FangJoker
Previously known as "vegasf1"
This sound card sounds great with klipsch 2.1 speakers. I can't wait to try it out when my hd 650 arrives.
Initially I was very happy with the sound but after having taken a break from listening to music over the summer I'm a little disappointed with the bass.
I've got my STX with standard opamps and a pair of ultrasone pro900. They are quite bass heavy to begin with which I was aware of when I bought them but it's more of a "home cinema" rumbling bass, I'm looking for a tighter "music" bass.
Could replacing the opamps be the solution and if so which ones would you suggest?
I've read the opamps review in this thread and thought about getting LME49720. Someone said you get less tight bass if you put it in the I/V Section which is not good, but someone else said if you put them in the buffer you'll get tighter bass.
So i guess i should replace the buffer amp with a LME49720 (aka LM4562 ?), should I replace the I/V amps as well or keep the stock ones for buffer?
Found it in a shop nearby for about $5.
Also, saw someone mention the LME49720ha which seems to be an even bigger improvement.
Don't seem like they are available here in Sweden though but it's available on ebay for about $15.
Isn't LM4562 already in the buffer of the new card?
This sound card sounds great with klipsch 2.1 speakers. I can't wait to try it out when my hd 650 arrives.
They sound ok with the hd650's however with an external amp the hd650's really do become magnificent. The hd650's seem to sound a little different per source they seem to be a little picky.
Originally Posted by vegasf1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I went ahead and bought the Schiit Bifrost uber/Valhalla combo and couldn't be happier. I just use the STX headphone output for gaming and of course my external 2.1 Klipsch speakers. It has made a difference in sound with the speakers and through the headphones so I don't regret buying it, but yeah the amp/dac really made the hd650 come alive.
I also changed out the op-amps before installing it. I had clicking issues, but it was because the card wasn't seated all the way in. The card is built a little poorly and when I screw it in all the way, it seems to shift the connectors in the pci-e slot so I had to bend the part where you screw it in so the card wouldn't lift out when screwed in tightly.
The Essence STX can send Headphone Surround Sound thru it's S/PDIF (optical or coaxial).
If you connect the Bifrost to the Essence STX using S/PDIF (optical or coaxial), you can still use the Essence STX's headphone surround sound features, while taking advantage of the Bifrost/Valhalla.
(no need to use the STX's headphone jack anymore).