signal splitter

matej8888 · 10th November 2011, 08:33 PM

I have a not so popular project. I need an audio signal split in 5 times the input signal. I've read some posts on various forums, so the idea is to put in parallel to the input signal as many buffers as I like (seen some schematics on the net that should work) using:
- transistor (JFET preffering due to its sound qualities) as voltage follower/buffer
- op-amp as buffer
The Gain of each buffer/voltage follower has to be 1.
The audio signal would mostly be comming from a laptop, Ipod, DAC, maybe thru an active crossover,....to various tube amplifiers.

Now, my question is which one should I use (J201, OPA27....just shooting versions, but I will consider any kind of high quality suggestion)?

I really do care about sound quality so what i'm looking for is high quality components.

Matej

DF96 · 11th November 2011, 10:18 AM

Most op-amps can do a unity gain buffer. The main issue is not which op-amp, but details of the implementation such as correct grounding and avoiding the effects of stray capacitance.

matej8888 · 11th November 2011, 01:31 PM

OK, i understand that, but there is difference in sound by using various op-amps, right!? Or are you saying that connected as a unity gain buffer there's no difference in frequency range and/or sound no matter which op-amp I pick? That's what I'm interested in.

matej8888 · 11th November 2011, 01:34 PM

I had in my mind something like that...

DF96 · 11th November 2011, 01:57 PM

You may get different answers from different people. The audibility or otherwise of correctly-used op-amps is debated vigourously on here. A unity-gain buffer operating at line level type signal voltages into a relatively undemanding load impedance should minimise any differences that there might actually be, so my advice is to design and build the circuit using a socket. Then you can try as many different chips as you like. I doubt if you will hear much difference, if any.

matej8888 · 11th November 2011, 06:36 PM

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depends how you look at it) in audio world everything is a matter of personal taste. Frankly I'm fed up with statements like "...this op-amp is definitely best sounding...", especially when it comes to question "which one is the best?" (stupid me for asking that). But in reality all I wanted to hear was what you just wrote (I should explain myself better next time) and that is for line level signal just about any op-amp would do the job for there are differeces so small , if any at all.
Any words of wisdom about using the JFET transistor as voltage follower sound-wise?

DF96 · 11th November 2011, 07:20 PM

Sorry, never tried it. In theory a JFET makes a bad follower because it has such low gain. The pure second-order (in the ideal case) distortion of a common-source JFET amp is not what happens in a follower. However, second-order will still dominate and there could be lots of it due to the low gain - this may be why some people like it.

matej8888 · 11th November 2011, 07:29 PM

Check this and let me know what you think...J201 is being used.
AMZ - Guitar Effects & JFET Splitter

10th November 2011, 08:33 PM	#1
matej8888 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2011	signal splitter I have a not so popular project. I need an audio signal split in 5 times the input signal. I've read some posts on various forums, so the idea is to put in parallel to the input signal as many buffers as I like (seen some schematics on the net that should work) using: - transistor (JFET preffering due to its sound qualities) as voltage follower/buffer - op-amp as buffer The Gain of each buffer/voltage follower has to be 1. The audio signal would mostly be comming from a laptop, Ipod, DAC, maybe thru an active crossover,....to various tube amplifiers. Now, my question is which one should I use (J201, OPA27....just shooting versions, but I will consider any kind of high quality suggestion)? I really do care about sound quality so what i'm looking for is high quality components. Matej

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11th November 2011, 10:18 AM	#2
DF96 diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2007	Most op-amps can do a unity gain buffer. The main issue is not which op-amp, but details of the implementation such as correct grounding and avoiding the effects of stray capacitance.

11th November 2011, 01:31 PM	#3
matej8888 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2011	OK, i understand that, but there is difference in sound by using various op-amps, right!? Or are you saying that connected as a unity gain buffer there's no difference in frequency range and/or sound no matter which op-amp I pick? That's what I'm interested in.

11th November 2011, 01:34 PM	#4
matej8888 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2011	I had in my mind something like that...

11th November 2011, 01:57 PM	#5
DF96 diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2007	You may get different answers from different people. The audibility or otherwise of correctly-used op-amps is debated vigourously on here. A unity-gain buffer operating at line level type signal voltages into a relatively undemanding load impedance should minimise any differences that there might actually be, so my advice is to design and build the circuit using a socket. Then you can try as many different chips as you like. I doubt if you will hear much difference, if any.

11th November 2011, 06:36 PM	#6
matej8888 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2011	Unfortunately (or fortunately, depends how you look at it) in audio world everything is a matter of personal taste. Frankly I'm fed up with statements like "...this op-amp is definitely best sounding...", especially when it comes to question "which one is the best?" (stupid me for asking that). But in reality all I wanted to hear was what you just wrote (I should explain myself better next time) and that is for line level signal just about any op-amp would do the job for there are differeces so small , if any at all. Any words of wisdom about using the JFET transistor as voltage follower sound-wise?

11th November 2011, 07:20 PM	#7
DF96 diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2007	Sorry, never tried it. In theory a JFET makes a bad follower because it has such low gain. The pure second-order (in the ideal case) distortion of a common-source JFET amp is not what happens in a follower. However, second-order will still dominate and there could be lots of it due to the low gain - this may be why some people like it.

11th November 2011, 07:29 PM	#8
matej8888 diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2011	Check this and let me know what you think...J201 is being used. AMZ - Guitar Effects & JFET Splitter

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