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.

[prerich]

My Muses op-amps arrive today can't wait to get home!!!!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by prerich

My Muses op-amps arrive today can't wait to get home!!!!

Nice! I guess we know what you'll be doing!

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

Nice! I guess we know what you'll be doing!

Here's a pic of the ST with Muses02 in the buffer and burr-brown 2132p's in the I/IV section:


I'm HAPPY!!!!!!! Wonderful depth of sound stage, tight and I mean tight bass, and it doesn't "sound" like digital to me, just sounds good!

[Badas]

^

Interesting. Glad it was successful.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Badas

^

Interesting. Glad it was successful.

Thanks, it was very interesting - how you can tailor the sound by swapping op amp combos. Some combos yielded huge sound stages but sounded harsh, some..the soundstage narrowed, but provided more detail, very analytic - and cold. The Muses op-amp combo with the 2134p's provided the most musical combo for me, a warm sound that compliments my Cornwall's. Lots of depth front to back and a believable soundstage, singers sound very natural, but sax still contains the proper "bite". Loving it!

Also performed a processor upgrade for video processing - many pen opals don't like the "soap opera effect" with frame rate Interlopation, and I usually don't like it, but on animation ...it just looks good! SVP is the bomb!!!!!

[prerich]

Wow, just made a discovery!!!! The new Asus Xonar Essence STX II incorperated the Muses op-amps on both the buffer stage and the I/IV!!!! Here's a link on Amazon (didn't know it was for sale yet until today). http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-Essence-S.../dp/B00KTFJ0Z2

Seems like the STX II combines the virtues of the ST (better clock and daughter board capability) and adds the Muses op-amps. I think they are using the 01's, I opted for the 02 and only use it in my buffer stage. I thought it might get too warm sounding with them in all three slots.

[prerich]

Correction - the STX-II contains a less expensive Muses - the 8820. The card is getting excellent reviews in PC land, now to see if Stereophile gets its hands on one!

[prerich]

update for anyone that cares

Asus STX-II uses the Muses 8820 in the buffer and the 8920 in the I/V stages. I've read up on the J-FET 8920 and I've opted to go with it in my I/V stage. The Muses02 is said to be the 8820 on steroids (I've ordered a couple of 8820's to test along with the 8920's from AudioTrak). I'm plan on going with the Muses02 (bipolar) in the buffer and 2 Muses 8920 (J-FET) in the I/V....I will also put Burr-Brown 2132P's in my daughter card. I think this will be it for the Op-amp experiments for now. It's been fun - I see why people with tube gear like to roll their tubes so much!

[Badas]

^

Funny you should say that. As I was reading I was thinking it sounds like a computer based version of Tube rolling.

I will be into Tube rolling soon. I just ordered this:



Takes 4 weeks to build. So I have to wait a while.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Badas

^

Funny you should say that. As I was reading I was thinking it sounds like a computer based version of Tube rolling.

I will be into Tube rolling soon. I just ordered this:



Takes 4 weeks to build. So I have to wait a while.

Very nice Badas!!!! Yes, op-amp rolling is just like tube rolling! Are you going to roll your tubes at all?

[Badas]

Originally Posted by prerich

Are you going to roll your tubes at all?

Ohh Yeah! You bet I will.

I will listen to the stock tubes and then ask on the forums what tubes do what to the sound signature.

I want something dirty.

Deep bass (gotta hear the individual notes tho), Bloated mid-range and lazy treble.

It won't be accurate at all and that will be the point. It will suit Jazz / Blues. Everything else can be listened using my Oppo HA-1.