Textbook Example Op-Amp Circuits 1 PUBLIC

Textbook Example Op-Amp Circuits 1: Non-Inverting Stages.

Textbook example op-amp circuits, Part 1, including two split-supply circuits, one single-supply circuit, and one experimental single-supply guitar preamp. Design equations included in diagram. Circuits can be used singly as small projects, or two or more in a larger project. 9V battery supply shown, but batteries can be replaced by regulated dual-polarity or single-polarity supplies, as needed.

Best Dual Op-Amps

Arranged in order of least to greatest THD+N ratings.

AD8599TRZ-EP Dual Op-Amp IC. Applications: high-fidelity pro audio; preamps, etc. THD+N 1x10^10 %. Split-Supply +-15VDC. I per OA 5 mA. Type FET. Input Z >= 1G. Gain 116 dBV. Manufacturer: Analog Devices. Descriptors: Superior performance; recommended for ultra high-fidelity audio preamps, with one of the smallest THD+N ratings of all dual op-amp ICs on the market.

OPA1612AIDR Dual Op-Amp IC. Applications: high-fidelity pro audio; preamps, etc. THD+N 0.000015%. Split-Supply +-18VDC. I per OA 3.6 mA. Type BJT. Input Z 10G. Gain 114 dBV. Manufacturer: Texas Instruments. Descriptors: Well balanced. Louder than the OPA2134, with more upper mids but less bass and less dynamics, yet still sounds good, with next to the lowest THD+N ratings of all ICs in this list.

LM4562MA/NOPB Dual Op-Amp IC. Applications: ultra high-quality pro audio circuits. THD+N 0.00003%. Split-Supply +-15VDC. I per OA 26 mA. Type BJT. Input Z >= 1G.
Gain 140 dBV. Manufacturer: Texas Instruments. Descriptors: Clean and detailed, with “punchy” dynamics, a wide stage and deep bass, for very high-fidelity audio, including preamps, equalizers, line-level crossovers, line-drivers, etc.

OPA2134PA Dual Op-Amp IC. Applications: very high-fidelity pro audio; preamps, etc THD+N 0.00008%. Split-Supply +-18VDC. I per OA 36 mA. Type FET. Input Z 10T. Gain 120 dBV. Manufacturer: Texas Instruments. Descriptors: Top-tier premium pro audio; warm, musical, “nice” sound-stage, rich mids, great bass, less fatiguing than cheaper op-amps; excellent for music, active filters, multi-media, etc.

NJM2068M Dual Op-Amp IC. Applications: fairly low-noise audio; general purpose. THD+N 0.001%. Split-Supply +-18VDC. I per OA 5 mA. Type BJT. Input Z 300k. Gain 120 dBV. Manufacturer: Nisshinbo. Descriptors: Cost-effective audio circuits (e.g., guitar pedals). Good sound, despite higher THD+N ratings than some other ICs in this list. Clean below clipping. Soft rich harmonics at clipping, but loss of detail (and also possibly unstable) if driven above its maximum voltage limits.

NE5532MA/NOPB Dual Op-Amp IC. Applications: High-fidelity pro audio; preamps, etc. THD+N 0.002%. Split-Supply +-15VDC. I per OA 6 mA. Type BJT. Input Z 300k.
Gain 100k. Manufacturer: Texas Instruments. Descriptors: Most widely used in guitar circuits; neutral sounding, but lacks bass, and less “alive” than some other ICs in this list. However, provides good overdriven sound in guitar pedals. Note: For even more “tube-like” tonality when overdriven, use the Japanese version, the NJM5532M.

TL072IDR Dual Op-Amp IC: Applications: General-purpose; moderate fidelity audio. THD+N 0.003%. Split-Supply +-15VDC. I per OA 1.4 mA. Type JFET. Input Z 1T. Gain 200k. Manufacturer: UMW. Descriptors: Vintage sound, formerly an industry standard; warm tube-like overdriven distortion, though noisier than some other ICs in this list. Found in old-school guitar pedals, hi-fi preamps, etc., where microvolt signals must be amplified.

TL082CP Dual Op-Amp IC. Applications: general-purpose pro audio; mixers, etc. THD+N 0.003%. Split-Supply +-18VDC. I per OA 2.5 mA. Type JFET. Input Z 6T. Gain 120 dBV. Manufacturer: Texas Instruments. Descriptors: An upgrade compared to the TLO72; providing faster slew-rate and wider band-width, but with compromised input noise (yet same THD+N) and higher current draw. Overdriven distortion is described as “cooler” than that of the TL072, due to higher noise floor. However, this IC makes the list of the best-sounding dual op-amp ICs for guitar pedals.

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