The best sounding audio integrated opamps

[SoNic_real_one]

Some of the "tests" make me wonder if the faster OpAmps do not osscilate on ultrasound freqv due to improper decoupling. Especially the ones that claim fatigue due to "bright" trebles.

[Andrea:]

Originally Posted by leeperry

well, what do you make of the oscilloscope readings at the very end of their page? http://www.audio-gd.com/enweb/pro/diy/OPA.htm

Nothing much, it merely reproduces a square wave well...

Wait - have you noticed that the only frequency at which the OPA2604 shows some defaillance is 100 KHz ??

you were using speakers again maybe? because on high-end headphones, nothing can touch the Earth as final buffer...such a beefy/warm/tubey/wide SS, totally amazing

Maybe it's the computer environment... who knows, it might not favor the high-bandwidth chips vs. the slow OPA-Earth.

Anyway, yes, always been using my modest Polk Audio Monitor 30 speakers (I don't find they sound worse than my HD650...they only portray sound differently). And if the flaws are apparent on my speakers, then even more so...

Anyway... like what you like... if you want the thing, get it and cherish it.

[Andrea:]

Originally Posted by SoNic_real_one

Some of the "tests" make me wonder if the faster OpAmps do not osscilate on ultrasound freqv due to improper decoupling. Especially the ones that claim fatigue due to "bright" trebles.

Agreed.

[Andrea:]

Originally Posted by leeperry

2132P still has that crazy low end bass, wide SS and very detailed mids

I agree - though its midrange has something peculiar to it, which isn't unpleasant anyway. It's one good sounding dual opamp, surely. It also has a nice treble sparkle.

[leeperry]

Originally Posted by SoNic_real_one

Some of the "tests" make me wonder if the faster OpAmps do not osscilate on ultrasound freqv due to improper decoupling. Especially the ones that claim fatigue due to "bright" trebles.

definitely, the LM4562/49720 has always sounded very unstable to me...whiney trebles at stake! exactly like the LT1469...swap it for an OPA2132P and experience perfect stability

Originally Posted by Andrea:

I agree - though its midrange has something peculiar to it, which isn't unpleasant anyway. It's one good sounding dual opamp, surely. It also has a nice treble sparkle.

yes, mids are a bit colored, yet highly detailed...and the rest is nice!

[Andrea:]

Originally Posted by leeperry

definitely, the LM4562/49720 has always sounded very unstable to me...whiney trebles at stake! exactly like the LT1469...put an OPA2132P and experience perfect stability

Why not add on the underside of the card a .1 uF ceramic between pins 4 & 8 of each opamp socket? If you don't feel like doing it, ask some friend...

[leeperry]

well, soundcards carry a manufacturer's warranty...they might not like this kind of experiment

[Andrea:]

Originally Posted by leeperry

well, soundcards carry a manufacturer's warranty...they might not like this kind of experiment

OK, but it would only do good - no possible negative effects implied. Unless it's damaged in the operation

[leeperry]

well yeah, but anyway I read that audio-amps circuits are usualy spec'ed for a max GBW of 50MHz...you wouldn't need any more than that for audio stuff, and >50Mhz op-amps would only be prone to oscillate in such designs.

[Andrea:]

Originally Posted by leeperry

well yeah, but anyway I read that audio-amps circuits are usualy spec'ed for a max GBW of 50MHz...you wouldn't need any more than that for audio stuff, and >50Mhz op-amps would only be prone to oscillate in such a design.

Then use the LME49723... 17 MHz, arguably not a critical opamp. Sounds better than the LME49720, too meaning more engaging while preserving the (undeniable) transparency.

I find this to be a better opamp than the (good) OPA2132P, on an "absolute" (as far as possible) scale. It even sounded more resolving and interesting than 2x OPA132UA.