Auzen to offer High end opamps for their cards!

[ROBSCIX]

But they're only 4 US Dollars here.

The 2228, have been around for awhile. Same as the 2134's they are mainstays in DIY audio and have been used in many consumer grade audio devices. They are only ever considered mid grade. The 2228's are worth about $4-5 bucks depending where you buy them. Everybody has their opinions of opamps and it depends greatly on what device they are tested in and how. I have tested many,many opamps as they can change the sound card to sound exactly how you like it. Are you still set on the OPA2228? -I doubt they will have the same clarity as the LM4562's.

[Donnie27]

The 2228, have been around for awhile. Same as the 2134's they are mainstays in DIY audio and have been used in many consumer grade audio devices. They are only ever considered mid grade. The 2228's are worth about $4-5 bucks depending where you buy them. Everybody has their opinions of opamps and it depends greatly on what device they are tested in and how. I have tested many,many opamps as they can change the sound card to sound exactly how you like it. Are you still set on the OPA2228? -I doubt they will have the same clarity as the LM4562's.

I love the differing opinions though and this guy picked the AD8066 or something I've not even considered or even heard it in action. What I look for a things I've heard myself and if the opinion or view is similar to my experience. Rob when I say I have, I have and I've haven't I have NOT. Where I do value what he says is that he's DEAD ON the about the Grado's. I know no two folks have the same hearing, tastes or even sense sound the same way.

Bud's of mine talk about darkening their overly Bright Grado's, I just called them too harsh for me. I didn't kill my hearing while in the Army, I don't listen to Playa Gansta Bass turned up loud. Though I love bass Heavy and Tight when I call on it. I want it to sound like this guy. his hit list.

My Girl - Temptations
Bernadette - 4 Tops
Aint That Peculiar - Marvin Gaye
Ooh Baby Baby - The Miracles
To Many Fish In The Sea - The Marvelettes
Uptight (Everything Is Alright) - Stevie Wonder
Heat Wave (U) - Martha & The Vandellas
This Old Heart Of Mine - Isley Brothers
I Heard It Through The Grapevine (2 recordings) - Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight & Pips
Where Did Our Love Go (U) - Diana/Supremes
Since I Lost My Baby - Temptations
For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
My Guy (U) - Mary Wells
Your Precious Love - Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell
You've Really Got A Hold On Me - The Miracles
Love Child - Diana/Supremes
I Guess I'll Always Love you
Dancing In The Streets - Martha & The Vandellas
Don't Mess With Bill - The Marvelettes
What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
Standing In The Shadows Of Love - 4 Tops
Mickey's Monkey (U) - The Miracles
Cloud Nine - Temptations
Nothing's To Good For My Baby - Temptations
My Baby Loves Me - Martha & The Vandellas
You Keep Me Hanging On - Diana/Supremes
You Beat Me To The Punch - Mary Wells
Little Darling (I Need You) - 4 Tops
I'm Ready For Love
The Way You Do The Things You Do - Temptations
I Can't Help Myself - 4 Tops
Roadrunner - Jr. Walker & The All-Stars
You're All I Need To Get By - Temptations
You Can't Hurry Love - Diana/Supremes
Shop Around - The Miracles
Ain't To Proud To Beg - Temptations
My Cherie Amour - Stevie Wonder
It's The Same Old Song - 4 Tops
How Sweet It Is - Marvin Gaye
Take Me In Your Arms (And Rock Me A Little While) - Brenda Holloway
Ain't No Mountain High Enough (2 recordings) - Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell, Diana/Supremes
My Baby Must Be A Magician - The Marvelettes
Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart - Diana/Supremes
Beauty Is Only Skin Deep - Temptations
Ask The Lonely - 4 Tops
Going To A Go-Go - The Miracles
I was Made To Love Her - Stevie Wonder
Hitch Hike - Marvin Gaye
I Second That Emotion - The Miracles
Please Mr. Postman - The Marvelettes
Jimmy Mack (U) - Martha & The Vandellas
I Hear A Symphony - Diana/Supremes
Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over) - 4 Tops
I'm Gonna Make You Love Me - Temptations
Get Ready - Temptations
The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game
Stop! In The Name Of Love - Diana/Supremes
That's What Love Is Made Of
Nowhere To Run - Martha & The Vandellas
Seven Rooms Of Gloom - 4 Tops
Pride & Joy - Marvin Gaye
(I Know) I'm Losing You - Temptations
Two Lovers - Mary Wells
I'll Turn To Stone - 4 Tops
Come See About Me - Diana/Supremes
Stubborn Kind Of Fellow - Marvin Gaye
How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone
If I Were your Woman Gladys Knight & The Pips
My World Is Empty Without You - Diana/Supremes
The Tracks Of My Tears - The Miracles
I'm Wondering - Stevie Wonder
Can I Get A Witness - Marvin Gaye
The Girls Alright With Me - Temptations
Shoo Be Doo Be Doo Da Day - Stevie Wonder
Reflections - Diana/Supremes
What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted - Jimmy Ruffin
Baby I Need Your Loving - 4 Tops
Quicksand... - Martha & The Vandellas
Reach Out...I'll Be There - 4 Tops
You Beat Me To The Punch - Mary Wells
The Bells - The Originals
Shotgun - Jr. Walker & The All-Stars
Fingertips (pt2)- Stevie Wonder
Hey Girl - Stevie Wonder
What Are You Gonna Do When I'm Gone (U) - Kim Weston (submitted by Chuck Whaley)
Still Water Runs Deep - Four Tops (Chuck Whaley)
All in the Game - Four Tops (Chuck Whaley)
My Baby - Temptations
The One Who Really Loves You (U)- Mary Wells
This Old Heart Of Mine - Isley Brothers
My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left) - David Ruffin
It Takes Two (U) - Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell
Honey Chile - Martha & the Vandellas
To Busy Thinking About My Baby - Marvin Gaye
When Your Young And In Love - Marvelettes
Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing - Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrell
Still Waters Run Deep - Four Tops
If I Were Your Woman - Gladys Knight & the Pips
I Want You Back - Jackson 5 (see below)
It's Growing - The Temptations (thanks to Catherine J. Lewis)
Agent Double O Soul - Edwin Starr(thanks to Catherine J. Lewis)
I Can't Get Next To You - Temptations (thanks to John Coe)
I want A Love I can Feel - Temptations (thanks to Anthony Parker)
Heart Breaking Guy - Supremes (thanks to Anthony Parker)
...And countless other Album tunes and "B" sides

