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The Opamp thread

Feb 27, 2018 at 6:33 PM Post #5,791 of 7,456
Considering +/-15V rails and assuming opamp can make it to 15V output it turns out 4.7V/us is the minimum.

Also, once it's above 5V/uS it doesn't change anything.

opa2209 which is 6m4V/uS is better than many other opamps with 22 or even 27V/us slew rate.
 
Feb 27, 2018 at 6:48 PM Post #5,792 of 7,456
Got OPA2209, 1612 and 189 today but only got to solder up OPA189's due to work commitments. Listening now and obviously too early to go into detail but have to say that they do sound very "high end". So far (1 hour in) nothing seems lacking...
 
Feb 27, 2018 at 6:51 PM Post #5,793 of 7,456
SpudHarris said:
Got OPA2209, 1612 and 189 today but only got to solder up OPA189's due to work commitments. Listening now and obviously too early to go into detail but have to say that they do sound very "high end". So far (1 hour in) nothing seems lacking...
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My Burson Play is left channel dead. Couldn't try a full OPA2209/OPA209 config but even with just 1 OPA2209 in I/V difference is significant.

Btw, OPA189 are about the best specs I've read in an opamp.

And OPA2209 is the best step response I have seen.
 
Feb 27, 2018 at 7:32 PM Post #5,794 of 7,456
Well I don't know about the specs I just go with initial recommendations then my own personal listening experiences. I have to say that a little longer into my listening with the OPA189's I am very impressed.

For info I am using flac or 24 bit high res into Oppo HA1 then discreet HP output to Burson Lycan then into HD800's.

The OPA189 is a fine sounding OpAmp for sure and certainly worth the money...
 
Feb 27, 2018 at 7:35 PM Post #5,795 of 7,456
SpudHarris said:
Well I don't know about the specs I just go with initial recommendations then my own personal listening experiences. I have to say that a little longer into my listening with the OPA189's I am very impressed.

For info I am using flac or 24 bit high res into Oppo HA1 then discreet HP output to Burson Lycan then into HD800's.

The OPA189 is a fine sounding OpAmp for sure and certainly worth the money...
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I am yet to try them and the full set of OPA2209/209.

Thank you much, that gives me a lot more confidence on OPA189.

I guess you will like OPA2209/OPA209 too. Please keep us posted on your impressions.
 
Feb 28, 2018 at 12:59 PM Post #5,796 of 7,456
imran27 said:
Considering +/-15V rails and assuming opamp can make it to 15V output it turns out 4.7V/us is the minimum.

Also, once it's above 5V/uS it doesn't change anything.

opa2209 which is 6m4V/uS is better than many other opamps with 22 or even 27V/us slew rate.
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Yeah for audio rarely does going for very high slew rates make any difference once you hit a certain point and can even be a detriment for audio if it makes the op amp more complex to get stable operation and/or uses some crude method of boosting slew rates - 6.4 should be more than enough for almost any useful scenario.

Still haven't got to try the 2209 - local place has it but its a bit cheaper from elsewhere who also have some other bits I want but waiting until current weather to clear before I order as otherwise parcel will just end up delayed and a higher chance of lost :s

2209 looks pretty decent for audio in the datasheet - its a bit behind the OPA16xx series in some areas but not by so much that would make any significant difference for audio while having a better balance of parameters elsewhere which should make for a nicely rounded op amp on paper performance wise - if they'd just got the output able to supply around 70ma or ideally a bit closer to 100ma and the options of DIP format as well it would wipe the floor if it sounds as good as people say.
 
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Feb 28, 2018 at 7:39 PM Post #5,798 of 7,456
Rroff said:
Yeah for audio rarely does going for very high slew rates make any difference once you hit a certain point and can even be a detriment for audio if it makes the op amp more complex to get stable operation and/or uses some crude method of boosting slew rates - 6.4 should be more than enough for almost any useful scenario.

