Audiophonics HPA-S400ET or something else? [suggestion]

[AweLoi]

2. The HPA-S400ET uses the LM4562 OPA, not the TI OPA1656 recommended by Bruno of Purifi. It offers an 8pin socket to put in another OPA model later, but I would rather get the OPA1656 that comes with the Boxem 4215/2E.

It seem like Audiophonics now have changed the LM4562 to OPA1656 in the HPA-S400ET when I look at their website.

I have the older version but recently ordered OPA1656 and swapped the opamps myself yesterday. I actually think they sounded better than LM4562 (more open and airy) but it might just as well be a trick of my mind. Sounds great anyhow!

 

[easyrider82]

Is the AUDIOPHONICS HPA-S400ET with a wiim ultra a good match? The wiim will be used for dac/streamer/pre

I use it as a streamer only feeding an RME ADI-2 DAC driving the 400ET in bypass mode and they sound amazing!
The streamer functionalities and especially the WiiM app is one of the best overall. I never used it as a DAC but i think it will be up to the task.
Consider also the rest of your system, especially speakers. the real bottleneck of a system.

 

[easyrider82]

It seem like Audiophonics now have changed the LM4562 to OPA1656 in the HPA-S400ET when I look at their website.

I have the older version but recently ordered OPA1656 and swapped the opamps myself yesterday. I actually think they sounded better than LM4562 (more open and airy) but it might just as well be a trick of my mind. Sounds great anyhow!

I remember from the review and measurements done here that also excluding completely the buffer part it's not having effects on SQ.
I did it just because the RME DAC i have is able to drive nicely the 2 Purify modules without the need of a buffer. The speakers are also quite sensitive at 95dbs, so I'm just using the DAC in its ideal working range.

I expect then swapping the OPamp wouldn't be noticeable. unless something bad was happening with one the two (quite unlikely).
I believe also if someone could hear differences with or without the buffer in a super revealing system, it's maybe the preamp not able to cope with input sensitivity of the modules & not having enough voltage output to properly drive them. Otherwise the impact of the whole buffer board should be very transparent.
OFC is just my2c

 

[easyrider82]

Am heading down that same path. I owned the stereo version of what you've just bought (AUDIOPHONICS HPA-S400ET). Really loved the sound but didn't care for the case design although I think they've changed it now (REALLY sharp cooling fins!) and decided aesthetically that 2 mono's look better than 1 stereo in my set up . How are yours sounding now after a bit of usage?

Amazing, the 2 monos are fed in bypass mode and powering a pair of (upgraded) Tannoy SRM15x monitors. The results it's fantastic!
I plan to buy a lower powered Class D amp (still have to think of the best one) from Audiophonics to feed Tannoys and plug the 2 monos to a pair of a great sounding Brianza Audio Lab classic monitors:

They require for sure some extra juice compared to the old Tannoys.