[taso89]

The line-out straight to headphones won't have the control or speed of a dedicated amp, but it is still, in my own opinion, an upgrade to the built-in head amp.

 

[leeperry]

ok, so it matches what my friend w/ the Predator told me....this thing sounds better than the line-out, which already sounds better than the HP out.

I can't use a tube amp as I got a pretty dumb cat, and tubes get really hot apparently? OTOH I find it kinda annoying to plug my demanding DT770/600Ω on a line-out..

Ideally, I'd like to get a cheap CMI card(w/ these neato GPL bit-matched drivers) and send S/PDIF(stereo lossless LPCM) to whatever more "serious" external DAC+HP amp....but noone dares to actually compare these, so it's a tough call...and many would be tempted to try the HP out, which sounds pretty bad actually

 

[anetode]

I'm thinking of trying AD797 for the buffer & OPA627 for the two headphone opamps. Has anyone tried either of these two?

 

[Shahrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by anetode /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm thinking of trying AD797 for the buffer & OPA627 for the two headphone opamps. Has anyone tried either of these two?

That's an interesting combination. I've used the 627's extensively and I like their sound. The AD797 are very well regarded in audio forums but I haven't had a chance to use them in any application yet. Let us know how it works out. I'm interested in hearing the results.

ROBSCIX is sending me a pair of LME49710HA and 49720HA on adapters to test out (and for much cheaper than I thought...thanks Rob!). I think these may end up being my favourite as I had a chance to briefly audition them before and I already love their younger siblings, the 49720NA, in the STX.

Also, if I may diverge from the topic for a second, anetode, how do you feel the STX compares with the DA11 and Stello DACs? I haven't seen anyone do even a brief comparison of the STX with higher end DAC offerings and so I'm very curious.

 

[takengo2003]

Anyone here using STX on AKG K701/702? I need recommendation on what is the best combination on opamp/hdam to pair with k702.
my current setup is Foolbar > STX > AKG K702(burn in 200hrs). Currently, I am using Moon hdam in the buffer, and 2xLM4562 in the 2 channels. However, i find it a bit on the bright side, but i like the wide soundstage.

I also have the following now to play op-row
1)1x Moon hdam (in my STX now)
2)1 x Earth hdam,
3)1 x Sun hdam
4)1 x LT1364 opamp
5)2 x LT1361 opamp
6)2 x LM4562 opamp (in my STX now)

so which is the best combination to start off with, i know i can test one by one to hear the difference, but before that, i want to hear opinion from those who have try before.

 

[Shahrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by takengo2003 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Anyone here using STX on AKG K701/702? I need recommendation on what is the best combination on opamp/hdam to pair with k702. my current setup is Foolbar > STX > AKG K702(burn in 200hrs). Currently, I am using Moon hdam in the buffer, and 2xLM4562 in the 2 channels. However, i find it a bit on the bright side, but i like the wide soundstage. I also have the following now to play op-row 1)1x Moon hdam (in my STX now) 2)1 x Earth hdam, 3)1 x Sun hdam 4)1 x LT1364 opamp 5)2 x LT1361 opamp 6)2 x LM4562 opamp (in my STX now) so which is the best combination to start off with, i know i can test one by one to hear the difference, but before that, i want to hear opinion from those who have try before.

I can tell you now you won't like the L1361. It has a bright, thin sound. The 1364 was smoother and had a larger soundstage but didn't have too much bass. Overall, it was a good opamp though. Out of those listed, I've only used the last three and of them the LM4562 is my favourite and the 1364 a close second.

 

[misc.]

Does the STX have enough oopmh to drive a set of beyer DT990's (250 Ohm)? Looking at the tech specs: http://focus.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tpa6120a2.pdf
I'm a bit puzzled to whether there is enough power.

I already have a set of HD595s and the STX, and am looking at upgrading to the beyers.

 

[takengo2003]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shahrose /img/forum/go_quote.gif I can tell you now you won't like the L1361. It has a bright, thin sound. The 1364 was smoother and had a larger soundstage but didn't have too much bass. Overall, it was a good opamp though. Out of those listed, I've only used the last three and of them the LM4562 is my favourite and the 1364 a close second.

hi, thanks for the feedback.

so what do you suggest, is my moon + 2xlm4562 best option which i am currently using? or should i use Earth + 2xlm4562? Will earth hdam at the buffer tone down the brightness on the K702?

