The best sounding audio integrated opamps

[leeperry]

good point, but I've really gotten bored of the 4972x sound...plus, the browdogs have only been a waste of money & time for me so far(EMI hostile environment in a PC case)...so I'd have to order those adapters from HK, BUY some 4972x(as they refuse to send me free samples) and nag my friend to solder for me....a lot of hassle, especially to listen to some LME4972x

OTOH, the 2*single DIP8>dual DIP8 browndogs seem fine...better design?

anyway, soon enough I'll get my 4*LT1028ACN8/AD797BN/OPA228P to use as AK4396 LPF...and OPA2132P ain't too shabby either

[Andrea:]

OK, do as you wish, but for me the LME49723 is the best dual opamp heard so far. I've received the LME49725, which has promise too - but who knows. I can't try it anymore now, unless in the "cmoy"

But in the cmoy I'd rather put the LT1122ACN8 which sounds very good there, provided that I get tired of the great-sounding (too) AD845KN. Plus I've got the THS4601 to try. And the OPA228P was another great opamp for it.

[Andrea:]

I think that the ADA4627-1 might 'kill' all the other FET opamps, including the OPA827. Too bad I can't have it for free.

[leeperry]

righty, 2132P is nice...but a bit dark, which kinda sucks as Earth is dark too. time to put 1469, back in a bit

[Andrea:]

Alright...let us know.

At any rate, I compared LT1468 and LT1028ACN8 in the other DAC, and I found the latter to be much more 'audiophile' sounding. The LT1468 had its qualities, but the LT1028 surely is a better choice if you're looking for transparency..

[Andrea:]

I wanted to say that...

This thing is endless! I mean, you can't hope to make everything right by just changing the opamp. You have to set up a lot of details in your system to make the sound "perfect"...

So, once you've chosen the right opamp, you (well, me) start playing with cables...

[leeperry]

ahhhhhhh my SHM-CD japanese version of sex machine sounds great! it was amazing on the LT1124 and ugly on all the others I had tried so far...it's not even bright anymore

I wonder if the ground wire of the Earth doesn't give me a much more balanced sound/better shielding.

uuuuuh Bobby Byrd sounds amazing "get oooon up"

[Andrea:]

It that with the LT1469?

[Joachim Gerhard]

i use it. it´s good. Very low distortion and very neutal "matter of fact" sound if you like that. And a great value for ca 3.50€ a piece. If i want more tonal colour i use the OPA827.
You can also mix a bipolar like the venerable AD797 with the OPA827 in the second stage with great results. There is also a new OPA627 replacement from AD. I think it is call the ADA8627 but i maybe wrong. I look later. I have samples but i could not find the time to test it yet.

[Andrea:]

Originally Posted by Joachim Gerhard

i use it. it´s good. Very low distortion and very neutal "matter of fact" sound if you like that. And a great value for ca 3.50€ a piece. If i want more tonal colour i use the OPA827.
You can also mix a bipolar like the venerable AD797 with the OPA827 in the second stage with great results. There is also a new OPA627 replacement from AD. I think it is call the ADA8627 but i maybe wrong. I look later. I have samples but i could not find the time to test it yet.

I mentioned it before: ADA4627-1. Looks very interesting.

I don't know, I'd say that the OPA827 has little tonal color, it's quite (too much, actually) imperturbable, while the LT1469 has more color saturation, but it doesn't have a completely neutral/impartial tonality.

I do understand what you mean with "matter of fact" tough - the LT1469 is precise and doesn't waste time embellishing things unduly. It could sound truly excellent with a very well recorded album.

I still find that the best compromise is reached by the LT1028. This has the most unaffected tonal color among the LT opamps and beyond, and the most revealing transparency.


I would like to find a place to try the LT1469 or 1468 again though. I liked them.