[ROBSCIX]

Quote:

AD797BR (http://cgi.ebay.com/Dual-Mono-Op-amp-module-4558-NE5532-TL072-AD797BR-/350365136819?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item519363b7b3), LME49860NA, LM6172IN. An try 2xLT1364CN8 or 4xOPA827 with adpaters in I/U (instead of LM4562). For detailed and ringing sound you can use THS4062 in I/U.
Noise from GPU or something... Do you hear it? If no, so don't care about it. By the way - screen is not needed, you can remove it - this improved cooling card.

Many of the THS series opamps are extremely fast and the ringing you are hearing is probably high frequency oscillation.  You cna run into such thing with other opamps if they are not built or conencted properly.  That pic you posted of that opamp tower, such things can cause issue with high speed opamps.
 

 

[dark1evil2]

wow so many opamp here
 
whats the best opamp for xonar st? theres so many i dont know what to get
 
the headphones i will using is ad700 & dt990 if that help

 

[RicHSAD]

 
Quote:

wow so many opamp here
 
whats the best opamp for xonar st? theres so many i dont know what to get
 
the headphones i will using is ad700 & dt990 if that help

I like the OPA2228P in I/V with my AD900(and also AD700 when I had them). I have not tried a whole lot of different op-amps compared to other people here, but so far they have been my favorite.

 

[gwillys]

i've been messing with my ST for a while. i only use the rca out/stereo.
i have the beta driver installed, but not the asus control center.
foobar ks.
 
the ST is currently recapped with elna silmic II, 3 burson opa's.
huge improvement with the elna's and again with the bursons. a few levels up from stock after 100 hrs burn-in.
 
now i'm working on a isolated power supply for the burson's. waiting on parts - burson +12v adjustable (10/20v) voltage regulator, dexa +5v regulator and a bench/lab power supply. today i recieved the audio gd opa lead extensions i'll use to tie in the power supply to pins 4 & 8.
 
i have tried supplying 14v to the card thru the molex connector. the ST loved it, but the motherboard became unstable.
as most opamps perform best with 18v, i expect another improvement, that is...if this works
 
too many pages in this thread to read. has anyone tried any of this?

 

[ROBSCIX]

Yes, back when the STX was first released a few experimented with external PSU's.  Many opamps do operate somewhat better with higher power ratings but it would need to be done properly to work the best. Make a rise to remove the boards power from the opamp power inputs, then tie in the external supply.  There us a guy that builds such boards for other cards but I have not seen them for the ST(X) series.

 

[gwillys]

thanks ROBSCIX , seems i'm on the right path. i dont need a riser. i'll use these to tie in:

nicely made from audiogd. machined gold plated sockets.
 
if it works, i'll shorten the leads and solder everything i can.
& post results here.
 
btw, the 3 burson opa's cost me $160usd total, incl shipping to usa, directly from Jack @ burson. i think they are a very good value, less expense than a good phono cartridge. function wise, i equate opamps to phono cartridges, with some doing some things better than others. but the bursons seem to a good all around solution. my opamp rolling days are over.

 

[gwillys]

 
burson 12v & dexa 5v regulators arrived yesterday. installed them this morning. pretty straightforward, no mishaps.

the previous 7812 (TO-220) 12v regulator was outputting 11.94v. interestly, the burson ouputs 13.82v. it measures 14.77v on the input side, same as with the TO-220. i have no idea how or why that is, running off the computers 12v molex, but i think it's a good thing. wish i had some idea what i'm doing the burson's output voltage is adjustable, but i have no idea how to adjust it. no instructions. there is a Bourns 3296 Potentiometer on the board, but i dont know what it does, so i left it alone.

first thing i noticed is improved imaging and clarity. i suppose these things need to burn-in, so i'll reserve judgement for awhile.
 
edit: as per burson, the blue trim pot on thier regulator is for voltage adjustment. easy enough.
 
the bench/lab power supply i ordered should be here this week. variable 0 - 30v.  i'll try to use it as an isolated power source directly to the + - legs of the bursons.

 

[beeman458]

Noobie here.  Hi Guys.  First post.  Hanging around long enough to learn what I need to learn to get some excellent sound and then it's on to the next sunrise.  Been lurking and reading for a while and thought I'd share what I'm doing to tweak the Essence STX board.
 
In the beginning, I tried a few opamp rolls (OPA2111KP and LME49720NA) but the sound card wasn't burned in yet and the sound flatted out, so I went back to stock opamps real fast.  Kinda hard to buy and try all the possibilities.  "Maybe" I'll try to roll again when the sound card has a few hundred more hours on it.  I must say, using the provided graphics equalizer to lightly tune up the sound, it's sounding mighty good.  Oh and I don't have "Golden Ears."  Boo Hoo Hoo.
 
