Which should I use?

[ROBSCIX]

Hello, I am looking for drop in replacments for a circuit that is calling for
Burr Brown OPA2134PA, I have searched the forum and read about 60 pages worth of different opinions on various OPA's. What I am trying to figure out is which one should I use and which would supply the best sound within the parameters of the one listed? or if I should use two singles on a adapter? -some said some singles provide better sound then a dual of the same make. Can you guys give me some numbers and impressions of the sonic qualities of the amps? I am writing this thread AFTER my research so I hope I am not asking something that has been asked 100 times before. This is for a PC soundcard that has sockets for DIY OPA's replacment. thanks for any helps you can give me. I have ben doing alot of reading and research and came up with alot of different models-actually too many. ALso can you give me the absolute best (in your opinion) price is not a concern if it can give me great sound.

[ROBSCIX]

Nobody can give me a recommendation or some info? 70 people read through but can't help with a suggestion?

[lineup]

OPA2134
is a very good op-amp

to replace it with anything
that would make any noticeable difference in sound is not easy
if it is even possible, at all
at least you would have to go up to very expensive op-amps
to maybe get a slight change in some measurable parameter

one very highly priced and/or praised is OPA627
it is an audiophile jetset op-amp
if you search this forum and internet
you will find plenty of stuff and circuits where OPA627 is used
here is product page, with links to download datasheet
http://focus.ti.com/docs/prod/folders/print/opa627.html


Not many would bother to update to anything from OPA2134
this is probably why you do not get many suggestions here


Regards
lineup into more lowpriced op-amps with good enough data for audio

[Leolabs]

Or you can try the OPA2604

[ROBSCIX]

I considered those 627' then I seen they are single amps, SO I need adapter boards..considering I need 4 dual amps...I would be looking at quite alot of money. I did consider it though. SO your saying that basically Those reccomended amps are good and getting ones to sound better would require buying something very high end that would be quite expensive? A friend said to get 825's but the are surface mount so I need adapters again and they are extremly expensive.. Anybody have any other info? Thx for answering BTW...

[ROBSCIX]

BTW what about the AD825's? I know they are singles aswell but I was told they are great amps if used with a single to dual adapter board any info comments about those amps?

[mctylr]

The TI OPA2134PA is a high performance dual op-amp, why do you want to replace it?

* Texas Instruments bought Burr-Brown years ago, but still use the name.

What quality / specification is lacking with this op-amp in your application?

http://focus.ti.com/docs/prod/folder...t/opa2134.html

* ULTRA LOW DISTORTION: 0.00008%
* LOW NOISE: 8nV/sqrt(Hz)
* SLEW RATE: 20V/µs
* BANDWIDTH: 8MHz

Frankly I don't see any reason to replace this chip.

Just because the op-amp is socketed does mean it is meant to be replaced. That normally has to do with the soundcard's production.

I think it is a strange fanasty idea that you can find a better op-amp through wild guessing than the soundcard's designer, who presumable has an electronic engineering degree, and compared several op-amps for the best performance within a given price range, and then optimized the design around that choice.

The TI manufactored OPA2134PA is available from Digi-key, Mouser, Jameco, and just about any major mail-order electronic component supplier.

[ROBSCIX]

OK, Maybe I should explain a bit better. The card has sockets because the card is designed to have the opamps replaced. It does NOT come with the 2134PA's they are recommended by the manufacturer. Talking to people and reading spec sheets and comparing with the recommended OPA's is hardly what I would call wild guessing. Trying to find a better or higher quality amp is wrong? or impossible? why? I read so much info about people replacing OPA's becasue they are looking for better sound. I am asking questions and doing comparisons because I want to learn and I like to hear peoples opinions. SO I guess the general opinion is just to use the 2134's becasue they are good enough? I didn't want anything ultra expensive but it seems these are more than adaquate for the job. I get alot of different opinions though. Thank you.

[Gcollier]

Consider the LM4562 from National Semi. It's a very new chip, with great specs. In many case choosing an opamp is like choosing the brand of input capacitor.

[ROBSCIX]

THX, they seem to have good specs.