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

[cravenz]

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Just wondering, is my M-Stage supposed to run hot? Because it's pretty hot right now.

Mine doesn't get to very high heat levels. After about 7 hours, it feels warm, but definitely not hot. I'm using the first version of the M-Stage.
 
On a side note, does anyone here have any idea if the M-Stage is able to run the LCD-2s decently well or will it not be ideal?

 

[purrin]

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I have the schematics of the original Lehmann in my "Lovely Cube" thread in my sig. If your going to remove the input caps, you will need to either jumper them or scratch out the copper track and run the inputs directly to the pot.
 

Awesome thanks.  The schematics bear out what I thought it was - but always helps to be sure so I don't blow something up.  I'm probably just going to remove the inputs and jumper them since my v2 version of the M-Stage has the inputs soldered directly to the PCB.
 
Also, I've noted the design allows an opportunity to bias the opamp a little bit into class-A.  I'll have to figure this out as I haven't measured the voltages yet.

 

[cravenz]

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http://www.mouser.com/Search/Refine.aspx?Keyword=opa2107
 
Still available as of 7/28.  Stock tends to be low though, grab them while you can.  Looks the price increased from when I bought mine. As far as bass being even more defined - yes it's possible. I never felt the OPA2132 had the last word in bass definition, partly because of its slight bass "tubbyness" for lack of a better term. More noticeable is the transparency and delicateness in the highs. Be sure to burn in the opamps. My initial poor assessment of the OPA2107 was based on a new chip (and brand new M-Stage). I slapped a well burned in OPA2107 and the results were dramatically different.

 
 
Same predicament with my Melos and PS1000. Though overall, I prefer the Melos, I like to go back and forth and certainly appreciate the good solid state presentation of the Matrix M-Stage. Agreed that the Denons do better with solid state.
 
Don't get me wrong, I like the OPA2134 / OPA2132 and think it's a great opamp; but there is a reason the OPA2107 costs about five times more (~$15), and the OPA627 even more. The differences are subtle though and the law of diminishing returns still applies.
 

hey, how do I know which opa2107 is the one? Pardon my ignorance on this. Ebay seems to have a few going around as well. Not sure which to look at.

 

[purrin]

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hey, how do I know which opa2107 is the one? Pardon my ignorance on this. Ebay seems to have a few going around as well. Not sure which to look at.

 
You want the 595-OPA2107AP / OPA2107AP which is the DIP-8 package (not surface mount). On Ebay, just look for DIP 8. I'm sure Ebay would be OK since it's not a expensive rare chip which would be more likely to be a knock-off.
 

 

[cravenz]

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You want the 595-OPA2107AP / OPA2107AP which is the DIP-8 package (not surface mount). On Ebay, just look for DIP 8. I'm sure Ebay would be OK since it's not a expensive rare chip which would be more likely to be a knock-off.
 

thanks for that. I'll read more into this a tad later. Any other opamps to have a look at?

 

[BlutoSlice]

Just pulled the trigger from coolfun...  lets hope my delivery is as speedy as most report.

 

[asrphani]

Can someone tell me how many days it'd normally take to get it to US, if I'm ordering it today..

 

[Frank I]

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Can someone tell me how many days it'd normally take to get it to US, if I'm ordering it today..

Mine took six days from order. Very fast with EMS

 

[cravenz]

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Mine took six days from order. Very fast with EMS

Frank, did you order the LCD-2s? Kinda trying to figure out how it would pair up with the M-Stage and if it would even work sufficiently well in powering 'em.

 

[Frank I]

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Frank, did you order the LCD-2s? Kinda trying to figure out how it would pair up with the M-Stage and if it would even work sufficiently well in powering 'em.

I was on the waiting list but I bought the T1 and the D7000 and then decided to buy Skylab Decware amp for my T1. I still am a little nervous about the LCD2. Pad issues and they are not the most comfortable cans I heard. Listened to them at the NJ meet and was not knocked off the floor. The matrix will handle them with not problems. Not so sure about OTL tube amps as I did not try it with the Decware.The proble I see with them is that it will be difficult down the road to get replacement parts especially since they use JMoney pads and he is not reliable plus Audeze customer service is no where to be found from people waiting on foam emails go unanswered so for me it was best to wait.

