x2. Frm the op-amps I have tried it is the most realistic. Well, for me anyway. I prefer the "richer" sound but at the same time still having detail.
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Yes, I've tried pretty much all of the usual suspects I think. I can't exactly recall what they sounded like to be honest! I just remember as others recommend op-amps I tended to get a couple and try them out. I've ended up with an 826 in the line-out and a 2132 in the headphone socket. No headphones used though.
Anyone got a spare AD826 they wanna swap ?
I have some OPA2132 , OPA2134 and LM4562NA opamps i could swap for.
Michael
After fiddling around all night I have an op amp question.
Stan - can you explain to me the relationship between the fixed/variable op amp and the headphone op amp.
From my experiments it seems if using the fixed/variable outs to my amp - the headphone op amp makes no difference, it can even be removed. Wheras when listening to headphones, the headphone op amp obviously makes a big difference, but also the fixed/variable op amp makes a difference too as if you remove it totally the sound changes and goes much much quieter. Is this the case?
So if I am op amp rolling with the fixed/variable I only need to roll the left hand op amp. But if I am op amp rolling with my headphones, I actually need to roll both op amps. Is this the case?
Also - I noticed that if I remove both op amps, it still produces music!!!! Is this normal??? Can you explain what the op amps actually do?
Cheers from a very confused..
Butuz
Apparently my TC-7520 is coming home tomorrow with the Tirna Mods (Wolfson/Silmic/MuRata/Rubycon/Wima) :)
Tonight I will be mostly doing a happy dance and feeling like a kid waiting for Christmas.
Andrew
Very interested to hear if you like it upgraded!!!
Butuz
Hi Butuz,
Just received and plugged in the Tirna-modded Beresford. First impressions are very positive. A more up-front sound (in terms of the soundstage), improved get-up-and-go, faster leading and trailing edges along with an increase in inner detail.
Also it sounds like there is more to come when properly warmed up. I'm probably going to get a nice surprise when I get home from work.
Andrew
Can someone who has experienced the migration from 7520 to Caiman to fully Tirna modified Caiman apportion some sort of scoring to the changes?
Assuming the mods bring detail, ambiance etc and are positive, does for example going from 7520 to Caiman bring 70% of the improvement and the other mods bring 30%?
I have/had a TC-7520 which is now in turmoil from my unending mod adventure. Looks like I cooked my DAC. I am ordering some replacement boards from Stan along with a Caiman hopefully today.
But up to the point of the TC-7520's current status:
1) DAC upgrade is by far the biggest improvement
2) Power regulators come in next
Everything else is subtle, caps etc. If I could do it all over again, I may have just stopped at the DAC change. It was so substantial for replacing a $6.00 chip, it was utterly amazing!
The Wolfson DAC is stock at Newark
http://www.newark.com/wolfson-microe...741?Ntt=wm8716
The power regulators are stock at Digikey
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...ds=7805+murata
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...eywords=7812sr
You will need a new power supply for your 7520 once you change the regulators. You can order the Caiman power supply or get yourself a linear power supply as I did.
Hi all,
The above still stands, but later listening confirmed some issues I have with my Caiman PSU. Bass seemed restricted and the tune seemed flat (just as it was when I briefly tried it with the original TC-7520) - so I swapped back to my 7520 supply and wow! Bass and tune returned with vengeance.
While I fully understand that the 7520 supply's 12V voltage is probably too low or borderline for the MuRata regulators - the difference is astounding.
Would appreciate some advice here [please :)]. Might consider trying a linear supply, like here.
Andrew
P.S. I am really loving the Tirna mods - the DAC is even juicier, detailed and involving. ...100%
If you have a lack of bass with the Caiman PSU after the mods, then you need a more bassy opamp. The AD826 or THS4032CD would be a good starting point.
Hi Stanley,
I'm using an OP2132PA, which has a very fruity and solid bass (how I like it) without getting in the way of what the rest of the music is doing - and the 7520 supply is preserving that characteristic. I think I drew the short straw with this particular Caiman supply.
Oh My Gosh - right now am listening to Infected Mushroom's Viscious Delicious and it is sounding even more evil!!! (for Clive's benefit, 53% more evil ;)) Well done Stanley and Jimmy!
Andrew
You need both. Also remove the 10 ohms/1W resistor behind the 5V reg and replace it with a wire link if you are using the Murata 5V reg.
I find one of these used for $30
http://cgi.ebay.com/MASTECH-VARIABLE...item588846aea5
Just about to buy a AD826 for my tc-7520, can anyone confirm that this is the right one
http://radionics.rs-online.com/web/s...duct&R=5228130
OR THIS
http://ie.farnell.com/analog-devices...826/dp/1438583
Also , i can just drop this in without having to change anything else , its just a simple swap replacement for whatever opamp is in there ?
Thanks
thanks for that , looking forward to trying this opamp shortly
The 826 is my favorite thus far.
Have an lm4562HA at the office that just arrived. Can't wait to try that out.
I've tried the LM 826, but still far preferred the OPA2132PA.
Much better still is removing the board and fitting 47uF capacitors into the PIN3B connector - as per post 117 in the passive Caiman thread
Andrew
Can someone tell me the 1/2w resistor value in the location directly behind RCA1 please.
