Auzen to offer High end opamps for their cards!

[ROBSCIX]

Info suggests, Auzentech is set to launch a new line-up of very high end opamps for upgrading their cards that accept DIP8 chips. I posted further info and a list of production modules set to make their debut. They have a very nice lineup of opamps and they should push the sound quality of a Prelude 7.1 or X-Meridian for example much further. Such things have been talked about by DIY enthusiasts and Auzentech owners but now we actually have the options to order Auzen products with these opamps installed and fully tested. further info and LINK
I have my sights on some 627's or 637's
What do the current Auzen owners think about this development?

[GMX]

so they will have a lineup of cards that will have sockets?

I bet they will charge a premium.

Better to have a friend at IC shop and mod the card itself!

[ROBSCIX]

They already do. The X-Meridian 7.1 has FULL sockets and the Prelude allows swapping of the front opamps. As far as the price goes the opamps they are considering selling are premium grade and not cheap at all.

[Strafe]

Hi, ignorance here. Can somebody tell me what an opamp does, in the context of a soundcard anyway?

[Donnie27]

Hi, ignorance here. Can somebody tell me what an opamp does, in the context of a soundcard anyway?

Makes it louder.

[ROBSCIX]

Hi, ignorance here. Can somebody tell me what an opamp does, in the context of a soundcard anyway?

When the analog sound comes out of the DAC it needs a final buffer/amplification section. People are starting to understand the importance of these chips. Considering they are the final stage of amplification they can Help or hurt the sound quite a bit, depending on the grade of opamps used.
The quality of the amp is related to the quality of your sound.

[Zorlac]

Uh oh...now I have to stress/OCD about which OPAMPs are better to upgrade to! 0.o

[YukonTrooper]

Hi, ignorance here. Can somebody tell me what an opamp does, in the context of a soundcard anyway?

You can op amp roll to tweak the sound signature to your liking. The Prelude and other various Auzentech cards have socketed op amps, which allow you to switch op amps without the need to solder. I modded my XtremeMusic with LM4562 op amps, but I had to solder them in because they are not socketed.

I think this is a good idea if Auzentech can keep the price equal to, or lower than, buying your own op amps. Considering they will buy the op amps in bulk, it seems realistic and achievable. If not, then you may as well just purchase your own to put into your card. It's fools work.

[ROBSCIX]

Sure, IF you want too use DIP8's on the Prelude. ALL of the opamps Auzen is offering are SOIC8 and single channel chips. You would need to buy TWO and a adapter and solder them on. Such as the OPA627's they are single channel opamps.

BTW, since you added LM4562's to your X-Music you know how much of a difference good opamps can make on a soundcard. Seeing how you removed opamps worth 20 cents and replaced them with amps worth $5 you should have noticed better sound quality. Some don't understand how important they actually are and how much they can influence the sound signature.

[Donnie27]

You can op amp roll to tweak the sound signature to your liking. The Prelude and other various Auzentech cards have socketed op amps, which allow you to switch op amps without the need to solder. I modded my XtremeMusic with LM4562 op amps, but I had to solder them in because they are not socketed.

I think this is a good idea if Auzentech can keep the price equal to, or lower than, buying your own op amps. Considering they will buy the op amps in bulk, it seems realistic and achievable. If not, then you may as well just purchase your own to put into your card. It's fools work.

Price is important. If Auzentech had better prices, they'd not have to send out Gorilla marketing folks to spam them off on folks. WOW $5 OpAmps makes the card cost 100% ($100 US) more, that's a sweet deal, NOT!

[ROBSCIX]

@Yukon Trooper, Have you tested out other opamps besides the LM's?
When I started using those they just hit the market a little before the released of the X-Meridian soundcards. There are plenty others that can give you a very good sound signature.

[cadaveca]

Sure, IF you want too use DIP8's on the Prelude. ALL of the opamps Auzen is offering are SOIC8 and single channel chips. You would need to buy TWO and a adapter and solder them on. Such as the OPA627's they are single channel opamps.

