CD player, audio out, discrete vs. op-amps..?

Op amps can sound great. There is really nothing wrong with them. If you want good sounding and relative affordable audio gear. Then op-amps work great.

As example the RCM Sensor Prelude phono stage. According to a well respected audio design engineer I spoke whom shall remain anonymous it does not matter what you use. As long as the implementation is done correctly. This mean that not all option can be used anywhere but it also means that you can never say: Op-amps/tube/etc is always the bad option.

Mordante,
I'd agree that there must be good sounding CD players/DACs that use Op amps and implementation is vital as always. It does seem that many designers attempting to aim for higher echelon quality sound do avoid Op amps and prefer discrete analog circuits in their place. We all can acknowledge that other design factors are important. I can't help but notice that as you climb higher into price/quality levels discrete circuit use is the dominant route chosen. Is this a coincidence or is there some correlation? I have to assume that this is done for a reason, designers must believe that it contributes to better sound.

I can't begin to make the claim that I've heard every digital player. I can only relate that the best sounding have all utilized discrete circuits. Mordante could you kindly list the Op amp based players that you've heard with very good sound quality?
Thanks Much,
Charles,

Charles,

You missed my point, sorry if I wasn't clear enough. I agree with you that the very top end audio equipment is mostly utilizes discrete circuits.

What I am trying to say is that op-amps have their place in audio. You have no idea what budget the OP has. So by just plainly discarding audio equipment that has op-amps. The OP might miss so good CD-players.

As far as I know the CEC TL51xr is not discrete and is a very good CD player, same goes for most Naim CD players.

I think we may have both missed the other's point.Whatjd made an observation about the better sound he's heard from discrete curcuit players. I can understand why he feels that way based on my own experience. You are correct, there's no stated budget. Depending on his budget some good sounding Op amp players could be serious contenders for him to consider. I hope that is more clear.When all is said and done, listening will determine his final choice rather than specific aspects of a player's design.
Charles,