[ccontreras]

I'm into opamps mostly for modding almost all my source components (CD players, DAC, etc). This is something that has surprised me while reading this forums: lots of opamp discussion, but little or no time focused on source components.

I see all of you analyzing different opamps performance, different topologies, buffering, etc. and its impact on the sound on the amplification stage.

Do you realise that maybe you're feeding a great opamp (say, a AD825, AD826, OPAs or whatever) from a couple of cents worth opamps (the ubitiquous NJM2114 and the like)? yeah! the ones at your CD player??

There is an old golden rule in audio: the sound quality is that of the weakest link in the chain. If you want to improve sound, why don't you improve it from the start? At the CD player??? the DAC?

The most you're going to achieve is the quality at that source component. If it produces crap, you're going to end with a marvellous, lively, warmthly and detailed amplified crap.

My 999es
before NJM2114 - Now AD8620 (front 5,1) and AD826 in stereo out.

 

[tomb]

AD8066, hands down ... except in a SOHA.

 

[dumbears]

There're quite few I like:
OPA2111
AD8620
AD8066
LM4562

 

[mminutel]

AD8620 is one of my favorites. I have heard amps with AD8066s in them but I was unsuccessful at incorporating it into my pimeta.

 

[colonelkernel8]

8620

 

[ccontreras]

thanks!
AD8620 also is one of my favorites.

 

[TzeYang]

OPA627
OPA2107
AD744
AD829

 

[audiofil]

OPA627AM biased in class A
LM4562
AD8620/8610
Absolutely great & inexpensive I/V converter: AD826

Do discrete ones count?

 

[ccontreras]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiofil /img/forum/go_quote.gif Do discrete ones count?

yes, it was thinking about these somebody tested?
http://www.johnhardyco.com/990OpAmpDetails.html
http://www.bursonaudio.com/Burson_HDAM_Module.htm

I have curiosity in installing ZAPfilter 2 in my DVD.

 

[pddjsteve]

I really like the AD8058 in my pimeta.

 

[gates_2]

opa 627- its like a tube in a chip!

 

[Heady]

Here is a good thread on this topic:
http://www.sgheadphones.net/index.php?showtopic=2628

 

[tomb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heady /img/forum/go_quote.gif Here is a good thread on this topic: http://www.sgheadphones.net/index.php?showtopic=2628

Reads as if he likes the AD8066 best.

 

[NelsonVandal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccontreras /img/forum/go_quote.gif Do you realise that maybe you're feeding a great opamp (say, a AD825, AD826, OPAs or whatever) from a couple of cents worth opamps (the ubitiquous NJM2114 and the like)? yeah! the ones at your CD player?? There is an old golden rule in audio: the sound quality is that of the weakest link in the chain. If you want to improve sound, why don't you improve it from the start? At the CD player??? the DAC?

My CD-player is all discrete and my DAP uses none of them. I can't do any easy tweaking there.

Yes it is crazy. You have a CD player with a crappy opamp. You change it to LM4562 or whatever and get it to sound good. Then you attenuate the signal with a volume control. Then you amplify it with yet another opamp, let's say LM4562 again. Why just not toss this opamp away, turn up the volume a bit and enjoy less coloration.

I vote for no opamp, just buffers if you don't need more than 2V output. And I doubt anyone need more than that.

 

[ryssen]

LM4562 and AD827
Lt1469



AD8620..