[leeperry]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incognito73 /img/forum/go_quote.gif speaking of grades, some people beg to differ: [..] it's über nonsense

hehe sure, grades don't matter in audio...too bad they very much do! especially when you roll them blindly...but real world experience will tell you that, don't take anyone's wörd for it

 

[ROBSCIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incognito73 /img/forum/go_quote.gif ... speaking of grades, some people beg to differ: Notes on Audio Op-Amps I think that I've read on few places that some people simply don't see (HiFi) price justification in higher grades. If I didn't find a good deal for OPA627BP I'm not sure if I would opt for it tbh. Somewhat, I'm in the uneasy mood to choose the opamps costing 1/3 of the card or more. Also, people choosing the high grade opamps have to be aware that in order to audition them properly they *must* have also high grade speakers/headphones to match. Otherwise, it's über nonsense to upgrade opamps at all. As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Right now, I have OPA627AU, OPA627BP, AD797ANZ, AD797BR. For me, OPA627 is best sounding opamp for Bravura. When I sort out the adapter problem for OPA627AU ... I will be in position to A/B BP/AU versions. Actually, at this stage I've settled down with OPA627BP and OPA227 for the dedicated sub channel (used for music too). Still have to test AD797BR ... a pair arrived today. Just to hear what's all that fuss about.

Your right in many cases the "grade" refers to design aspects or environmental concerns, not always though.
For certain opamps, they denote the package type Such as the LME49720NA (dip8), LME49720MA(SOIC8) and LME49720HA (TO-99)
What the coding actually means is usually contained in the spec sheets.
This does not automatically mean they will sound any different at all, it depends on exactly what is different and how this affects the circuit. Temperature rating are also usually denoted in the codings.

You might want to just ignore the trolls, they always have something negative to say about gear they do not own and never tested. I personally don't mind the AD797 but I have tested so many opamps over the years that I have found many that I enjoy more.

 

[Juiced]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX /img/forum/go_quote.gif Are you changing out all of them or just the can amp?

i will try every channel if i like the sound i will change .. either way i gona sell my X-540 and buy Altec Lansing MX5021 so i will focus to find some recommend one's for the Headphone channel , front speaker channel and sub channel

 

[ROBSCIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juiced /img/forum/go_quote.gif i will try every channel if i like the sound i will change .. either way i gona sell my X-540 and buy Altec Lansing MX5021 so i will focus to find some recommend one's for the Headphone channel , front speaker channel and sub channel

Yes, the X-540's would be your weak link now. I would advise going for some bookshelf speakers and a good amplfiier to start out, if budget is a concern. I would avoid the 'PC" type speaker altogether.
There is a couple of us around using custom opamps in this card so if you have any questions ask.

 

[Juiced]

i ordered OPA672AU and AD797BR and about in more than week will update you guys of my impressions

bookshelf speakers + amplfiier are realy out of my budget and kinda overkill for me cause i'm not and audiophill .. yet

mybe Altec Lansing MX5021 considered as as "Pc type speaker" but are very recommended and have wide of great reviews from specialists and common users alike and realy good bang for the buck if compare to 500$+ bookshelf speakers ..

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX /img/forum/go_quote.gif There is a couple of us around using custom opamps in this card so if you have any questions ask.

sound realy intersting can you allabarate

 

[Incognito73]

OK ... I auditioned briefly the AD797BR last night. Not impressed. I mean, it sounds somewhat "dull". I conducted a quick and usual burn-in (I'm using IsoTek System Enhancer to burn-in the electric circuits) before auditioning.

Interestingly enough, it's dark sounding but not much life in there tbh. It's just not appealing that much to me as OPA627 for example, which usually brings back the grin on my face

Rob, did you had the same experience ?

By the way, found the good source for TI (BB) opamps in Europe, if someone is interested (cheaper then Farnell):

opa627
opa637

 

[ROBSCIX]

I am just not a fan of the AD797, I mean I find it sounds good and has promise in many circuits depending on what your using for playback. Simply, I can see why some might enjoy it,
I have had it in my collection for a couple years now. I have tested both the AD797A and 797b. They are decent but I like others more...

I already have my collection of 627 and 637s, including AU and SM flavors

, thanks for the link though. I find that still pretty pricey for those units, you can find them from others for alot less but you have to be carful about fakes. I usually verify all my opamps with the manufacturer if their authenticity is in question.

 

[ROBSCIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juiced /img/forum/go_quote.gif i ordered OPA672AU and AD797BR and about in more than week will update you guys of my impressions bookshelf speakers + amplfiier are realy out of my budget and kinda overkill for me cause i'm not and audiophill .. yet mybe Altec Lansing MX5021 considered as as "Pc type speaker" but are very recommended and have wide of great reviews from specialists and common users alike and realy good bang for the buck if compare to 500$+ bookshelf speakers ..

Well I hope they give you the sound you're looking for. I haven't used PC speaker is a very long time but I still test them from time to time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juiced /img/forum/go_quote.gif sound realy intersting can you allabarate

Not musch to say, a few of us removed the stock opamps and are using custom ones, such as the OPA627's, Dual LME49710's and using different opamps for the center and subwoofer to get a great center and bass signature.

