Just to confirm...
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/s...5228130#header
These are the correct ones? Thought I'd ask to be cautious.
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Just to confirm...
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/s...5228130#header
These are the correct ones? Thought I'd ask to be cautious.
Yep, I think these last two pages can be moved, if I can work out how:scratch: don't want to clog up Stans thread anymore
Yep, that's the one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Maximum
Ken
I'm not sure how they would sound in a standard 7520?Quote:
Originally Posted by sponge
If AD826 is stable and behaves in this dac it should be rather good, this is one of my favourite op-amps which I've used in a lot of CDP's I've modded.Quote:
Originally Posted by trailer
Its a nice chip as long as it behaves in the circuit its used in, good at driving a wide range of loads so should be suited to driving cans
I was meaning soundwise Leo.Quote:
Originally Posted by leo
I think most folk seem to prefer something like the 4032 in the 7520 as it brings out the music more.
I found something like the 4032 in the Wolfsoned 7520 too harsh, whereas the AD826 tamed this down and struck the right balance. Just wondering if the AD826 would be "too smooth" in the standard 7520?
I see:)Quote:
Originally Posted by trailer
I did try the AD826 before I swapped the DAC chip, but only for a short time. It certainly works better with the WM8716, but I think I would have kept the 826 even with the PCM1716, especially with K701 cans. However, the sound could be just a little too laid back with headphones like the Senn HD600's - Or a speaker setup that is already on the "warm" side.Quote:
Originally Posted by trailer
Ken
Ok, about time I add my further thoughts on this DAC after my last post (#140).
After installing the THS4032 op amp, this improved and opened up the overall sound and well, there was just more of everything. A very definite and worthwhile upgrade. Perhaps a little analytical however, just a little, somewhat hi-fi sounding.
I have now since installed the Burr Brown OPA2107 op amp and have to say that this, THIS, ..... is what I have been looking for. More body in the bass and upper mids and a super smooth top end that does not encourage harshness or unwanted sibilance. In vacuum tube terms - its lake a RCA 5692 versus any other 6sn7 gt tube! I am using this with 300B SE vacuum tube amps, hence the analogy .... The BB OPA2107 is like the OPA627, so it has been said, though at a lesser cost.
I also use the Apogee DUET, but the Beresford 7520 with OPA2107 now is my prefered choice. The DUET is not capable of driving the Sennheiser HD650, though, you will read comments that it does drive them,, blet me say that it does not... you may think it does until you hear the HD650 driven properly. The Beresford is absolutely capable of driving the HD650.
Just my thoughts and to mention that great chip - the OPA2107 that is another that you may want to play about with!!!!
DerrO
Was the OPA2107 a straight plug in replacement? Are you using in both sockets, or just to drive the line outs?
Anyone tried the MLC5/MLC6 mod yet? I showed a picture of it some time ago. They are the two yellow caps (100pF) either side of the first opamp. It works very well with the NE5532 and LM4562. The THS4032 might have too much of a slew rate for that mod though. Just cut one side of the leg on each of the cap. That way you can solder it back reasonably easy if you don't notice a difference etc. In case you wonder what it does: it gives a more analogue sound with the NE5532 and LM4562.
Stan
Yes, the OPA2107 is a straight drop in replacement and yes, I am using them in both positions.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dougr33
Hope this helps.
Derro
I'm using the THS4032 now, but i'm looking for a warmer, fuller sound. Does the OPA2107 provide this? And where did you buy it?
I know exactly what you mean and absolutely, the OPA2107 does indeed give you that slightly warmer and fuller sound with more body to it. I do believe that this could be exactly what you are looking for.Quote:
Originally Posted by Affinity
I bought it from my local RS- Radionics shop in Dublin. Part No 263-453 and are €18 each, plus vat. A common enough chip so should be no problem getting it from other sources - Farnell or RS....
Regards
Derro
Do the MLC5/MLC6 mod and you'll have a warmer and fuller sound.
