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

[Chris J]

Quote:

 

 
The M-stage opamp discussions should be decoupled into a separate thread to make it easier to find and post opamp specific info! 
 
If someone gave me all the info I would type it up/format it for them...I probably shouldn't be the thread starter though - as I am a m-stage noob.
 

Anyone is welcome to start a thread!
 

 

[JuicyBruce]

Quote:

 

Oh I see.  ISL55001/55002 requires very, very clean power and thus tends to sound its best in desktop gear.
 

Agreed - I hadnt noticed how noisy it is in the M-Stage (all listening is done at work). I thought I was just hearing the aircon. Maybe this is the class A biasing? 
 

 

[HydronQc]

should I order the New Matrix M-Stage Usb or a M-Stage + a Fiio D3?
PCM1793 Vs WM8805

 

[chicolom]

Quote:

should I order the New Matrix M-Stage Usb or a M-Stage + a Fiio D3?
PCM1793 Vs WM8805

FiiO D3 doesn't have USB input...

 

[HydronQc]

Quote:

FiiO D3 doesn't have USB input...

I'm fine with it I can use the optical. I'm just wondering whats the best dac chip .

 

[chicolom]

Quote:

I'm fine with it I can use the optical. I'm just wondering whats the best dac chip .

Oh.  I've never read anything about the WM8805 before.  You could try asking the dedicate source forum as well.

 

[chicolom]

It looks like Purrin sold his m-stage a year ago!  What champion will rise and help make a new opamp thread?

 

[Mad Max]

 
Quote:

Agreed - I hadnt noticed how noisy it is in the M-Stage (all listening is done at work). I thought I was just hearing the aircon. Maybe this is the class A biasing? 
 

55001 doesn't like a lot of gain either, hence the noise.  Relatively quiet with K701, at least.  The M-Stage's power supply is fine for 55001.
 

 
Quote:

should I order the New Matrix M-Stage Usb or a M-Stage + a Fiio D3?
PCM1793 Vs WM8805

WM8805 is a SPDIF receiver (and a really good one at that), PCM1793 is a DAC chip.  The M-Stage USB DAC is using the TAS1020B USB receiver (accepts greater sample and bit rates over PCM270x).  The D3's DAC chip is some Cirrus Logic DAC, isn't it?  Or a Wolfson?  It won't be on par with PCM1793 in either case.

 

[putente]

It's a Cirrus Logic. You can see more details about the D3 here: http://hifiduino.wordpress.com/2011/06/23/inside-fiio-d3/
 
Quote:

WM8805 is a SPDIF receiver (and a really good one at that), PCM1793 is a DAC chip.  The M-Stage USB DAC is using the TAS1020B USB receiver (accepts greater sample and bit rates over PCM270x).  The D3's DAC chip is some Cirrus Logic DAC, isn't it?  Or a Wolfson?  It won't be on par with PCM1793 in either case.

 

 

[chicolom]

Just ordered a new silver Matrix M-Stage USB
 
*Breathes sigh of relief*
 
Ok.  Time to get some opamps.
 
I'm would like to make it a bit brighter, more neutral, transparent, etc.  Also anything with the better soundstage performance width/depth gets priority.
 
Mad Max, can you drop some knowledge on me?
 
This sounds like what I'd like:
 
"I prefer a more refined and transparent sound, so I gravitate towards analytical-to-death opamps like OPA602 and ADA4627, then OPA827 and OPA209 are more musical yet still maintaining a merciless degree of transparency (there's something special about OPA209 + Grados).  Best soundstaging is OPA602 and OPA827, hands down, followed closely by AD797, ADA4627, ISL55001 (you can only use this one at very low gain, though), and OPA1641.  1602 is very natural and organic sounding yet still very transparent (does an incredible job with harmonics, I mean, and is neutral as well)."
 
So, seems like OPA602 and OPA287 could have good soundstage, and are analytical....
 
Could you give me some recommendations/advice?

 
 
Some other options I searched and found:
  2x AD797ANZ      +     2x1 adapter
  2x HA3-2525-5                 "
  TLE2081ACP
 
but these non-soldered (non-class a biased)?  so inferior to other options?
 
 
Thanks

 

[francisdemarte]

For a more forward and brighter sound, here are my favorites. You can sometimes go to the makers website and get free samples sent to you.
 
