Opamp rolling

[prerich]

How many of you have done this before and which opamps to you believe sound more neutral/natural/warm/bright etc. ?

I just rolled the opamps in my Claro Halo XT as an experiment and it gave it a better sound...sounds more like the Xonar ST/H6 combo (which the XT now has the same opamps. I'm thinking about trying some Muses 01's - this is pretty fun if you are one that likes to experiment.

[prerich]

I guess I'm talking to myself here , but I'm a little crazy so I can live with it ! I'm continuing my op amp rolling and I've moved from my Claro Halo XT to now experimenting with my Xonar Essence ST/H6 combo again!

People your electronics can color your sound (even if that color is neutral). I didn't realize how much impact a little piece could have on the way the music is represented. I've tried several combinations of LM4562's, OPA2107's, and OPA2132P's. Each has advantages and disadvantages. So far in the Xonar, I like the 2107 buffer stage, with the opa2132p's in the I/V stage. I'm bringing out the big guns now - I'll replace the 2107 with the Muses02 op amp (buffer) when they get in.

This is really fun, I love listening to music - but I also love experimentation (especially when it's not expensive). The Muses are the most expensive opamp that I've purchased but considering the price of gear or even new sound cards - this is chump change (especially for the change that they bring).

When I went down the op-amp rolling path, I let my son borrow my HDMI de-embedder and he loves it! I actually like it alot as well!!!! It projects a wide and deep soundfield. The one that I purchased is from Essenceelectrotatic in Tampa. It's very similar to the Atlona HD-570 (the 577 to me is better ergonomically - rca's instead of 3.5 jacks...but it's been discontinued).

We must not have very many computer audio geeks in the forum

[Johnny Vinyl]

I'd join you in the conversation, but I don't have a clue what you're talking about!

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

I'd join you in the conversation, but I don't have a clue what you're talking about!

Well, well as a fellow owner of an Essence st/stx product - you do know that you can swap the op-amps in your sound card to achieve a different and sometimes, better sound?

Here's a link to a download of the guide file http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...71667212,d.cWc


It even gives you a list of possible combinations (however - those aren't the only ones available)!!!! I'm having a lot of fun doing this. Can't wait until the Muses02 op amp gets in!

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

I'd join you in the conversation, but I don't have a clue what you're talking about!

Johnny - I think I have a few extra 2107's and a couple of 2132P's - do you want to try it out? Just pm me and I'll give you some to try in your buffer and I/V stages.

[Blu-Dog]

The mind's eye said, "Pimp Rolling" and I thought this was about beating up a pimp and taking his money, or wrapping him up with rolling papers and setting fire to this head.


I was thinking, that's some real vigilante sh** and said, this doesn't sound like something home boy would do, unless he was really broke, or some pimp really set him off...messed with his sister or something. Glad to see I was just confused.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Blu-Dog

The mind's eye said, "Pimp Rolling" and I thought this was about beating up a pimp and taking his money, or wrapping him up with rolling papers and setting fire to this head.


I was thinking, that's some real vigilante sh** and said, this doesn't sound like something home boy would do, unless he was really broke, or some pimp really set him off...messed with his sister or something. Glad to see I was just confused.

That's quite alright Blu!!! I'm just trying to expose us to computer audio on the tweaker's side

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by prerich

Johnny - I think I have a few extra 2107's and a couple of 2132P's - do you want to try it out? Just pm me and I'll give you some to try in your buffer and I/V stages.

Are they easy install? Like plug 'n play? Because I don't want to mess with soldering (don't have a gun anyway) or wiring.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

Are they easy install? Like plug 'n play? Because I don't want to mess with soldering (don't have a gun anyway) or wiring.

Yes - very easy to install (just be careful when you remove them...there's an actual tool you can use - or you can use a small flathead screwdriver to gently pop them off. It's plug and play - no drivers to install (just make sure you put your STX back in the same slot....they seem to be picky when you put them in another slot). No soldering at all (that's why they are swap-able). Just line up the pins and gently push them in.