Another opamp with a better overall sound quality than the two FET-input's above is the LME49723, also a bipolar. It doesn't have the potential of the LT1028, since the latter simply sounds more transparent than anything else I've heard so far including the OPA211; but it's a veeeery nice dual opamp.
It's kind of midway between LME49720 and AD8599: not the slightly sterile sound of the former, nor the THD of the latter.
It's kind of midway between LME49720 and AD8599: not the slightly sterile sound of the former, nor the THD of the latter.
Interesting point. As a professional scientist, I do often find myself analyzing the music rather than listening to it, but that's part of the kick for me. To each his own I guess. I like transparency a lot!
Me too (I like transparency) but I want it to be musical, as well! Or I don't define it transparency, but a sterile analysis of a more complex reality.
So, the OPA827 for my ears belonged more to the "sterile analysis" side, while an LT1028 manages to be extremely transparent while keeping musically communicative.
Bottom line, transparency and musicality are NOT opposed terms! Not in my vocabulary at least.
So, the OPA827 for my ears belonged more to the "sterile analysis" side, while an LT1028 manages to be extremely transparent while keeping musically communicative.
Bottom line, transparency and musicality are NOT opposed terms! Not in my vocabulary at least.
oh well, 4580 doesn't have enough definition...I'll roll back the LT1124ACN8, but it's got a major lack of low end bass.
any idea which ones could have more in that family?? tough question, I know 😀
Linear Technology - Product Category Parametric Table
any idea which ones could have more in that family?? tough question, I know 😀
Linear Technology - Product Category Parametric Table
Well the LT1677 had a good bass punch, so I guess you might use the LT1678, no?
Ah, the Accuphase DP-400 uses a bunch of NJM4580 (8 of them I think, but it has balanced outputs too) in its output stage and it's been taken as the magazine's reference in its price class since it was reviewed. 😀
Recently they reviewed the Bryston DAC-1 (if that's how it's called) which has a very reassuring all-discrete output stage... Well they judged it extremely well, but they also said it was behind the DP-400 in terms of absolute transparency.
Ah, the Accuphase DP-400 uses a bunch of NJM4580 (8 of them I think, but it has balanced outputs too) in its output stage and it's been taken as the magazine's reference in its price class since it was reviewed. 😀
Recently they reviewed the Bryston DAC-1 (if that's how it's called) which has a very reassuring all-discrete output stage... Well they judged it extremely well, but they also said it was behind the DP-400 in terms of absolute transparency.
BTW I just rediscovered Mark Lanegan's "Field Songs" (I must have listened to it 1000 times until about a couple of years ago)...
Well, amazing, the LT1028 shows all its sonic ductility once again. I would not touch anything inside this DAC anymore! So perfect I'm almost scared. 😀
Well, amazing, the LT1028 shows all its sonic ductility once again. I would not touch anything inside this DAC anymore! So perfect I'm almost scared. 😀
yes, 4580 is nice when properly used...but I prefer LT1124ACN8 as AK4396 LPF I think.
I don't think it's got a lack of bass, it's just that the trebles are so clean/clear and undistorted...that it takes some time to get used to 😛
I tried LT1678 already, wasn't too impressed.
I don't think it's got a lack of bass, it's just that the trebles are so clean/clear and undistorted...that it takes some time to get used to 😛
I tried LT1678 already, wasn't too impressed.
But the LT1677 has the transparency and clean treble you seem to like in the LT1124 which I haven't heard 🙂
Honestly though I preferred the LT1028 to the LT1677. Unfortunately there isn't a dual "LT1029"
Honestly though I preferred the LT1028 to the LT1677. Unfortunately there isn't a dual "LT1029"
Ha ha, majkel on head-fi copied my idea that the LME49725 might be better than an LME49720 or LME49860, based on my previous finding that the LME49723 sounds better than those too.
And he came up with...
Nice, and solves my doubts as to whether also try the LME49725 (when possible) or not. 🙂
And he came up with...
