Hi!
Was thinking of a way to audition and compare dual opamps.
Tools for the task:
- Modified AD24QS: good quality ADC to feed the digital signal to a computer
- Modified VSPS: simple, opamp-based stage that would serve as the platform for rolling different opamps
- A Jico J44A-7 on an SL-1200MKII turntable: good source that could provide a quality signal
------------
I've been mulling over the choice of the record track to use for the task.
Any feedback on that, would be welcome.
At the moment, I'm using track B1 from this album: Ray Charles - The Great Ray Charles
In my opinion, it's a good quality re-issue of a great early Stereo recording.
------------------------
Regarding auditioning, I recommend using the free foobar2000 player.
Provides you with a free ABX Comparator plugin.
Makes it possible to do blind tests and also gives the ability to switch on-the-fly between tracks, while keeping playback position.
----------------------
So, i recorded the first couple of opamps which most of us familiar with.
It's the ubiquitous 5532 in two of its current popular versions.
NE5532 by Texas Instruments and NJM5532 by Japan Radio Co.
As a point of reference, i've also recorded the same track through a fully-discrete, dual-mono, RIAA preamplifier that i've built and use regularly.
Ray Charles - Doodlin' - NE5532
Ray Charles - Doodlin' - NJM5532
Ray Charles - Doodlin' - Discrete
----------------
Disclaimer:
All that stuff is probably a bit too nerdy but, there might be folks generally interested in that kind of stuff.
Personally, when i engage in that process, it's mostly out of curiosity.
It's an exercise in trying to identify audible differences between various opamp renditions.
However, I wouldn't advice to try and establish conclusions or any sort of definite ranking based on it.
Also, don't forget that auditioning is a personal and ultimately subjective experience.
Was thinking of a way to audition and compare dual opamps.
Tools for the task:
- Modified AD24QS: good quality ADC to feed the digital signal to a computer
- Modified VSPS: simple, opamp-based stage that would serve as the platform for rolling different opamps
- A Jico J44A-7 on an SL-1200MKII turntable: good source that could provide a quality signal
------------
I've been mulling over the choice of the record track to use for the task.
Any feedback on that, would be welcome.
At the moment, I'm using track B1 from this album: Ray Charles - The Great Ray Charles
In my opinion, it's a good quality re-issue of a great early Stereo recording.
------------------------
Regarding auditioning, I recommend using the free foobar2000 player.
Provides you with a free ABX Comparator plugin.
Makes it possible to do blind tests and also gives the ability to switch on-the-fly between tracks, while keeping playback position.
----------------------
So, i recorded the first couple of opamps which most of us familiar with.
It's the ubiquitous 5532 in two of its current popular versions.
NE5532 by Texas Instruments and NJM5532 by Japan Radio Co.
As a point of reference, i've also recorded the same track through a fully-discrete, dual-mono, RIAA preamplifier that i've built and use regularly.
Ray Charles - Doodlin' - NE5532
Ray Charles - Doodlin' - NJM5532
Ray Charles - Doodlin' - Discrete
----------------
Disclaimer:
All that stuff is probably a bit too nerdy but, there might be folks generally interested in that kind of stuff.
Personally, when i engage in that process, it's mostly out of curiosity.
It's an exercise in trying to identify audible differences between various opamp renditions.
However, I wouldn't advice to try and establish conclusions or any sort of definite ranking based on it.
Also, don't forget that auditioning is a personal and ultimately subjective experience.