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Post by schubida on Mar 28, 2010 23:46:06 GMT
A question: I´ve changed the opamps in my Aune amp , one OPA 2107 for the OPA2134 and two AD 744 with a browndog mono to dual adapter for the OPA2604. But now (after 50 hours of burning in) I can use the Volume knob of my Aune amp with my Sennheiser HD 600 and my AKG K 701 only upto and including the 12 o´clock position. When I exeed this position the amp is not useable: I notice severe distortion as if the amp was clipping! Is this normal? This problem disappears when I use the default original opamps. That´s annoying!
Thank you very much for your advice and please excuse my bad english.
Best regards,
Wilhelm
PS: Top forum, this is my first reply.
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Post by rosewind on Mar 30, 2010 19:21:17 GMT
I am now using the Aune with a 19v regulated power supply, and I have just ordered a Belden 1694A Coaxial Digital Audio Cable from Bluejeans cables. I hope these measures will make a difference. After the Danish Easter Break I will most likely receive two AD744s. Then I think I'm set to go testing. But in all likelyhood I will need quite a few weeks' time to listen carefully to the Aune. After all I still have a job and a family to steer clear of.
Best wishes, Peter
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Post by fidelity on Mar 31, 2010 16:54:02 GMT
I tested the following opamps in the >DAC buffer< position listening via RCA out to my main amp/speakers:
OPA2134 - stock sounded ok OPA2132 - slight imrovement over stock OPA2111 - better than stock but no much OPA2107 - Sounded dull NE5534 - meh
Then I tried the OPA2277, what a difference! sounded much more lively than all the other op-amps listed above, it urinates everything else I've tried so far.
I have not tried listening to them via the headphones but the OPA2277 sounded much better through the speakers over the stock they ain't coming out any time soon!
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Post by PinkFloyd on Mar 31, 2010 19:15:34 GMT
I tested the following opamps in the >DAC buffer< position listening via RCA out to my main amp/speakers: OPA2134 - stock sounded ok OPA2132 - slight imrovement over stock OPA2111 - better than stock but no much OPA2107 - Sounded dull NE5534 - meh Then I tried the OPA2277, what a difference! sounded much more lively than all the other op-amps listed above, it urinates everything else I've tried so far. I have not tried listening to them via the headphones but the OPA2277 sounded much better through the speakers over the stock they ain't coming out any time soon! OPA2227 is one of my personal favourites.... lovely sounding! Very stable in most amps too.... there is also the OPA2228 which sounds VERY similar. Mike.
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Post by PinkFloyd on Mar 31, 2010 19:18:27 GMT
A question: I´ve changed the opamps in my Aune amp , one OPA 2107 for the OPA2134 and two AD 744 with a browndog mono to dual adapter for the OPA2604. But now (after 50 hours of burning in) I can use the Volume knob of my Aune amp with my Sennheiser HD 600 and my AKG K 701 only upto and including the 12 o´clock position. When I exeed this position the amp is not useable: I notice severe distortion as if the amp was clipping! Is this normal? This problem disappears when I use the default original opamps. That´s annoying! Thank you very much for your advice and please excuse my bad english. Best regards, Wilhelm PS: Top forum, this is my first reply. Wilhelm, No, that does not sound right.... there should not be any distortion with the AD-744.... does it sound ok before it starts to distort at the 12, o' clock setting?
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Post by schubida on Mar 31, 2010 20:12:52 GMT
Mike,
A question: I´ve changed the opamps in my Aune amp , one OPA 2107 for the OPA2134 and two AD 744 with a browndog mono to dual adapter for the OPA2604. But now (after 50 hours of burning in) I can use the Volume knob of my Aune amp with my Sennheiser HD 600 and my AKG K 701 only upto and including the 12 o´clock position. When I exeed this position the amp is not useable: I notice severe distortion as if the amp was clipping! Is this normal? This problem disappears when I use the default original opamps. That´s annoying!
Thank you very much for your advice and please excuse my bad english.
Best regards,
Wilhelm
PS: Top forum, this is my first reply.
Wilhelm,
No, that does not sound right.... there should not be any distortion with the AD-744.... does it sound ok before it starts to distort at the 12, o' clock setting? Mike,
yes the sound is without distortion before it starts at the 12 o´clock position. The problem arises as well using two BB OPA 627 AP (unmodified) instead of the two AD-744 (modified), but now the distortion appears in greater strenght.
Wilhelm
Wilhelm
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Post by PinkFloyd on Mar 31, 2010 20:30:28 GMT
Wilhelm,
Are you using both the AD744 and OPA627 on the SAME browndog adaptor? (ie: using the same Browndog to test both?)
If so, double check the soldering connections on the browndog.
