Does Op-amp Rolling Work?

[DanielT]

Exactly! Comparing op-amps without modifying the circuit versus modifying the circuit to match them are two completely different topics. Heck, even keeping the same topology and gain, but changing the resistor values, is a whole other story in itself.

So, it’s a matter of redesigning the unit rather than just tweaking a single detail like the op-amps. Someone with the right knowledge and expertise could tackle a project like that. But how many hi-fi enthusiasts actually possess that? I’m not talking about the kind of knowledge gained from reading a few online threads, but rather solid expertise and experience—like being a trained electrical engineer, and so on.
(I don’t have that myself; I’m simply noting what is realistically required.)

Here’s a tip for beginners—or anyone without extensive technical knowledge—to try out: a
battery-powered DIY preamp. It’s the simplest design imaginable: an op-amp, a few resistors, and some capacitors. The most expensive part is probably a decent-quality volume potentiometer (if you want one). Add an enclosure and some input/output jacks, and you’re all set. It’s mostly just a fun project to experiment with.

In the video: the construction project from start to finish, including the schematic, and finally, measurements of its performance (which is good):

Edit:
Tip: buy rechargeable batteries for it—for example, two of these:

https://www.amazon.com/9v-rechargeable-batteries/s?k=9v+rechargeable+batteries&page=3

 

[JSmith]

Hey at least the op-amp rolling trolling appears to have abated.

Op-amp t-rolling


JSmith

 

[DanielT]

Hey at least the op-amp rolling trolling appears to have abated.

Op-amp t-rolling


JSmith

It comes in waves. @eric00886 seems sensible enough, but you know how it is. All of a sudden, some rabid op-amp swapper pops up here, and the same circus starts all over again. Give it two or three months, and you’ll see it happen. Then things go quiet for a while until the next round. That’s how it’s been here on ASR for years.

 

[pma]

It comes in waves. @eric00886 seems sensible enough, but you know how it is. All of a sudden, some rabid op-amp swapper pops up here, and the same circus starts all over again. Give it two or three months, and you’ll see it happen. Then things go quiet for a while until the next round. That’s how it’s been here on ASR for years.

This is a pain of any discussion on any audioforum. Same reasoning over and over re-appears from new members. And it is really tiring to try to reply again and again, especially if you know that it makes no sense and a crowd of similar posters will appear again. Sometimes I say to myself it is best ignored, sometimes I get a temptation to reply.

 

[CedarX]

All of a sudden, some rabid op-amp swapper pops up here, and the same circus starts all over again.

[rabid op-amp swapper] rolling?

 

[somebodyelse]

Edit:
Tip: buy rechargeable batteries for it—for example, two of these:

https://www.amazon.com/9v-rechargeable-batteries/s?k=9v+rechargeable+batteries&page=3

Given the USB-C charge port I'm guessing those have a LiPo and a switching regulator inside them, and could spawn a whole new "battery rolling" thread.

 

[eric00886]

So, it’s a matter of redesigning the unit rather than just tweaking a single detail like the op-amps. Someone with the right knowledge and expertise could tackle a project like that. But how many hi-fi enthusiasts actually possess that? I’m not talking about the kind of knowledge gained from reading a few online threads, but rather solid expertise and experience—like being a trained electrical engineer, and so on.
(I don’t have that myself; I’m simply noting what is realistically required.)

Here’s a tip for beginners—or anyone without extensive technical knowledge—to try out: a
battery-powered DIY preamp. It’s the simplest design imaginable: an op-amp, a few resistors, and some capacitors. The most expensive part is probably a decent-quality volume potentiometer (if you want one). Add an enclosure and some input/output jacks, and you’re all set. It’s mostly just a fun project to experiment with.

In the video: the construction project from start to finish, including the schematic, and finally, measurements of its performance (which is good):
View attachment 552293View attachment 552292View attachment 552289View attachment 552290

Edit:
Tip: buy rechargeable batteries for it—for example, two of these:
View attachment 552284
https://www.amazon.com/9v-rechargeable-batteries/s?k=9v+rechargeable+batteries&page=3

This is awesome! Man, if I had access to all these videos when I was younger, I wouldn't have had to struggle so hard figure things out the hard way.

 

[eric00886]

Hey at least the op-amp rolling trolling appears to have abated.

Op-amp t-rolling


JSmith

It comes in waves. @eric00886 seems sensible enough, but you know how it is. All of a sudden, some rabid op-amp swapper pops up here, and the same circus starts all over again. Give it two or three months, and you’ll see it happen. Then things go quiet for a while until the next round. That’s how it’s been here on ASR for years.

I’m way past the point of arguing over every little thing. To be honest, even if my super tweeter is out of phase, I barely have the energy to go fix it anymore. Life’s too short for all that stress—just play the music!

 

[eric00886]

[rabid op-amp swapper] rolling?

To be honest, discovering the OPA1656 because of the TPA3255 makes me want to play the op-amp rolling game again, just for fun. Looks like I'll be pulling out the soldering iron and battling PCBs purely for the hell of it!

 

[LTig]

This is a pain of any discussion on any audioforum. Same reasoning over and over re-appears from new members. And it is really tiring to try to reply again and again, especially if you know that it makes no sense and a crowd of similar posters will appear again. Sometimes I say to myself it is best ignored, sometimes I get a temptation to reply.

Just answer with "Uh huh".

 

[rsqt]

As you said it depends on the cirquit and clean voltage for the opamp and rolling opamps you always put a better (by data) opamp in a cirquit which is developed for the bad one. Maybe it should be tested the other way, a very good DAC with maybe opa1612 gets a NE55.. or else.

 

[fpitas]

As you said it depends on the cirquit and clean voltage for the opamp and rolling opamps you always put a better (by data) opamp in a cirquit which is developed for the bad one. Maybe it should be tested the other way, a very good DAC with maybe opa1612 gets a NE55.. or else.

The problem is that the circuit is not "good" or "bad" necessarily, just optimized for the op-amp the engineer decided upon. For example, for very low noise one has to use small value resistors, otherwise the resistor noise swamps out the op-amp noise.

 

[perceptionist]

I am very interested in how Purifi OP amps perform compared to others. I hope Amir can answer that.

I mean if there is no difference, why Purifi even bother to make one and published a note? But exactly what it is?

https://purifi-audio.com/blog/tech-notes-1/discrete-op-amps-when-and-why-it-actually-matters-18

https://purifi-audio.com/website/search?search=deluxe&order=name+asc

 

[pma]

I am very interested in how Purifi OP amps perform compared to others. I hope Amir can answer that.

I mean if there is no difference, why Purifi even bother to make one and published a note? But exactly what it is?

https://purifi-audio.com/blog/tech-notes-1/discrete-op-amps-when-and-why-it-actually-matters-18

https://purifi-audio.com/website/search?search=deluxe&order=name+asc

There is ALWAYS a measurable difference, depending on a proper method used. The only question for us is - is it audible? No one technically sane would expect it is not measurable.
Purifi need to find a reason for new products and they of course need to sell them. Maybe Lars @Lars Risbo might like to add his thoughts, though I understand it is not easy.

 

[JSmith]

why Purifi even bother to make one

Why does any company make anything? Profit... and in this case, working on the FOMO principal.


JSmith