IC Opamps are bad for audio

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.

 

During the construction of a discrete transistor a chemical optimisation process take place for each pieces of silicon according to there application (NPN or PNP). This optimisation process is critical to the performance of the final product. Some of the benefit included:

 

optimized for breakdown voltage and performance

optimized for near-true complementary

But this process can not take place on an intergraded circuit since all transistors is fabricated on the same piece of silicon. This is one of the major drawn back of an intergraded circuit compare to a discrete circuit.

 

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 aluminium vapour that is thinner than the water vapour 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 aluminium foil.  

 

An IC opamp is nothing more than a cost cutting substitute in audio application which we hate with a passion!

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:

 “Plasmas and Plasma-Surface Interactions” by Dr Paul May , University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK

 “Integrated circuits” by Integrated Publishing,  USA

 “Integrated circuit”  Wikipedia, The free encyclopedia