The best sounding audio integrated opamps

[Andrea:]

I have already used the LT1028ACN8 in my other DAC (modified DIYEDEN SVDAC05). I also have 2 adapters ready with LT1028AN8 soldered on them... but they don't fit this DAC.

I don't think that the ACN8 sounds better than the CS8... Maybe it sounds better than the CN8? Haven't tried this.

If there isn't a LT1028ACS8, there must be a reason...



Regarding the LME49723, I found it to be more colorful (and resolving) than my 2x OPA132UA. If I had to choose between these, it would be LME49723 both for musicality and for transparency. The OPA132UA seems to impose its own sonic color, sometimes desirably sometimes not - just like, say, the LT1363/4 or the AD823.

[Andrea:]

I will certainly try the AD8599 if someone indicates me a place to get it from in Europe without paying crazy shipping amounts (err...digikey)

[leeperry]

well I was talking to an LT rep a few days ago, "A" means higher grade(and majkel said he heard it)...maybe it's so good that it wouldn't fit in a SOIC package

you still could use extension leads like on the Audio-GD

did you try AD8599 and AD797BRZ?

yeah, shipping costs are the deal breake for AD chips

[Andrea:]

Of course A means high grade... meaning that it's selected for DC precision. DC precision (so small differences) is irrelevant for audio.

Anyway, if you check the pricing of them, the ACN8 is the costliest, followed by the CS8 followed at a distance by the CN8. I think I saw this at digikey.


The AD797ANZ (I used it in the SVDAC05) is nice but the LT1028, whether CS8 or ACN8, is better for me... kind of more crystal clear.


At any rate, the often mistreated LME49710NA is still sounding just fine in my SVDAC05. The final choice (for the opamp to solder in it after having removed sockets) was between LT1028ACN8 and LME49710NA, and I went with the latter because, I don't know, there it seemed to be better.

Instead, guess what... the LT1028CS8 sounds better in my other CS4398 DAC (modified 2009 Super Pro 707) than the LME49720NA and HA. Mysteries... Well actually it's a hard choice with the LME49720HA. But... to me the LT1028CS8 is less 'audible'.

BTW it's interesting how the LT1028CS8 sounds just like a more refined OPA827.

[leeperry]

BTW, I can't see the AD797BRZ on their page anymore? AD797| Analog Devices

I could definitely use 4x AD797BN

too bad AD8599 is not available in DIP8..

PS: hey cool, I've found the waffer description of the AD797: http://pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datashe...D/AD797BN.html

[Andrea:]

You could use four AD797 and two LT1028...

[leeperry]

I'm trying to locate a seller for AD797BN, these chips are not manufactured anymore!? actually, the whole AD797B line seems to have been phased out.

oh, and the HDAM stays...for the time being anyway, I love their warm & wide SS

[Andrea:]

Actually you should do 4x LT1028 and 2x AD797, since the LT1028 with its low bias current will put less stress on the DAC's outputs than the AD797 would. In change the AD797 having 50 mA of output current will do well as a final buffer.


BTW, been listening and A/B comparing my two DACs, one with the LT1028CS8 (@12V), the other with the LME49710NA (@+/-15V)...

Both are very very nice sounding, a little bit different but both great...

One thing you can clearly hear as a difference is in bass performance: the LT1028 "kicks" more obviously, whereas the LME49710NA bass is a bit round (the British would love it).

Also a bit different sounding are the mids... more dark and smoothed out in the LME49710NA, more articulate in the LT1028CS8. Also the tonality is a bit different, but both are quite enjoyable..

[leeperry]

well, do you still have the Audio-GD HDAM around? borrow whatever source that can run 2*2 op-amps and play around!

or get a stock Prodigy HD2 on ebay or sumthing...it's not because they suck in your ZeroDAC or modded standalone player, that you should rule them out IMO.

in the right set up, they sound fantastic...but boring, so they need to be fed w/ something colored like the 1364, and why not AD797B/1028ACN8/1363 etc etc

they are like the ultimate amp...feed them well and they will reward you w/ premium SQ...they sound like a VERY expensive audiophile set up, not very good as I/V but most fantastic as final buffer after I/V.

many ppl put discrete op-amps on my soundcard(that feeds the op-amps w/ ±8.8V), there's a very good reason for that:

BURSON AUDIO PCI sound card Prodigy HD2 amended 192kHz/24bit

Burson Audio / Gooi PC's modified Audiotrak Prodigy HD2 Burson Audio

and the high gain JRC4580 on the headphones out goes after those 3 op-amps...it gives a fantastic bass response!

if you like external gear better, a friend of mine bought this: HA INFO NG27 - Headphone Amplifier USB - iPod - PCM2702 DAC

he loves it w/ an OPA2132P! it sounds better than the Asus STX to his ears...and he will put 2*AD797BN if I ever manage to locate some.

restricting your rolling to only one dual op-amp is a waste of time IMHO.

[Andrea:]

I guess that only the OPA1611 or the LME49725 have (on paper) a chance to make me part with the LT1028 in the near future