IC's vs Discretes

Bonsai · 19th September 2007, 08:24 AM

Has anybody seen the October issue of Stereophile? There's a letter in there from Charles Hansen to John Atkinson (editor) about the new National op-amps (sub 1ppm distortion claimed).

Charles has an intersting take on IC's - does anybody else share this view?

PMA · 19th September 2007, 08:42 AM

I will get my October issue soon, I hope. I will read it.

Gordy · 19th September 2007, 08:47 AM

Please explain, what is the gist of the letter?

Bonsai · 19th September 2007, 09:37 AM

Charles, can you shar e your views on this subject?

I think it will make for an interesting discussion.

phase_accurate · 19th September 2007, 09:58 AM

You might have to PM him in order to attract his attention.

I could imagine that he still prefers discrete designs. Being a skilled designer he might be able to do even better than the modern op-amps which are already quite close to the "wire with gain".
For the average DIYer modern op-amps might be the better and easier choice however.

Regards

Charles

jacco vermeulen · 19th September 2007, 10:49 AM

Charles Hansen Ayre or Charles Hansen AudioXP ?

QSerraTico_Tico · 19th September 2007, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by phase_accurate
You might have to PM him in order to attract his attention.

I could imagine that he still prefers discrete designs. Being a skilled designer he might be able to do even better than the modern op-amps which are already quite close to the "wire with gain".
For the average DIYer modern op-amps might be the better and easier choice however.

Regards

Charles

"Quite close to wire with gain?"

Then why they all sound so different???

phase_accurate · 19th September 2007, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Charles Hansen Ayre or Charles Hansen AudioXP ?

I found only this one on this forum:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/membe...fo&userid=6888

Quote:

Then why they all sound so different???

Do they really sound SOOOOO different ?

And don't forget that wires do also all sound veeeeeeery different !

Regards

Charles

PMA · 19th September 2007, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by phase_accurate

Do they really sound SOOOOO different ?
And don't forget that wires do also all sound veeeeeeery different !

Regards

Charles

日本語

SpittinLLama · 19th September 2007, 04:41 PM

IIRC, it is in response to an article on very low THD parts from National, maybe the LME49810? Or what it one of the new op amps? Can't remember. The argument being that low THD is not the be all of sonic performance. He also was against ICs verses fully discrete because he can choose the best discrete component while an IC designer has to use what ever the process allows. I have a paper copy in my office but being on the road I can't reference it. Maybe someone can post a link? I remember there were some points that I didn't agree with but that could be because they are not fully clarified in a short article.

-SL

19th September 2007, 08:24 AM	#1
Bonsai diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Taipei, Taiwan	IC's vs Discretes Has anybody seen the October issue of Stereophile? There's a letter in there from Charles Hansen to John Atkinson (editor) about the new National op-amps (sub 1ppm distortion claimed). Charles has an intersting take on IC's - does anybody else share this view? __________________ bonsai http://www.hifisonix.com/

19th September 2007, 09:37 AM	#4
Bonsai diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Taipei, Taiwan	Charles, can you shar e your views on this subject? I think it will make for an interesting discussion. __________________ bonsai http://www.hifisonix.com/

19th September 2007, 10:49 AM	#6
jacco vermeulen diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: At the sea front, just under Rotterdam	Charles Hansen Ayre or Charles Hansen AudioXP ? __________________ Looks like Sponge Bob has killed another thread.

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19th September 2007, 08:42 AM	#2
PMA diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Prague, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka	I will get my October issue soon, I hope. I will read it.

19th September 2007, 08:47 AM	#3
Gordy diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2006	Please explain, what is the gist of the letter?

19th September 2007, 09:58 AM	#5
phase_accurate diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Switzerland	You might have to PM him in order to attract his attention. I could imagine that he still prefers discrete designs. Being a skilled designer he might be able to do even better than the modern op-amps which are already quite close to the "wire with gain". For the average DIYer modern op-amps might be the better and easier choice however. Regards Charles

19th September 2007, 04:41 PM	#10
SpittinLLama diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: In the Wild, Wild West	IIRC, it is in response to an article on very low THD parts from National, maybe the LME49810? Or what it one of the new op amps? Can't remember. The argument being that low THD is not the be all of sonic performance. He also was against ICs verses fully discrete because he can choose the best discrete component while an IC designer has to use what ever the process allows. I have a paper copy in my office but being on the road I can't reference it. Maybe someone can post a link? I remember there were some points that I didn't agree with but that could be because they are not fully clarified in a short article. -SL

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