I am happy user of EE DAC plus for 1 month. Using the DAC without tube( great tweak). I have good expirience with audio-gd discete opa for my Asus ST + H6 board and I ordered( probably stupid before chacking first) pair od burson dual and single HD opa maunted on proper adapter.Now my concern is do this opa can be used in DAC plus .
http://bursonaudio.com/burson_opamp.htm
There specification is
Working voltage: +/-12-25v DC
Current Draw: 19mA (each module)
I will be very thankful for Bill's opinion.
Thank you |
Absolutely loving the OPA2604 duals with the OPA827 singles on the Brown Dog adaptors. Really fleshed out the midrange and added punch to the bottom end. |
Several of the above op-amps are available in 8-DIP configuration so that they will drop directly into the EE DAC without the need for Brown Dog adapters, as follows-
(check with Digikey)
OPA627 (single) can drop right into U6/7
OPA2134 and OPA2604 can drop into U1/2.
And remember that if you use the tube out only, the U6/7 op-amps aren't used so don't bother to upgrade them (pretty sure about that).
I have been using the 49990s for a while now in SS mode (original DAC) and still like them very much, but all this talk is getting me itchy again... |
Davemm,
I bought some extra 2604's and 827's and I Have the DAC's in stock so give me a call. |
Well, I went off the deep end and ordered some Dexa Discrete Opamps as well to try in the U1/U2 position. They are a lot more expensive ($170 plus shipping) but I'm very curious to see if the discrete opamps are as good as people say they are. Will report back...
The EE DAC Plus is a wonderful way to upgrade your digital experience without breaking the bank. Great value and versatility for the $. |
Bill. When do you think you'll be offering the DAC PLUS with pre-installed, upgraded op-amps? I've been sitting on the fence about a DAC PLUS purchase for a couple of months now. Personally have never done any op-amp rolling. Just following along on forums about tube-in, tube-out, roll op-amps, etc. Very interesting evolution of this unit since it's into. Thanks, Dave. |
I also took shipment today of the 2604's and 827's on the Brown Dog adaptors.
A truly significant upgrade to the stock op-amps in sound. Very organic,more meat on the bone kind of tone. Punchier bottom end with a wonderful midrange.
I'll probably be offering the DAC PLUS with these pre-installed by me as it won't void the warranty that way.
Don't ask me why it took me so long to try.
Thanks to all that have contributed.
Warmest Regards,
Bill
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Quick follow up. I swapped out stock opamps with 2604 and 827's. My impression is that there is more detail with a tightening up of the soundstage. Between SS mode, tube removal and the opamp changes, the DAC is indeed a step up from the stock unit. Grand total was $80 for opamps and extraction tool. Took me all of 10 minutes to perform the opamp "operation". Highly recommended for EE DAC plus owners. Note that this voids your warranty. However, it really is plug and play if you get the opamps pre-mounted on the brown dog adapters.
Have some National Semi Opamps coming for some additional experimenting. Fun stuff. |
Right you are.
My bad.
Here is an example of a 5 pin case, SOT-23
http://octopart.com/mcp6021t-e/ot-microchip-419137
Other dual inline cases go up in pincount.
I see references to Quad Opamps....14 or 16 pin?
Now, where did I see a 4 pin case? |
Mgfan,
Singles are actually 8 pin also. |
Chips are built to case standards.
8pin is a dual opamp while 4pin is a single, usually 1/2 a dual.
Putting a replaceable module in a socket is probably good for the opamp rollers, of which there are many...and more coming.
SMT? I'd not try to manually solder one on a bet.
I'm sure, one day, NOS OPA2134s will be 100$ each and unavailable except if you 'know somebody'.
I'm stocking up now, and waiting for the crash. |
Magfan,
I believe some of the op-amps are to small to just plug into the EE DAC PLUS, that is why the need for the Brown Dog adaptors.So you do not have to solder the smaller op-amps into the MiniMax.
No, you then do NOT have to solder the BD adaptors into the sockets. You should never put your soldering in any of the components in the DAC PLUS. Very sensitive inside the DAC.
That is the reason for the BD adaptors so you don't have to solder.
Thanks,
Bill |
Thanks for the info Doug. Just placed my order. I have an Ah!Tjoeb CD player in a second system and can attest that opamp rolling has made a difference over stock unit. For roughly $75 - $150 I think this is worth trying.
For now I have ordered the 2604's and 827's. Would be interested in feedback from folks who have tried and liked other combinations.
Love the fact that the EE DAC + allows swappable opamps. It greatly adds to its versatility. Agree 100% with Doug that the unit in SS mode with tube removed is the way to go. |
Looked at the BrownDog site and they are fine with 2134 pricing.
The adaptor? Solder in, from the look of it, so I don't know what that buys you. Plug in would be fine for swapping opamps. I guess I'm not current on what people are doing. I guess I don't know what the advantage is of soldering in an adaptor in which the part has to also be soldered in. The CMOY I built has a plug-in header so if I ever get the urge, I can swap opamps in seconds.
The single to dual adaptor makes sense. |
Thanks for the list. Hopefully my friend buy a minimax plus version. opamp rolling will be fun. |
I believe these are with the op-amps soldered into the Brown Dog adaptors.Well worth it IMHO .
Regards,
Bill |
Those prices for opamps are crazy high. Opamps are a commodity device and are typically sold (exaggeration alert) in bushell basket quantities.
The last 2134s I bought were about 2.50$ each.
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?x=24&y=16&lang=en&site=us&KeyWords=opa2134 |
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