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Post by fidelity on Mar 31, 2010 21:44:57 GMT
OPA2227 is one of my personal favourites.... lovely sounding! Very stable in most amps too.... there is also the OPA2228 which sounds VERY similar. Mike. Cheers Mike. I couldn't get hold of the OPA2228 today, but managed to nab 2x OPA228 and also 2X OPA227 for a few days. The dual OPA227 sounded better than the OPA2227, on what I perceived to be better channel separation, I dunno why cos the specs are identical so should sound the same... Replaced the dual OPA227 for the dual OPA228 in the buffer, found it hard to tell the difference, maybe a slightly thicker body to the sound?! Think I'm gonna need another mono to dual DIP8 adaptor for faster op-amp switching A-B comparisons. Edit: the OPA228 data sheet states it's not unity-gain stable, will this damage the Aune? The dual OPA228 is working fine so far.
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Post by schubida on Apr 2, 2010 12:34:37 GMT
Re: AUNE amp / DAC « Reply #231 on Mar 31, 2010, 8:30pm »
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wilhelm,
Are you using both the AD744 and OPA627 on the SAME browndog adaptor? (ie: using the same Browndog to test both?)
If so, double check the soldering connections on the browndog.
Yes Mike, it was the same browndog adapter. I´ve ordered another one. Thanks for your advice!
Best regards,
Wilhelm
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Post by staggerlee on Apr 13, 2010 14:58:29 GMT
Hey guys, I've been following your posts and enjoying the read for a while now and decided to buy an aune dac/amp, mainly for its versatality and possibilities to improve apon which hopefully sounds quite easy even for a complete noob like me. I have a couple of ? if cool, 1 - i am mostly using the dac in a hifi system and have found that i can only listen to the labtop through the speakers but not an mp3 player through the input is this normal. 2 - just orderdered a brown dog and some ad744's do you have to snap legs and bend pin or is it just better for sound quality and is there a right way round to fit these.
Any help and feedback would be much apprieciated.
Thanks Staggerlee
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Post by fidelity on Apr 25, 2010 19:18:34 GMT
I've been testing the LM4562 in the DAC buffer the last few days (superb IMO) and comparing it with the dual OPA228 I've had in the Aune.
The LM4562 op-amp sound a bit 'fuller' in the bass department compared with the dual OPA228, both sound really good, but hard to say which op-amp I prefer.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2010 21:07:47 GMT
I've been testing the LM4562 in the DAC buffer the last few days (superb IMO) and comparing it with the dual OPA228 I've had in the Aune. The LM4562 op-amp sound a bit 'fuller' in the bass department compared with the dual OPA228, both sound really good, but hard to say which op-amp I prefer. fidelity If you get a chance, try the metal can version of the LM4562. (LM4562HA/LME49720HA) It is is noticeably better again than the plastic version, although fairly expensive. It further improves quite noticeably after about 48 hours of use. SandyK
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Post by fidelity on Apr 25, 2010 21:20:41 GMT
fidelity If you get a chance, try the metal can version of the LM4562. (LM4562HA/LME49720HA) It is is noticeably better again than the plastic version, although fairly expensive. It further improves quite noticeably after about 48 hours of use. SandyK Cheers for the info SandyK, is there a difference between the LM4562HA and LME49720HA? This is becoming an addiction!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2010 21:26:43 GMT
fidelity Only in the advertising department's tiny brains ! They thought they needed to make the LM4562 seem more interesting , so they thought an "E" for Excellence in the name might sell more. SandyK P.S. It is a good idea to fit some kind of small metal heat sink on the metal can versions to aid cooling. Also, it is important to remember that the metal can is connected internally to the -VE supply rail. There are also single versions of the LM4562 called the LME49710. I am using 2 of the LME49710HA metal can versions in the SC DAC, and the difference is even more noticeable when changing from the plastic version. BTW, they have 8 wire leads, that you can form, so that they will plug nicely into a good quality I.C. socket. IF used permanently, it is better to solder them in directly though.
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Post by fidelity on May 1, 2010 23:08:20 GMT
Bought two LME49720HA op-amps, it sounds pretty good on the DAC buffer socket (via RCA out > amp/speakers), I think it's gonna stay in that socket for a long time.
Currently testing the other LME49720HA on the head amp socket.
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Post by yogaflame on May 28, 2010 6:15:57 GMT
I have the Aune with LT1358 in the filter socket, and LM4562 in the head amp socket. Sounds quite nice on my ATH-M50 headphones. But after reading this thread, I think I'll have to try AD744 now.
The thing is, it seems AD746 is the dual version of AD744. Is there a reason not to use that instead, and saving the need to use a browndog adapter? Is it that the OB mod can't be done in that case?
