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Does Op-amp Rolling Work?

Rate this article on opamp rolling:

  • 1. Terrible. Didn't learn anything

    Votes: 14 4.5%
  • 2. Kind of useful but I am still not convinced

    Votes: 23 7.4%
  • 3. I learned some and agree with conclusions

    Votes: 57 18.4%
  • 4. Wonderful to have data and proof that such "upgrades" don't work

    Votes: 215 69.6%

  • Total voters
    309
I am done op amp rolling.

Removed sockets and soldered the op amps, so no more rolling for me :D

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My first opamp was ne5532 (p version) and after changing almost 20 different opamps my last opamp is also ne5532 ap version (guaranteed low noise version). I am still unable to find anything better.
Although I am using opa1612 in my DAC due to lowest noise and distortion.
Furthermore, I also own several discrete opamps which have their flavors but ne5532 still holds its own against everything.
 
My first op-amp was the μA741 (designed in 1968) with no less than 20 transistors.
Fortunately op-amps became better in the following 10 years and more than good enough about 45 years ago (called the NE5532).
This is what you get ... note the usage of components that do not exist in discrete form such as a transistor with 2 emitters and one with 2 collectors.
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I am done op amp rolling.

Removed sockets and soldered the op amps, so no more rolling for me :D

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I’ve been clean and happy for over two years now.

Ten feet from my desk is a sleeve containing a dozen or so op-amps sitting in my parts box.

I no longer experience pangs, anxiety or cold sweats when I see them; no more, “what if I swapped..” doubts running through my mind.
 
I’ve been clean and happy for over two years now.

Ten feet from my desk is a sleeve containing a dozen or so op-amps sitting in my parts box.

I no longer experience pangs, anxiety or cold sweats when I see them; no more, “what if I swapped..” doubts running through my mind.
…lol…I thought I was in the last stages myself….but alas not so, at least I have a favourite that I swap most stock ops out for.
That being said, I will probably stick with giving something a go regardless whenever.
 
Or a counterfeit OpAmp from AliExpress. :facepalm: Where even NE5532 are
If they are fake then I expect they will sound like it. I don’t have anything to test them other than my ears I’m afraid and against some genuine ones I already have here.

That’s said, there is a lot of work gone into these and previous buyers have not reported anything untoward so I would say at this point it’s unlikely that they are fake.
 
@Schlippwhip68 If you can't or don't like ordering from a TI mouser etc, lcsc has stock at 3$ single unit. Even with shipping they will be cheaper than the ali linked ones.
 
I don’t have anything to test them other than my ears I’m afraid
I would not change an op-amp without access to a high quality, high frequency oscilloscope.
 
Most, I think nearly all of the best DAC have OPA1612 and also amps (Topping LA90, LA90D, B200, B100). So maybe the cirquit must be specially developed and fit for an opamp and you must have very clean voltage for the opamp. Or does Topping simply burn money?! And of course in an amp, the part behind the opamp should be able to deliver the (maybe) possible advantages.
 
OPA1612 only cost a few $ in bulk.
They provide a high signal fidelity (low distortion) and wide bandwidth ensuring good measurements that exceed that of the NE5532 which costs next to nothing in bulk.
No special circuits are needed, just proper PCB layout and decoupling of the power pins.

The PSRR is high meaning there is no need for super clean power supply rails even for TOTL performance.
 
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And who cares anyway. You won't be able to tell the difference in a blind test
Blind tests are only subject to the hearing of the person in the blind test, so it is not fool proof in the first place.

I could tell the difference in a blind test with 100% pass rate between two amplifiers. This was mainly because I knew the sound of one of them.

Simple dude.

By the way, these are excellent op amps and have a very clean, balanced, well separated sound. Very well made with expert precise soldering and materials used.
Mundorf 9% silver solder.
Latest gen Ti opa828
Murata 0.1 uf Caps.
Custom boards.
Gold plated shorter pins for better hieght management.

I put a pair in my Douk Audio P1 Plus with a pair of Mullard CV4010 valves and another pair in my Douk Audio A5 amplifier.

The difference?

Better frequency balance, separation, clarity and detail.

No imagination, no wishful thinking, just plain technological progress and improvement.

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Blind tests are only subject to the hearing of the person in the blind test, so it is not fool proof in the first place.

I could tell the difference in a blind test with 100% pass rate between two amplifiers. This was mainly because I knew the sound of one of them.

Simple dude.

By the way, these are excellent op amps and have a very clean, balanced, well separated sound. Very well made with expert precise soldering and materials used.
Mundorf 9% silver solder.
Latest gen Ti opa828
Murata 0.1 uf Caps.
Custom boards.
Gold plated shorter pins for better hieght management.

I put a pair in my Douk Audio P1 Plus with a pair of Mullard CV4010 valves and another pair in my Douk Audio A5 amplifier.

The difference?

Better frequency balance, separation, clarity and detail.

No imagination, no wishful thinking, just plain technological progress and improvement.

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