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Post by brucew268 on Jul 4, 2023 13:32:55 GMT
DIP sockets are popular for allowing convenient experimentation with different opamps. However, I am wondering if there is any objective loss as opposed a soldered PDIP opamp? It would seem likely that solder joints would be objectively superior to the friction joints into the sockets... and thus have a potential difference in performance or SQ.
Has anyone tested this objectively or subjectively?
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,107
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 4, 2023 14:36:25 GMT
DIP sockets are popular for allowing convenient experimentation with different opamps. However, I am wondering if there is any objective loss as opposed a soldered PDIP opamp? It would seem likely that solder joints would be objectively superior to the friction joints into the sockets... and thus have a potential difference in performance or SQ.
Has anyone tested this objectively or subjectively?
We considered using these type of sockets but ultimately decided that a soldered joint is always preferable in this application. For experimental builds they are fine IMO. |
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Post by misterc on Jul 4, 2023 14:47:51 GMT
Are there quesient current leakage issues or can you 'see' any difference in the measurements at all.
I know of at leat six well know designs that use DIP sockets that allow swappable 'op amp rolling' etc, I would sugegst this is ideal for DIY testing and circuit proving, however ultimately I perfer direct SMT componets.
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Post by brucew268 on Jul 5, 2023 13:31:11 GMT
We considered using these type of sockets but ultimately decided that a soldered joint is always preferable in this application. Are there quesient current leakage issues or can you 'see' any difference in the measurements at all. I know of at leat six well know designs that use DIP sockets that allow swappable 'op amp rolling' etc, I would sugegst this is ideal for DIY testing and circuit proving, however ultimately I perfer direct SMT componets. DIYAudio consensus tended the same direction as you in saying they preferred soldered and even SMT, but thought sockets good for testing and DIY. I did find the below post by Tom Christiansen slightly different and interesting, though he also agrees to the debugging and DIY benefits: "The socket will add a bit of inductance due to the added lead length. That'll matter for RF but not much for audio. Do note that some "audio" opamps have gain at RF frequencies, though. I've used many, many LM4562 opamps in sockets. It's a 55 MHz part. I've never been able to measure any difference in circuit performance with/without the socket." |
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,107
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Post by Bigman80 on Jul 5, 2023 14:02:30 GMT
We considered using these type of sockets but ultimately decided that a soldered joint is always preferable in this application. Are there quesient current leakage issues or can you 'see' any difference in the measurements at all. I know of at leat six well know designs that use DIP sockets that allow swappable 'op amp rolling' etc, I would sugegst this is ideal for DIY testing and circuit proving, however ultimately I perfer direct SMT componets. DIYAudio consensus tended the same direction as you in saying they preferred soldered and even SMT, but thought sockets good for testing and DIY. I did find the below post by Tom Christiansen slightly different and interesting, though he also agrees to the debugging and DIY benefits: "The socket will add a bit of inductance due to the added lead length. That'll matter for RF but not much for audio. Do note that some "audio" opamps have gain at RF frequencies, though. I've used many, many LM4562 opamps in sockets. It's a 55 MHz part. I've never been able to measure any difference in circuit performance with/without the socket." Pros and cons to everything, Bruce. Id have loved to use sockets on the Avalon kit. It would save loads of time and effort, but best practice imo is that soldered to the PCB is best. Sockets were used on the prototype, but once testing was finished they were SMD from then on. |
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Post by brucew268 on Jul 5, 2023 14:42:38 GMT
Yeah. I'm testing an alternative opamp in my DAC's power supply for inclusion on an upgraded board I'm getting ready to build up. The tested opamp has sonic pros and cons at the moment and needs burning in, but that means waiting with no HiFi music or not quite right music for another week.  |
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