pingu
Been here a while!
Reallising what has been taken on with the GB
Posts: 332
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Post by pingu on Sept 28, 2012 11:27:40 GMT
Hi All, Just joined so maybe this has been answered before, if so pls accept my appols. I have a Hart headphone amp and am interested in using the the op amp tweak on the site (the dual opa 627's). Are these a direct replacement using the converter board or does anything else need to be modified? Any help gratefully appreciated. I have the 1995 version marketed by Hart and must agree that compared to the Williams version on the site the earlier version is a much better production. Thanks Martin (not undecided just a welsh sheeps)
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Post by JohnnyBlue on Sept 29, 2012 8:47:43 GMT
Welcome. I picked up a second-hand Chiara (sic)/Andante last year, and I really like it compared to the cheaper HPAs I'd had before, but haven't taken the plunge yet with op-amp rolling. Have you seen this very helpful page here on RG, which suggests that swapping op-amps is just that?
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Post by freddypipsqueek on Sept 29, 2012 16:39:16 GMT
I agree with Johnny's comment and would add that the Chiarra is very good with an Audio GD Moon albeit I am not sure where you would get one from.
If memory serves me right 627s are a drop in option and they are now cheaper than they were when Mike did his comparison.
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Post by JohnnyBlue on Sept 30, 2012 15:59:16 GMT
The main reason I've held back from trying new ones is fear of buying some dodgy op-amps: I've wanted to get some AD 823AN (because Mike gave them 9/10, while the OPA 627s got 10/10, but for a whole lot more money).
The AD 823AN seem to vary in price a great deal, so, whilst loving the idea of getting a bargain, I don't want to waste my pennies on a useless rip-off...
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pingu
Been here a while!
Reallising what has been taken on with the GB
Posts: 332
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Post by pingu on Sept 30, 2012 20:15:01 GMT
Hi Johnny, Well these op amps are avaliable from RS Comps @ £4.85 each so not a huge investment even if they are useless. However as RS is a national supplier I suggest the amps will be of good quality not the usual Chinky/EBay rip off. Martin (not undecided just a welsh sheeps)
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Post by JohnnyBlue on Oct 1, 2012 4:19:42 GMT
Thanks, but plus VAT and Delivery it comes to £10.76!
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pingu
Been here a while!
Reallising what has been taken on with the GB
Posts: 332
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Post by pingu on Oct 1, 2012 12:13:35 GMT
Hi Johnny, Have you got a local RS near you because you can order and collect at the trade counter n/c Alternatively I can order, collect and forward to you at cost, should only be about £1- £1.50 I would think. Even cheaper p/p if you get a couple of mates to order with you. Let me know if you want to do that Martin (not undecided just a welsh sheep)
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Post by freddypipsqueek on Oct 2, 2012 18:26:55 GMT
For those that are interested Claus (Neilsen) is able to source the Audio GD (solid state) op amps. He can be contacted via his website - hoved-grej.dk/ - or alternatively via his email address, clausnn(at)gmail.com. I understand he is able to match the price quoted on the Audio GD site but there may be the addition of UK VAT as he is based in Holland/Germany. When I got my moon (at that time from Insomnia) the prices generally were £13 or so + VAT for the single units and £27 + VAT for the doubles. Check the price with Claus. These units are a very worthwhile upgrade to the chiarra and (in my case) white noise audio amps though I understand it is only the double Moon that is an easy drop on the Chiarra (IIRC Rabbit has more experience of the others).
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pingu
Been here a while!
Reallising what has been taken on with the GB
Posts: 332
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Post by pingu on Oct 2, 2012 22:17:04 GMT
Jst looked at the Audio GD site for info the dual chanel moon is £15.50 with about £13.00 postage. Just wondering as these look like a discrete version of an op amp is there any advantage over a decent op amp?
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Post by freddypipsqueek on Oct 2, 2012 22:26:33 GMT
Check with Claus for the price inc postage.
In summary - Yes. I went through the lot and ended up happy with the moon.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2012 22:47:19 GMT
Somewhere on here is a very extensive thread (or two!) on the range of HDAMs (discrete audio stages) from AudioGD, the Earth, Moon and Sun. Just can't can't remember where just now.
Many of us tried at least one of these in all sorts of equipment, mostly with great success. They offer yet another flavour and are up there with some of the very best op-amps. Definitely worth a try and with Freddy recommending one in the same kit you have it has to worth a try for such small outlay.
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pingu
Been here a while!
Reallising what has been taken on with the GB
Posts: 332
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Post by pingu on Oct 3, 2012 11:01:58 GMT
Thank you CJ and Freddy, I have looked at the one of the threads on here and read you comments on the amps Freddy. Think I may go down that road. I also found this site for a UK supplier, it may be of interest as it is the only UK supplier I could find www.ampcity.co.uk/index.php/audio-gd-discrete-opa-moon.htmlMartin
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Post by JohnnyBlue on Oct 3, 2012 11:50:10 GMT
Thanks for the link, Martin, but now I'm really confused!
Freddy wrote earlier, "the prices generally were £13 or so + VAT for the single units and £27 + VAT for the doubles", but at the ampcity website the dual OPA Moon is £21.99 whereas the single channel is £23.99.
