The Opamp thread - Page 294

Bigger caps will condition the power a bit more, something like that.  Better power = better sound.

Also, a power filter is another great idea.  Furman, Belkin, Monster, and more make power strips/centers/whatever with built-in filtration.  I use a Belkin one.  These have a greater impact on your entire system than opamp/cap rolling to any degree.

*can quartz/oscillator of the dx be changed,for something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-precision-TCXO-03ppm-24576000MHzGolden-AUDIO-/221208015762 ?

waiting for caps and op-amp,thanks for share info.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Max 

Why don't you take the plunge and tell us? 

Be sure to try it as is then try it again with a Russian K42-Y2 PIO capacitor connected across the power supply pins (pins 4 & 8 for a dual opamp, 4 & 7 for a single).

I wish, but I'm moving in about 6 months, so can't do it now.

I just received AD8599 from Analog Devices.With my(now past) favorite OPA1612,I was really sceptical about this opamp,even lazy to place in adapter and try.

I have to admit,I've never been so wrong.AD8599 is not the killer of details or clarity,but it sounds so lively and just right,it's awesome.Really,so alive and natural.Bass is powerful,but not overwhelming,just right,highs are just a little bit rolled off compared to other opamps I have,but very,very good.The sound stage is very realistic.It's like it's fine-tuned for live sound.I doubt now,if there's something as natural sounding out there.Highly recommended.

My opamps : AD8599,AD8597,AD8397,OPA1612,OPA2132,LM4562,NE5532,JRC4558,JRC4556,TL082,OPA2134,OPA1642

Just finished rolling some opamps in my Little Dot I+ Hybrid (with Mullard M8100), here are my notes

OPA827 (SOIC x2)

- Fast and articulate

- Severely lacking bass impact or depth

- Bright/fatiguing

- Excellent clarity

- Ultra-detailed

- Slightly artificial but relatively exciting sound

LM4562 (DIP)

- Good bass impact and quantity

- Not as quick as OPA827

- Good clarity but not OPA827 level

- Realistic and natural sound

AD8597 (SOIC x2)

- Excellent sub-bass and extension

- Good bass impact

- Lacking top end sparkle and clarity

- Not very fast

- Non-fatigueing

- Warm & musical but a bit too much so

- Neither boring nor exciting

LME49710HA (TO-99 x2)

- LM4562 with ever so slightly less bass

- Basically the same as LM4562 as expected

ADA4627-1BRZ (SOIC x2)

- Like AD8597 but brighter and more detailed with improved clarity

- Less sub-bass and impact than AD8597 but still excellent

- Above-average speed but not really enough to be called fast

- Exciting, lively sound

LME49990 (SOIC x2)

- Decent bass but not close to AD8597 or ADA4627

- Very neutral sound

- Good sparkle

- Neither dull nor exciting

OPA1612 (SOIC)

- Dull and flat (stopped listening here)

OPA1641 (SOIC x2)

- Good bass

- Excellent clarity

- Excellent separation

- Sparkly but very sharp top end

- Slightly sibilant

- Detailed

My favourite: ADA4627-1BRZ with the OPA1641 coming in second.

Additional notes: OPA827 would be great if it had some more bass. AD8597 would be great if it had more clarity and speed.

How does the AD797BRZ sound relative to the 4627-1BRZ? Seems like it could be a good candidate for me but hesitant to drop that cash on a pair of op-amps.

It might sound as good.  Opamps tend to vary from circuit to circuit.  You should get around to trying them all again with different psu bypassing schemes each.  It will change your opinion quite a bit on some of them. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Max 

It might sound as good.  Opamps tend to vary from circuit to circuit.  You should get around to trying them all again with different psu bypassing schemes each.  It will change your opinion quite a bit on some of them. 

 

My goal was just to find the best sounding opamp in this circuit with these tubes. All the ones I've tried so far were free samples. The AD797 is very tempting though.. and I have one adapter pcb spare..

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawrywild 

Just finished rolling some opamps in my Little Dot I+ Hybrid (with Mullard M8100), here are my notes

 

I have the OPA2107 installed in my LD 1+ and quite like it. It can be obtained as a free sample from TI.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by gibosi 

 

I have the OPA2107 installed in my LD 1+ and quite like it. It can be obtained as a free sample from TI.

That was one of the first I tried, before I received any of these. I didn't like it one bit, hence didn't bother with writing up impressions for it. From memory it was a little similar to the LME49990 sound but less sparkly. I also tried the OPA2132 at that time, and picked the LM4562 over both.

TL5580A sounds really nice in the Compass.  Similar to my pimped-out OPA827 so far, but a bit thinner and imaging isn't as sharp.  I like the low bass a bit better.

Something about it reminds me of OPA602... I guess I need to roll chips again as I haven't bothered to in what feels like forever.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawrywild 

That was one of the first I tried, before I received any of these. I didn't like it one bit, hence didn't bother with writing up impressions for it. From memory it was a little similar to the LME49990 sound but less sparkly. I also tried the OPA2132 at that time, and picked the LM4562 over both.

I think it is very commendable that you have gone to the trouble to audition and rank all these opamps. And even though I typically use tubes that are very different than the Mullard M8100, I think I just might try some of these opamps that you rank highly. Cheers.