Mod your Beresford 7520

[apmusson]

AD826, not sure if this one will behave in the 7520, if it does it should be very good.

AD8620 has its fans, its similar to AD8066 but behaves more in a wider range of circuits, some find it lacks bottom end
Last time I used one of these adding a CRD from output to supply pin with worse PSRR greatly improved it

I've tried dozens of op-amps, not in this dac though

I'm considering trying either one of the 2 you mention above or maybe even a couple of OPA627s on a brown dog adaptor. I am currently using a THS4032 (headphone) with a 4562 (fixed output). Headphones are my primary listening equipment and I read that the 627s are an excellent headphone driver.

Any comments? Would the browndog adaptor fit? Am I out of my mind (the 4032 is superb already)?

[TeTsuo36]

Hi all,

First post, so please be gentle!

I have been following the tread closely and read the whole thread through again today, so decided to pull the data together so far: (yes, i am pretty anal)

LM4562NA
Significant improvement on stock, smooth wide soundstage, one note bass, best for headphone output.
#1, #5, #38, #208, #334

OPA2132PA
Suggested that 4562 is better, although sound is good.
#1, #198

OPA2134
Suggested that 4562 is better, although sound is good.
#1, #198

THS4032
Superb opamp, detailed, punchy, huge soundstage, Potential stability issues. Least fatiguing. Overall favorite (probably). Use for line out, not headphone. Maybe should be soldered if to be used permanantly.
#1, #112, #208, #210, #235, #236, #332, #403, #526, #604, #650

LME49720HA
Leaner and airier then 4562, more clinical and revealing of recording. On further burn in may be an improvement on 4562, with deeper bass and improved clarity.
#1, #30, #83, #97

LME49860 - not tested
#84

LT1364
Potential problems due to high speed. Leaner sound to 4562, not as rich but more detail. More solid than 49720, better definition and speed than 2134 (in a 7510) Tad bright. Using 2 chips effects overall sound positively.
#117, #154, #324, #331, #338, #354, #398, #410

OPA2111KP - not tested
#126

LT1469 - not tested
#131

AD8066
Detail, speed, clarity, quite forward, similar to 1364 (in a 7510).
#338, #379

OPA2107 - not tested
#553

AD826 - not tested
#654, #661

AD8260 - not tested
#654, #661

I have been looking at DACs for about a month, read 100s of threads/reviews all over the net and have decided to pull the trigger on the 7520 on pay day.

I have been looking at some other opamp (exotic/potentially fatal/definately risky!) options and wondered if anyone had experience (maybe in other applications).

If you do a OPA627 mono dual ebay search there is a guy (in Taiwan i think) selling 2 OPA627 combined as a direct replacement for the NE5532. I emailed him and he says the chips are genuine and will fit straight in. If height is an issue he also sells an extension cable for it. I have no idea how good/bad an idea this would be from an electronics angle? They are cheap too, almost too cheap!

Also has anyone heard the sun, earth & moon discrete opamps from audio-gd.com? They look similar to the Burson Audio Opamp101 (but not £90 each). I wondered if these could work off board. They look like they would fit, again with the extension. I can't find them on the site at the mo', but i know they are there.

Final question. I had great results upgrading input capicitors in my tripath, could the same be applied here, or is it not as critical?

I have no electronics knowledge at all (i fried my 1st DIY AMP6 41hz.com) and have no idea how my 2nd one works, it just does, so i am seeking a little guidance from those who do know about this stuff. I can read a datasheet, i just don't understand what it says!

Role on pay day and will probably try out one of these options then, with a backup 4562/4032.

All the best, Mark.

[trailer]

That's certainly a lot better than my first post.

Great summary, I would say, of peoples findings to date.

[TeTsuo36]

apmusson Hi!

There is guy selling something ready built using the OPA627 on ebay. I have not been able to find any reviews on the net, after much searching.

Also found the link for the sun/earth/moon and cable http://www.audio-gd.com/enweb/pro/diy/OPA.htm


Regards. Mark.

[sponge]

Hi Mark,
Great post - A good summary of the op-amp saga.

The OPA627 can be a superb chip - I use it (opa637 actually) in one of my headphone amps and it really is a class above. But keep in mind it is an FET input op-amp and so may sound different in the 7520.

Also be aware of buying from Ebay - This chip is expensive and therefore a target for the cloners. I know people who have been hit by this scam - So, you pays your money ...

However, the chips should fit on a "over and under" BrownDog adapter.

They are a bit too expensive for me to try - I would give the AD826 a tryout if it was my decision.

Cheers - Ken

[apmusson]

apmusson Hi!

There is guy selling something ready built using the OPA627 on ebay. I have not been able to find any reviews on the net, after much searching.

Also found the link for the sun/earth/moon and cable http://www.audio-gd.com/enweb/pro/diy/OPA.htm


Regards. Mark.

Nice post.

Thanks for the tip. I have ordered a set (2 opa627s on a browndog adaptor). It looks as though they have created a small browndog that takes as little space as the current THS402 SOIC - DIL 8 board so it should fit nicely. Will let you know how they work out. I think theyve got some way to go to beat the THS4032, but I'm hoping they edge it in the headphone driving stakes....

Ade

[sponge]

Also found the link for the sun/earth/moon and cable http://www.audio-gd.com/enweb/pro/diy/OPA.htm


Regards. Mark.

I have no experience of these modules, but looking at the pics. there's no way they would fit the 7520 case unless you are pretty handy with a ball pein hammer!

Ken

[apmusson]

Hi Mark,
Great post - A good summary of the op-amp saga.

The OPA627 can be a superb chip - I use it (opa637 actually) in one of my headphone amps and it really is a class above. But keep in mind it is an FET input op-amp and so may sound different in the 7520.

Also be aware of buying from Ebay - This chip is expensive and therefore a target for the cloners. I know people who have been hit by this scam - So, you pays your money ...

However, the chips should fit on a "over and under" BrownDog adapter.

They are a bit too expensive for me to try - I would give the AD826 a tryout if it was my decision.

Cheers - Ken

Hi Ken,

Thanks very much for the info.

The "over and under" browndog looks like it'll do the trick!

I checked the ebayer and he has good feedback (and lots of it), he also has a story that he bought them a while back for a hifi project and no longer needs them. It sounds plausible - so I'll give it a shot. As with any gamble I will not be too upset if it doesn't work out.

I'll let you know how it works out.

Ade

[TeTsuo36]

Also be aware of buying from Ebay - This chip is expensive and therefore a target for the cloners. I know people who have been hit by this scam - So, you pays your money ...

Cheers - Ken

The ebay seller is Vintage Audio Lab, i think he does the Valab NOS Dac, he is called Kevin i believe. That said it is very cheap, but he seemed genuine. I'd hate sending it back to China and then chasing a refund....painful indeed.

[sponge]

Trailer, How's the Wolfson WM8716 transplant coming along? Have you got the box back yet?