Small- Signal Audio Design

Chapter 4

Op-Amps and their Properties

Audio design has for many years relied on a very small number of op-amp types; the TL072 and the 5532 dominated the audio small-signal scene for many years. The TL072, with its JFET inputs, was used wherever its negligible input bias currents and low cost were important. For a long time the 5534/5532 was much more expensive than the TL072, so the latter was used wherever feasible in an audio system, despite its inferior noise, distortion, and load-driving capabilities. The 5534 was reserved for critical parts of the circuitry. Although it took many years, the price of the 5534 is now down to the point where you need a very good reason to choose any other type of op-amp for audio work.

The TL072 and the 5532 ...