A warmer buffer

Ted205 · 4th March 2011, 06:56 PM

Hi guys i'm currently using a LM4562 opamp as a buffer(bridging circuit) in-front of a bridged lm3886 setup.

When playing various classical and electronic style music its sounding very crystal, clean and expansive. However when playing rock music it can be quite fatiguing / clinical.

Can anyone recommend any opamps similar in spec to the lm4562 a bit softer with abit more warmth i can try.

firechief · 4th March 2011, 07:42 PM

Tubes are warm

Ted205 · 5th March 2011, 10:04 AM

but will not fit in a dil socket

AndrewT · 5th March 2011, 10:36 AM

I wrapped some loft insulation around my pre-amp.
The resulting sound quality did not last long, but while it was still able to play, I think I noticed it a bit warmer !

firechief · 5th March 2011, 02:49 PM

I think you know that I was being a bit of a jokester.

nelsonvandal · 5th March 2011, 09:18 PM

OPA627 (you have to use a single to dual adaptor for this) is probably the warmth champion. Clean and silky smooth. It has a friendly and cozy coloration. This is an expensive opamp.

OPA2132 and OPA2134 also have that warm Burr-Brown sound, but I find them lacking soundstage and details. A bit harsh treble.

NE5532 is warmer than LM4562. I find it smooth and warm but lifeless. Beware of high bias currents resulting in DC-offset if your amp is not capacitor coupled or the bias currents are balanced out.

AD8599 isn't far from LM4562. A little warmer and "friendlier", a little less detailed. Quite good.

LM6172 is called analytical by many. I find it warm. This is a high speed opamp with high bias currents and the role model for cranky opamps.

Search here and at Head-fi.org and you'll find lots of reviews. We all tend to disagree on how they sound, and some people think it's imagination and they all sound the same.

Have you ever tried LM3886 without input buffer?

Why not use a discrete JFET buffer like Nelson Pass's B1?

Ted205 · 6th March 2011, 11:29 AM

thanks for the reply nelsonvandel.

I have thought the b1 buffer but i'm using my current buffer to invert one signal ready for the bridged power amp section

Redshift187 · 7th March 2011, 02:03 PM

There is something you might try before replacing the opamps that shouldn't cost you anything. I recently pulled my feedback resistor from the board and soldered it directly on the chip legs a la Peter Daniels style. It seemed to take some of the high frequency edge off without affecting the clarity at all.

ide2003 · 7th March 2011, 06:31 PM

5676.jpg

not quite a dil but close enough

, found somewhere on the net PRIDEDIYJUNK

firechief · 7th March 2011, 07:18 PM

Is that a nuvistor?

4th March 2011, 06:56 PM	#1
Ted205 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2008	A warmer buffer Hi guys i'm currently using a LM4562 opamp as a buffer(bridging circuit) in-front of a bridged lm3886 setup. When playing various classical and electronic style music its sounding very crystal, clean and expansive. However when playing rock music it can be quite fatiguing / clinical. Can anyone recommend any opamps similar in spec to the lm4562 a bit softer with abit more warmth i can try.

5th March 2011, 10:36 AM	#4
AndrewT diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scottish Borders	I wrapped some loft insulation around my pre-amp. The resulting sound quality did not last long, but while it was still able to play, I think I noticed it a bit warmer ! __________________ regards Andrew T.

7th March 2011, 02:03 PM	#8
Redshift187 diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2008	There is something you might try before replacing the opamps that shouldn't cost you anything. I recently pulled my feedback resistor from the board and soldered it directly on the chip legs a la Peter Daniels style. It seemed to take some of the high frequency edge off without affecting the clarity at all. __________________ Tyler

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4th March 2011, 07:42 PM	#2
firechief diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Near Seattle Wa	Tubes are warm

5th March 2011, 10:04 AM	#3
Ted205 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2008	but will not fit in a dil socket

5th March 2011, 02:49 PM	#5
firechief diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Near Seattle Wa	I think you know that I was being a bit of a jokester.

5th March 2011, 09:18 PM	#6
nelsonvandal diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2006	OPA627 (you have to use a single to dual adaptor for this) is probably the warmth champion. Clean and silky smooth. It has a friendly and cozy coloration. This is an expensive opamp. OPA2132 and OPA2134 also have that warm Burr-Brown sound, but I find them lacking soundstage and details. A bit harsh treble. NE5532 is warmer than LM4562. I find it smooth and warm but lifeless. Beware of high bias currents resulting in DC-offset if your amp is not capacitor coupled or the bias currents are balanced out. AD8599 isn't far from LM4562. A little warmer and "friendlier", a little less detailed. Quite good. LM6172 is called analytical by many. I find it warm. This is a high speed opamp with high bias currents and the role model for cranky opamps. Search here and at Head-fi.org and you'll find lots of reviews. We all tend to disagree on how they sound, and some people think it's imagination and they all sound the same. Have you ever tried LM3886 without input buffer? Why not use a discrete JFET buffer like Nelson Pass's B1?

6th March 2011, 11:29 AM	#7
Ted205 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2008	thanks for the reply nelsonvandel. I have thought the b1 buffer but i'm using my current buffer to invert one signal ready for the bridged power amp section

7th March 2011, 06:31 PM	#9
ide2003 diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Jakarta	5676.jpg not quite a dil but close enough , found somewhere on the net PRIDEDIYJUNK

7th March 2011, 07:18 PM	#10
firechief diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Near Seattle Wa	Is that a nuvistor?

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