Maverick Audio D1 OPA 627 Upgrade....Any Tips?

[mattjtaylor2809]

Hello,

 

I can't seem to find any instructions on how to do this upgrade on the D1. I'm not an electronics guru but have the upgraded the tube stage (which was easy) so I thought I maybe able to do this but looking at the internals, I'm not sure even where to start?

I can see two op AMPs ( labeled M63AK LF 353N) in two different locations but the instructions on the website suggests the following...OPA627 is a single OpAmp, that means we need to solder two OPA627’s on a small PCB board in order to put it into the dual OpAmp socket of the D1 and D2. D1 uses two dual OpAmp’s (4 OPA 627’s).

I have only x2 OPA627's so does this mean I need another x2? & what do you guys suggest for a small PCB board? do they have the x4 pins in each side to fit back into the larger board?

 

Any assistance would be great.

 

Cheers

Matt

 

some pictures

 

 

Edited January 9, 2013 by mattjtaylor2809

[ArthurDent]

I have only x2 OPA627's so does this mean I need another x2? & what do you guys suggest for a small PCB board? do they have the x4 pins in each side to fit back into the larger board?

 

Sounds like you will need 2 more opa627's.

 

I would usually buy these direct from BrownDog but Soundlabs also carry them...

 

http://www.soundlabsgroup.com.au/p/BD-020302S/Single+to+Dual+Op-Amp+SMD+-+With+Pins

 

or if your 627's aren't SMD this one...

 

http://www.soundlabsgroup.com.au/p/BD-021001S/Single+to+Dual+Op-Amp+DIL+Adapter

 

And a general comment...

 

627's need a really good power supply to get the best out of them and proper supply line decoupling near to the chip is essential.

Edited January 9, 2013 by KenTripp

[mattjtaylor2809]

Thanks Ken,

 

I think I will need the DIL adapter to couple these single 627's but I'm not sure they will fit?

 

I've also emailed Maverick to see what they have to say as they do recommend this upgrade & the x 627's were purchased from them!

 

Cheers

Matt

[Batty]

A bit OT but your valve seems to need pushing in a bit as it looks slightly askew in your photo.

[mattjtaylor2809]

Thanks Batty, I'll take a look. from memory it was quite difficult to install when I swapped out the stock standard.

[sum1]

On ebay there are already a bunch of sellers that sells 2xopa627 mounted on a single smd board. Previously I have also heard that there are fake opamps running around ebay though so careful with that as well.

You might want to check the bottom side of your opa627. if you see another opa627 chip at the bottom of it then chances are you already have a 2xopa627 on a single board.

[Addicted to music]

Regardless of SMD mounts and fakes on ebay, I would personally buy from somewhere reputable.  There are other opamps and much cheaper than the 627.  I will think that you will be impressed on the bass region, but as a total package there are much more sonically improved opamps that are almost at a fraction of the cost.  On the Brown Burr (Texas Instrument) site you can obtain opamps free via registering as R & D and they will send you a limited quantity of samples free. 

[mattjtaylor2809]

Thanks everyone, disappointingly I've not heard back from Maverick for instructions so they're just sitting there until I fully understand what I need to do without stuffing it up!!

[Addicted to music]

Hi mattjtaylor,

 

are you in the Melbourne area?

 

can you take a photo of the underside supplied 627 you have, it looks like you have the SMD version and wonder whether there is a 2nd 627 underneath.  The 353N is a dual opamp, so you are going to need 2 X 627 to replace the single 353N.

 

If you are in the Melb area I can loan you a 2X dual adapters and also the extra 627 be able to get you going.  Alternatively have a look at: http://cimarrontechnology.com/single-to-dualop-ampadapter-dipversionpn021001.aspx

[dor]

The second pic you posted shows the assembled opa627 modules, I assume you bought from maverick.

 

You only need to remove the old op amp and replace it with the new, following the instructions to make sure it goes in the right way. That means checking the direction of the old one before removing it.

