I have not tried Burson discrete op amps, but IME the sonic performance of monolithic op amps is very much dependent upon the quality of the power source. Typically the same build-to-cost considerations that lead manufacturers to use inexpensive op amps, also leads them to cheap out in the power supply. Therefore few people hear op amps at their best. Executing op amps together with batteries and well engineered discrete DC regulation circuits is a different animal. And if this is done correctly, then monolithic op amps may have the advantage insofar as there less is less metal, solder joints, etc. to add degredation. Moreover, at Burson's price point it is unlikely that he uses top-quality piece parts.
OPamps still inferior to discrete circuits?
Do the current OPamps sound good? Are they comparable to the best "discrete OPamp" designs? If you have two identical DAC's. One DAC has world's best OPamps and the other DAC has a state of the art discrete analog section: which will sound better? Of course: the unit with the OPamps will be (much) cheaper than the one with the discrete analog section, but that's another discussion.
Chris
Chris
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- 23 posts total
- 23 posts total