2. amps-preamps
  3. 130642-1601

impact of op amps on preamp design

Dear all,

I've been looking at a preamp upgrade, and trying to decide between late 90s used (dual mono, SS, MC) for around $1500 and either new or <10 years old with remote for c. $2k. One thing I've noticed is that op amps seem to be getting good enough to base an entire preamp around, e.g., the Rowland Capri, which uses OPA1632s. The design advantages, apart from cost, seem to be linearity, low distortion, and efficiency. 

I'm sure a quick answer is "it depends on the implementation or on which gain stage," but I'm wondering if there are any significant trade-offs in using op amps in preamplification vs. discrete components, or if op amps have now come into their own to be used as one more device in the high-end designer's toolkit.

 I first encountered debates about op amps in CD players and DACs in the 2000s, where the issue was between various models of op amps and discrete amplification. With Jeff Rowland basing an entire amp around op amps, and ten years ago at that, are beefy power supplies and tons of components in preamps going the way of the dodo? 

Finally, a separate issue, but is remote control still considered something that degrades sound quality? 


Thank you, 

Paul 
paulburnett

Showing 1 response by redfuneral

redfuneral
36 posts
 
Dunno about generalities but I've had poor experiences with companies on the discrete only crusade (reliability & sound) and I opened up an old CD player from the 80s which had impressed me with it's headphone out to find a single JRC opamp clinging to the back of the jack.

I've also noticed many discrete component companies simply mimic the circuit of the opamp with larger components. If that's the route you're going may as well just buy a component with an op-amp to begin with. There are mini discrete boards you can drop into their slots to compare such as the Sparkos Labs product.
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