The best sounding audio integrated opamps

[Chuck Gutsup]

Muses are superb (but expensive).

 

[AllenB]

Muses are superb (but expensive).

Where do you get yours?

 

[hmj]

I'm currently running opa2604ap op amps in a hifi preamp. Great sound but long in the tooth? What is the best drop in replacement for it in todays money. I suspect they have improved quite a bit since this once revered one was released.

 

[Mark Johnson]

Hold on to your OPA2604s. They have been discontinued. You'll want to use them some day in the future, or to sell them for 8X what you originally paid.

All of the really good replacements need one of these little pads, very much like the "gel insoles" that you can put in your shoe for extra padding and comfort

the first link

the second link

For example, OPA1612 , ADA4898-2 , AD8599 , LT1469

 

[hmj]

ok thanks

 

[dotneck335]

Don't forget the new kid on the block and current specs champion---the OPA1656. SMD only.

 

[Chuck Gutsup]

AllenB, I got mine from Profusion PLC. Official suppler. About £35 a shot.

 

[sciencesky]

Is that OPA1656 really that good?
The voltage noise density doesn't look good to me below 100Hz.

 

[xrk971]

Yes, so good they are sold out everywhere.

 

[nigelwright7557]

Plenty of alternatives here:
Buy OPA1 online from RS Components

 

[ctfrommn]

I like the OPA1656's but theyre definitely not the holy grail theyre being made to be. They arent neutral if thats important to you. I would call them slightly "V" shaped. That said, highs arent harsh and bass is tight.

I actually prefer the LM4562's more as they have a bigger soundstage and are more neutral, but not in a clinical way. Another Im trying right now which is showing promise, and is dirt cheap, is the RC4560. It sounds really close to the OPA1656 (to me, and on my setup) for a fraction of the cost and no need for DIP8 adapter.

This all is very subjective though and will strongly depend on what youre using it in, what speakers, cables, setup, etc.

I have a few more to try as well and will update as I have more details.

 

[sciencesky]

Yes, so good they are sold out everywhere.

The Input Voltage Noise below 100Hz doesn't look so good though.

 

[sciencesky]

@ctfrommn: try the AD8599. It is a good one too. I replaced an NJM2068 which controlled the output stage of the Headphone Amp of my EMU 1616m with an LME49720( nearly the same as the LM4562) first and than with an AD8599. I liked the AD8599 much more. But it is also much more expensive.

 

[ctfrommn]

Looks like that is only available in a SOIC8 package. Im trying to avoid messing with those right now.

 

[ctfrommn]

Another really good cheap option is the TL052CP. This is overall pretty neutral and has fantastic mid-range. The soundstage is slightly less than the LM4562 and RC4560 but the top end is more neutral and the mids are better. These are JFET chips with a high slew rate (20.7) and output (80ma).

 

[sciencesky]

Do you probably mean the RC4580 instead of the RC4560?
Because for its price the RC4580 is actually a very good sounding opamp too.
I have a Native Instruments Audio 2 DJ soundcard that uses the RC4580 as an headphone amplifier and it sounds really good.

 

[ctfrommn]

No, the RC4560IP
link

 

[sciencesky]

The values in the datasheet don't look so good...

 

[ctfrommn]

I'm not looking for theoretical bests, just what sounds good in my amp with speakers. These definitely do.

 

[Mark Johnson]

Spend two vacuum tubes' worth of money and buy a LOT of opamp chips. Listen to them all. I'll bet the one whose sound you love the most, is not the one whose datasheet is the most eye-poppong.