Supreme Sound Audio Op-amp upgrade

[Guest]

I would like to give them a go on board the ASUS ST or STX  in the other end of the lounge on the battery rig 

[BursonAudio]

Hi Charles, my SS opamp arrived this morning. Will post some impressions in a couple of days as I have to complete the rebuild of my active crossover and life got in the way over the weekend

Nice, thanks for the update:) 

[Gordon Macfarlane]

Hi guy's just some quick observations on yesterdays listening sessions with the SS opamp. I will do a longer review once I get the active crossover for the bass units back in place.

Bottom line : most definitely worth the retail price as a replacement for the line-fit AD827  that came with the I2S to ak4495 dac board.

On Tueaday evening Steve and I spent a few hours listening to music with the AD827 in place to reacquaint  ourselves with the sound of the system running without the Isobaric bass units. The sound from the music was engaging but overly bright, pace ,rhythm and timing were excellent and though the sound was bright we kept getting drawn into the music.

On Wednesday morning I popped in the SS oa and had a brief listen. I wasn't expecting much from cold but the new OA was better in most areas that could be defined by hi-fi rather than musical terminology ie bass was tighter and more extended , better left to right soundstaging , perhaps less depth but far better decay to notes. Pace ,rhythm and timing was mediocre.

Left the dac powered while we went out and on our return late in the afternoon we sat down for a few hours and ran through the tracks we had played on Tuesday. We were greeted by music  which had more body and solidity . Musical timing was now  spot on which allowed us to just enjoy and explore the music rather than just listening to just a pretty sound .

As Monster said there is more detail coming through but the detail does not distract form the quality of the performance, in fact ,because of the excellent timing the detail just draws you into the music more.

The only negative I noticed was that the top end was less open ie there was less 'air' around the performers but it's early days and I will replace the Blackgate power supply caps @ the opamp with some Elna Slimic 2's to see if this changes things.

Big thanks to Charles and the Crew at Burson Audio for such a generous pre -Christmas present.

Edited December 13, 2015 by Ozcall

[Cafad]

I've just purchased two pair of V5s to try out in my YBA Heritage CD100 silver disc spinner.  Pre-op pics below.

 

I've also got a pair of V4s on hand so I'll be able to play about and do a bit of a comparison with them too.  I did have two pairs of V3s as well but I gave them to a mate who was doing some DIY and didn't want to use opamps (I wonder if I could borrow them back for a while, must remember to ask).

 

 

 

It looks like I'll be doing some discrete opamp rolling over the holidays.  Fun times ahead I'm sure.

Edited December 12, 2015 by Cafad

[niss_man]

Hi Jeff. Yes you can have them back. I've found I enjoy the lm4562s more anyhow. The bursons suffered crosstalk in my implementation.

[Cafad]

Cool, thanks Simon.

[Guest]

I wonder what the Burson 24v DC Power supplies are like ?

They report a total noise free circuit.

Not much reading on those in their website, but there.

[Guest]

Hello here goes a submission to try a power supply.

Currently using 2 seperate batteries  to power my DC stuff, 2 voltages, 12 and 24. The batteries are reasonable in size, with a total storage over both of about 20Kw hours,  are supported by MPPT Charger controllers and Solar Array's. Both are German made Tube plate Gel and operate well for decades and thousands of cycles.
Both Supplies make up voltages required to run a miniDSP (12v) and @@mwhouston "mimic" Pre amp (24v)so as I can run a TT.

Have heard a fair bit about SMPS sounding better but yet to be totally convinced about that.

Any noise from a power supply, in any slightest way does effect the enjoyment of listening, firstly and most important, correct application of battery provides an amazingly noise free pure linear analogue VDC supply.

Voltage variation has an impact on listening as the components can sound different at varying voltages from the battery during the battery cycles, which is not really a problem but never the less.

If anyone design a SMPS and get the noise to "nothing" I would have my hand up.  

The very first test, a supply has to pass is the old plug it in. Idle and load it, connected, start a zero noise track on the buffer, turn it up a little and listen.
A Pair of 110dB per watt sensitive PSE144, trust me you can hear the power supplies over the battery    Already tried a few.

