Mozhoven
100+ Head-Fier
Hello All,
I just got a Go-Vibe 3 (with 3 opamps to choose from) to go with my new Senns and have a few questions.
Before I ask my "all-important" question, let me give a mini-review of my new amp.
I'm very impressed with the Go-Vibe V3, its extremely sturdy, professionally made, has no noise at all, and is a good size. Sound-wise it's nice but I'm not hearing alot of difference with my amp compared to an un-amped source (Gigabeat & Audigy 4 on my Computer) except I can achieve higher volumes, lower volume listening is improved (fuller bass), and the sound is "colored" now (in a good way). There also seems to be a little "clean up" happening between the different sounds, they appear to be more distinct in the music. I suppose those are all good and what I should have expected; but after reading so many reviews I really had built up my expectations. I don't suppose I should have expected all that much improvement being as how the Senn HD555's are only 50ohms and work well without an amp to begin with. (Don't get me wrong, I'm in heaven with these things. I have a hard time removing those 555's, they just sound so nice!)
But, I like my Go-Vibe and want to use it anyway; it's really got a lot of power! Plus, it's perfect for classical music where my Gigabeat just wouldn't deliver on those subtle pieces - the Go-vibe does!
Now for the real question:
Which opamp to use and why?
I have:
-AD8066
-AD8620
-OPA2132
In testing all three I immediately ruled-out using the OPA2132. It just didn't have the Bass that the other two did. As I understand it, the AD8620 is the better of the three (according to Norm over at Go-Vibe in reference to my HD555's), but honestly I'm having trouble telling the difference between the two!
In listening to a wide range of music (hip hop, New Age, Indie Rock, and Classical) I sometimes think the 8620 exhibits a "wider" soundstage and sounds "more forward" and the 8066 more bass and "smoother"- but when I try the tests again, I come up with the opposite conclusions on the same pieces of music. (the OPA2132 was the only one I could really hear the difference on, just not as much bass)
I'm afraid that during the time it takes to swap the opamps my "music memory" may be fading or distorting somewhat and I can't get a good comparison of one to the other.
It would really help me if some of you could chime in and let me know what I should be listening for in each amp and which you prefer and why. I'm guessing, in the end, it'll be more piece-of-mind than actual results. (they all sound great, but I need some direction please!
Thanks in advance!
----------------------------------------
Sometimes, less is more....
P.S. A big thanks to gtp for the great deal on this amazing little amp!
I just got a Go-Vibe 3 (with 3 opamps to choose from) to go with my new Senns and have a few questions.
Before I ask my "all-important" question, let me give a mini-review of my new amp.
I'm very impressed with the Go-Vibe V3, its extremely sturdy, professionally made, has no noise at all, and is a good size. Sound-wise it's nice but I'm not hearing alot of difference with my amp compared to an un-amped source (Gigabeat & Audigy 4 on my Computer) except I can achieve higher volumes, lower volume listening is improved (fuller bass), and the sound is "colored" now (in a good way). There also seems to be a little "clean up" happening between the different sounds, they appear to be more distinct in the music. I suppose those are all good and what I should have expected; but after reading so many reviews I really had built up my expectations. I don't suppose I should have expected all that much improvement being as how the Senn HD555's are only 50ohms and work well without an amp to begin with. (Don't get me wrong, I'm in heaven with these things. I have a hard time removing those 555's, they just sound so nice!)
But, I like my Go-Vibe and want to use it anyway; it's really got a lot of power! Plus, it's perfect for classical music where my Gigabeat just wouldn't deliver on those subtle pieces - the Go-vibe does!
Now for the real question:
Which opamp to use and why?
I have:
-AD8066
-AD8620
-OPA2132
In testing all three I immediately ruled-out using the OPA2132. It just didn't have the Bass that the other two did. As I understand it, the AD8620 is the better of the three (according to Norm over at Go-Vibe in reference to my HD555's), but honestly I'm having trouble telling the difference between the two!
In listening to a wide range of music (hip hop, New Age, Indie Rock, and Classical) I sometimes think the 8620 exhibits a "wider" soundstage and sounds "more forward" and the 8066 more bass and "smoother"- but when I try the tests again, I come up with the opposite conclusions on the same pieces of music. (the OPA2132 was the only one I could really hear the difference on, just not as much bass)
I'm afraid that during the time it takes to swap the opamps my "music memory" may be fading or distorting somewhat and I can't get a good comparison of one to the other.
It would really help me if some of you could chime in and let me know what I should be listening for in each amp and which you prefer and why. I'm guessing, in the end, it'll be more piece-of-mind than actual results. (they all sound great, but I need some direction please!
Thanks in advance!
----------------------------------------
Sometimes, less is more....
P.S. A big thanks to gtp for the great deal on this amazing little amp!