 

You will find the op amp pins are stiff to remove\install, remember to pull straight up when removing and to check all pins are seated(lined up) before pressing the new one down. The pins are very easy to bend.

[mattjtaylor2809]

Hi pchan,

 

Many thanks for the offer but I'm in Adelaide.

 

I will have another look at the Op AMPs to see if they do have another on the other side, therefore a dual. I did buy them from Maverick.

 

Cheers

Matt

[mattjtaylor2809]

Hi Pchan,

 

Thanks very much for the tip, I turned the op amp upside down & they do have a 2nd module underneath so they look like they are duals.

 

Next step is to prize out the 353N's which did seem pretty well stuck on my 1st attempt.

 

Cheers

Matt

[mattjtaylor2809]

I found these on ebay, different colour to mine but look similar in that they have a 2nd module underneath.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2xMono-Dual-OPAMP-2x-OPA627-NE5532-OPA2604-x2-set-/281020844478?pt=US_Amplifier_Parts_Components&hash=item416e25c9be

 

I'm taking the DAC into work tomorrow as I work with some ex electrical engineers & when I asked, they said not worries & knew exactly what to do; or so they say!!

 

I'll let you know how it sounds..

 

Cheers & once again, thanks for all your help.

 

Matt

[Addicted to music]

You now need to follow the instructions direct of the paperwork, and before you go taking the 353 out you need to take note of the orientation of the device. There should be a little dot or dimple that indicate pin 1. Your replacement 627 are on a adapter board that has white lines and what looks like a 1 on one corner. I can safely assume that is pin 1 for you dac. Don't get the orientation here wrong because you will get expensive smoke.

I have never heard the 353N but the 627 are bass heavy, the 1st impression is the strength of the bass, but the rest is a little to be desire, possible because the strong bass over shadows the rest of the audio spectrum. Like I said there are cheaper and better ones to try.

Enjoy!

[mattjtaylor2809]

Like?, once I know what I'm doing I may try several different op amps. The 627 was recommended by Maverick & you can now buy their DAC with these pre-installed.

[mattjtaylor2809]

Well, I've finally "manned up" & had another attempt @ swapping out the factory Op Amps for the upgraded 627's & Wow..... The 1st few tracks were a little "woolly" & "stodgy" but now they're settling in, they're giving me a wonderful, rich sound field with a lot more bass under pinning the music. I'm suitably impressed & I'm sure they're will improve more over time (?) but it's also got me thinking what other Op Amps are suitable for the Maverick?

 

Anyway, happy to just listen to music.

 

Cheers

Matt

[Addicted to music]

Check out post 7, if youre good with a soldering iron, you can get the OPA 1612, OPA 827, for free.  The OPA 827 is a fuller range opamp with the bass of the 627 and its brighter, not as veiled as the 627. 

 

Or get the LME 49720, these Nationals are brilliant for the dosh.

 

There is also the ADA 4627- BRZ, this is the better livelier ones i have tried but they are expensive.

 

Good to see that you have them going!

[Addicted to music]

once you are confident in pulling them out and fitting them correctly, you are in for a lot of fun,  just remember to always check and double check that the orientation is correct and that all pins are inserted correctly, otherwise you get expensive smoke

[mattjtaylor2809]

Thanks pchan, I'll have a search for them

 

Cheers

Matt

[bigbuddha]

Just get Burson Opamps ... end of story

[mattjtaylor2809]

After looking around the net, I found these:

 

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LME49720-Pro-Audio-Dual-Low-Noise-OpAmp-PSRR-120-DIP-/170985751179?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27cf8b828b&_uhb=1#ht_1785wt_1141

 

Is this the "real deal" as there appears to be different versions of the same Op Amp?

 

Cheers

Matt

 

PS - Looking at the Burson OpAmps, I just don't think they will fit into my Maverick DAC.

[Addicted to music]

Try here Matt: http://www.partsconnexion.com/semi_opamp_national.html

I make it a habit of not purchasing semis on eBay apart from reputable sites, the picture of that opamp you posted has the correct symbol but the sequence of numbers on the top lack the quantity of digits.