Currently listening with a pair of HD-650's using stock headphone cables.  I have maybe fifty hours on the headset and it's starting to open up beautifully a la Miles Davis, K.D. Lang and Led Zeppelin ripped at 192kpbs.
 
To tweak the sound card, I'm currently working on the power supply system.  Two items (tweaks) are on order and should be in later this week.  I hope to clean up any power supply considerations by replacing the old power supply and installing this computer power supply as it's replacement.
 
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4558896&csid=ITD&body=REVIEWS#tabs
 
For the hard core among you, here's tests on the 850W and 1050W units.  I'll be using their 750W version at probably not much more than 50% rated capacity.
 
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2009/11/24/ultra_x4_850w_1050w_power_supplies_review/
 
Replacing with the above power supply will give each internal board it's own power lead, eliminating the traditional power supply ponytail in the process, cleaning up the interior of the computer box, improving air circulation and hopefully clean-up extraneous EMI running around in the case.  Secondly on order, is a ten foot AudioQuest power cord so the power supply can reach and be fed by it's own outlet and reduce any introduced distortion from the strip plug that everything else is plugged into.
 
http://www.musicdirect.com/product/72863
 
The idea is to make sure the computer sound card has all the clean power the sound card wants and not have to worry about the power supply being taxed in it's efforts to deliver power to each of the component parts.  Current power supply being replaced is a stock, Case 500w power supply as opposed to the replacement being a designer 750w power supply.  My expectations of the above tweaks are to open the sound up, have a wider, deeper sound stage, better musical instrument separation and punchier notes.  Time will tell on the above. 
 
Once the power cable and power supply are installed and have had a chance to burn in, the next tweak will be replacing the headphone cables.  Looking to go with Double Helix Cables.
 
http://www.doublehelixcables.com/index.html
 
(FWIW, I'll stay away from the cable/zip cord debate as music is emotion and what ever floats your boat, creates internal happiness or helps you follow your bliss, is the only thing that matters.)
 
In the end, I don't want any DACs/Headphone amps or power conditioners on the desk or the floor as I just want a decent headphone with some way cool looking cables attached, sitting on the side, waiting to thrill my ears whenever I park it in front of the computer monitor.
 
Oh, and thanks to everybody for your unheralded input.  Even though you didn't know I was reading what you guys were writing, I was there, reading and taking benefit of your posted personal experiences.
 

 
PS: Sorry for the long first post.  Just trying to be through.

 

[jalyst]

Quote:

 
burson 12v & dexa 5v regulators arrived yesterday. installed them this morning. pretty straightforward, no mishaps.

the previous 7812 (TO-220) 12v regulator was outputting 11.94v. interestly, the burson ouputs 13.82v. it measures 14.77v on the input side, same as with the TO-220. i have no idea how or why that is, running off the computers 12v molex, but i think it's a good thing. wish i had some idea what i'm doing the burson's output voltage is adjustable, but i have no idea how to adjust it. no instructions. there is a Bourns 3296 Potentiometer on the board, but i dont know what it does, so i left it alone.

first thing i noticed is improved imaging and clarity. i suppose these things need to burn-in, so i'll reserve judgement for awhile.

What you're doing sounds intriguing....
I don't suppose you could post some simple step-by-step instructions for what you're doing & what's involved?

 

[jalyst]

Quote:

To tweak the sound card, I'm currently working on the power supply system.  Two items (tweaks) are on order and should be in later this week.  I hope to clean up any power supply considerations by replacing the old power supply and installing this computer power supply as it's replacement.
 
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4558896&csid=ITD&body=REVIEWS#tabs
 
For the hard core among you, here's tests on the 850W and 1050W units.  I'll be using their 750W version at probably not much more than 50% rated capacity.
 
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2009/11/24/ultra_x4_850w_1050w_power_supplies_review/
 
Replacing with the above power supply will give each internal board it's own power lead, eliminating the traditional power supply ponytail in the process, cleaning up the interior of the computer box, improving air circulation and hopefully clean-up extraneous EMI running around in the case.  Secondly on order, is a ten foot AudioQuest power cord so the power supply can reach and be fed by it's own outlet and reduce any introduced distortion from the strip plug that everything else is plugged into.
 
http://www.musicdirect.com/product/72863

Good idea RE quality PSU, but if you can afford the 'wallet raping' may I suggest this:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article986-page6.html
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3655/seasonic-xseries-750w
1st  Gold rated unit on the market...
 
