Good replacment for BB OPA 2604/604

[carlosfm]

Originally posted by Hans L
I'm surprised to find out that 2132 and 2134 do not simply sound the same. Is there a general advantage in chosing a single opamp instead of dual?

Thanks.

I don't have experience with the OPA2134.
It looks on paper very similar (if not the same) to the OPA2132, but there must be a reason for the price difference and the existance of these op-amps.
The best op-amps are usually single, sometimes without any double equivalent.
But the LM6172 gets too close, it's really good. You could use this one.
I've recently tried the LM7171 and very good indeed. Single...

[Gaucho]

Originally posted by Hans L

Had a search for the AD823 at rs-components and found several versions. I would prefer dip8 and sockets because I'm not sure about soldering the tiny so8 versions.

Gaucho > What version 823 did you use. I can buy ad823AR and ad823AN, where the AR version costs about 25% more (no idea why).

How big are the differences we're talking about? I had a try at op amp upgrades in a cd player a few years ago, but wasn't blown away by big improvements (could have multiple reasons, I was completely clueless without knowing it... the worst kind )

I'm surprised to find out that 2132 and 2134 do not simply sound the same.
Thanks.

Hans,

I am using the AN version of the AD823. AN is simply the designation for a DIP, AR is the designation for a SOIC. At DigiKey the AR and AN versions are the same price.

It's hard to quantify the size of the improvements that can be had by swapping op-amps. It depends on a number of factors; like the quality of the stock chip relative to the replacement chip. The resolution of the system is obviously important, as are the ears of the listener. Also synergy must not be ignored, op-amps can have a unique sonic signature, and can alter the overall balance of a system to good or bad effect. Compared to upgrading speaker cables and interconnects op-amp swaps offer alot of bang for the buck.

I should point out I was using the more expensive P (performance spec) version of the 2132 which may account for some or all of the sonic difference between it and the PA version of the 2134 I compared it with. I haven't tried the PA version of the 2132 and as far as I know there is no P version of the 2134. The 2132 and 2134 are both duals.

I really like the AD823, it may not be as full bodied or dynamic as some but its amazing detail and lush top-end make it my general favorite.

Good luck with your XO.

[carlosfm]

The AD843 is very good too.

[Hans L]

Originally posted by carlosfm
The AD843 is very good too.

More choices. Good.

Originally posted by Gaucho
I really like the AD823, it may not be as full bodied or dynamic as some but its amazing detail and lush top-end make it my general favorite.

Any recommendations for the bassregion, detailed with lots of slam? It's a 4-way, so I can chose components that excel in specific freq bands.

Good luck with your XO.

Thank you. As it is now, I'm going to need a little luck . Lot's of stuff to figure out. I thought a custom active xo was elementary when I started this project. I've been doing passive xo's only before this and had the impression that losses were of no concern in active xo's compared to the losses in high level passive xo's. But it seems there are very little straightforward details (layout, buffering, choice of components) in designing an active xo. Having fun though

[Gaucho]

Any recommendations for the bassregion, detailed with lots of slam? It's a 4-way, so I can chose components that excel in specific freq bands.

I like the bass articulation the 6172. Some might scoff; but the good ol' NE5532 has well defined musical bass, the sound quality of the mid-range and top-end are another story however.

[carlosfm]

Originally posted by Gaucho
I like the bass articulation the 6172. Some might scoff; but the good ol' NE5532 has well defined musical bass, the sound quality of the mid-range and top-end are another story however.

Oh yessss!!!
Spot on!

[Upupa Epops]

To Gaucho : What is " musical bass " ? Are you talking about musical instrument or about bloody piece of silicon ? Are better these impresionistic neverending discussions ? Have you explanation, WHY ?

[Gaucho]

Another observation worth noting is that TI's 5532s sound a little better then the Philips. On a similar note; PMI's OP275 had decent bass and were fairly smooth sounding but AD's OP275 is quite grainy!

Another op-amp that might be a good choice for a low-pass XO is the AD712. It has a similar tonal balance to the 823, it lacks the ultra-refined mid/trebble but it's not laid back like the 823. The 712 is very immediate sounding and the bass extension is truely excellent.

[Gaucho]

Originally posted by Upupa Epops
To Gaucho : What is " musical bass " ? Are you talking about musical instrument or about bloody piece of silicon ? Are better these impresionistic neverending discussions ? Have you explanation, WHY ?

It takes only one monkey to throw feces but two to make contest of it. Go find another monkey!

[Gaucho]

Originally posted by carlosfm


Oh yessss!!!
Spot on!

Our ears always tend to agree!