[Herandu]

I am thinking of trying to replace the line output stage and headphone stage on a design I intend to build. For the headphone side of things I looked at the AD8397 and TPA6120a. But would using a discrete stage be any better performance wise?
The same thing goes for the line output. OPA627 looks attractive, but a couple of transistors would be cheaper and perhaps better sounding?

Another question: does more mean less? What I mean is, do more components in a circuit mean less sound quality?

 

[Budgie]

Those are big questions and the source of alot of hot debate.

But would using a discrete stage be any better performance wise?

Maybe yes, maybe no. Opinions vary. Discrete allows for choice of components. Opamps are prebuilt, so no choice of transistors (etc.) there, but the quality and matching is usually pretty darn good in a chip.............

does more mean less? What I mean is, do more components in a circuit mean less sound quality?

Depends on the job the parts are there to do. If they are supporting a well designed circuits' performance, they can improve things. If they are poorly designed or implemented, they can hurt.

A Krell FBP600 amp is a wonderfull sounding amp, but very complex. An Audio Note Ongaku is a wonderfull sounding amp, but fairly simple.

No easy answer. Gotta persue your own path I guess.