MUSES01 Where to buy ?
- Thread starter LambChop
- Start date
Ah ok, thanks. I worry about fakes, but I imagine you cant really buy a fake op-amp, or ?
Is there a way to tell the difference ?
I think your best bet is to use Google and search for dealers that others have successfully purchased from.
Combat Fighter (OcUK user name) says he has three, try contacting him and asking him where he got them. I did ask him at one point but he never answered.
Combat Fighter (OcUK user name) says he has three, try contacting him and asking him where he got them. I did ask him at one point but he never answered.
I've got Sennheiser HD 580's. I love them. Would quite like a set of HD800's hehe, but think I'll eventually get a set of HD700's.
Who would seriously buy 3x opamps that cost not far off what the actual card does? Madness in my opinion.
Personally, I don't think these expensive sound cards are worth spending £150 on, purely because they are only as good as the PC it sits in will allow. Adding opamps costing £150 to an already expensive card is silly. A good external DAC/amp will last many years, will have no software issues and will be free of any possible EMI troubles.
Are these opamps actually going to be worth it? Considering:-
Kei has found no improvement, admittedly with cheaper opamps than the MUSES. I have an ST, and also found no improvement with similar opamps. The article Kei posted also suggests the guy that wrote it found no difference either.
The problem when comparing opamps (and anything when it comes to audio where it takes time to change components), is that human memory is not good enough to remember exact sound details, unless those sounds can be heard very close together. The differences are too small and the amount of time that passes between swapping opamps is too long.
It's pretty easy for someone to fit a new component and claim that the sound is so much better. Anyone can claim that. Ideally it would be best to compare two sound cards side by side. One with stock opamps and other with MUSES. That way a fairer comparison can be made with less chance of placebo coming into it. Sadly though, that is easier said than done.
Personally, I don't think these expensive sound cards are worth spending £150 on, purely because they are only as good as the PC it sits in will allow. Adding opamps costing £150 to an already expensive card is silly. A good external DAC/amp will last many years, will have no software issues and will be free of any possible EMI troubles.
Are these opamps actually going to be worth it? Considering:-
Kei has found no improvement, admittedly with cheaper opamps than the MUSES. I have an ST, and also found no improvement with similar opamps. The article Kei posted also suggests the guy that wrote it found no difference either.
The problem when comparing opamps (and anything when it comes to audio where it takes time to change components), is that human memory is not good enough to remember exact sound details, unless those sounds can be heard very close together. The differences are too small and the amount of time that passes between swapping opamps is too long.
It's pretty easy for someone to fit a new component and claim that the sound is so much better. Anyone can claim that. Ideally it would be best to compare two sound cards side by side. One with stock opamps and other with MUSES. That way a fairer comparison can be made with less chance of placebo coming into it. Sadly though, that is easier said than done.
Thanks marsman, I think the article Kei led me to has stopped me in my tracks. I am quite happy to keep the opamps I have and concentrate on other things in my build. Of course £150 is a lot to spend on the MUSES but I am happy to keep that in my pocket.
I listen to music, in flacs format. HDTracks is a good place to buy from.
My taste in music can vary from one end of the specrum in something like REM, to some 60's like The drifters and other Mowtown music and can also feel at home with the 80's and thumping dance tunes. I really just listen to whatever mood I'm in.
I of course being a gamer, I do game with my 580's too but mostly use my turtlebeach x11's (not great) as they have a mouthpiece.
I wont listen to movies with them that often, you're lucky if I do it half a dozen times in a year.
Do you have any recommendations ?
If you don't want to spend too much money and with this stuff, the sky really is the limit...
Epiphany O2Di USB DAC & Amp from OcUK for £180
Schiit Modi USB DAC & Schiit Vali hybrid tube amp for £180 for the two *
Schiit Modi USB DAC & Schiit Asgard 2 Amplifier for £275 for the two *
Audio-GD NFB-15 multi-input DAC / Amp (direct import from China) $250 + $37 shipping
Audio-GD NFB-11 multi-input DAC / Amp (direct import from China) $315 + $37 shipping
* you will also need two short RCA interconnects to connect the amp to the DAC.
I have the Schiit Modi and Vali and use them with my HD 650 for all of my music listening sessions.
Epiphany O2Di USB DAC & Amp from OcUK for £180
Schiit Modi USB DAC & Schiit Vali hybrid tube amp for £180 for the two *
Schiit Modi USB DAC & Schiit Asgard 2 Amplifier for £275 for the two *
Audio-GD NFB-15 multi-input DAC / Amp (direct import from China) $250 + $37 shipping
Audio-GD NFB-11 multi-input DAC / Amp (direct import from China) $315 + $37 shipping
* you will also need two short RCA interconnects to connect the amp to the DAC.
I have the Schiit Modi and Vali and use them with my HD 650 for all of my music listening sessions.
Thanks, appreciate that info.
You're happy with the choice you have made ? What do you think of your 650's too ?