AD825 module from LC Audio

[Bom]

Hello everybody,

I am new in here. Nice to meet you all. I have question regarding to the AD825 module from LC Audio. For analog circuit in cd player, does the module really superior to the AD825 opamp? I mean comparing between the module and the AD825 opamp (just only the chip) Is it worth more money to spend? AD825AR from Newark is about $4 each which AD825 module from LC Audio is about $14.

Thanks

[gromanswe]

As you use AD825 OPamp in both cases,
the result will be the same,
to such a degree, that noone will notice
the difference.

And you could upgrade to any high performance
Audio OP.
Does not have to be AD825.
Just select one that fits in circuit.
Ask, in new thread maybe in Digital or Amplifiers,
if anyone have modified CDplayer XXXXXX.
XXXXX is the name of your CD player.

I am sure you get advice which OP
you should buy.
It will save you money, not much however.
But it will be a lot easier just to change an OPamp.

Does AD825 have a specially filtered/regulated
power supply?
Is your CDplayers power supply of the cheap type,
and AD825 is somewhat better?

That could have some importance.
Maybe even more than what OP amp you use.

As I only can give you some general advice
do as I said here above

[Bom]

Thank you gromanswe,

My CDP has 2 NE5534s. I don't know about filtered and regulated power supply. Those opamps are before female connectors but after 2 PCM1700 D/A chips. There are plenty of Nichicon Muse caps and some resistors around that area.

Regards,

[gromanswe]

NE5534 is a single Amp. If we say mono amp. Not a dual.
It is also bipolar. That means it uses bipolar
input transistors. Not JFET transistors.

Also AD825 comes only in SMD. Surface mount device.
SMD does not go through board into holes.
It is mounted on boards surface. Has pins bended out from body
so that sits on board like the legs of a fly.
That means one AD825 is only half the size of NE5534.
Distance between PINS is half of 2.54 millimeters.
So an AD825 does not fit into your circuit board.
That is why they found a market for a module that
converts to normal PIN IC. DIP o DIL.

http://www.octave-electronics.com/lcaudio/ad825.shtml

This module just contains 2 capacitors and one OP.
No regulated power supply.
It can be seen from picture.
Type 4 is the one you chose, if you decide to buy.
It could improve sound. But if you will notice
any difference, I do not know.

It is not like changing your Loudspeakers.
OPA134, single version of OPA2134
OPA604, single version of OPA2604
are both very cheap and popular replacements
that would fit into your board.
They are said to sound much better,
than NE5534. NE5534 is single version of NE5532.
Even some chose OPA134/OPA604 before AD825.

Somewhat higher in price, but you only need 2 pieces,
is AD627. That one is really "HIGHEST FASHION" today.
It has better in DATA than AD825, it is not listed
to compare with AD825 ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !
Why? I really do not know........

You are always welcome to ask me questions.
My YAHOO Messenger(FREE) ID is "gromanswe"
Install it and see when I am online,
and talk to me.
Maybe we could play a game of Chess
and exchange mp3-files? From my CD-collection.
And enjoy some music. For FREE!!!

http://messenger.yahoo.com/

[morsel]

Search the forums and you will find this has already been discussed over and over in gory detail in many threads.

Assuming you need a dual DIP8 opamp and you want to save money or use a higher performance single SO8 opamp than the AD825, such as the AD8610 or AD8065, get yourself some BrownDog adapters:

http://brndog.com/SingletoDual.html

[morsel]

BTW, most of the Burr Brown opamps gromanswe was talking about are no where near as good as the high end Analog Devices opamps I mentioned. Also, I think (or at least hope) he was referring to the OPA627, not the AD627. The AD627 is a micropower instrumentation amplifier totally inappropriate for audio use. The OPA627 is a decent but pricey older high end opamp that is good for audio but has been eclipsed by more modern designs.

I strongly urge you to search the forums before making any decisions based upon this one thread.

[gromanswe]

If you have the real interest in Bom's need,
you would have noticed that he need SINGLE DIP OP.
The adapter you mention wouldn't work to well.

About the OPA627, you are right, thank you.
That is the one.
These are easy to find worldwide on market
for normal consumers.
New product takes some time to spread to other
than to the "expertise".

About Bom thread.
I find it good thing that subjects are repeated.
Someone will catch some useful information.
New observations will be added.

Eventually Diyaudio.com would be a dead archive,
sooner or later, if we draw out the consecvenses
of your reasoning.
And I know that few of us here would object,
to repeated threads. That doesn't exclude using
the versatile search engine we have.
You like "law and order". Okay, but humans
making threads fullfill other needs, too, than
only finding answers to questions.
It is to me a "social thing".
Something to gather round, during this time
we call a lifetime.

[Wombat]

Hello all here on this board!

I have read and listened a bit about OPs in the last time.
There i stumbled across a side where someone still swears on the 55xx
types.

http://www.dself.demon.co.uk/webbop/opamp.htm

There aren´t many actual ones listed but it might be interesting.

A friend of mine also had some Philips 5532 in his hearing field
and seconds that a 55xx can sound extremly good still even if papers
differ.

So get rid of the 5534s does not perfectly means it gets better.


regards

Wombat

[gromanswe]

The only OPamps I have at home is 20 NE5532
and 10 NE5534. And a bunch of 741 for nonaudio use.
LM324 is useful for many purposes,
can be driven from lower voltages.

Performance/price of 5534 will probably never
be reached by any other device.

It was not many years ago 5534/32 was the replacement
for other OPs.

It has almost no really bad variable.
That makes it very allround useful in Audio Designs.
So I must agree with you Wombat.

To have any improvement that you can HEAR
you must spend maybe 20 times the money.

[Ren Hoek]

Hey man, is there something strange in the water in Sweden???

Ren