Self on Audio, 2nd Edition

3

Precision preamplifier

By the time the Precision Preamplifier of 1983 was conceived, the remarkable 5534/5532 op-amps were available at a reasonable price, and delivered very low noise with almost unmeasurable distortion, given a few simple precautions. It became clear that even if ultimate performance was the goal, it was no longer economical or sensible to assemble eight or more transistors into a home-made discrete op-amp. The adoption of op-amps meant a return to dual regulated power supplies, but time and progress had made this option less costly than it had been when the Advanced Preamplifier was designed.

I put a lot of effort into producing the best design I could, taking the ‘precision’ bit very seriously. I found that getting the RIAA ...