The Opamp thread

[gibosi]

MUSES02
 
Some context... First, I am rather old, so rather than golden ears, mine are more like rusty iron... lol My current amp is a Little Dot 1+, which is a hybrid, tubes and op amp. The 1+ came with a MC33078, and since then I have used an OPA2107, and most recently, an LME49990. I really like the LME49990, but like others, I have noticed that it can be rather cold and clinical when paired with some tubes. The MUSES02 adds a bit of mid-range presence, bringing vocals and instruments slightly more forward. As a result, the music seems to have more impact and presence and the overall presentation is more musical and toe tapping than the LME49990. And tubes that previously seemed a bit lifeless are now quite enjoyable. So for me, the MUSES02 is a keeper. Hope this is helpful. Cheers

 

[zilch0md]

That's an excellent review!  Thank you!  I'm especially pleased to read your comparison with the LME49990 (my current favorite).
 
And now, to wait for Nigel's impression of the MUSES02...
 
Thanks again,
 
Mike

 

[psygeist]

I ordered both from same ebay seller. Let's see how it goes.

 

[SoulSyde]

I'm curious to know as well.  I'm thinking about trying the MUSES01 and 02 in my FiiO E12DIY I have coming soon.

 

[SpudHarris]

That's an excellent review!  Thank you!  I'm especially pleased to read your comparison with the LME49990 (my current favorite).

And now, to wait for Nigel's impression of the MUSES02...

Thanks again,

Mike

Well I have finally closed the Fi-Quest with the Muses02 installed. The Fi-Q is an amazing amp and for evaluating OpAmps it has been invaluable but I'm calling time. I tend to favour tubes over OpAmps purely because the romantic analogue sound floats my boat. However, I am listening exclusively to the Fi-Q with the Muses02 at the moment, I have flicked back and forth between the Fi-Q and HP 8 with what are considered the best of the best 6SN7 tubes and the Fi-Q hits the sweet spot every night..... The sound is reminiscent of a high end tube amp, un fatiguing but still able to portray micro detail plus instruments and vocals with startling reality. It's a magical OpAmp and in my opinion worth the cost as I would easily spend twice or three times that amount on a set of boutique 6SN7 tubes heralding similar or quite possibly less levels of iaural enjoyment.

I would be very wary of buying from anywhere but Audiotrak though. There are a lot of cheaper decent sounding OpAmps out there crying out to be re-badged as Muses. Nice enough sounding for placebo to fill in the gaps.....

 

[zilch0md]

Great recommendation and warning, Nigel!  I was thinking the same thing as I noticed how there seems to be a lot of relatively inexpensive MUSES02 offered by sellers in China and Hong Kong, primarily.
 
Thanks!
 
Mike

 

[gibosi]

It would seem that folks believe I have a fake MUSES20.... Perhaps.... But if it is a fake, it is an incredibly good fake. Cheers.

 

[zilch0md]

Oh no!  I'm sorry!  I wasn't even thinking about you and others having already purchased MUSES02 from vendors other than Audiotrak.  
 
We can't assume that any of those other vendors are actually fraudulent.  The odds are better that you're OK than not, but I just want to increase my odds by ordering from what is hopefully a "sure thing."
 
Enjoy your purchase!  

 
Mike

 

[razzz42]

Cheaper than buying  new headphones to get a different sound.

 

[SoulSyde]

  It would seem that folks believe I have a fake MUSES20.... Perhaps.... 

 
The thing that concerns me is that Audiotrak is a product of South Korea.  I do not believe that their manufacturing takes place in China, and the eBay listing you linked to is from China.

 

[gibosi]

  The thing that concerns me is that Audiotrak is a product of South Korea.  I do not believe that their manufacturing takes place in China, and the eBay listing you linked to is from China.

 
It is a world market out there! For example, check out Mouser Electronics' (an authorized reseller) web page:
 
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/NJR/MUSES02/?qs=%2fha2pyFadujjt72El0q6OuEu%252bdt2pu9jgvOGE5AsfLc%3d
 
Notice the pricing to the right:
 
       1:    $74.58    
     10:    $67.57    
     25:    $62.50    
     50:    $56.31    
     100:    $50.00    
     250:    $39.06    
     500:    Quote
 
So you or I, or an eBay vendor in China or Korea, could buy 250, 500 or more of these, sell them for a little over $40, and make a profit. The vendor I chose specializes in ICs and carries over 3000 ICs in his eBay store. Further he has a positive feedback score of 67,691. Obviously, not a fly-by-night outfit....
 
And the proof is in the pudding. I am pairing the MUSES02 with a USA-made Amperex 6922 / E88CC, among the best of the best, when it comes to micro detail, transparency and a startlingly realistic 3-D presentation. To my ears, the MUSES02 - Amperex pairing is significantly better than the LME49990 - Amperex pairing. So if my chip is a fake, it is an incredibly good fake.
 
Cheers.

 

[zilch0md]

I like your arguments!   I might decide to save myself some money.

 

[Libertad]

Looks like its the MUSE02 then for me its seems like if paired with my sound card the sound would be pure euphoria.

 

[Pluto2]

There is this ultimate opamp shootout thread on dya and I couldnt tell the difference say between 741 and some other newer opamps @@"

 

[Sony Slave]

Just bookmarked the muse op amp.
I'm gonna buy this thing in the future as well.