 

 but, the power supplies we use to run our DC buffers and amps are the major contributor to noise and one of the hardest things to get right in a system. 

 

Cheers

[mwhouston]

There is no doubt SMPSs have come a long way. It is a little like Class D amps, they have matured into good technology. I only run my Class D amps on linear PSs. Some believe Class D amps run better or as well on SMPSs. A friend who got me into Class D amps, who tried SMPSs and linear PSs felt they sounded better with the linear PS. I have taken his lead and run all my various Class D amps on linear PSs.

Personally I don't see the need to use a SMPS in Class D amps. I don't see a power saving and anytime you can keep one radio transmitter out of you listening room and house the better things have to be. All SMPSs, of high current, will fail in about 7 years. A well made linear PS can go for ever, if not longer (lol).

A linear PS is so very simple and with Class D amps only minimum filtering is required. The only consideration you may have is size and weight. If my audio gear sounds better but a little larger or heavier, so be it. Until convinced otherwise I'm staying with linear PSs.

[BursonAudio]

Thanks for the feedback,

 

We are very curious to know how the other guys are doing with their projects and the V5 Opa. 

 

Next round of participants starting soon. 

[mwhouston]

Thanks for the feedback,

 

We are very curious to know how the other guys are doing with their projects and the V5 Opa. 

 

Next round of participants starting soon.

Still hopeful.

[Guest]

!!!!!  OPA SHOOT OUT  !!!!

 

 

Ok, just finished putting the "shoot out gang" together

 

Brown Burr OPA627SM (mil grade tin can with graphite dampers as an option) Single's made into a pair for DIP 8,  on a gold plated PCB with silver soldering

 

BB OPA 2134 PA, Dual dip 8

 

Burson Supreme V5-OPA-D for dip 8.

 

This should be interesting to say the least, same rules as before, rough evaluation after plug in and a final for all 3. Same reference system, the PSE144, Eminence Magnum 18's, 6 x 100w Holton Precision Audio A/B Power Amp and the miniDSP. Houston's Mimic  is to be the test device that I will be changing OPA's around with. A MICRO Seiki MR611, with shure M55EM Cart with 35hour old Oliptical Diamond Stylus, is sounding sensational. 

 

Ok, better go fit the  BB OPA 627SM's and see how they sound, straight off the hot iron.  

Been wearing ear muffs all day 

 

Sorry about the terrible photo, will be fixing that tomorrow.

Edited December 16, 2015 by Guest

[Guest]

Guys we did the MKP mod to the STX and the result is very impressive. Maybe that is something to consider for your next V5 mod:

 

 

For more information please come here: http://www.bursonaudio.com/asus-xonar-essence-stx-upgraded-with-supreme-sound-v5-op-amps/

 

Also we are selling a couple of modded items via our eBay shop. Come and check it out here: http://www.ebay.com.au/usr/ss-audio-au

 

That particular modded ASUS Xonar STX will be heading South to Tasmania, nice one.   OPA day hahaha

 

Thank you Guy's at Burson Audio

[Guest]

Takes a good hour for everything to warm up and run sweet. After an hour of new BB OPA627SM's, well, will just have to wait for them to burn in, yikes. The high frequency veil has lifted but come with slur and smudging, good separation but the image is damaged by the harshness. Mid range is clear and bright, plenty of presence and accuracy, but more forward in the sound stage plane. Nothing like a first hour and impression of the Supreme V5, quite a contrast. 

Bass is reasonable possibly hearing some lower frequencies. The performance is too bad from the upper frequencies to make further comment, turn it right down.

 

Nothing like first hour and impression of the Supreme V5, quite a contrast. You could surmise that this is not a fair test but my ears tell me the V5 already has won already. Time will tell.

Battery voltage 25.120v

Edited December 16, 2015 by Guest

[BursonAudio]

Hi Guys, 

 

Thanks for all your support. We are now just pending on photo and feedback from the two more members from the first round of selection (Ozcall & Betocool). Once their photos and feedbacks comes back in we will have the next round send out. 

