Best OpAmp for driving 600 ohm load

Not sure if anyone has provided this link so far https://www.proaudiodesignforum.com/forum/php/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=635

And this is a headphone amp that doubles up as a ultralow distortion differential line driver https://www.proaudiodesignforum.com/forum/php/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=825

Available from the guy's company either built, or as a bare board for DIY https://ka-electronics.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=67

Although the performance in the above links is just fine the way they are, there is nothing to prevent them driving a line via a transformer.

But note the distortion performance of the headphone amp driving a 1000 foot line at 24dBu at the end of the first link.
 
  • Like
Reactions: IamJF
Have you looked at the NJM4556? It is designed to drive 400 ohm loads, is available in a 2 channel DIP. Getting old but good performance and about 70 cents each in quantities of 10.
At 70 cents , it sounds crap but when its assembeled (crappily) inside a solid mahogany box for 400$, then suddenly it becomes...
"The Grado RA1 is a battery-powered, reference-quality headphone amplifier designed specifically for Grado headphones, known for its warm, smooth, and full-bodied sound, and its elegant solid mahogany case. "
1744008324511.png
 
Last edited:
Damit es keine Verwirrung gibt, einmal auf Deutsch für dich!
Ich habe verschiedenes Equipment, mehrere Paare Lautsprecher, mehrere Verstärker, DAC's und Netzwerkplayer! Ich habe sehr viel gegen gehört, der TDA7293 mit dem Burson V7 klingt m besten! Ich war selbst erstaunt, dass mein Naim da nicht mithalten kann.
Ich habe in meinem Leben so gut wie jedes OP- Amp gehört, aber noch keins, wie den Burson V7
Translation..

To avoid any confusion, here's a quick German explanation for you!
I have various equipment, several pairs of speakers, several amplifiers, DACs, and network players! I've heard a lot of comparisons, but the TDA7293 with the Burson V7 sounds the best! I was surprised that my Naim couldn't keep up.
I've heard just about every op-amp in my life, but never one like the Burson V7.
 
  • Like
Reactions: availlyrics
Not sure if this link is already shared here - OPA distortion measurements:
https://audioxpress.com/article/modern-op-amp-distortion-tests-part-1-bjt-input-devices
https://audioxpress.com/article/mod...-part-2-a-few-more-bjt-types-and-jfet-devices

"Figure 12 demonstrates the OPA1612 working as a voltage-follower with the usual output loads. Again the 100% negative feedback, and the lack of resistors in series with an input, brings the distortion down so it is barely measurable at 20kHz even when loaded with 500Ω. Much better than the 5532 in Figure 4."

But of course it needs to be used properly. With 10k source resistance it's wasted money. You need to use low feedback resistivity and probably find a tradeoff between THD and noise.
 
Of a single opamp, sure. And way below the distortion of a loudspeaker.

However, if you have a bunch of them in an active crossover, or a programme equalizer, there is a powerful reason to reduce distortion and noise wherever possible. The 5532 and 5534 still are superb work horses and tough as nails. But opamp performance has moved on from the 5532's introduction in 1979 - 46 years ago.
 
  • Like
Reactions: IamJF