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 aluminium 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 aluminium foil.
An IC opamp is nothing more than a cost cutting substitute
which we hate with a passion!
| Discrete Component |
Internal Construction |
Integrated substitute |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
To learn more about the
fabrication process of Intergraded Circuits please visit the
following links: Intergraded Circuits
"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.
"The History of the
Integrated Circuit" by Nobelprize .org History of the Integrated Circuit
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
