Time flies! It’s been almost 4 years since I last updated our Op Amp Shootout page. Now It’s 2017, and this page is still our top hitter. I guess that only means that people find this page helpful. And I am always happy to share information. I’ve updated the page to reflect recent developments. I always have a keen eye for new Op Amps and the new additions (shown in light purple) were taken straight from my notebook.
There are some interesting additions such as the OPA188 with a wide supply range of 2V to 18V, and very low 500μA current consumption. I also added a bunch of very Op Amps from Japan with rather respectable specs. Check out the NJ series Op Amps from JRC New Japan Radio Co., LTD. I found out about these cool Op Amps from studying Roland schematics. Have a look at the NJU77806, for example, with a noise figure of 5.5 nV/√Hz at 1kHz while consuming only 500μA.
There are also retirees. For example, the ultra-low noise LME49990 has reached its end of life. But there is certainly a new audio Op Amp king of the hill: the LMH6629 with a super impressive 0.69 nV/√Hz at 1kHz noise figure! The LMH6624 takes second place with very respectable 0.92 nV/√Hz at 1kHz noise figure.
Interesting tidbit: In that page, Mark Norton commented: “I feel sorry for all of you using op amps. Sterile squinching of sound imho.” He’s obviously not a fan, but then I had to reply: “I feel sorry for you believing such myths :-)”. Op Amps: Myths & Facts. The funny thing is, all forms of modern recorded music would have gone through dozens if not hundreds of Op Amps in the signal chain, through the recording process (EQs, compressor, limiters, etc.). If “sterility” means not degrading the purity of the sound (e.g. preamps), then I suppose that is good. But “transparency” is a better term.
Now go and check out the updated Op Amp Shootout page.