[Zombie_X]

OH and another question, are the OP amps plug-n-play (socket type) or soldered in? If they are plug-n-play, what OPA would you guys recommend as an upgrade and where can they be purchased?

 

[Rbhorowitz]

I would highly recommend the EAT 88 tube. Right out the of box this tube was smooth and detailed. I was going to try and find the Mazda tube but couldn’t seem to find a single tube? Anyone know who has them?

 

[Zombie_X]

I slapped a NOS Mullard E88CC in mine and it was an upgrade over the Bugle Boys.

Now I wanna swap OPA's but need to know which ones to buy..

 

[Rbhorowitz]

Burson Audio Opamp

I used one each of #71484 and #71485

 

[Zombie_X]

Thanks much! Does this improve the sound a great deal at all? I mean I read it improves it, but to what extent is the improvement? Is the bass tightened up a lot?

So these are plug-and-play like socket type OPA's right? So I just have to cut the leads off a little bit then pop them right in, correct? Also is there a certain way these should be inserted, or it doesn't matter?

 

[Rbhorowitz]

If all you are going to do is switch the op amps, yes you just have to trim the leads and pop them in. You have to look for the half moon chips on the op amps to position them, but other than that I think you are set. I can send you a picture if you want.

At this point I can't tell you what impact just the op amps are going to make. I'm sure its an improvemet. My unit has had so many parts changed out at this point the op amp change can't be seperated from the others.

 

[Zombie_X]

Yes, please a picture always helps!!

 

[debitsohn]

Is this DAC still considered to be good to the audio-gd and such that have come out more recently?

 

[Zombie_X]

Yeah man it's an awesome dac for sure. The XLR output is neutral, while the RCA is tubedriven and is warm.

 

[debitsohn]

Lol I know you love it, you're the one that pointed me to it! Just wanted other impressions. Especially vs the dacmagic. It would be much easier to fit the dacmagic on my desk than the 25.2

 

[Skylab]

Isn't there now a 25.3?

 

[debitsohn]

Quote:

Isn't there now a 25.3?

yes, from what i hear, not much has changed.  i think i heard the USB input was raised but i guess i should find out.  the price i was offered was pretty good.

 

[debitsohn]

well i just went with the 25.2. ive heard great things about it. i wonder why its not as popular as it should be on this forum.

 

[Yikes]

I just got my music Hall 25.2 DAC back from Exemplar Audio where John Tucker performed his modification magic on it. It's still burning in, but eventually I will compare it to my PS Audio PWD, and the Audio-gd Reference 7 (I'm in the loaner program).
 
I'll try and remember to post here, but my comparisons will most likely be found in the Ref 7 and PWD threads.

 

[RedBull]

Quote:

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJHUB /img/forum/go_quote.gif All three opamps must be replaced for the SE outs. You can contact Parts Connexion as well. I've purchased all of my upgraded components from them.

So that would mean this DAC follows the regrettable trend of simply sticking a tube buffer after the op-amps do all the actual amplification

Is this true?
 
Anyone has a little comment to compare with Audio-Gd DAC-19 DSP?