They gonna offer browndogs with the opa627?

[jackies]

I replaced opamps in my motu 828, the difference is dramatic!

[ROBSCIX]

They gonna offer browndogs with the opa627?

Yes they are according to the info I received.
Those are nice sounding. The OPA627's are single channel surface mount IC's so they will require special adapters.

[ROBSCIX]

I replaced opamps in my motu 828, the difference is dramatic!

Yes it can be very dramatic depending on what opamps are used on the card to begin with and which opamps you use to replace them with.

[cadaveca]

browndogs ARE the adapters.

[ROBSCIX]

Yes, I know what browndogs are thx, I have a couple of them sitting here. They are not the only company to sell opamps adapters though.

[YukonTrooper]

@Yukon Trooper, Have you tested out other opamps besides the LM's?
When I started using those they just hit the market a little before the released of the X-Meridian soundcards. There are plenty others that can give you a very good sound signature.

I only used the LM4562's because I got them as free samples. I have three external DAC's, so I don't have any plans to change the op amps again.

[ROBSCIX]

I only used the LM4562's because I got them as free samples. I have three external DAC's, so I don't have any plans to change the op amps again.

I have somewhat of a opamp collection. They just seemed to multiple and I still order them when I read spec sheets of good ones or people tell me to try certain ones out. I am starting to test out very high end models also. They are pricey but you can hear the difference. I was going to suggest that if you like more bass then what the LM's have you can try out the OPA2227's. They are popular as they are nice and clear but have a very good bast response. The chip has that typical laid back burr-brown sound with their glossy highs, recessed mid ranges. They don't have that tubby bass some get out of the other BB's.

[Donnie27]

I have somewhat of a opamp collection. They just seemed to multiple and I still order them when I read spec sheets of good ones or people tell me to try certain ones out. I am starting to test out very high end models also. They are pricey but you can hear the difference. I was going to suggest that if you like more bass then what the LM's have you can try out the OPA2227's. They are popular as they are nice and clear but have a very good bast response. The chip has that typical laid back burr-brown sound with their glossy highs, recessed mid ranges. They don't have that tubby bass some get out of the other BB's.

Post us some links to those Opamp sites, maybe some of their prices. I think the recent storms might have damaged my card. Since I've been playing with 7.1 I know I want a discrete Out Put for the Back Surrounds and Not just a rear Center for 6.1 like my CL-X-FI. It looks like a Prelude might be in my rig in a week or two Then I will be looking at the OPA2227 and OPA2228.

http://focus.ti.com/docs/prod/folder...t/opa2228.html

Have you tried the OPA2228 yet?

[ROBSCIX]

Actually no, I have been thinking of checking out the OPA2228 but haven't got around to it. The Prelude only accepts one amp for the front channels but which amp you use can change the signature quite a bit. I buy my opamps from the manufacturers. Finally pulling the trigger on the Prelude?

[Donnie27]

Actually no, I have been thinking of checking out the OPA2228 but haven't got around to it. The Prelude only accepts one amp for the front channels but which amp you use can change the signature quite a bit. I buy my opamps from the manufacturers. Finally pulling the trigger on the Prelude?

One for the front channel is all I need and to be honest with ya', all I truly would want. As I've said before, I love Music in 2Ch Stereo unless it is DVD Audio. Even with DVD Audio though, I found myself listening to the 24/96 and really loved 24bit/192KHz Hotel California 2Ch tracks the best. Yes, I'm pulling the trigger, the only question is when? In 3 days or 10.

[ROBSCIX]

Auzentech is now offering the opamps!! LINK

[Donnie27]

Auzentech is now offering the opamps!! LINK

But they're only 4 US Dollars here.

[Donnie27]

Something else I've been reading lately.

http://audioreviews.blogspot.com/200...o-op-amps.html