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Anyone experience any Op amp rolling?

More and more devices (DAC's /Amps) are being offered the ability to change out different Op amps. Easy as changing a tube. Op amp can alter the sounds noticeably. 

In an effort to keep the cost of an item lower the manufacturer frequently uses very inexpensive IC op amp chips. Many less than a dollar. It would seem a good upgrade could be had using a more expensive discreet op amp running in class 'A'.

Anyone have any experience with the newest Burson V7 Vivid or the Sparkos ss2590 pro? Both units run in class 'A' mode. Two top tier units, both run over $80 and I find the improvement in sound remarkable and greatly improved and well worth the $ spent.

gdaddy1
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,007 posts
 

I recall that being a big thing 6 or 7 years ago when that Burson amp was popular...for about 5 minutes. 

knotscott
931 posts
 

About two years ago I was doing some mods to my Hagerman Bugle 3 phono stage, and definitely experimented with several in different op amp positions of that circuit.

Other than upgrading the single op amp in a cheap Pyle phono section, the Hagerman is my first and only foray into OA rolling. It’s not so different than tube rolling in that there are subtle differences, and they can sound different in different circuits. Like tubes, they all have a range of voltages and functions that they excel and waiver in. It was fun and educational, and not as expensive as tube rolling!

bbarten
65 posts
 

The reply thing isn't working.  gdaddy1...are you saying you actually rolled yours?  One thing I've wondered about is power.  Is it affected by being in class A mode?  Can you comment on differences in the ones you tried?  I've seen those you mentioned and was curious if worth it.  Thanks for the post and in advance for a reply.  :-)

 

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