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Post by rbf1138 on May 31, 2010 4:32:49 GMT
So I'm new here (found my way over from Headfi). I'll try to briefly describe my setup/circumstances, and then sit back and let you guys have your say: Right now I have Senn HD580s, a Go Vibe 5 headphone amp, and then use either a Macbook Pro, ipod touch, Cowon X5, or portable cd player as my source. I'm selling the HD580s, and buying AKG K702s. Now, I think it's time to get something to both help power the 702s (and any other decent cans I end up picking up, like say the Beyer DT880s or Senn HD600s...) and to get some better sound from my MBP. It seems I'll be needing a DAC and amp, which is what led me to this thread.
I get very confused reading through all of these threads, discussing preamps, and DACs, and amps, and on and on, lol. So basically, here is what I'm looking for: Under $200. Better sound out of my Macbook Pro, both to cans and to my speakers (Audioengine 5). Possible upgrade in amp from the Go Vibe 5 for use with the other sources (ipod, Cowon, cd player).
So, is my best option something like the Aune, in that it can be used as a DAC for my MBP, but also as a headphone amp with the other sources? The two other units I saw so far that seem to be similar are the NuForce uDAC and Audinst MX1, but other than price differences and quality, I can't tell if these three units align in regards to their abilities to do what I want. Maybe the iBasso D2+ or D10 are more of what I'm looking for?
Any other suggestions? Am I missing anything major here? What else should I be considering?
Thanks for any and all help!
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Post by yogaflame on May 31, 2010 16:33:33 GMT
rbf1138I have not tried any of the other DAC/amp units you mentioned except for the Aune. But I read that the MX1 sounds better than the uDAC and the D10. No idea how they compare sonically to the Aune though. Between the Aune, MX1, and uDAC, the Aune is the only one you can use as an amp by itself. The other two require USB to work. So if you intend to amp your CD player, iPod, or anything besides a computer, that is the way to go. And if you ever need a digital optical output, your MacBook Pro already has one built into its headphone jack. The uDAC runs on USB power only, so it may possibly be weak on certain headphones. But I suppose you can couple it with your Go Vibe amp if need be. Here is a comparison of their features, without taking the actual sound into consideration: Aune + RCA analog line in + RCA analog line out + 2 op-amp sockets that you can customize to suit your tastes + coaxial digital input up to 24 bit / 96kHz * USB input up to 16 bit / 48kHz * dedicated power supply Audinst HUD-MX1 + RCA analog line out + 1 op-amp socket to customize + optical digital output+ USB input up to 24 bit / 48 96 kHz + can be powered directly by USB, or plug in dedicated power for more juice uDAC + RCA analog line out + portable enough to go anywhere your laptop does + coaxial digital output* USB input up to 16 bit / 48 kHz * powered directly by USB only edit: Sorry, I got the max USB input rate wrong on the MX1 earlier. It is 96 kHz, and not 48 kHz.
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Post by puck on Jun 2, 2010 1:40:21 GMT
Does this unit play 24/192 files via spdif input? The reason I ask is the specs at TAM's Audio on ebay don't really say. The DAC is 24/192 but I think the DIR9001 receiver chip is only 24/96.
Also, someone suggested in this thread that this unit is a better amp than a DAC. For my education, what in particular are the shortcomings of the DAC section?
Comments?
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Post by yogaflame on Jun 2, 2010 2:44:57 GMT
puckThe Aune does play 24/96 via spdif, but not 24/192. At least, that's according to all accounts I have read. I don't have any 24/192 spdif sources myself to use to test. Or even a 24/96 coaxial source, for that matter. I can't comment on the DAC shortcomings as I'm not nearly experienced enough to know the difference. But I can rest assured that if I ever do get to that point, I can simply purchase an awesome dedicated DAC and hook it up to the Aune for amping.
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Post by puck on Jun 2, 2010 18:55:31 GMT
Thanks for your reply, yogaflame. That's what I suspected, but missed seeing any definitive comments on it. By the way, if someone has no 24/192 file but wants to test a device on it, he can always make a file by upsampling in a wave editor and burning a short test dvd-audio disc on DVD-RW. Of course you need a dvd-audio player. Or go through similar hoops to use avch or bluray formats. Or borrow an M2Tech Hi-Face and then just upsample any wave while playing in foobar.
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Post by rainman on Jun 3, 2010 12:38:41 GMT
Has anyone compared this Aune DAC/amp to either the Neco Mosfet, or portable, or MF V-Can??
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Post by alexrozen on Jun 24, 2010 16:52:01 GMT
Does somebody know if it's possible to upgrade the AUNE DAC for optical spdif input?
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Post by yogaflame on Jun 25, 2010 20:49:01 GMT
It's possible, but not recommended unless you really know what you are doing. It will certainly void the warranty too. There are some interesting pics of the mod here: bbs.hifidiy.net/viewthread.php?tid=200043&extra=page%3D2I can't read the Chinese, but the pics speak for themselves.
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Post by alexrozen on Jun 27, 2010 12:08:55 GMT
thank you, yogaflame. interesting link. Seems that there is also PSU upgrade shown.
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