Blind test: opamp rolling in the Pearl 3 phonostage

[Boydk]

If you read the thread, there´s not many positive experiences with Sparkos in the P-3.
Burson´s V7 is anither story though..
I´ve tried a decent bunch until now, and (in my setup) the most positive´s have been LME49720 metal can, LME49722 soic (currently running)
and JRC/NJM2068. The 2068 does an insanely good job in the P-3.
OPA2604, 2132/2134 have been a big dissapointment.

 

[mlloyd1]

Jan suggested an interesting test for a different question (involving power supplies), but the same may be applied here.

Take two P3 boards (with closely matched passive components), one with OpampX, with the MC1458 as reference, the other with a series of OpampY's. Using the vinyl feed from one channel, buffer with a low noise opamp and drive BoardX and BoardY. Take the difference of the two output signals and feed into your Adobe Audition (or whatever) and look for differences in your favorite listening material.

Will you note a difference in percussives like triangles or bells, how about piano, reed instruments etc.

I like this idea, especially if you baseline the 2 P3 boards for "identicalness" first with the same op amp part number and look for differences

 

[ranshdow]

I´ve tried a decent bunch until now, and (in my setup) the most positive´s have been LME49720 metal can, LME49722 soic (currently running)
and JRC/NJM2068. The 2068 does an insanely good job in the P-3.

Can confirm, I've tried a few op-amps in my Pearl 3 and the JRC 2068 is the one in currently and the one that will stay. Maybe a little slow but full and not harsh. Idk how else to describe it.

 

[OtisCampbell]

Wow! I just got my Pearl 3 singing.. it only required adjusting the bias resistor and we’re off to the races with Supertramp Breakfast in America and a cold beer… I’m stoked to roll in some other opamps as suggested in this thread. The P3 is detailed yet lush beyond my expectations…

I sprung for the muses02 and the NJM2068DD .. is the double D the proper package? 🤔

 

[6L6]

DD are the select low noise in DIP8, so you’re good.

 

[jean-paul]

Maybe/possibly (IMHO likely even 🙂) the test would have a very different outcome when done with for instance a low gain but linear preamp. Not RIAA corrected/phono I mean, so just the opamp in non inverting configuration and its minimum of required parts as usual after source selection/volume control.

 

[OtisCampbell]

Well, the Muses002 were a little bit of a letdown.. they sounded blanketed and too polite vs the 2068.. I put some LME49720 in my mouser cart to check out eventually.. thx all!