 

[Shahrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by takengo2003 /img/forum/go_quote.gif hi, thanks for the feedback. so what do you suggest, is my moon + 2xlm4562 best option which i am currently using? or should i use Earth + 2xlm4562? Will earth hdam at the buffer tone down the brightness on the K702?

Sorry mate, can't help you there. I haven't tried any HDAMs/Discrete opamps. The smoothest opamps I've heard are the OPA637/627 and then the LME49720NA (which are very similar to the LM4562).

 

[takengo2003]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shahrose /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sorry mate, can't help you there. I haven't tried any HDAMs/Discrete opamps. The smoothest opamps I've heard are the OPA637/627 and then the LME49720NA (which are very similar to the LM4562).

ok, no problem.

i presume you are using them on the 2 channels instead of the buffer right?

 

[leeperry]

..and the 49720NA is ear-splitting bright w/ anemic bass, just so you know

there's no "best" solution w/ IC's anyway, so far the best I've heard is the (free) OPA2132P....but going burson would be a night & day anyway. your choice whether you wanna spend as much on the op-amps as you spent on the card itself.

 

[Theresa]

I am really enjoying the HP output of this card. Regardless of the op-amps it uses it is far better than the Realtek 889a onboard. I was disappointed in the one hp amp I tried and sent it back. This seems to have all I need with the hp output gain set to max. I'm not planning on messing with the opamps as they all seem to be trade-offs and it sounds balanced now.

 

[dex85]

Quote:

Originally Posted by takengo2003 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Anyone here using STX on AKG K701/702? I need recommendation on what is the best combination on opamp/hdam to pair with k702. my current setup is Foolbar > STX > AKG K702(burn in 200hrs). Currently, I am using Moon hdam in the buffer, and 2xLM4562 in the 2 channels. However, i find it a bit on the bright side, but i like the wide soundstage. I also have the following now to play op-row 1)1x Moon hdam (in my STX now) 2)1 x Earth hdam, 3)1 x Sun hdam 4)1 x LT1364 opamp 5)2 x LT1361 opamp 6)2 x LM4562 opamp (in my STX now) so which is the best combination to start off with, i know i can test one by one to hear the difference, but before that, i want to hear opinion from those who have try before.

in general you should look for op-amp that has warm/less transparent (so the harshness of the K702 won't be so prominent and bothersome) and liquid/coherent signature (so it will be more musical).

i tried LME49720HA, very coherent but also more-less neutral (except for the over-the-top bass, which works well with bass shy headphones). the harshness is still there in conjunction with K702 but it's still my favorite none the less.

i also tried LME49720NA, it's one to go if you are a detail and soundstage freak but i found it grainy, very fatiguing in long-term and artificial at times. i would prefer stock op-amps over NA with K702. i got tired of the sour faces it gave me and ''omg, here we go..." with some passages in songs.

i'm definitely going to try LT1057 some day, it's said to be warm with good soundtage. i don't know about coherency, maybe LT1057 users here would know.

 

[ROBSCIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by anetode /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm thinking of trying AD797 for the buffer & OPA627 for the two headphone opamps. Has anyone tried either of these two?

The AD797 is a great opamp and the 627s are said to be one of the best audio opamps there is. I have tested the AD797 for buffer but haven't tried OPA627's for I/V. The real two opamps are called the Current to Votage converter section or I/V for short. The 627 should work great for I/V, give use your opinion if and when you try them out.

 

[ROBSCIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by takengo2003 /img/forum/go_quote.gif hi, thanks for the feedback. so what do you suggest, is my moon + 2xlm4562 best option which i am currently using? or should i use Earth + 2xlm4562? Will earth hdam at the buffer tone down the brightness on the K702?

Your using the LM4562NA for I/V and teh Moon for buffer?
The Earth discretes are very neutral and very "tube" like in their response.
If your response is too bright for your cans perhaps look at a different opamp then the LM4562 for buffer. The Earth buffer would smooth out the response somehwhat.
Are you using the Line out or headphone out?
If your using the headphone output, the buffer is not used in the circuit.