[beaver316]

Quote:

This has been asked before in this thread several times.
 
They are different beasts.. Depends on what you are looking for.
 
I have had both at the same time. Kept the M-Stage, sold the O2. Never had an issue with noise with the Matrix. My issue was I found the O2 too sterile. Fans of the O2 will say that the Matrix is colored.
 
My experience is that you should take any recommendations for the O2 with a grain of salt. The fanboy club around the product tends to outshout those who didn't care for it. Everytime I say I didn't like it someone pipes in that I must like distortion and coloration. That is not the case, I just like to enjoy my music rather than revel in how true to the source my amp is.  My music, my tastes, my gear. my opinion. Yours may vary.
 
Now, just watch the reaction....

 
My reaction.. very well put. This is why I personally went for the M-stage rather than the O2 when I was deciding between the two.

 

[AML1]

Hello all. Appologies in advance for this question, but, I am unsure how to decide which version of the M-Stage is best for me:
100-120v
or
220-240v

I use M100 & He-400
Thank you for your help!

 

[geetarman49]

Quote:

Hello all. Appologies in advance for this question, but, I am unsure how to decide which version of the M-Stage is best for me:
100-120v
or
220-240v

I use M100 & He-400
Thank you for your help!

this depends entirely on where you live.  what is the output at the power outlets of your apt/home/residence?  for us north americans, we would select the 100-120v version of the m-stage.

 

[AML1]

Thank you. Yes, I am in the US. That makes sense.

 

[geetarman49]

You're welcome.
 

 

[Chris J]

How is this amp paired with a DT880? I will be picking the beyer soon and will need to pick an amp asap.

This is what its gonna be Titanium HD > M-Stage > Beyer
Will be good enough?

I have a pair of DT880s, I'm not a big fan of the DT880 + M Stage combination, it sounds rather bland to me.
DT880s are a somewhat neutral headphone, I don't think the M Stage darkness goes very well with those cans.

 

[bracko]

I have a pair of DT880s, I'm not a big fan of the DT880 + M Stage combination, it sounds rather bland to me.
DT880s are a somewhat neutral headphone, I don't think the M Stage darkness goes very well with those cans.

I completely agree.

 

[Chris J]

Quote:

I completely agree.

 
This may be a rogue opinion, but I do not think the DT880 is a bright headphone in any way.
That's just my opinion!

 
 
I like my 600 Ohm DT880s with my FiiO E09K.

 

[Chris J]

Quote:

 
I didn't find the M-Stage that noisy. However, when I used the LM4562 the noise floor was def noticable on my sensitive headphones, note the LM4562 was bought via digikey. And then I tried another cheaper LM4562 I bought from Ebay some month ago, and the noise floor was substantially quieter. Wierd.

 
Actually not too wierd!
 
Different samples of any Op Amp will have different noise levels.
I guess your noisy LM4562 was at the top end of the noise spec. for that Op Amp.
 
Just an aside for anyone else reading this:
it's been said before but for lowest noise, set gain to 0 dB.
A gain of 20 dB also boosts Op Amp noise by 20 dB (i.e. 10 times higher)

 

[1llest]

I have a question about setting the gain on this amp. When i looked at the bottom, theres 2 switches for the gain settings. Do i match both?
 
 
Edit: just found out its for the left and right channel

 

[GaToMaLaCo]

Quote:

I have a question about setting the gain on this amp. When i looked at the bottom, theres 2 switches for the gain settings. Do i match both?
 
 
Edit: just found it its for the left and right channel

Yep, somthing like this
 

 

[1llest]

Yeah, I just messed with it lol

 

[hifimanrookie]

Quote:

 
Actually not too wierd!
 
Different samples of any Op Amp will have different noise levels.
I guess your noisy LM4562 was at the top end of the noise spec. for that Op Amp.
 
Just an aside for anyone else reading this:
it's been said before but for lowest noise, set gain to 0 dB.
A gain of 20 dB also boosts Op Amp noise by 20 dB (i.e. 10 times higher)

Allthoughthats true..but there are some lesser quality opamps around!! Even same model..and some are even sold as real but actually are fake versions..
 
i found the opa627 sound best..warm and quiet..
my mstage sounded gorgeous on my he300/400 and with gain on 10 my he500... It really killed some other more expensive amps in my ears..if it wasnt for the 337 i still would have my mstage as my amp to go for listening..i took it everywhere in a laptop bag with me..if there was a electricity plug..my dear frend went with me.. 

 

[Chris J]

Allthoughthats true..but there are some lesser quality opamps around!! Even same model..and some are even sold as real but actually are fake versions..

Hey, thanks for pointing that out!
Maybe the noisy LM4562 was a fugazi!

 

[Monir]

I doubt it was fake since I bought it from digikey