Replacing op-amps is a precise but approachable process for anyone comfortable with component-level audio gear. It’s a way to alter the tonal character of a DAC, preamp, or headphone amplifier without changing the entire circuit. Because op-amps are socketed, the process requires no soldering, but it does demand patience, careful handling, and attention to orientation.
It would be good to list compatible op amps, or specs to look for in alternative op amps. I put in two Virtual Supersonic V2s for the XLRs, and they sounded terrible in the Druid.
@UbdU we have tried some op-amps and @tom_at_apos can tell you the list we tried. We did of course try to get a hold of Virtual Supersonic a lot to test before launch but they never responded back to us. Lachlan tried some of the Virtual Supersonic op-amps and he really liked them https://youtu.be/V_jVW9Yh1oY?t=1067
One more point here which came from a discussion with a community member.
The specific internal rail voltages supplied to the op-amps in the Druid DAC is ±10V. This will help determine the op-amps that can be driven well on the Druid.
A note from the community member:
“With a rail voltage of 10V, the Burson V5i and Sparkos SS3602 will make excellent fits. The Burson V6s may still be okay (rail voltage fine, but twice the LM4562 current draw, pushing the regulator outside its design envelope). The Burson V7s and Sparkos SS2590 would be too stressful for rails and regulators, likely resulting in regulator noise, increased heat and degraded sound.”
Hope this helps. The Virtual Supersonic V1 and V2 should be ok to drive but Burson V7 will be pushing it.
Yeah. Burson V5i should be a good fit. V7s will be tad hard to drive. All Burson op-amps are compatible with the Druid using the lifts included with the DAC.
Hey @Erkus, not sure if a word went missing there, but I think you’re asking which op-amp controls the second channel of the dual xlr outputs? If so the op-amps are tied to the output they’re closest to and I put an image below. If that’s not what you’re asking let us know though.
You can use a double op-amp for one channel design to handle the double layout for more performance. Is it? Or you just cut away a planed pentacon-port?
Hey, sorry I’m not the most knowledgeable so I shared with the team and the response I received was:
The two op-amps are for the left and right channels of the balanced output, and the third op-amp is for the left and right channels of the single-port output (the op-amp chip is dual-channel)
Does this help at all? I’m not 100% about the “cut away a planed pentacon-port” so feel free to tell me to ask them something different if I’m still missing it.
“the two op-amps are for the left and right channels of the balanced output, …”
left and right are separated = twosingle op-amps are needed
“… and the third op-amp is for the left and right channels of the single-port output (the op-amp chip is dual-channel)”
left an right together = one double op-amp is needed
BUT on the board are three double op-amps! FOR WHAT REASON are two double op-amps needed for the separeted left and right connections of the balanced output?
Wow I don’t know how, but I didn’t hit send last time? Anyway, this is the response I got yesterday. Hope this is as helpful to you as it was to me.
Single-ended means there is only one polarity for each channel. A single op-amp chip contains two amplification circuits—one for the left and one for the right—which perfectly suits the left and right channels of a single-ended setup.
As for Balanced, a balanced configuration requires both positive (+) and negative (-) polarities for each channel. Since both the left and right channels require these dual polarities, a total of four amplification circuits are needed. Consequently, two op-amps are required for amplification (as each op-amp houses two channels). A schematic diagram is attached.
The answer describe the dual-mono-design with separated negative polarities for each channel with a better stereo separation (full balanced). Dual OPA have one negative polarity. Single OPA have one negative polarity. You dont need two postive polarities (dual OPA) for separated mono-channels (single OPA).
The EEVblog guess here:
The problem is the different board layout: you have to by double expensive value OPA in dual mode for single mode usage.
