Tube screamer op-amp alternatives

[MmmPedals]

I believe that the "holy grail op-amp" for tube screamers is a bunch of hype. That being said there is difference in op-amps. I know because i have swapped some to see the results. I am curious to try whole bunch and see what I like. I am about to put in an order so I would like to know your experiences with various op-amps so I can order them.

[BadIdeas]

Go to geofex.com and look for "Technology of the Tubescreamer". RG theorizes what may make the JRC4558D an ideal choice and lists these alternatives:

* new manufacture JRC4558D
    * LM833
    * RC4558, made by a couple of US firms
    * TLC2202
    * TLC2272
    * OP275
    * LT1214

What I want to know is what would make one 4558 to differ from another and how to choose op amps for applications in a more general sense. Barring special circumstances like this, is it just fidelity VS cost?
Not trying to hijack your thread or anything, but to me, an op amp on the schematic should always function the same way... within "normal" operation that is.

[twabelljr]

I have tried a few different "holy grail" JRC4558D's that I found in old equipment. The rumor is that if they are used they are better than "not broken in" N.O.S. right?? Also tried some 4558 equivalents you never hear mentioned in the normal T.S. opamp chat. One was a NEC PC4570. It's datasheet compares it to 4558's and it is supposed to be better in all areas. Not much difference to my ears. I guess all the real difference is in "Hi-Fi" stero equipment and such. I stuck with the new T.I. RC4558. It sounds just fine...to me. The best change I made to a TS-9 was switching input and output transistors to MPSA18's. Much quieter. Hopefully somebody with "golden ears" can give you some opamp recommendations because there are hundreds of "4558" substitutes if not thousands. I wish you luck in finding the true "holy grail" to your ears! If you do, please share. I do have mine socketed. 

[trjones1]

I ended up with an MC1458 in mine.

[zeeman]

My opinion...



... and...



... of course, lest ye not forget in the olden days, there was...



... last, but certainly not least...



Hope this helps.

zeeman

PS:

[jasperoosthoek]

The RC4558 sounded absolutely horrible in my cloned TS808. Back then I cound understand why people wanted that effect as it was so bad...

Then I changed it for a JRC4558 from my local electronics shop. They allowed me to search through the 4558 box as only 10 percent where JRCs. I don't know anything about how old they are, it all depends on how much the shop has sold over the past 40 years. Anyway, it sounded much better but still not the 'Holy Grail' of screamers.

Finally I found what I was looking for when I made a GGG UBE Screamer (CD4049 based) with the TS808 input and output buffer. THIS is what I was looking for: very smooth and NO fizziness .

[Gus]

Look at the old Ampage archives from around 96 on some good stuff in there about the TS and opamps.
Note gain bandwidth of the opamps.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gain-bandwidth_product
Not much difference at low gain settings in a TS.

[IvIark]

I really like the NE5532 in the Tubescreamer.  I swapped a few in an MI Audio Blue Boy Deluxe I used to have and I found the stock chip seemed to choke at higher gain settings, the NE5532 was useful throughout the gain range and just sounded better overall to me.

[WGTP]

Do a search at Texas Instruments.  Many possibilities.  
TLC2262
OPA2604
RC4559
TL052
ETC.

I have also found this Rail to Rail input/output to work well on the bread board.  http://focus.ti.com/docs/prod/folders/print/tlv2371.html