Still haven't got to try the 2209 - local place has it but its a bit cheaper from elsewhere who also have some other bits I want but waiting until current weather to clear before I order as otherwise parcel will just end up delayed and a higher chance of lost :s

2209 looks pretty decent for audio in the datasheet - its a bit behind the OPA16xx series in some areas but not by so much that would make any significant difference for audio while having a better balance of parameters elsewhere which should make for a nicely rounded op amp on paper performance wise - if they'd just got the output able to supply around 70ma or ideally a bit closer to 100ma and the options of DIP format as well it would wipe the floor if it sounds as good as people say.
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This is something OPA2209 changed for me drastically. Even with a slew rate of only 6.4 V/us it replaced all the opamps, even the V5i-D. Definitely better than LME49720.

Compared to OPA1612 however it's a toss. It is actually a complementary. OPA2209 is more like a reference kind of sound, very accurate and airy, soundstage is controlled and precise. Soundstage depth is amazing.

OPA1612 otoh has the best sub bass performance I have heard. OPA2209 does reproduce sub bass as deep or deeper than OPA1612 but the latter has a pretty significant presence in the sub bass region. The sub bass regions are more well pronounced with OPA1612. I don't like the highs of OPA1612 though, they sound artificial to me. Another great thing about OPA1612 is the soundstage, huge. Just holographic and engaging. Probably my pic for enjoying the music.

Although, if you are looking out for mid range (mids) and timbre, OPA2192 should be your pick.
 
Feb 28, 2018 at 8:56 PM Post #5,799 of 7,456
imran27 said:
This is something OPA2209 changed for me drastically. Even with a slew rate of only 6.4 V/us it replaced all the opamps, even the V5i-D. Definitely better than LME49720.

Compared to OPA1612 however it's a toss. It is actually a complementary. OPA2209 is more like a reference kind of sound, very accurate and airy, soundstage is controlled and precise. Soundstage depth is amazing.

OPA1612 otoh has the best sub bass performance I have heard. OPA2209 does reproduce sub bass as deep or deeper than OPA1612 but the latter has a pretty significant presence in the sub bass region. The sub bass regions are more well pronounced with OPA1612. I don't like the highs of OPA1612 though, they sound artificial to me. Another great thing about OPA1612 is the soundstage, huge. Just holographic and engaging. Probably my pic for enjoying the music.

Although, if you are looking out for mid range (mids) and timbre, OPA2192 should be your pick.
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Given that TI group the 2209 in with the 2211 which I believe is just a 1612 laser trimmed and with some other minor changes for performance in areas where DC is important it wouldn't surprise me if they shared a lot "under the hood". An alternative to the 1612 with more reference like sound would be a great option to have - I've ended up using the 1612 a lot the only op amp that regularly pulls me away really is the AD8066.

I've found the highs of the OPA1612 settle down a bit after a few dozen hours of music through them - I'm generally not a big believer in "burn in" but I can distinctly tell between the 1612s I've had in use for awhile and one pulled new out the box. There is still a bit of a "tropical juice" brightness to the highs though for want of a better way to describe it.
 
Mar 1, 2018 at 4:35 PM Post #5,800 of 7,456
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Got everything soldered up now so will be testing OPA2209 this evening... Sorry for the poor quality ipad pics.
 
Mar 1, 2018 at 6:59 PM Post #5,801 of 7,456
The OPA2209 is very nice indeed. I forgot how much fun rolling can be, especially with a testbench such as the Lycan. Just playing my favourites playlist of songs I know inside and out. Will leave the OPA2209 in for a few days before moving onto OPA1612...
 
Mar 2, 2018 at 6:11 PM Post #5,802 of 7,456
Tested some opamps in Fostex HP-A4BL.
OPA1642 - Improved clarity, dynamics and soundstaging. But over time, these dynamics and speed become tiresome.
OPA637BP - Sounds full, dense and natural, with interesting "between instruments" soundstaging. Good resolution. But it's a bit bloated near 100Hz. Intimate warmth sound, like good cassette deck. On some tracks it sounds very good.
OPA604AP - Bassier and harsher overall than OPA2134PA. Mids are recessed.
Now waiting OPA2209. I'd like something between OPA637 and OPA1642. However default 2134 is already pretty good and well-balanced - well-defined bass, good forwarded mids and non-fatigue highs.
 
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