Nice, and solves my doubts as to whether also try the LME49725 (when possible) or not. 🙂
hehe, yes I saw that! but until you both try LT1124ACN8, this is still debatable 😛
is the low end bass as inexistent as on the 49720?
is the low end bass as inexistent as on the 49720?
Last edited:
The LME49723 has a quite dynamic and full bass to my ears. I like it better than the LME49720NA because it has a fuller sound and a better tonality.
Compared a bit the two DACs (SVDAC05 with LME49710NA, and Super Pro 707 with LT1028CS8), still with Mark Lanegan's Field Songs.
The SVDAC05 - which is totally DC coupled, and has +/- 15V of opamp supply voltage instead of just 12V - sounds great too, and you have to listen closely or extensively to perceive the differences.
But the Super Pro sounds just that bit clearer, and bigger, that's enought to make it feel more lifelike. It's more like an open window on the recording... while the SVDAC05 is just a bit more reticent and cloudy. Both are great but... guess what I prefer.
Oh, and tonality wise I'm glad to realize that at different times I have brought them to sound quite close to each other and quite believable, despite the different chosen parts (passive, as well, like the 'lytics).
The SVDAC05 - which is totally DC coupled, and has +/- 15V of opamp supply voltage instead of just 12V - sounds great too, and you have to listen closely or extensively to perceive the differences.
But the Super Pro sounds just that bit clearer, and bigger, that's enought to make it feel more lifelike. It's more like an open window on the recording... while the SVDAC05 is just a bit more reticent and cloudy. Both are great but... guess what I prefer.
Oh, and tonality wise I'm glad to realize that at different times I have brought them to sound quite close to each other and quite believable, despite the different chosen parts (passive, as well, like the 'lytics).
I guess you've seen my feedback about the Burson, and you think it's placebo and all that 😛
anyway, trying the LT1126 is a big no-no? can it kill the card? 😱
anyway, trying the LT1126 is a big no-no? can it kill the card? 😱
No... I think that the Burson must indeed be a OPA-Earth made with better parts, plus that Mundorf cap 🙂
I guess it must sound good. I find it quite freakish and hard to fit tough. Sockets are made for chips!
I guess it must sound good. I find it quite freakish and hard to fit tough. Sockets are made for chips!
I think you'd better not use the LT1126 in your sound card, as it will most probably oscillate badly. Use the OPA(2)228 instead if you like decompensated opamps. 🙂
And BTW the LT1126 wouldn't reasonably have more bass than the LT1124, instead it should have a more open top end and better ambient cues and such.
And BTW the LT1126 wouldn't reasonably have more bass than the LT1124, instead it should have a more open top end and better ambient cues and such.
yes I got a bunch of OPA227/228, AD797BN, LT1363CN8 and LT1028ACN being shipped to me...and some LT1632/1630 and a few more, it'll be about who can feed the burson the best 🙂
I dunno if I "like" decompensated...LT1124 is great BTW, I read about LT1126 being the same just faster and decompensated, and majkel said he liked decompensated op-amps.
I don't need more bass than 1124 actually, it's spot-on! that's its very clear trebles that took me some time to get used to, they're not whiney...they're just very undistorted 🙂
why would OPA2228 be fine and not LT1126?!
I dunno if I "like" decompensated...LT1124 is great BTW, I read about LT1126 being the same just faster and decompensated, and majkel said he liked decompensated op-amps.
I don't need more bass than 1124 actually, it's spot-on! that's its very clear trebles that took me some time to get used to, they're not whiney...they're just very undistorted 🙂
why would OPA2228 be fine and not LT1126?!
Because the OPA(2)228 is table in gains of 5 or more, but it's also specified as stable at unity gain if you don't give it capacitive loads to drive. Instead, the LT1126 is specified for gains of 10 or more, period.
Anyway, if the Burson is really as good as you say, then your opamp of choice would have to be the LT1028 without question🙂
Anyway, if the Burson is really as good as you say, then your opamp of choice would have to be the LT1028 without question
🙂