I was approached by a vendor to review his discreete opamps on my digital amp modules.
In my enthusiasm I said sure no problem. I offered him to send the opamps back after the review just to protect myself from being accused of a biased opinion.
When I wanted to write the first part of the review (fresh out of the box sound) I found out that the company is not in the vendors list.
Since swapping opamps can hardly be considered a diy act does a review of such a component belong here?
The last thing I want is to get accused of interest driven behavior.
On the other hand I know that many people would be glad to know how a discrete opamp can transform their digital amp.
But where is the platform to do that on this forum without breaching any rules or upsetting people?
I have no problem sending the opamps back and forget about the whole thing if that's the only option.
What are your thoughts on this?
Greetings Klaus
In my enthusiasm I said sure no problem. I offered him to send the opamps back after the review just to protect myself from being accused of a biased opinion.
When I wanted to write the first part of the review (fresh out of the box sound) I found out that the company is not in the vendors list.
Since swapping opamps can hardly be considered a diy act does a review of such a component belong here?
The last thing I want is to get accused of interest driven behavior.
On the other hand I know that many people would be glad to know how a discrete opamp can transform their digital amp.
But where is the platform to do that on this forum without breaching any rules or upsetting people?
I have no problem sending the opamps back and forget about the whole thing if that's the only option.
What are your thoughts on this?
Greetings Klaus
Last edited:
If you are moved by their performance buy them. Else dump it, if not widely commercially available then who cares.
I'm not a mod, but I think its fine to simply tell us that you added something new(commercially) to your DIY amp without saying more. Most everything I have ever built has been an integration effort, both DIY items and purchased submodules. Would you consider reviewing a new ALPS pot a breach of some DIY rules? I've mentioned OpAmps before in other project builds(without a formal review, maybe a link), and they've never been taken down for that reason.
This has been done before here, with Burson discrete op amps. No problem.
I think we would prefer less hyperbole. 🤣
Something to be aware of is how some members will react to your subjective impressions, be sure to be clear that these are your impressions and avoid talking in generalities. If you can provide some objective evidence such as plots of THD+N, IMD, etc that would be helpful too.
I started designing discrete op-amps about 5 years ago and naively thought it would be easy - finally in my 7th generation design I have something that not only measures well, but I can actually listen to music through for an extended period of time. Comparison with a known and respected monolithic type might also be a good idea.
Something to be aware of is how some members will react to your subjective impressions, be sure to be clear that these are your impressions and avoid talking in generalities. If you can provide some objective evidence such as plots of THD+N, IMD, etc that would be helpful too.
I started designing discrete op-amps about 5 years ago and naively thought it would be easy - finally in my 7th generation design I have something that not only measures well, but I can actually listen to music through for an extended period of time. Comparison with a known and respected monolithic type might also be a good idea.
Last edited:
Thanks guys I will then do my review in this Class D section when I pass the 100 hour mark.