Add the rest of the gang and they have more hits than Elvis, the Rolling Stones and Beatles combined. I love the Stones too

[Zorlac]

Who wants to recommend the best OPAMP for gaming and a little heavy metal on the side?

I am a headphone guy now...using Audio-Technica ATH-A900 headphones plugged directly into the Prelude.

Here is the Auzen list:

Model: OPA 627AU + Adaptor
Model: OPA 627SM + Adaptor
Model: OPA 637AU + Adaptor
Model: OPA 637SM + Adaptor

Model: AD797AR + Adaptor
Model: AD8620BR + Adaptor

[YukonTrooper]

Search head-fi for those op amps you've listed. That's probably a good place to start.

[Donnie27]

Search head-fi for those op amps you've listed. That's probably a good place to start.

What about the AD8066 and honestly do they carry over to Analog out on the card to an amp as well as headphones?

[ROBSCIX]

Who wants to recommend the best OPAMP for gaming and a little heavy metal on the side?

I am a headphone guy now...using Audio-Technica ATH-A900 headphones plugged directly into the Prelude.

Here is the Auzen list:

Model: OPA 627AU + Adaptor
Model: OPA 627SM + Adaptor
Model: OPA 637AU + Adaptor
Model: OPA 637SM + Adaptor

Model: AD797AR + Adaptor
Model: AD8620BR + Adaptor

I have tested out the 627's,637's and AD8620's. All are great opamps and a improvement over the LM4562's. None of the SM versions are available yet and neither is the AD797's. I think the 627 and 637's may be the way to go for you. I find the 637's have a bit more high frequency extension so you may want to try those out. All will provide better sound then what you have now.

[Strafe]

So opamps are post digital to analog conversion. If im outputting my soundcard via digital coax and my speakers are decoding the digital stream are the opamps bypassed?

[Donnie27]

So opamps are post digital to analog conversion. If im outputting my soundcard via digital coax and my speakers are decoding the digital stream are the opamps bypassed?

Yes! Opamps only apply to Analog out.

