Trace Series 6 Nerdery.

[hermanski]

I have a 500x. I was looking at the service manual and noticed that this thing has like 3201 TL072C IC (op-amps) all over the place. There are a ton of chips that taste better like Lay's and Dorito's, but as far as sound goes, there is the OPA2604 or the OPA2421 that are supposed to sound better (relative, I suppose). Has anyone out there modified their GP12 preamp this was? I mean, I'd like to try it out, but if it messes up ****, or it sounds like $hit than what's the point, right? Also, the BC549C transistors are going the way of the dodo bird. I just bought 100 of them. Thanks,
Hermanski

[Sneakypete]

Op amps are gain devices and would, I think, have very little effect on tone. You seem to have the idea that some op amps are 'better' than others - what makes you think that?

[hermanski]

In some of the other forums that I frequent, they take like a sound craft console and replace all the TL's in it with the newer Burr-Brown OPA type opamps and claim "tighter bass" and "fuller sound" and more musical. I am under the impression that opamps are considered better if the slew rates are lower, or so I am told. I am just curious if anyone has tried it before I do.

[BassmanPaul]

In all honesty i think any improvements that you gain would not be worth the effort and expense involved. They would certainly be masked by the ambient noise of an on stage environment.

[christw]

I'd imagine that just between the inherent voicing and coloring sound from the bass to the cab that I'd be hard pressed to find a significant difference. I'm with Paul, I'd think it'd get lost in the mix, if you heard anything different at all.