[hopeless]

Anyway, for how good is the LT1355, I still miss the LT1469. That can really sound impressive.

 

[hopeless]

Love the LT1355 though. It's an all-round good sounding opamp (something not easy to find). I love its tonality too.


The way it plays Jason Lytle, "Yours truly, the commuter", is irresistible.

 

[ROBSCIX]

I started a opamp topic as I figured it would help keep all the oapmps dicussions where people could find them.

 

[hopeless]

The LT1355 exhibits a very clear and impactful bass, liquid mids, and very clear transients. Tonally it seems about neutral (bit differently from the more enthusiastic LT1358).

 

[hopeless]

Still finding the LT1355 to be transparent and unobtrusive - very important for me. I remember the OPA211 (in the other DAC, at +/- 15V) sounding a bit "peculiar", with a certain (often interesting BTW) coloration in the midbass, for instance.

 

[hopeless]

Hey majkel,


I've just put two OPA228P inside my evolved CMOY and it's working (sounding) great. Thanks for the suggestion.

It's a little bit better than the AD845KN -- slightly smoother and heavier mids, slightly more neutral tonality. On the other hand, the AD843 was perhaps the best sounding (I'd like to compare but I have them no more). That's at 24V, G= 4, and a 30 ohm isolation resistor (inside the feedback) on the outputs. Altogether I think it's my "definitive" CMOY opamp.



Interestingly the OPA228 looks (sounds) like perfectly stable, also because its current draw apparently is low compared to that of the AD845 judging by the time the led stays on when power is turned down. While the OPA552 (also stable from G= 5 on paper) made a slight distortion, only at a certain volume level, indicating that it was not quite stable.

 

[majkel]

Thanks for the info. I'll try the OPA552 probably tomorrow. When playing with Cmoy's, I was also able to make the OPA2228 stable at lower gains than 5 but at 2.7 it definitely needed additional compensation which made the sound worse so I just increased the gain.

Regarding the AD843 - it's artificially harsh to me with a kind of ugly timbre. You need a lot of nice coloration elsewhere in the signal chain to really enjoy it but it doesn't make overall sense IMHO.

 

[hopeless]

Quote:

Originally Posted by majkel /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for the info. I'll try the OPA552 probably tomorrow. When playing with Cmoy's, I was also able to make the OPA2228 stable at lower gains than 5 but at 2.7 it definitely needed additional compensation which made the sound worse so I just increased the gain. Regarding the AD843 - it's artificially harsh to me with a kind of ugly timbre. You need a lot of nice coloration elsewhere in the signal chain to really enjoy it but it doesn't make overall sense IMHO.

I disagree about the AD843. When my DIYEDEN DAC still had sockets

I tried it briefly and definitely found it good sounding, smooth, open and pleasing. This is with respect to the LT1028 that I've always liked, or the OPA211. Certainly it did sound different tonally. Don't think my system is so colored...

Even in the headphone system (Kenwood DP-X337 PCDP's line out - silver/copper cable - evolved CMOY - Senn HD238 and HD485) the AD843 sounded quite promising when I briefly tried it; maybe just a bit too dark, but in a CMOY that's not a bad thing (too many opamps sound too lightweight).

Anyway the OPA228P is good enough for it for me to call it definitive

though later on I may want to compare with LT1361 and LT1364 (some of the best inside my CMOY).



The OPA552 sounded very good except for that slight distortion only at a specific volume level - must have had to do with input resistance (no caps in the signal path). I would rather use the OPA551 than increase the gain, which only a couple of opamps would benefit by; moreover, the resistors are SMD so it's just a bit more complicated (I would have to replace them with non-SMD ones).

 

[maddman79]

Just wanted you guys to know that I am very pleased with the results of pairing the AD8066 with the OPA2211. The recorded signal sounded very clear and natural.

Also, I'm currently taking a stab at my own rendition of the OPA-Earth discrete opamp. Only difference: I opted for a surface mount design, as opposed to through-hole. Board layout has already been completed. PCBs should be in later this week.

For this project, I used thin film resistors, tolerant to 0.1%. I plan to use my LCZ for tighter pairing of passive components. Also, I had to do a bit of part substitution for the surface mount transistors.

I'll post pictures and share with you my results. If I'm not completely embarrassed by how the final result sounds, I may lend out a couple for review...

-Brian

 

[maddman79]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX /img/forum/go_quote.gif I started a opamp topic as I figured it would help keep all the oapmps dicussions where people could find them.

Link?

 

[Bonthouse]

Quote:

Originally Posted by maddman79 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Link?

It's called "The Opamp thread" (orly? YARLY! IT MAKES SENSE!) and it's on the first page of the DIY section..
Go look it up...

 

[maddman79]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonthouse /img/forum/go_quote.gif It's called "The Opamp thread" (orly? YARLY! IT MAKES SENSE!) and it's on the first page of the DIY section.. Go look it up...

Wouldn't it have just been easier to post the link?

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f6/opamp-thread-432749/

 

[Bonthouse]

You're a big boy now

You must learn to take your own steps!

 

[ROBSCIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by maddman79 /img/forum/go_quote.gif AI'm currently taking a stab at my own rendition of the OPA-Earth discrete opamp. Only difference: I opted for a surface mount design, as opposed to through-hole. Board layout has already been completed. PCBs should be in later this week. For this project, I used thin film resistors, tolerant to 0.1%. I plan to use my LCZ for tighter pairing of passive components. Also, I had to do a bit of part substitution for the surface mount transistors. I'll post pictures and share with you my results. If I'm not completely embarrassed by how the final result sounds, I may lend out a couple for review... -Brian

Can I speak for one of these test units?

 

[maddman79]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBSCIX /img/forum/go_quote.gif Can I speak for one of these test units?

Sure, you're welcome to test one. I'll pay for your shipping each way.

Keep in mind, this prototype is meant to be a drop-in replacement for a dual opamp in SIP-8 package. The driving force behind this project is to upgrade my turntable

Down the road, I may build a 4 or 6 layer version in DIP-8 package...

majkel and hopeless, would either of you have any interest in testing one? I have enough parts for four.

-Brian