The best sounding audio integrated opamps

[nelsonvandal]

I've never had problems with opamps on sockets. Never. Not even fast amps like LM6171, ADA4899-1, AD8045, OPA690, AD8066 etc.

[Andrea:]

I didn't say I had problems...I've merely appreciated a certain (subtle) sonic improvement in removing the socket. I think it happened also with my other DAC, but this time it has seemed more apparent. Maybe also that tantalum removed...bah

[SoNic_real_one]

I think that's just imagination. Decent sockets will not change the sound, especially if you have the decopling caps soldered on the cip.
As for the location of your OA - it is not in critical position, you are using it just as a filter/buffer.
As I said, yor findings, for the I/V stage, are meningless. So... generalization is dangerous.

[Andrea:]

Not critical you say? It's one opamp in the signal path, i.e. a warranty of coloration I'd say this is critical enough.


That said, I find I/V conversion to be a minor application, surely not a major one. And anyway the LT1028 has a high bandwidth (> 80 MHz), very high open-loop gain, very low noise, very low Ib for a bipolar, good slew rate, so it could be quite well suited also for I/V conversion. No I'm not claiming it's the best for that (especially since I haven't tried that)

[Andrea:]

At any rate, if it's not the removed socket that sounds better, then it must be the removed tantalum.

[Andrea:]

I doubt I will touch the DAC anymore... it's near-perfect. I'm not interested anymore in the class-A-bias-the-opamp thing.

[SoNic_real_one]

I am ready to belive the tantal capacitor story more

[leeperry]

it's funny majkel was saying that Sun V2 is like a boy in love that forgets something, that there is some tonal colors it cannot output: Audio-gd discrete op-amps reviewed: OPA-Earth, OPA-Moon, OPA-Sun v.2 - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

I think I agree, soundstage is great but there seems to be some frequencies missing...there's something the LT1364CN8 can do as AK4396 LPF that the Sun V2 simply cannot offer.

OTOH, I love Earth as final buffer....it sounds amazing with two LT1364CN8 as AK4396 LPF's!

hopefully 2xLT1363CN8 on adapters will be spot-on...I'm still looking for AD797BN, but there are *******' hard to locate

I'm getting a new burson too, this should give with some 1363/1080ACN8

[Andrea:]

I remember the OPA-Sun V2 to be nice, meaty sounding... but somewhat colored, not very differently from the LT1363. One opamp that always imposes its interpretation. I think I have found better in the LT1028. Also the LME49710NA is rigorous enough. Funnily I found the LME49710HA to be less rigorous and more...creative

[Andrea:]

Originally Posted by SoNic_real_one

I am ready to belive the tantal capacitor story more

I knew that