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Modded Grado PH-1 - superb!

I went ahead and put in a pair of BB OPA627 opamps to replace the standard JRC 4556 opamp in there - the sound has really improved. It shouldn't suprise me, replacing a $0.29 chip with a pair of $25 chips. The bass is more lush, the BB chips compliment the rest of the setup. The noise floor is also way lower, as I have to use the high gain setting. The old OPAMP was really noisy, and the specs for the chips prove this: a reduction from 12 to 4.5 nV/Hz^1/2. I tried the OPA 2227 as well, and the hiss is even lower (3 nV noise) but didn't have the same punch and bass as the 627 chip.

I will try out the venerable AD797 soon, as the noise is 0.9 nV, and is supposed to have a sound very similar to the 627. Opamp rolling sure is fun!

I also put in rechargable 12V NiMH battery packs to replace the AC wall wart. The amp is DEAD silent, you are just listening to OPAMP hiss, which is why I tried rolling them.

BTW: Using Grado Platinum, 0.5 mV output, on a Linn Axis w/ LV-X arm.


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Topic - Modded Grado PH-1 - superb! - chillysalsa 11:40:39 07/17/04 (5)


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