I've been exhaustively checking & rechecking various sources that specialise in PSU discussion:
http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6738&page=5
http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6758
http://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=10118
http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=58716 (a few fairly insightful comments)
 
And everyone's saying the X-series is still the best, if you don't need/want 1000W+ (which is most users)
There's a few models purportedly out soon that will pip it, but no one knows when they'll be available.
Could be next week, could be for Xmas, could be never...
 
Also good idea RE using entirely separate mains for the PSU too!
I will watch with interest if you decide to document further.
 
Cheers

 

[beeman458]

Thanks for the links.
 
I will watch with interest if you decide to document further.
 
Don't hold your breath as my documentation will be strictly along the lines of anecdotal as opposed to empirical.  I had no idea there was a hobby who's participants followed power supplies.
 

 
I suspect I'll know more come this following weekend.

 

[shimm]

Quote:

To tweak the sound card, I'm currently working on the power supply system.  Two items (tweaks) are on order and should be in later this week.  I hope to clean up any power supply considerations by replacing the old power supply and installing this computer power supply as it's replacement.

You have to look here: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/426049/making-a-decent-hi-fi-power-supply-for-xonar-essence/270#post_6380209
 

 

[gwillys]

Quote:

What you're doing sounds intriguing....
I don't suppose you could post some simple step-by-step instructions for what you're doing & what's involved?

i'm not really qualified, but:
1. recap the card - replace all nichicon caps with elna silmic II. remember polarity, its marked on the board.
 
2. install 3 burson dual op amps. always know where pin 1 is.
 
IMHO, steps 1 & 2 should be mandatory. better to spend money here than on a exotic psu for your computer. i have a antec neo 400w, and its just fine. 100+ hr burn-in for elna & burson.
 
3. replace the 7812 and 7805 surface mount regulators. this might be tricky. i had to pull out a macro photography set up just to identify them. desoldering these requires some practice, if you mess up the pads or pull a trace, your screwed. i have a dexa for the 7805, and a burson for the 7812.
i was able to mount the dexa in the original position by drilling a 1mm hole in the ground pad and bending the legs for a quasi surface mount. the burson is big, so i installed pins through the board, and connections are on the back. .85mm holes and trimmed cap legs. i'll get some silver wire from the local jeweler and make something more durable. still havent figured out where to mount the burson regulator board. right now its just hanging off the card. i have a milling machine and some delrin, and might fabricate a bracket for it.
 
 
i cant teach you how to solder/desolder, but theres plenty of info out there. tear something apart for a pcb to practice on.
find the data sheets/diagrams for components. triple check everything, no mistakes allowed.
 
next up for me is taking a stab at a isolated power supply. interested to see what effect 18v has on the opa's.
heres what i've ordered: http://www.mastechpowersupply.com/dc-power-supply/linear-power-supply/mastech-regulated-variable-dc-power-supply-hy3003d-30v-3a/prod_2.html
 
disclaimer: i really dont know what i'm doing, i just got my first multimeter , a extech 22-816, on clearance for $56 @ radio shack.
it works really well, and reads low ohms.

 

[beeman458]

Shimm wrote:
 
You have to look here: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/426049/making-a-decent-hi-fi-power-supply-for-xonar-essence/270#post_6380209
 
Hi Shimm.
 
Thanks for the link but any sort of board adjustments are way above my pay grade.  If it can't be done by swapping out a power supply, power cord or interconnect, I'm going have to switch over to DAC's and Headphone Amps.
 
My stated goal when lighting this candle was to improve the sound quality coming from the computer while listening at very low levels (currently listening at a sound level of 4/100), yet keep the desk clear of extraneous desktop boxes in the process.  When looking at some of the gear available online, it's hard to keep focused on the original goal of "no extra desktop boxes."
 
Ooooh, shiny.
 

 

[gwillys]

Quote:

disclaimer: i really dont know what i'm doing,
 
Neither do I.
 
That's why I'm paying somebody to swap out the power supply so if there are any problems, they'll know what to do.  I'm in it for the music and I'm happy to leave the rest of it to those who are eminently more qualified.
 

 
but, you know a lot less than me
 
i suspect any improvement in SQ that you detect will be placebo, unless your current psu has problems.
your approach does nothing to address the issues with this card, which are namely - cheap components and 12v opa power supply.
 
most certainly, if you cant figure out how to upgrade your psu yourself, all this is over your head.
better to go buy a box.
but i wish you luck