There is a common misconception among audiophiles: That is an Integrated Operational Amplifier (IC Opamp) is equivalent or even superior to a discrete design. Nothing can be further from the truth!
Restricted by the fabrication process and technological limitation an IC Opamp is an inferior substitute for a proper discrete design. 
An IC Opamp is entirely constructed on a single dice of silicon waver, which is smaller than a grain of rice. Limited by its size and heat dispersion, it is impossible to incorporate a top quality audio transistor like the A970, or K170 which feature in the Burson Audio discrete design.
All components on the silicone dice are formed by droplet of chemical. This fabrication process can not create quality parts like the 1% tolerant metal film resistor, or the super stable silver mica capacitor. Since they are all connected (hence integrated) they can not be individually tested and matched
In an IC opamp the conductor layer that connects all the parts is formed by a layer of aluminum vapor that is thinner than the water vapor left on foggy windscreen. . This poor conductor is the silent killer to musical texture.
The close proximity of components also poses a problem for audio signals, where that delicate signal that music lovers pursue, will be masked by EMI noise.
In the end, the consumer is getting an opamp that is built with a bunch of second grade parts that is unable to yield the best results, connected via a thin layer of aluminum foil.
An IC opamp is nothing more than a cost cutting substitute which we hate with a passion!
| Discrete Component | Internal Construction | Integrated substitute |
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To learn more about the fabrication process of Intergraded Circuits please visit the following links:
"How Can We Create an Integrated Circuit from Sand?" Exploration 1B: Comparing Macroscopic and Microscopic Circuit Components by Melonie A. Teichert, Angelica M. Stacy, Alice C. Rico, Susan E. Kegley, Jennifer G. Loeser, Marco Molinaro, and Susan E. Walden.
Applets programming by Cora Estrada and Toshiro Horie.Circuit images by Marco Molinaro, Susan Walden and Sue Whitmore.
(http://chemistry.beloit.edu/Chip/pages/macromic.html)
"The History of the Integrated Circuit" by Nobelprize .org
(http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/physics/integrated_circuit/history/)
Reference:
ˇ°Plasmas and Plasma-Surface Interactionsˇ± by Dr Paul May , University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK
ˇ°Integrated circuitsˇ± by Integrated Publishing, USA
ˇ°Integrated circuitˇ± Wikipedia, The free encyclopedia