 

[cravenz]

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I was on the waiting list but I bought the T1 and the D7000 and then decided to buy Skylab Decware amp for my T1. I still am a little nervous about the LCD2. Pad issues and they are not the most comfortable cans I heard. Listened to them at the NJ meet and was not knocked off the floor. The matrix will handle them with not problems. Not so sure about OTL tube amps as I did not try it with the Decware.The proble I see with them is that it will be difficult down the road to get replacement parts especially since they use JMoney pads and he is not reliable plus Audeze customer service is no where to be found from people waiting on foam emails go unanswered so for me it was best to wait

Ah. Nice. How do you find the Decware in comparison to the M-Stage with the T1s that is (I'm leaning towards the T1 or the LCD-2s, but Skylab did tell me that the LCD-2s would have the biggest bass impact of the lot and I'd like that in cans). I'm at the point where I would prefer not to have to upgrade my amp if possible and to get something that will drive whatever cans I decide to its near full potential. I know the 800s work very well with the M-Stage on the basis that it is likened to the BCL which debuted the HD800s.
 
You've raised some good points about the LCD-2 that I haven't given much thought into. How did you find the LCD-2s though? I've trialed the T1 and HD800, but they were both not exactly side by side so it was on separate occasions and with different music.

 

[Frank I]

 
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Ah. Nice. How do you find the Decware in comparison to the M-Stage with the T1s that is (I'm leaning towards the T1 or the LCD-2s, but Skylab did tell me that the LCD-2s would have the biggest bass impact of the lot and I'd like that in cans). I'm at the point where I would prefer not to have to upgrade my amp if possible and to get something that will drive whatever cans I decide to its near full potential. I know the 800s work very well with the M-Stage on the basis that it is likened to the BCL which debuted the HD800s.
 
You've raised some good points about the LCD-2 that I haven't given much thought into. How did you find the LCD-2s though? I've trialed the T1 and HD800, but they were both not exactly side by side so it was on separate occasions and with different music.

The T1 with the Decware is much better than the Matrix. It really expanded the soundstage and added if you can believe more detail with speed and dynamics and it sounds great in my main system. LOL Wife wont let me buy a second one for just the cans she said move it in and out. I really was not wowed with the LCD2 but at a meet you really do not get the time needed for a fair evaluation. The bass on the T1 is very very dood and transparency is at another level and it plays great with the Matrix as well. Besided the bass on the D7000 is the best of all cans out there so I sold the 701 and 840. Very happy with the setup so far. Buy the T1 and you will be happy. I prefer them over the HD800 as well.
 

 

[cravenz]

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The T1 with the Decware is much better than the Matrix. It really expanded the soundstage and added if you can believe more detail with speed and dynamics and it sounds great in my main system. LOL Wife wont let me buy a second one for just the cans she said move it in and out. I really was not wowed with the LCD2 but at a meet you really do not get the time needed for a fair evaluation. The bass on the T1 is very very dood and transparency is at another level and it plays great with the Matrix as well. Besided the bass on the D7000 is the best of all cans out there so I sold the 701 and 840. Very happy with the setup so far. Buy the T1 and you will be happy. I prefer them over the HD800 as well.
 

thanks, duly noted. I might have to find a way to do a whole upgrade if that is the case! lol. But me being a student, that ain't gonna be all too easy. Gonna have to give it some thought when I have the time. Thanks again Frank!

 

[Frank I]

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thanks, duly noted. I might have to find a way to do a whole upgrade if that is the case! lol. But me being a student, that ain't gonna be all too easy. Gonna have to give it some thought when I have the time. Thanks again Frank!

Start with the headphone first and then when you have money you can add the amp.

 

[cravenz]

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Start with the headphone first and then when you have money you can add the amp.

Bigger difference that way? I'll definitely have to see how it sounds out of the M-Stage itself I reckon. I'm even half thinking that I might sell the 702 cos' it seems that the T1 is all that and better though with less sound stage