Op-Amp Rolling. Does it make sense?

[Hari Iyer]

I have done a couple of op-amp rolling in my DVD & CD player replacing the JRC op-amp with LM4562NA op-amps with good results. I have now ordered a DAC kit which uses a PCM1794 DAC and has an AD827 op-amp in the LF stage. I have yet to receive this and check if op-amp rolling of this with LM4562 or NE5532 will be of any benefits.

Wanted to check with FMs if anyone has done any excessive op-amp rolling exercise and if any major difference in SQ was noticed with it?

 

[greenhorn]

<flamebait> http://nwavguy.blogspot.in/2011/08/op-amps-myths-facts.html
http://nwavguy.blogspot.in/2011/08/op-amp-measurements.html </flamebait>

 

[music4mhell]

From my Exp .. Op-Amps do change the sound. I will also do some op amp rolling

 

[corElement]

op amps do change sound but I'd say about 3-4% tops, however someone once told me if I have to do op-amp to change sound, then I have bigger issues than the op amp

 

[music4mhell]

op amps do change sound but I'd say about 3-4% tops, however someone once told me if I have to do op-amp to change sound, then I have bigger issues than the op amp

I will love to disagree on this point.. there are Opamps ranging from 100 INR to 5000 INR.

So, it does change the sound, i will say 30%-40%.

 

[jls001]

Opamp rolling is fun

I do it all the time. Unless one has a taste for exotics like OPA627 which costs $25 a pop, or other costly ones like AD797 or LME49990, the experiment is cheap enough to have some clean fun.

 

[Hari Iyer]

Thanks for all your views.

Coming to the point, will changing AD827 with LM4562 be of any sonic value? The cost involved for this rolling will be approx Rs.800/-.

 

[music4mhell]

Thanks for all your views.

Coming to the point, will changing AD827 with LM4562 be of any sonic value? The cost involved for this rolling will be approx Rs.800/-.

www.head-fi.org/t/828315/walnut-hi-...udget-killer-combo-dap-amp/1365#post_13172703
www.head-fi.org/t/828315/walnut-hi-...udget-killer-combo-dap-amp/1695#post_13220757
www.head-fi.org/t/828315/walnut-hi-...udget-killer-combo-dap-amp/1365#post_13172703

At the end, it's all about synergy !

 

[corElement]

I will love to disagree on this point.. there are Opamps ranging from 100 INR to 5000 INR.

So, it does change the sound, i will say 30%-40%.

That's what's interesting. Usually the op amp on a device is proportional to it's total value. So if you put a say..150$ op amp on a 100$ device, it cannot deliver more than marginal improvement. The 100$ device will physically not be able to reflect the improvement beyond a small %, it would require better topology, better capacitors, better hardware overall.

 

[music4mhell]

That's what's interesting. Usually the op amp on a device is proportional to it's total value. So if you put a say..150$ op amp on a 100$ device, it cannot deliver more than marginal improvement. The 100$ device will physically not be able to reflect the improvement beyond a small %, it would require better topology, better capacitors, better hardware overall.

Yes, now it makes sense.

If i put $2 Op-Amp on a $500 portable amp and will change the op-Amp to an expensive like Muses or something else around $100, then there will be 30-40% difference in sound .. do you disagree ? hyeah:

 

[corElement]

Yes, now it makes sense.

If i put $2 Op-Amp on a $500 portable amp and will change the op-Amp to an expensive like Muses or something else around $100, then there will be 30-40% difference in sound .. do you disagree ? hyeah:

Lol!

Well, not entirely, because a portable amp's primary components will take up most of the cost, the op-amp would best be around 25$, beyond that you'd get diminishing returns.