G'day all, one of the nicest things about my Rothwell Audio 'Simplex' is that it doesn't really sound like a typical op amp based phono stage, which is just as well as it is a circuit entirely based on discrete transistor circuitry. However and there is always a however, the Simplex has an endearingly 'cool' sound about it and listening closely to it I decided to carry out an experiment.
I replaced the OPA2134 in my latest Bruce Heran design phono stage build with an NE5532 and lo and behold that phono stage now possesses a similar 'cool' sound in large part. In all honesty I have noticed this 'cool' NE5532 sound before in other DIY circuitry I've built in the past, but never made this association before.
This is all getting more than a little confusing though given the complex and highly contentious subject of supposed op amp 'sound'. All things being equal the humble ole' NE5532 is still a superb dual op amp for high quality audio applications. Perhaps, as they say, 'the more things change, the more they stay the same'. Maybe! Regards, Felix.