Stan
Hi Stan,Quote:
Originally Posted by Sensimilia
Not so easy to cut one of he legs. its so tight down there to get access to the legs. What kind of plier did you use?:scratch:
Rob
I use a pair of hobbyist electronic side cutters. You can of course desolder the caps.
Stan
Hi Stan,Quote:
Originally Posted by Sensimilia
I notice there are also 2 extra 100uf 'lytics in that photo straddling a couple of resistors (although you can't quite see where one of the legs is going on the right cap). Is this part of the same mod, or something different?
I shall give the MLC5/6 mod a go this week. Could be just what I am after. I love the detail and the extra control in the bass that the 4032 gives, but I do find listening fatigue creeps in after a while, it's just that bit too bright. I guess my Mark I Arcs don't help here though. So I'm back on the 4532 for now.
The extra caps are part of a long term experiment in order to see if they make a difference. So ignore them until I have valid test results.
Thanks Stan, shouldn't take to long to mod then. I'll provide some feedback when I've had chance for a good listen.
Might just have to order some OPA2107s to try at the same time - Thanks for that Derro.
It just shows how system dependant these mods are. I really like the 4032 as I find it has the best control of deep bass. Dont find it fatiguing at all-the 4562 on the other hand was 'lazy' with bass notes.
Completely agree with you about bass control between the two chips. The problem I have is that my speakers are BRIGHT, so they do need a bit of taming, so I've just ordered some OPA2107s to try out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Covenant
Have performed the mod to remove the two caps this evening. Initial impressions are good - midrange clarity has improved which has had a real impact on making wind instruments sound more natural. Vocals are more intimate too. Bass also seems more tuneful, that monotone bass that the 4562 has been accused of has eased somewhat. Still not as low and well controlled as the 4032, but a definite improvement.
Leave the space left over from the removed caps clear. I am working on a solution for the 4562 to address its low frequency response.Quote:
Originally Posted by lovejoy
I just wanna doublecheck here before ordering the op amp. It's the OPA2107AP from Burr Brown i want? Can i use that in the Line out and the 4032 in the headphone out?
Yes and yes!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Affinity
Derro
Had a 4032 in for weeks now, absolutely no stability problems , still sound great .
Understood. Glad I took the time to completely remove those caps now, rather than just cut the legs. One thing to add after a bit more of a listening session last night.. Piano now sounds sublime. You can hear the weight being applied to the keys. That brought a real smile to my face.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sensimilia
Hi Stan,Quote:
Originally Posted by Sensimilia
Does this mod also 'work' on the headphone section. If not why is that?
Rob
just want to ask
the opamp roll, affects the headamp or/and both rca?
:scratch:Quote:
Originally Posted by rhmjmango
There are two op amps, one for line out and one for headphone out.Quote:
Originally Posted by dikyllis
which is which, left for line out or headout?Quote:
Originally Posted by Affinity
Anyone else tried the OPA2107 yet? Installed it in the line out today, and an AD826 in the headphone socket. It's staying in there I think, as it seems to be doing a really good job. Cleaner and more focused than the 4032 I reckon.
The AD826 I still haven't given a proper listen to yet, but seems nicer to listen to with less nasties than the 4562 on headphones. I plan on testing the 2107 on the headphones once its been run a bit, to see if its worth sourcing a second one.
Which other British DAC offers all these possibilities for experimenting with opamps and DAC chips;)?
Stan
Finally had chance to listen to the 7520 (mainly fixed output) , people who know me will say I'm a picky scroat which is why I normally stick with diy, also I enjoy fiddling:o
Anyway I must say the 7520 is a nice little dac and certainly one of the better commercial offerings! its midrange is sweet and quite weighty which I found surprising, I recently repaired a modded TC-7510 (mod21 and Mod21 pt2 ,LM4562) IMHO the 7520 as is betters it, certainly more there in the vocals and a more involving listen to my ears
Any gripes? for what these sell for NO! I'd like a bit more depth , a bit more focus etc but bear in mind this is a totally stock unit.
