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Topic: Rythmik Sub Plate Amps: Are Discrete Op-amp and/or other Upgrades Sensible? (Read 975 times) previous topic - next topic
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Rythmik Sub Plate Amps: Are Discrete Op-amp and/or other Upgrades Sensible?

As you likely know, these are among the best rated yet affordable subs.
https://www.rythmikaudio.com/reviews.html  https://www.rythmikaudio.com/technology.html

But some claim to hear coloration which presumably even designer Brian Ding suspects could be due to use of less than ideal op-amps in the plate amps. https://www.rythmikaudio.com/faq.html 

Assuming the plate amp's op-amps are pluggable and not soldered (???), which swappable discrete op-amps might even be better alternatives than this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyhxKmQy-pw&t=17s

Or this?  https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=discrete+op+amp

Or which of these? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDA90yMoT18

OTOH, Zockopa commented here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdYFH9ms9EE&t=28s  ,  that upgrading the passive components functioning directly with the op-amp (film caps with dielectrics yielding lower DA and distortion) will likely deliver more cost-effective performance. 

Therefore, are at least the modest, if not brisk sales of this "snake oil" by at least the above three brands driven by placebo satisfaction-rather than vastly less measurable noise?

Otherwise, what else could account for any user claims for perceived larger soundstage, better imaging, more definable midrange and wider flatter frequency response?

And even Brian Ding says here that except for bass heavy dance music, flat response down to 14 Hz (certainly 28Hz) is quite noticeable, as it pertains to recorded event ambiance and the size and proportionality of soundstage. https://www.rythmikaudio.com/faq.html#14hz
 
But then the task at hand is how best to upgrade the circuitry of the chosen plate amp?
https://www.rythmikaudio.com/amplifiers.html