[Meh]

  I've used an O2 amp with my STX.
Why asking about the Magni & Ocean?

 
Because those 2 are in my price range. But how's the O2?

 

[PurpleAngel]

   
Because those 2 are in my price range. But how's the O2?

O2 is fine, I'll plug it into my Essence STX when I'm using low impedance headphones.
If you do not have the STX yet, then it's better (cheaper) to get the Xonar DX or D1 and plug an external headphone amplifier (O2 or Ocean or other) into it.

 

[Meh]

I've had the STX for a while already actually lol

 

[PurpleAngel]

I've had the STX for a while already actually lol

Unless you have some headphones that are under 50-Ohm, can't see the O2 or Magni offering a big improvement, maybe a little bit as the STX uses all three of it's op-amps with the line-out (RCA).
 
Maybe sell off the STX and get the DX or D1 for use with an external headphone amp.

 

[Meh]

I was looking at the Bravo Ocean because it's on sale for under $100. I currently have the Philips X1 and the Sennheiser Momentum but will get higher end ones in the future.

 

[howzz1854]

i was just looking into the Essence One Muses edition. OMG.. those Muses 01 opams are $50 each!!!!. has anyone tried rolling those in our STX? does it make that much difference? Better difference? i mean for $50 a pop, it better make me come!!!

 

[agentdark45]

  i was just looking into the Essence One Muses edition. OMG.. those Muses 01 opams are $50 each!!!!. has anyone tried rolling those in our STX? does it make that much difference? Better difference? i mean for $50 a pop, it better make me come!!!

 
I'm wondering this too. Seems like people are spending the same amount of money experimenting with different op-amps, why not just go straight for the best?
 
I wouldn't mind shelling out if the sound quality was amazing.

 

[PurpleAngel]

I was looking at the Bravo Ocean because it's on sale for under $100. I currently have the Philips X1 and the Sennheiser Momentum but will get higher end ones in the future.

The Philips X1s are only 30-Ohm and the Senn Momentum are only 18-Ohm, for those the best amp choice would seem to be a very low impedance solid state headphone amplifier, some tube amps might not drive low impedance headphones at their best, not sure about the Bravo Ocean, i think it might be a hybrid, tube and solid state?
 
Technically the STX's 10-ohm output impedance is a little high for the X1 and Momentums.
A solid state amp with around a 1-Ohm impedance (Magni) would make better sense for driving those two headphones. But I do use my 32-ohm AKG K550 with my STX and so far it sounds fairly good.

 

[Powahlam]

Hey i recently got a dt880 600ohm w/ a Essence STX. Just wondering what is a good amp to add on adjust the volume as i hate alt tabbing out of something just to lower it down also i guess it would be an upgrade to the overall sound quality looking to spend within $200. 

Since im fairly new, is there a specific way i should be setting up the Headphone in the Xonar program ?? i just have the +18DB(MAX) for the 600ohm, the (HF) on using 44.1 khz with 2 channels. Is there anything else i should use for listening to music / gaming ?? thanks in advance !

 

 

[foreign]

Well you can try Dolby and see if you like it, I think majority of people do
. Just make sure the xonar stx settings are on 600ohm settings and not at default 32ohms.

 

[PurpleAngel]

To my fellow Essence STX owners, any of you by any chance also own the Audio-GD 15.32.
I'm thinking of getting the Audio-GD 15.32, but want to know if in some way there is a noticeable improvement over the STX?

 

[superfedya]

Hi guys,
 
I just have a few questions.
 
I remplaced my amps by 3x LME49720 (including the buffer amp). Was it the good idea to changing the buffer amp?
 
Also, LME49720 is still the best choice today? Is there is something better, cost no object?
 
And what is the better choice for buffer amp?
 
Thanks

 

[howzz1854]

i always find the 49720 to be too light on bass. unless your headphone is already heavy on bass, the stock one works better and most neutral in terms of soundstage, tonality, bass, treble and mid. if anything the stock op amps are just a tad bit on the bright side. 

 

[superfedya]

I use AKG 702.

How about buffer oamps? What is better - stock buffer oamp, LME49720NA or maybe OPA627 (or OPa2107Ap)?

How about replacing LME49720 to LME49860NA?

Somebody tried 2 x LME49860NA and 1 x OPA627 for the buffer?

What is the best oamps combination?

Thanks

 

[OneSec]

I use AKG 702.

How about buffer oamps? What is better - stock buffer oamp, LME49720NA or maybe OPA627 (or OPa2107Ap)?

How about replacing LME49720 to LME49860NA?

Somebody tried 2 x LME49860NA and 1 x OPA627 for the buffer?

What is the best oamps combination?

Thanks

 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/421890/the-xonar-essence-stx-q-a-tweaking-impressions-thread/2700#post_7858247
 
I was in a very similar situation so I post my previous finding for you. Hands down on LME49860NA, but I can not comment on the buffer. Do you use the RCA out? Otherwise you should just ignore the buffer.
 
Good luck!
 
Q: What's the deal with interchangeable opamps?
A: The card has 3 swappable 8-pin dual opamps. The two matched I/V opamps impact the headphone out alone, while the 3rd "buffer" opamp impacts the RCA out. If you are only using the headphone out you only have to worry about the 2 I/V opamps. They can be removed and replaced using your fingers, a small flathead screwdriver, needle nose pliers, etc.