NJM2903
ADA4627-1B (these are soic and needs a dual adapter)
 
The ADA4627-1B is a long time favorite. I think it offers the best combination of the laid back romantic sounding OPA627 and brighter more forward NJM2903.

 

[HydronQc]

I have a question for the New Matrix M-Stage USB. Is the dac working when using the RCA input or its only working when the usb input is used.
Thanks

 

[alphaphoenix]

I'll let you know when I receive mine.

 

[JuicyBruce]

Quote:

55001 doesn't like a lot of gain either, hence the noise.  Relatively quiet with K701, at least.  The M-Stage's power supply is fine for 55001.

Ah - thanks! I had it set to +18db for some reason. Its back on +10 and the 55001 seems comfortable here. I just finished yet another round of rolling and settled on the 55001 for the third time running. This is rare for me cos my tonal taste changes daily and my audio memory cannot be trusted at the best of times. Some days all opamps sound the same while other days the difference is astounding. 
If an M-Stage opamp thread does kick off id love to share my opinions. 2*TLE2141 class a, LT1335 and AD797BRZ were the main competitors. I like to try a 55001 sans class a bias to see how it sounds. As it stands it wipes the floor with anything I have here.
 
 

 

[Mad Max]

Quote:

Just ordered a new silver Matrix M-Stage USB
 
*Breathes sigh of relief*
 
Ok.  Time to get some opamps.
 
I'm would like to make it a bit brighter, more neutral, transparent, etc.  Also anything with the better soundstage performance width/depth gets priority.
 
Mad Max, can you drop some knowledge on me?
 
This sounds like what I'd like:
 
"I prefer a more refined and transparent sound, so I gravitate towards analytical-to-death opamps like OPA602 and ADA4627, then OPA827 and OPA209 are more musical yet still maintaining a merciless degree of transparency (there's something special about OPA209 + Grados).  Best soundstaging is OPA602 and OPA827, hands down, followed closely by AD797, ADA4627, ISL55001 (you can only use this one at very low gain, though), and OPA1641.  1602 is very natural and organic sounding yet still very transparent (does an incredible job with harmonics, I mean, and is neutral as well)."
 
So, seems like OPA602 and OPA287 could have good soundstage, and are analytical....
 
Could you give me some recommendations/advice?

 
 
Some other options I searched and found:
  2x AD797ANZ      +     2x1 adapter
  2x HA3-2525-5                 "
  TLE2081ACP
 
but these non-soldered (non-class a biased)?  so inferior to other options?
 
 
Thanks

HA3-2525 doesn't like too much gain either like ISL55001.  One should stay at gain of 10 for those two.  AD797 is one of my favorites, but I don't like it at all without any psu bypassing.  There's plenty of people who do anyway.
TLE2081ACP is an okay chip.
 
I haven't tinkered with Class A biasing at all, it is mostly OPA627, AD744, OPA211/1611 and older opamps that benefit from it, going by what I've read.  Also, I'm too lazy to bother.  =p
 
OPA827 is quite nice - bass and precision of a good FET opamp with the more organic and very clean midrange of a bipolar.
 
I also love an energetic sound, so that puts 4627 at the top of the list for me.  Without psu bypassing, however, 4627's bass loses some extension and the sound becomes more rounded and textured.
 
A friend thinks OPA602's soundstage is the very best, but its bass isn't as thick as 797, 827, and 4627.  It's sound is very clean and clear.
 
For a brighter sound, definitely 4627 or 827 as they have the clearest, sparkliest treble.  797 lacks treble clarity altogether, or maybe it is just the B grade, I don't know what's up with that chip.

 
Quote:

For a more forward and brighter sound, here are my favorites. You can sometimes go to the makers website and get free samples sent to you.
 
NJM2903
ADA4627-1B (these are soic and needs a dual adapter)
 
The ADA4627-1B is a long time favorite. I think it offers the best combination of the laid back romantic sounding OPA627 and brighter more forward NJM2903.

 
By laid-back, do you mean deeper soundstage?  4627 is definitely one of the deeper ones in my collection.  AD797, OPA602, OPA827, and ISL55001 all fall under that group as well.  I like plenty of depth.