danter Posted August 7, 2009 Posted August 7, 2009 I have seen these on ebay and have read the speil they give about the improvements they offer. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Burson-Dual-Opamp-upgrade-for-Marantz-NAD-CD-Player_W0QQitemZ110421901766QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_CD_Players?hash=item19b5a881c6&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14 They appear on face value to offer a good low cost upgrade to your CDP. Has anyone any experience with these? While they have the branding, I assume there are other options out there?
gainphile Posted August 7, 2009 Posted August 7, 2009 (edited) There's lots of claims in the description/promotion. But no measurements let say comparing to normal IC op-amp. I would be wary of spending $145 and not even sure if its better than 2134 or 4562, let's say. Things like "IC opamps are highly inconsistent in quality" surely is misleading as IC are more precisely manufactured as a package. Also things written in audiophile review language like this is subjective and thus questionable. They are the domain of electro-mechanical tranducers such as recording mic and speakers, not electrical components like transistor or IC. "The resolution and texture of our Burson Op-amp completely surpasses IC opamps. Compared with any IC opamps, it provides a fuller texture with more refined detail. At the same time the bass is well controlled and very punchy. Double bass can now clearly take shape on a very three-dimensional sound stage. Classical music reproduction becomes much more realistic where the string section becomes a group of individual musicians rather than just a group. All in all the Burson Discrete Op-amp is a very listenable" Just my 2hz worth. Edited August 7, 2009 by gainphile
Nigel Posted August 7, 2009 Posted August 7, 2009 Danter, I have a little experience with opamp 'rolling' and have seen clear improvements. My guess from looking at the Burson opamp is that it will be a clear improvement over most opamps and a slight improvement over the better opamps. Now whether it is worth $145 is a completely different q. I should point out that my current system now has no opamps (as far as I can tell). The Burson should drop in easily enough, but later on you may find that you are not using that box anymore. It's a big call. If the AD825 say drops in you will also get clear improvement over 80% of the unity gain opamps out there and for $20. Hope that helps.
Decky Posted August 7, 2009 Posted August 7, 2009 The whole hype around various discrete direct plug in replacements for op-amps is revolving around a misconception that by default, any discrete transistor amplification circuit is "better" then any opamp based circuit. That might be said for TL077 or NE55xx but far from even remotely being true for modern opamps. So, largely depends what do you want to replace.
gainphile Posted August 7, 2009 Posted August 7, 2009 The whole hype around various discrete direct plug in replacements for op-amps is revolving around a misconception that by default, any discrete transistor amplification circuit is "better" then any opamp based circuit. That might be said for TL077 or NE55xx but far from even remotely being true for modern opamps. So, largely depends what do you want to replace. I would even argue if the 0.0x% THD difference between properly implemented 072 and 2134 is audible. Any improvement would be masked by speaker distortion which is huge by comparison.
Nigel Posted August 7, 2009 Posted August 7, 2009 Decky, agreed. Gain, yes I'm presuming a system that will show the difference.
danter Posted August 7, 2009 Author Posted August 7, 2009 The CDPs I was considering for were a Marantz CD63 and possibly a NAD 541i.
Nigel Posted August 7, 2009 Posted August 7, 2009 The CDPs I was considering for were a Marantz CD63 and possibly a NAD 541i. They will be fine ! Buy one, open the lid and tell what the numbers are.
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