I've been busy with work but was thinking of doing a Sticky thread for mods/tweaks etc as soon as I can seeing as nobody else bit when hinted a few times :lol: , it will hopefully make things easier for folks to find since this thread is getting huge :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maximum
Will do soon:)
Heres a list I intend on trying
OPA2132
LM4562
THS4032
OPA2107
AD826
AD8066
what ever others I have
I have had a play with some TPA6120 opamps, but their ultra extreme slew rate and bandwidth scares me. The LM4562NA with MLC5/MLC6 mod is good enough for the majority of my own listening experience with my audio gear.
STan
Just tried with LM4562 for fixed output first with MLC5/MLC6Quote:
Originally Posted by Sensimilia
and then with these caps removed
Loads better with them removed if using 4562 ;) lets this op-amp breath and its well stable :smoking:
I didn't rate LM4562 in the second position, its not that great at driving capacitive loads , I'll have a closer look at the circuit later, didn't notice if theres low value resistors on the op-amps output
I'm now running AD826 which so far works well
TPA6120 is quite a beastie , AD815 is similar, Walt Jung written a few articles on the 815
Hi all,
do you think The AD826 would be a good choice to use with Sennheiser 650's?
Thanks
Kevin
The LM4562 sounds brilliant with my HD650.
Stan
Thanks for that Stan.
It is fantastic that I can get advice from the manufacturer of this DAC.
I can't imagine getting a reply from the boss of Sony if I asked a question :)
Kevin.
PS Do I need to remove any capacitors when just using the headphone output?
Anyone here ended up trying LME49860 with the 7520.
LME49860 is supposed to the the same as LM4562 but its said to sound better than it. I guess its kinda like how metal can LM4562 is said to sound better than the plastic ones.
Hi chaps, it's been a while since I checked in here and it seems like some good progress has been made.
I've got a question about the MLC5/MLC6 mod: Is this mod likely to improve the sound of the 49720 metal cans seen as they are very similar to the LM4562?
Thanks.
I am quite surprised how much the op-amps interact with one another.
I took delivery of my OPA2107s today and have just spent the last hour trying them out. At first I just fitted one to the line output and left the headphone op-amp side with my trusty LM4562. Played a couple of songs and it just sounded dull with some serious roll off in the treble. So out of curiosity I put the other 2107 into the headphone socket and hey presto - the treble and the life returns. It's certainly the smoothest and warmest of the chips I've tried so far but I think the bass is over emphasised, but this is with the two caps MLC5/6 removed which may have a bearing on this. I shall give it some more time over the weekend for a more extended listen.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HighFidelityGuy
The internal structure/topology of those op-amps is the same so this mod should work just fine:)
Infact apart from the name I can't see any difference
Thanks Leo, I thought that would be the case. I think the 49720's are just a renamed version of the metal can version of the LM4562. I might give this a try to see how it compares against the THS4032 which is my current favourite.Quote:
Originally Posted by leo
I really wish I had a spare opamp board so I could do a quick swap between various opamps and mods. As I mentioned before it would be great if we could buy these separately.
I am organizing this. Hopefully I shall have it sorted in July. I want to add some mods on that spare PCB as well. Just need to find a nice little box to pack it in properly, and do a set of fitting instructions.Quote:
Originally Posted by HighFidelityGuy
Stan
Fantastic, nice one Stan! This will be so useful.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sensimilia
In that case I'll wait until these are available before I start de-soldering caps.
Do you know roughly how much you'll be selling these for yet?
Thanks! :)
Nope. I don't want to grab a ficticious figure out of the air, and take my fan base to the cleaners. I have to find out how much tax etc I have to pay on it. My wish is for it to be less than £40 delivered to anywhere in the world, or less than £30 to anywhere in Europe.Quote:
Originally Posted by HighFidelityGuy
Stan
Ok, that's fair enough. Thanks for the ballpark figures. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Sensimilia
Cheers.