 

So, if you want to be in the next round of free trail please post your photo in the thread please. 

 

Thank you once more for all your ongoing support. 

[betocool]

I'm hoping to get all I need together over the holidays to (start and) finish my headphone amp. As long as Jaycar/Altronics stock a couple of things I need, should be alright.

 

Things been slow what with moving out and setting up my workspace, but slowly getting there!

 

Charles, thanks for the devices, they arrived Ok and are waiting for me to get off my lazy bum and start working!

 

Ok... I'm off!

[Gordon Macfarlane]

Hi Charles , posted an initial assessment of your opamp in post 78 of this thread. Spoke to Dennis yesterday and he has sent me over a couple of the 220uf Elna Slimics and some Wima 0.1uf to replace the Blackgates I was using in the power supply @ the opamp. Once the caps arrive I will install them , take some internal pics of the dac and post another assesment of the opamp.

The improvement in sound quality over the AD827  is very gratifying as is .

Thanks again,

Gordon

[Equaliser]

Thanks to Charles and a shoutout to the guys at Burson I`ve been using the 1 of the pair of V5 duals I received in a few amplifiers and I definitely like them. A clear upgrade over the king of opamps (for me personally) LME47920HA in 8/10 areas I`ve critically focused on and I`am very happy that these are tuned right, better sounding and come in a smaller footprint then the old Burson audio opamps that I`ve used.

Will post details on my test gear, equipment, comparison etc later on.

[BursonAudio]

Guys, 

 

I appreciate your honest feedback and will be looking forward for further impressions/testing with your own gear. 

[Guest]

Hello

 

Would like to share a couple of photos of the Lycan Headphone/Pre Amp from Supreme Audio.

 

The box it came in said "Hand Crafted in Australia" certainly is very pretty to look at and very well built 

Will be enjoying a few sessions over the Christmas break with this in service.

There are a few options, which makes it interesting.

Thank you Dennis and Charles at Burson Audio for such a lovely addition to the stereo here over Christmas.

 

Now to plug it into the battery  MERRY CHRISTMAS 

Edited December 23, 2015 by Guest

[Equaliser]

How much did the Lycan set you back? Looks interesting.

[Guest]

Hi @

The Lycan was sent on as part of a package that included an ASUS Xonar STX (fully modded) and a 24v DC power supply. Burson Supreme Audio have asked me to do a comparison on the Power supply (SMPS) as compared to the 24v Battery I use to run my existing Phono Pre, the @@mwhouston "Mimic"

 

The Lycan can also be used as a Pre Amp, is very pretty piece of gear.

 

Comparison should be out over the next few days as it has been busy with Christmas at my place/work so have not had very much time to do any subjective listening.

 

Also been looking about for a set of reasonable headphones to do some of the comparison work as it has been difficult to do as my PSE144 system has been through as few changes over the last week.

[betocool]

To avoid any mistakes...

 

Pin 1 is the one nearest to the groove on the red side? I'm hoping to finish the HP amp today or tomorrow latest.

[Gordon Macfarlane]

Just some pics as a place holder till I can get some proper listening time in :

See next post.

Edited January 2, 2016 by Ozcall

[Gordon Macfarlane]

Hi guys , please have a look here : http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php/topic/95375-couple-of-system-pics-of-the-new-layout-explanation-to-follow/?p=1524662 for a description of our current system in which the SS audio opamp replacement is being used.











21/01/16 :In the last few days I have managed to get a bit of listening time in and have to say I am very impressed with the upgrade the SSaudio opamp has brought to our listening experience. Overall the sound has greater solidity , 'drive' and definition.

Originally I felt that the only negative with the SSA's was that the top end was a little more 'closed in ' than the line fit AD827 but replacing the Blackgate 100uf caps in the power supply lines to the opamp with Elna Slimic 220uf has fixed the issue and now I have a big open sound when the recording dictates.

Bass is more extended with greater slam and vocals sound more natural .

I definitely recommend giving the SSaudio opamps a try and will actually be purchasing one to upgraded a friends Meridian 101 preamp.

Many Thanks to SSAUDIO.

Edited January 21, 2016 by Ozcall