Hang on: just got it, the ampcity single channel price is for TWO, hence the higher price...
OK, which of these two options is a direct, no messing, drop-in replacement into my Chiara (sic)?
EDIT: Looks like we're too late:
As of August 2012, AmpCity UK LTD will be ceasing all operations; as a result of recent internal and logistical decisions.
AmpCity was founded and run by hi-fi enthusiasts. During our short three year existence, we quickly become one the lead suppliers for high-end audio technology in the UK and Europe. We are a tight-knit group who believe passionately in our products and getting great value for our customers, so it is with a heavy heart that I write this farewell note.
However, there is still time to catch one last great AmpCity deal! Having already earned an industry-wide reputation for offering customers the best performance for your money, we will be taking this one step further by slashing prices by up to 60% further as part of our clearance sale!
Please refer to the table below for further information on available products. All units will be dispatched via Fedex Next Day delivery. Delivery is charged as a flatrate per order, at £6.99 for UK Mainland and £21.99 for Europe.
If you would like to order or if you have any further questions regarding our closure, please contact us at info@ampcity.co.uk. For all warranty queries, please refer to the specific manufacturer: Matrix Audio, Audio Gd, HiFiMAN, Kingrex, Musiland.
NOTE: We cannot accept returns with discounted clearance products (unless faulty).
- AmpCity Team
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Post by freddypipsqueek on Oct 3, 2012 13:02:05 GMT
The Chiarra takes a single "dual" op amp as per the Ampcity page. The AudioGD units are also available as single "single" opamps and where 2 would be required. See the Audio GD webpage at, www.audio-gd.com/Pro/diy/OPA/OPAEN.htm. I hope that all makes sense.
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Post by JohnnyBlue on Oct 3, 2012 13:27:39 GMT
Thanks, Freddy.
I've got whip off the top of my Chiara (sic) to see if there's enough space for the Audio GD Moon.
By the way, anybody trying to click through to Audio GD using the link in the post above needs to delete the final full-stop (after the htm).
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2012 13:31:51 GMT
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pingu
Been here a while!
Reallising what has been taken on with the GB
Posts: 332
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Post by pingu on Oct 3, 2012 13:39:22 GMT
Hi All, The prices I quoted a few posts ago are for the Moon fron GD Audi site above. Pity we missed the UK Amp City sale Johnny, did not check the top of the page out just went to the op amp bit. The moon will fit the Chirra even if you have the original case (just) Any one know of a UK seller of these op amps? Think I may revert to the original AD 823AN Martin
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Post by JohnnyBlue on Oct 3, 2012 14:13:35 GMT
Not sure there's any such thing as an original case: mine came as single unit (i.e., with the Andante) and the total height (external) is only about 40mm, less the space for the (raised) PCB inside.
Think I'll try the AD823AN as a direct fit inside, so I'm back to square one, trying to find a reliable (and cheap!) seller of this op-amp (most of the Chinese sellers of this on eBay have private listings, which is always dodgy).
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joethearachnid
Been here a while!
Old head on young shoulders.
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Post by joethearachnid on Oct 3, 2012 16:16:31 GMT
I met the Ampcity guys last year at a meet, they were great guys and it was a shame to see them go under. I did get some discounted IEMs before they bit the dust, though.
-JoetheArachnid
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Post by PinkFloyd on Oct 3, 2012 21:39:40 GMT
I've got earth, moon and sun opamps if anybody is interested
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pingu
Been here a while!
Reallising what has been taken on with the GB
Posts: 332
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Post by pingu on Oct 3, 2012 23:08:16 GMT
Johnny my offer still stands I will post an amp from RS at cost. If that's any help, at least you know what you get. My case is the single amp case that came with the kit from Hart about 50 mm inside. Martin
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pingu
Been here a while!
Reallising what has been taken on with the GB
Posts: 332
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Post by pingu on Oct 3, 2012 23:21:09 GMT
Mr Floyd you have a PM
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Post by JohnnyBlue on Oct 4, 2012 6:09:50 GMT
Johnny my offer still stands I will post an amp from RS at cost. If that's any help, at least you know what you get. My case is the single amp case that came with the kit from Hart about 50 mm inside. Martin Martin Thanks for the offer, but I've got a (genuine!) AD823 on its way to me already, thanks to the generosity of another RG member (sadly, a GD Audio Moon won't fit inside my case).
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Post by JohnnyBlue on Oct 4, 2012 6:13:57 GMT
I should also add that I'm well chuffed that people here have still got Chiara/Andantes up and running, and indeed are even op-amp rolling (I felt when I bought mine last year I was coming to the party about eight years late, and it was an old design then!).
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pingu
Been here a while!
Reallising what has been taken on with the GB
Posts: 332
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Post by pingu on Oct 4, 2012 9:47:27 GMT
Glad to hear you got sorted Johnny. Yes had my Chiarra for many years built it from kit but not done much with it lately until now, mainly due to work commitments. I am building (very very slowly) a pair of JLH class A amps. the updated version so if anyone has any tips pls feel free to pm me Martin
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