May have found why I lost a channel FINALLY! ANY help would be greatly appreciated!
The AD826 makes nothing but music in my system , think i prefer it over the OPA2132 would be very interested in trying a LMH6655 , Anyone else tried one?
I'm testing out the metal cap version of the LM4562 and results initially are quite positive. They are bloody awkward to fit though and clearance looks like it'll be a problem. Does anyone know any potential problems with the dip adapted ones like the ones sold here...
http://www.audioupgrades.co.uk/na_ma_ha_opamps.shtml
After reading this post, I wonder if THS4032 is compatible with Beresford 7520 DAC?
Would someone suggest it?
Any sound reviews if it is safe to use?
If it is compatible and good to use is this a good price?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=360292194570
Stan,
I am only listening to line output and at present time I have 7520 with LM4562 with MLC5/6 mods.
Would you also suggest PCM1716 to WM8716 upgrade as I have a friend who knows better his soldering iron than I do know my pocket :)
What is the difference in sound when PCM1716 is upgraded to WM8716?
Anybody, any experiences?
Best regards
Just realised i had not been here and posted for over a year! That is what a baby, another baby on the way and a loft conversion does for you.
So my 7520. WM8716 Wolfson, 4562NA on the headphones and THS4032 (with cap) on the line out. No other mods.
I wanted to do the MCL 5/6 mod, but figured i may need to change the THS4032. I ordered a 4562NA and some of the LMEs. I wanted 4562HA, but National don't appear to do samples and at Farnell they are £20. Anyone have a cheaper source? Would i even notice the difference to the NA?
Also, may i ask. How do you fit a 4562HA? With the adaptor or soldered straight in to the pcb?
Thanks in advance, great to see the mods still continuing, looks like i have a LOT to catch up on.
All the best, Mark.
Here's the link, to save other people searching.
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showp...&postcount=117
Sorry if this has been stated, but I'm not clear - does this leave the headphone/variable output still working? [Ignore this question - just re-read - No and Yes as far as I can tell.]
Oh yes, do it, without a doubt. The differences to my ears are in the frequency extremes when you swap out the PCM1716 for the WM8716 - deeper, more tuneful and better controlled bass and cleaner, sweeter and easier to listen to top end. If you know someone who can do the job for you, it's a no brainer.
Hi, all im new here and could do with some help, i want to put the cl5/cl6 resistors in the beresford 7520 back in to see if it would help to rein in the harsh top end,i did the lm4562 mod which was a huge improvment but after over 2 months of use still had the same problem then i put the an826anz in which again was a worth while change but i still get some harsh treble but not as bad,what i need help with is getting the right resistors and were from.I want to try this before i change my speakers which i think could help they are the monitor audio br2 and with there metal tweeters might not be helping im a novice so please be gentle any help would be great regards keith:)
[QUOTE=donington;152619]Hi, all im new here and could do with some help, i want to put the cl5/cl6 resistors
QUOTE]
Aren't these capacitors?
thanks i stand corrected i am a novice at this cheers keith
just had a look and the 100pf ceramic capacitors dont look anything like those which were cut out?
The small bead like yellow things seen in the pic here http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3058
Farnell do them, the legs may need forming into shape for the width of the holes http://uk.farnell.com/multicomp/mcrr...00v/dp/1216416
Thanks leo all sorted now thanks for the help:)
Hi, can somebody clear some things for me, please?
As beginner to the world of DIY Hifi, I have my 7520 which is only upgraded with Wolfson WM8716 chip only and I use it in passive mod/e. I am not bothered with opamps any more after hearing passive mod.
Questions:
:scratch:1. Do I need 15v power supply now when I have upgraded to Wolfson chip? (although it works with 12V supply)
:stalks:2. As I plan to upgrade to Murata regs (from above) do I need to change my power supply to 15volts? Will the DAC work?
:rolleyes:3. I do use passive mod, hence do I have to upgrade both murata's 5v and 12v or only 12 volts??? (I mabye plan to obtain new Gator board in future)
:eek:4. If I upgrade all other capacitors to Elna II, will my 7520 become Caiman (just in passive mode), or is there anything else to upgrade?
Thanks for your responses, all the threads are looong reading and it can be very hard to find all the info.
If you intend to do the passive mod, then you only need to upgrade the 5V regulator. You would still need something like the Caiman 15V PSU to correctly power the Murata reg though. And the 10R resistor behind the existing 5V reg should be replaced with a wire link.
Oh, haven't done that one. :scratch:
How did I miss that?
Any posts deal with this one Stan?
*I'm running passive mod (no board) with 2 Mutara's and Maplins CBR Linear PSU
Is there any issue with this wire link if I was running 2 film caps, like the ClarityCap ESA's?
Also, if I replace the big black resevoir cap with, say, 2 film caps in parallel or whatever, any issue there?
Whats the advantages of the Wire link mod? Defo worth doing?
ta.
What's that commercial again :scratch:? 'Just do it'.
If I had to explain every technical detail behind some of some mods, my competitors would be able to build their DACs even better ;).