Possible New DAC for Discrete Opamp Rolling

You may have missed my suggestion, but if you want, keep your eye out for a used L.K.S. MH-DA003 DAC, which is the previous model (maybe on ebay or audiogon). These are excellent DACs and have sockets for swappable op amps. Not many DACs have the sockets and most are soldered directly in. I have a Emotiva XDA-2 DAC and i have to remove the op amps and put in sockets so that I could "roll". You could probably get the LKS for about $1k or maybe less.

auxinput, have you tried mixing and matching the the brands? I did a lot of that with the first flight of Burson, NewClassD, and Sparkos years ago, and I was able to attain much more range of results. It's a time consuming thing to try all variables with many Opamps, but imo well worth it. With the variety of combinations I was able to tune the DAC to any rig I established. I'm looking for even more capability with the new Bursons, and I will probably try the Sonic Imagery. 

Yes, I saw the DAC recommend. Your advice has been hugely helpful! 

Yeah, I have tried a massive amount of combinations.  It's always a give-and-take or elements of additive/removal depending on what combinations you use.  At this point, I run a combination of Sonic Imagery 994Enh and Burson V6 Vivid in my Emotiva DAC and Rane stereo line mixer / preamp.  I only run the Burson because I have several spots where the Sonic Imagery just won't fit and the V6 Vivid is the next best op amp (for resolution and transparency).

There are hardly any DACs out there that I know of which still use socketed op amps.  Most will have the op amps soldered directly onto the board and many actually use the very tiny SMD op amps.  The LKS is one that I know of that still used sockets.  You could also look at an Asus Essence DAC (such as the Essence III), but I suspect the LKS is highly superior (but could be hard to find).  There could be other DACs with sockets.

On another note, if you want to roll opamps, the Kinki Studio EX-M1 integrated amplifier has socketed op amps for the preamp/driver stages.  These are ripe for some Burson V6 op amps and would make a really "awsome for the money" integrated with discrete input stage when upgraded with the Burson.

Auxinput2, thanks for your posts.  I have an XDA-2 and would like to upgrade it.  Can you tell me how many of each opamp you used, and where they went?  Perhaps a pic if you can spare the time?  I assume the Bursons are not too tall to fit inside? And, if you don't mind one more newbie question, what sockets did you use?

If I want to start with just two opamps, where might they go?

Did you upgrade coupling capacitors as well?

Thanks!!

As I was notified of the new post added to this thread, I have an opportunity to share that I did procure a Kinki Studio EX-M1+ Integrated Amp, and reviewed it for Dagogo.com 

The discrete opamp rolling experience with the EX-M1+ has been highly rewarding, and I recommend it to adventurous audiophiles. Note that I have concluded over the long term regardless of which is rolled, a DAC or Integrated, that obtaining a wide variety of brands of opamps is the most advantageous to find a perfect selection and ultimate satisfaction. It costs more, but the outcome is significantly superior, imo.