I agree with all of the comments by ZD, Bob, and Charles, and Alan's suggestion of tubes is of course also well worth considering.
I would add another reason for the likelihood that a player having a well designed discrete output stage stands a good chance of outperforming one which utilizes an op amp-based output stage. Since a good discrete circuit stage will typically represent a more expensive design approach than an op amp-based circuit stage performing a similar function, it can be expected that the use of an op amp-based output stage signifies a likelihood that cost minimization was a higher priority in the choices of the design approaches and parts used in the rest of that design.
Regarding NFB, I agree with Charles' comment, and conceivably that may be a factor as well, but I'll mention that the feedback used in an op amp stage is typically "local" (i.e., confined to that stage), rather than "global" as it often is, for example, in power amps. Local feedback being less likely to have adverse sonic effects than global feedback, everything else being equal.
Regards,
-- Al
I would add another reason for the likelihood that a player having a well designed discrete output stage stands a good chance of outperforming one which utilizes an op amp-based output stage. Since a good discrete circuit stage will typically represent a more expensive design approach than an op amp-based circuit stage performing a similar function, it can be expected that the use of an op amp-based output stage signifies a likelihood that cost minimization was a higher priority in the choices of the design approaches and parts used in the rest of that design.
Regarding NFB, I agree with Charles' comment, and conceivably that may be a factor as well, but I'll mention that the feedback used in an op amp stage is typically "local" (i.e., confined to that stage), rather than "global" as it often is, for example, in power amps. Local feedback being less likely to have adverse sonic effects than global feedback, everything else being equal.
Regards,
-- Al