OPamps still inferior to discrete circuits?

Is the Burr Brown OPA627 better than the Burson discrete OPamp?

Chris

Kijanki, I understand the technical difficulties of making discrete layouts and the costs that it will generate. But we are audiophiles and we are only interested in sound quality, not technical specifications. So do you think the best OPamps with the best specifications ever sound as good (= musical) as the best discrete layouts? Or even better?

Chris

Kijanski, that is a funny phrase --> sometimes it is even true! But of course in general cars are much better now in terms of engineering and performance than those from 40 years ago. But with audio sometimes things from the past are better than the contemporary ones, like some power amplifiers (FM Acoustics, JDF Audio) and DAC's (Wadia 9, Goldmund, Krell). It has to do with execution (of course) but also with the implementation of no compromise discrete layouts only (this is at least my opinion). Personally I don't have anything against OPamps, but usually the sound with OPamps in the analog section of let's say a D/A converter the sound is becoming ultra clean (almost sterile, without the minutest dust or bacteria) and a bit bland/lifeless. This is for example what I think of the sound of the Benchmark DAC (which is a great performing DAC on itself).

Chris

My limited experience with the OPA627 is indeed a bit laid back sound. It sounds clean and "transparent", but altogether it doesn't sound very engaging in the long term. I think a discrete layout (a well designed one of course) would give more harmonic richness/complexity to the sound.

Chris