Low-distortion Audio-range Oscillator

AX tech editor
Joined 2002
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Some years ago I made opamps measurement in this RIAA-78 stage schematic (40dB gain at 1kHz)-
https://content6-foto.inbox.lv/albums/v/viccc/PhonoSC/PSsch.jpg
All spectrum measurements was done at 5V RMS 1kHz output signal level.
OPA627-
https://content6-foto.inbox.lv/albums/v/viccc/PhonoSC/OPA627-5V.jpg
NE5532-
https://content6-foto.inbox.lv/albums/v/viccc/PhonoSC/NE5532-5V.jpg
OPA2134-
https://content6-foto.inbox.lv/albums/v/viccc/PhonoSC/OPA2134-5V.jpg
OPA637-
https://content6-foto.inbox.lv/albums/v/viccc/PhonoSC/OPA637-5V.jpg
LM4562-
https://content6-foto.inbox.lv/albums/v/viccc/PhonoSC/LM4562-5v.jpg
All results are in good corellation with the official data sheets.
The NE5532 is good opamp, but not the best.

Viktor, Do you mean you did this with the RIAA app circuit mentioned? So this was with a gain at 1kHz of about 40dB?

Which means the distortion at gain = 1 is 40dB less?

Jan
 
Some years ago I made opamps measurement in this RIAA-78 stage schematic (40dB gain at 1kHz)-
https://content6-foto.inbox.lv/albums/v/viccc/PhonoSC/PSsch.jpg
All spectrum measurements was done at 5V RMS 1kHz output signal level.
OPA627-
https://content6-foto.inbox.lv/albums/v/viccc/PhonoSC/OPA627-5V.jpg
NE5532-
https://content6-foto.inbox.lv/albums/v/viccc/PhonoSC/NE5532-5V.jpg
OPA2134-
https://content6-foto.inbox.lv/albums/v/viccc/PhonoSC/OPA2134-5V.jpg
OPA637-
https://content6-foto.inbox.lv/albums/v/viccc/PhonoSC/OPA637-5V.jpg
LM4562-
https://content6-foto.inbox.lv/albums/v/viccc/PhonoSC/LM4562-5v.jpg
All results are in good corellation with the official data sheets.
The NE5532 is good opamp, but not the best.


Your measurements will be correct, which I strongly suspect. I know, the LM is better than the NE. But in the circuit configuration as notch (1kHz, + 40dB) the NE seems to have less THD than the LM. I do not know the output impedance of the notch itself, but I will investigate it again.
 
Viktor, Do you mean you did this with the RIAA app circuit mentioned? So this was with a gain at 1kHz of about 40dB?
Which means the distortion at gain = 1 is 40dB less?
Jan
Yes, the gain is 40 dB at 1kHz. At the gain 0dB the distortions can be near to these 40dB less, but it depends on what configuration is used (inverting or not) and the level of the input signal.
 
Why not Samuel Groner's composite op-amp, the LT app note uses two composite op-amps?
Have you tried this composite opamp?
Typically these opamps have unwanted side effects. We can read also about this example:
"First and foremost, it should be appreciated that the novel composite operational amplifier is conditionally stable only. Sufficient phase margin is (except at very low frequencies)only available near the unity open-loop gain frequency. The composite operational amplifier must thus be operated witha unity loop gain frequency close to the unity open-loop gain frequency. In many cases this implies the use of an additional feedback capacitor instead of a purely resistive feedback network. Large-signal overload conditions such as output voltage clipping, output current limiting or slew-rate limiting can trigger instability. Similar effects may occur during power-up and power-down..."
 
AX tech editor
Joined 2002
Paid Member
Have you tried this composite opamp?
Typically these opamps have unwanted side effects. We can read also about this example:
"First and foremost, it should be appreciated that the novel composite operational amplifier is conditionally stable only. Sufficient phase margin is (except at very low frequencies)only available near the unity open-loop gain frequency. The composite operational amplifier must thus be operated witha unity loop gain frequency close to the unity open-loop gain frequency. In many cases this implies the use of an additional feedback capacitor instead of a purely resistive feedback network. Large-signal overload conditions such as output voltage clipping, output current limiting or slew-rate limiting can trigger instability. Similar effects may occur during power-up and power-down..."

I am using several of these on a small DIL08 header and have seen no problems. I use a few pF across the feedback R, and I use the anti-clamp diodes as shown in the article.

By increasing the noise gain a lot I found a -160dB distortion at 1kHz, which is not as good as the -180dB Samuel reported, but then again my equipment and setup surely isn't as good as his.

Jan
 
opamp jockey

I replaced the op amp after the notch filter with other types and got unexpected results. The THD results with LM4562 are consistent but unexpectedly high. The NE5532 is not bad and has relatively little distortion. Probably because it copes well with a gain of + 40dB.
 

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Last edited:
AX tech editor
Joined 2002
Paid Member
Ralf, the differences are relatively minor, and I agree with you that we should expect better, for both opamps.
That suggests that something else dominates the distortion.

What power supply did you use, and what type of resistors? Is your source better than the ~-120dB implied in your measurement?

Once you get below -100dB, every electron counts! ;-)

Jan
 
I replaced the op amp after the notch filter with other types and got unexpected results. The THD results with LM4562 are consistent but unexpectedly high. The NE5532 is not bad and has relatively little distortion. Probably because it copes well with a gain of + 40dB.
Interesting is that you get high only 2nd when LM4562 is used, but higher harmonics are lower than in the case of NE5532. Also the 2nd has different level in each example of NE5532 measurement. Needs to remember, that the second harmonic may be compensated when devices in the measurement chain have similar residual levels of them, but the phases are in opposite.
Probably if you can try the OPA1656, you may get the truth :)
 
I am using several of these on a small DIL08 header and have seen no problems. I use a few pF across the feedback R, and I use the anti-clamp diodes as shown in the article.
By increasing the noise gain a lot I found a -160dB distortion at 1kHz, which is not as good as the -180dB Samuel reported, but then again my equipment and setup surely isn't as good as his.
Jan
I think, you can get the full performance of this composite, when you run it only in the inverted mode. Otherwise, the input stage of the first opamp may degrade the performance. Also the relatively high input current of the input opamp can give some cons.
 
Interesting is that you get high only 2nd when LM4562 is used, but higher harmonics are lower than in the case of NE5532. Also the 2nd has different level in each example of NE5532 measurement. Needs to remember, that the second harmonic may be compensated when devices in the measurement chain have similar residual levels of them, but the phases are in opposite.
Probably if you can try the OPA1656, you may get the truth :)


Yes, Mouser always likes to deliver to me. But they always charge $20, if I order individual parts :-(
 
The post notch opamp's input C modulation with level will dominate its distortion. There are opamps that are much better for this specific issue. TI has an app note discussing it. Still, a discrete cascoded FET input would be the best and that becomes a forest of parts.
Post notch signal is relatively low.
Passive twin T notch has capacitive and low output impedance at high frequencies (when the source has also low impedance).