[Monkeywoman]

hey guys, check this out. http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/opamp.php

make your own 500 dollar sound card!!!

[ROBSCIX]

hey guys, check this out. http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/opamp.php

make your own 500 dollar sound card!!!

Yeah that is what we are talking about.

[ROBSCIX]

So opamps are post digital to analog conversion. If im outputting my soundcard via digital coax and my speakers are decoding the digital stream are the opamps bypassed?

Yes the opamps are the last stage after the DAC's they are used for signal conditioning and amplification. If your going digital, don't worry about opamps.
Just to note: if your using a Prelude, you will have MUCH better sound quality using analog then digital, unless you have a very high quality receiver that has better DAC's then the card.

[Donnie27]

Yeah that is what we are talking about.

Sure, but those prices are a little steep to say the lease.

[Zorlac]

Sorry for the n00b question, but does it only take one OPAMP for stereo (Front Right and Front Left)? I ask this because it looks like the $59.99 price tag is for one OPAMP packaged in a clear plastic case.

[ROBSCIX]

Actually for the OPA637/637's it is two chips soldered to a adapter as OPA627 and 637's are single channel opamps. OPA627/637 are said to be one of the best audio opamps there is and they are expensive. I have seen the OPA627's as upgrade modules for CD players @ $116.15...the prices at Auzentech are reasonable.

[Zorlac]

So I only need to buy one OPAMP for the Prelude for $59.99 if all I listen to is 2-channel sound?

[ROBSCIX]

Yes. The Prelude will only accept one replacement for the front channels anyhow. Replacing that opamp will improve your sound quality in the front channels and front case headphone jack. If you use that.

[lowfat]

Would most people be able to tell the difference in quality from the stock opamps and the OPA 627AU on a midrange home theatre setup?

[Donnie27]

Yes. The Prelude will only accept one replacement for the front channels anyhow. Replacing that opamp will improve your sound quality in the front channels and front case headphone jack. If you use that.

I pick up my Reel to Reel tape player/recorder today... That hurt my chances of also getting the Prelude. Still might do something used though, oh well, back to the drawing board.

[ROBSCIX]

Would most people be able to tell the difference in quality from the stock opamps and the OPA 627AU on a midrange home theatre setup?

Sure, The 627's have more clarity and a "warmer" sound to them. You may want to improve the playback system before you start improving your source though. I think you would be able to tell the difference easily.

[Zorlac]

Do you guys think it is possible that Auzen could release a sound card some day with upgradeable DACs in addition to OPAMPs? Damn Auzen is becoming the savior of the sound card industry in my opinion...very cool stuff!

[ROBSCIX]

The DAC's are a good idea and one that has been suggested by many people at different times. You never know how they will go next. I think the high end opamps was a good move, this will allow users to make their card sound even better.

[Donnie27]

The DAC's are a good idea and one that has been suggested by many people at different times. You never know how they will go next. I think the high end opamps was a good move, this will allow users to make their card sound even better.

You think they'll really do it?

Oh BTW Reel to Reel arrived Dead First bad EBay deal in 18 months.

[ROBSCIX]

The new higher end SM unit modules are said to be available some time in March. The SM units are packaged in a TO-99 metal casing. The SM model opamps are less prone to EMI/RFI..etc and used for applications that require precision amplification with little to no margin for error such as medical, military, aerospace..etc. I cannot comment on if these would sound better then normal DIP9 or SOIC8 versions as I have yet to test any. I am interested and may have to buy a set for personal use and to test.

[Zorlac]

I just bought the "OPA 637AU + Adaptor" model. It came in the mail lastnight. I should be able to install it tonight.

So you are saying the "OPA 637SM + Adaptor" is a higher quality version of the "OPA 637AU + Adaptor"? Argh...I should have waited if that was the case! ...oh well

[Donnie27]

I just bought the "OPA 637AU + Adaptor" model. It came in the mail lastnight. I should be able to install it tonight.

So you are saying the "OPA 637SM + Adaptor" is a higher quality version of the "OPA 637AU + Adaptor"? Argh...I should have waited if that was the case! ...oh well

You do get to a point of Diminishing Returns. The only sad part about the Pursuit of Audio Nirvana is that you'll Never, I repeat, get there. I never met an Audiophile who had enough or was satisfied LOL!