 

[genclaymore]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX /img/forum/go_quote.gif Your right in many cases the "grade" refers to design aspects or environmental concerns, not always though. For certain opamps, they denote the package type Such as the LME49720NA (dip8), LME49720MA(SOIC8) and LME49720HA (TO-99) What the coding actually means is usually contained in the spec sheets. This does not automatically mean they will sound any different at all, it depends on exactly what is different and how this affects the circuit. Temperature rating are also usually denoted in the codings. You might want to just ignore the trolls, they always have something negative to say about gear they do not own and never tested. I personally don't mind the AD797 but I have tested so many opamps over the years that I have found many that I enjoy more.

Yea I had something like this happening to me on hardocp, When I had my prelude I bought some OPA627AU for my AD700's. I had this one troll and his lacky throwing insults my way. Going op-amps was just placeboo effects and going he laid in front of his speaker setup and didn't tell any diffents. I fiqured it was his receiver or he was deaf.

Of course I knew otherwise so did another person that was trying to explain it to him and his lacky. they wouldnt have it and kept being stubborn. Then i ran outta dodge"hardocp"

 

[ROBSCIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by genclaymore /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yea I had something like this happening to me on hardocp, When I had my prelude I bought some OPA627AU for my AD700's. I had this one troll and his lacky throwing insults my way. Going op-amps was just placeboo effects and going he laid in front of his speaker setup and didn't tell any diffents. I fiqured it was his receiver or he was deaf. Of course I knew otherwise so did another person that was trying to explain it to him and his lacky. they wouldnt have it and kept being stubborn. Then i ran outta dodge"hardocp"

I have been working with opamps for many,many years now and they are far from plecebo effect. Anybody who says they all sound the same should find another hobby.

 

[Incognito73]

OK ... just finished some in parallel opamp auditioning and I'm depressed and deeply worried that high end opamp swap doesn't make any sense (at least to my ears). Bare with me.

Firstly, let me explain the testing methodology. Intention was to have some controlled test bench. In Bravura case, I've opted to use front/rear/side stereo channels with different opamps and with parallel auditioning. As all those channels are sharing the hardware circuit of same quality (so one is not better then other), in ASIO mixer I can use them as multiple 2 channel stereo tracks. So, as player I have JR Media Centre, output to ReaRoute ASIO, input to Reaper VST host (mixer) and, of course, ReaRoute ASIO Recorder was used as audio stream input. Now, that was multiplexed to 3 Bravura stereo channels (front/read/side) mapped via ASIO to matched analog outputs. ASIO4ALL was used as transport for ASIO duties.

Now, 3 analog stereo channels (font/rear/side) from Bravura were connected via the cables of same quality to audio switch box. Single output from audio switch box was connected to my heavily modified Musical Fidelity X-CAN V2 headphone amp paired with Senn HD600.

Front channel was using AD797ANZ, rear AD797BR and side OPA627AU. So, when playing the audio stream in parallel to all channels (in ASIO mixer), I can switch the analog outputs with different opamps instantly (via switch box) and notice the changes in audio signature. Of course, I deliberately randomised the start-up switch box position so that I'm unaware about the fact which opamp is currently live (blind test). Well, you see, I heard nothing interesting. Nothing. No marked changes in audio signature. All music was in lossless flac format and flavoured from techno to classical pieces

So, what's going on? I believe that testing system was revealing enough, testing was done very late at night (on purpose) so that external noise (or noise floor) is bare minimum, focused auditioning with headphones ...

Previous testing methodology was with my speakers and something like ... audition the opamp, shutdown pc, change the opamp, turn on the pc and audition again. So, there was a pause ... probably just enough for HiFi mental games (placebo and such).


Any takers?

 

[ROBSCIX]

Yes, it would take awhile to get used to a new signature. A simple flick of the switch is not enough to hear the differences. You have to listen to a unit for awhile before you get used to it's sound.

 

[leeperry]

BTW, after nagging the Auzen tech support many times to know whether LT1028AC and AD797B were 100% compatible w/ their cards, they've just told me:
Quote:

Dear leeperry, Our develop team is still performing actual tests with our OPAMPs on sound card. The chart will be updated on our website this week. As for other OPAMP models, as we do not test it officially, we do not guarantee whether there is some issue or not. The voltage of swappable socket for the card you asked for is ±12V. Sincerely,

broken english, and they only answered half of my questions, but they will actually test the opamps now...not just say "oh ya, it's verkin very good!"

 

[ROBSCIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juiced /img/forum/go_quote.gif i ordered OPA672AU and AD797BR and about in more than week will update you guys of my impressions

You're still testing! Lol, let us know what you find with your setup.

Here is a shot of one of the setups I used:

All custom built but yours truly.

 

[Juiced]

looks realy good!
Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX /img/forum/go_quote.gif You're still testing! Lol, let us know what you find with your setup.

nah ,still haven't receive them yet

don't worry i will make sure to update you guys