OP Amp Swapping: Is It the Key to Better Sound Quality or a Waste of Time?

In this hobby, we come across a lot of different tweaks and tricks that claim they improve the sound quality of the component you're upgrading. Do OP amps fit in the category of truth or myth... Watch the video and find out.

My Desktop Setup:

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#opamp #sparkos #hifi

[MrBenherrmann]

I first discovered the entire conversation about replaceable op-amps in a video done by the Cheap Audioman on YouTube. I took the chance and upgraded the op amps in my Aiyima A07, A08, and A300 amps over the past year. I couldn't believe the differences in audio qualities, and it literally significantly upgraded the audio capabilities of those inexpensive Chinese amps into contenders in the above $500 price point (quickly). I then tried the op-amp change-outs in the likes of various DACs (that allowed for interchangeable op-amps) and again, the sound became warmer, and more dynamic - an absolute pleasure to listen to. Since first being introduced into the realm of op-amps, I've purchased a variety of models from various brands - Burson, Texas Instruments, Muses, and of course the Sparkos Labs Op-amps. I also made the "mistake" of purchasing cheaper Chinese knock-offs off of eBay and most were less than stellar (you get what you pay for). I'd have to say that overall, the Sparkos op amps do the best, but of course, you pay for it. Folks if you've tube rolled in the past with various tube components, then the introduction to op-amp rolling will really open your eyes. Sorry - I just had to provide some input here on this subject.

[billdoran]

Great stuff. Thank you. I have developed a renewed passion for home theater and sound quality in general, and I can't believe how far Class D has come. We live in a great time for this hobby!

[HEARDIFFERENT]

I love how the internet and YouTube connect us in a way some years before we could not. Mike we are so lucky to be here.👏👏👏💎💎💎🔊🔊🔊

[BRATWURST]

I recently replaced a pair of OPA2134 op amps with Orange OP amps in a Nova Fidelity X45 streamer which improved the sound but the tweek I made a few weeks earlier improved the sound at least double that of the OP amp upgrade for about one fifth of the price;replacing about a dozen local decoupling electrolytic caps, Nichicon Fine Gold, with Panasonic Polymer electrolytics which feed the balanced ESS Sabre DACs and OP amps.
I can`t stress enough that even OP amps like the OPA2134s have their performance thwarted by standard electrolytic caps.

[clarencehoover]

Anyone who plans to remove an op amp from a socket should absolutely invest in a chip puller. It’s cheap and helps you safely remove the device without bending pins.

[armandorancano]

Hi, Mike, I did the Sparkos on my Aiyima a07 and it sounds very very good. I also have a Douk Audio h7. Does it have swappable op amps and how in the world do u take that lid off? Can't find any information on either. Thought u might know. Thanks!

[wavescomplete]

I use the Behringer UMC204HD audio interface + Warm Audio WA47JR.

The original UMC204HD input op-amp use JRC2122..The vocal tone is muddy & boring.. I decide changed to:

Left Input - OPA1612A
Right Input - NE5532

The result is that the vocal tone & headroom is improve! Vocal & guitar tone so clear. No distortion, No muddy..very satisfied.

[joshchacko]

Thank you man,
You have a great smile/laugh. Enjoy.

[popculture]

I followed the instructions in your previous video about opamps and upgraded the NE5534s (if I remember correctly) in my Ayima A3 preamp to the Muses02s. The difference was very surprising and I much prefer the soundstage the Muses02 chips produce. It's definitely not tin-foil hat, it's a real and noticable improvement in sound quality. As for tubes, the GE JAN 5654 W give me the warmest sound out of the ones I've tried, which is what I prefer for the classic rock and prog I listen to.

[NickArcade]

It's 2024 and I'll be with you til the 1 mil. Thanks for this video. I've been researching about upgrading the op amp in my SteelSeries GameDAC

[kennethoransky]

What a coincidence. I just installed two opa2134s in my Aiyima A07. About $20 for the pair. Can't believe the difference.

[joshchacko]

Is it possible to change bluetooth cards in upgradable DAC/AMPS like this and the Xduoo XD-05 Pro?

[igrikmoto]

It always hapoening when I try pulling out an IC from the base one or two legs are stuck and tear off. How to pull out an opamp safely?

[thomasstanfel]

I'm a big believer in Op Amp rolling. I love the Sparkos Labs 3602, Burson V6s, and Orange Amplifiers Dual Discrete Ops Amp. I roll the above mentions in my Aune X8 Dac Magic and Burson Conductor 3XP with great success.

[RickS_mi]

That is why I hate ASR, I used to be a member and thought it would be fun to be on there and discuss what I love. They insist all OP AMPS sound the same, as soon as someone comes in and says they heard differences, the parrot regulars all attack the person and claim it must be malfunctioning, or their "audio memory is too short to tell", which is BS! Swapping OP AMPS from the stock NE5532 on my Fosi Audio P1 to genuine LM4562 made a major improvement in the sound. I would like to try Muses or Sparkos next.

[rupertherbert]

Thanks for the video, anyone knows the Oracle II 02, I'm trying to check for Muses02 and amazon suggest these ones instead. Thinking of replacing them in my Fosi V3, did someone tried the Oracle?

[AllHandlesHaveBeenTaken]

What if the opamps are soldered directly to the board? Anyone have know of a tutorial on that?

[normbal]

While I was doing all the Big Sky upgrades/mods to an ADCOM GFP-565 I put sockets in place of the headphone and volume control opamps. I tried the Burr-Brown (TI) OPA 134 swap for IC201/202 (ADCOM 6A) as well as OPA604 then after reading about SPARKOS and the specs on their opamps, replaced 201/202 with equivalent models - even though SPARKOS is a bipolar transistor design, not FET. Wow. Angel trumpets and devil trombones… clarity, soundstage, made bigger, wider, fully with the use of UKA (not UFG) Nichicon capacitors. I’ve been running this setup for nearly two years and thought I’d maxed out the 1990-era Nelson Pass design capability until I got an APT Holman preamp and had THAT updated by Quirkaudio. The ADCOM was relegated to my garage audio system. Gotta say it was a LOT of fun playing with combinations and permutations, almost like tube-rolling, just smaller pins and more technical details compared to tube amps (I’m all about class A SET amps right now). Have fun.

[kevindewinter]

What would you suggest for the douk audio t8 pro? I already bought a linear powersupy instead of the switching cheap psu that came with it. :) thx

[TurboSound]

As you say in the video, it's a great way to experiment with the hobby and try to get the best out of the components.
In front of me are BB OPA 2134, 2604, LME49720, TI OPA1612, OPA1622