgrade for the HPA-1), installed them in place of stock opamp...then for 2 weeks desperately tried to like the striking changes in sound: clearly enhanced soundstage & center-image, greater clarity. But so bright! It was pretty bad on speakers, but listening to the HPA-1 w/headphones became torture. It turned from a very listenable, friendly amp to a treble cannon.
 
I put back the stock opamp and never looked back.
 
So my question would be, exactly what changes did you hear that the LME 49990 introduced, compared to stock opamp?

 
The bass has better extension. The bass is also far tighter, more controlled, and impactful. It is much less loose sounding than the default OPA2134. The soundstage is much wider. Instrument location is very easy to detect in the mix. Everything sounds lush and more layered. Male vocals are far more forward in music, and sound right up front. The treble is more articulate. There is no grain present. It is clean and clear without fatigue.The extension is very nice. Details that the OPA2134 does not produce are revealed. So far, the biggest difference I heard was on Guns N Roses: Use Your Illusion 1. This album sounds insanely better on the LME49990 than it does on the OPA2134.

 

[Pharmaboy]

   
 
 
The bass has better extension. The bass is also far tighter, more controlled, and impactful. It is much less loose sounding than the default OPA2134. The soundstage is much wider. Instrument location is very easy to detect in the mix. Everything sounds lush and more layered. Male vocals are far more forward in music, and sound right up front. The treble is more articulate. There is no grain present. It is clean and clear without fatigue.The extension is very nice. Details that the OPA2134 does not produce are revealed. So far, the biggest difference I heard was on Guns N Roses: Use Your Illusion 1. This album sounds insanely better on the LME49990 than it does on the OPA2134.

 
"The bass has better extension...it is much less loose sounding than the default OPA2134." (now you have my complete attention).
 
I appreciate the ear-friendliness of the stock HPA-1. It's the opposite of bright, also a compact & effective system pre-amp, once the woeful volume knob is replaced w/one that can easily be seen. But it was easy to tell that the stock bass is somewhat loose & "boomy." One of my favorite inexpensive Chinese closed back headphones, the Yenona Adapter Free DJ model, sounded distinctly boomy on the HPA-1, but not on 2 other SS amps (Burson Soloist amp/preamp; and Lake People G109-A).
 
Your description of the LME49990 intrigues me. I may have to try this. But how exactly do you buy this opamp in such a way that it installs properly in the HPA-1? Does the stock opamp come configured properly for the HPA-1, or do you have to buy 2 set onto an adapter, as I did for the OPA627?
 
And where did you buy yours? Obviously I want to avoid fakes, which are very common, as @leeperry pointed out.