Are the 4558 and TL072 interchangeable? I see a lot of people replace one with the other in their build reports but i just want to make sure.
jsteigs said:Are the 4558 and TL072 interchangeable? I see a lot of people replace one with the other in their build reports but i just want to make sure.
Yes!...they are interchangeable!
Hi jsteigs,
The TL072 is a J-fet input op amp. This will normally give you lower noise but may not be suitable in all circuits. In audio chains it is normal to install TL072's or better.
-Chris
The TL072 is a J-fet input op amp. This will normally give you lower noise but may not be suitable in all circuits. In audio chains it is normal to install TL072's or better.
-Chris
Not always, sometimes TL072 is better, sometimes NE5532 is better. They are many other opamps that may better suit a particular circuit. Price can be factor as well.
-Chris
-Chris
In a pure world, yes and maybe. NE5532 sounds okay. It strongly depends on what you are replacing the parts in. If it had 4558's, I doubt it rates spending $10.00 or more each on op amps when these maligned op amps (TL072, NE5532) would bring a large improvement.
You would be shocked to see what your audio signal goes through in a studio. Sometimes an NE5532 is the best thing in the chain. The most common interconnect is Beldin wire. Older consoles are chock full of old electrolytics (new if you are lucky) and older transistor designs. I'm thinking of old Neve and MCI boards. These are prized by some for their sound. Yes, tube and transistor outboard gear. Bucket brigade echo boxes, or if you're real lucky, an older tape loop job. 😱
The newer boards like the SSL may be all digital. 'nough said. Then we compress it. Compression probably happened early on actually
Now, there are some that think op amps are a waste of time & money. Everyone has a point of reference, and the truth is often ugly.
-Chris
You would be shocked to see what your audio signal goes through in a studio. Sometimes an NE5532 is the best thing in the chain. The most common interconnect is Beldin wire. Older consoles are chock full of old electrolytics (new if you are lucky) and older transistor designs. I'm thinking of old Neve and MCI boards. These are prized by some for their sound. Yes, tube and transistor outboard gear. Bucket brigade echo boxes, or if you're real lucky, an older tape loop job. 😱
The newer boards like the SSL may be all digital. 'nough said. Then we compress it. Compression probably happened early on actually

Now, there are some that think op amps are a waste of time & money. Everyone has a point of reference, and the truth is often ugly.
-Chris
anatech said:
Now, there are some that think op amps are a waste of time & money. Everyone has a point of reference, and the truth is often ugly.
-Chris
wow...very prophetic...
anyways, thanks for all the help every one. I know that these two opamps aren't so great, its just that i can get the 4558s very cheaply here in japan.
I replaced the 4558's in my cheaper Sony 50+1 disc changer (CDP-CX50) with TL082's,figured it couldn't hurt.
I actually noticed a bit "tighter/faster" bass response,and the treble seemed a bit better too.At first,It seemed to affect the midrange in a strange way,or maybe it was just my ears/brain adjusting?
I wasn't sure if I liked it at first,but it seems okay,since the 82's are still in there. 😉
I also added small bypass caps on all the filter caps for each rail,and added a couple Sanyo Os-Con's to bump up the capacitance a tad..sounds pretty good for a cheaper player....Still havn't removed the muting x-istors yet either..I plan to replace them with a small relay. 😉
I actually noticed a bit "tighter/faster" bass response,and the treble seemed a bit better too.At first,It seemed to affect the midrange in a strange way,or maybe it was just my ears/brain adjusting?
I wasn't sure if I liked it at first,but it seems okay,since the 82's are still in there. 😉
I also added small bypass caps on all the filter caps for each rail,and added a couple Sanyo Os-Con's to bump up the capacitance a tad..sounds pretty good for a cheaper player....Still havn't removed the muting x-istors yet either..I plan to replace them with a small relay. 😉
OP270 is dual OPA with 2 gain stages, second stage is folded-cascode, similar to OP27 so won't drive 600 ohms to 10V. AD827 is dual version of AD817, single-stage folded-cascode, higher voltage noise than 5532.
Chris,
Why would anyone PAY for op-amps? I haven't purchased an
op-amp in since the early '70s.
I'm fully aware of what audio signals go through. That's no
reason for poor design on the part of a DIY'er.
And no, I'm not into exotic op-amps for their own sake. But
surely anyone doing a DIY mod can do better than TL072
or 4558, even for less than $10, even less than $2
Why would anyone PAY for op-amps? I haven't purchased an
op-amp in since the early '70s.
I'm fully aware of what audio signals go through. That's no
reason for poor design on the part of a DIY'er.
And no, I'm not into exotic op-amps for their own sake. But
surely anyone doing a DIY mod can do better than TL072
or 4558, even for less than $10, even less than $2
Hi BrianL,
Do you steal them??? Besides, this is an upgrade on something that uses 4558's. Let's not get too pie in the sky here.
I know, we'll replace every op amp with a discrete circuit!
-Chris
Do you steal them??? Besides, this is an upgrade on something that uses 4558's. Let's not get too pie in the sky here.
I know, we'll replace every op amp with a discrete circuit!
-Chris
Bucket brigade
To Anatech : Chris, correctly designed delay or echo with BB give better sonic results than digital ones 😎 .
To Anatech : Chris, correctly designed delay or echo with BB give better sonic results than digital ones 😎 .
Hi Upupa Epops,
I agree with you. I was commenting really on equipment in use in different studios in the eighties & nineties, maybe still.
Anyhow, I was trying to get the advice back on track to the original post. Inject a little realism. Many updates are valid considering the situation, even though the upgrade can be taken further. It isn't a perfect world and never will be.
-Chris
I agree with you. I was commenting really on equipment in use in different studios in the eighties & nineties, maybe still.
Anyhow, I was trying to get the advice back on track to the original post. Inject a little realism. Many updates are valid considering the situation, even though the upgrade can be taken further. It isn't a perfect world and never will be.
-Chris
strongly depends on application. 4558 is slow, but quite low noise, especially at low input impedances (works satisfactory as mic preamp, for instance, or playback head preamp). tl072 is faster and better suited for higher input/output voltages. good as driver for line amp or headphone amp with a pair of comp. transistors. these are just examples. they are 100% compatible in terms of pin layout, supply requirements, etc... anyway, guys there are true, they are both pretty poor stuff, if real high end is concerned.
Hi kexik,
Yes, using the correct family of parts, in this case bipolar or J fet inputs. By looking at the application you are engaging in cost accounting by not choosing a part that is not overboard. That's the balance that should be achived. Building to a price can skew this.
-Chris
Yes, using the correct family of parts, in this case bipolar or J fet inputs. By looking at the application you are engaging in cost accounting by not choosing a part that is not overboard. That's the balance that should be achived. Building to a price can skew this.
-Chris
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