My TS9 test

[FlyingZ]

I know its been done before but regarding tone I always doubt until I hear for myself.

I socketed a TS-9 next to a stock TS-9 and compared them for use as a lead boost for the distortion channel of  "The Twin" Fender amp. Both stock TS-9's sounded exactly the same.

Stock TA75558P: Great giged with it for years
JRC 4558D: Yuck!
OPA2604AP: Yuck!
Malaysia RC4558P: Louder and a little deeper.

It may take awhile to make the final decision between  TA75558P and  RC4558P.

http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/main.php/v/FlyingZ

Clip play order:
No boost --> TA75558P --> RC4558P

Ya, it's hard to tell in that clip   

[FlyingZ]

If anyone is interested I continued the testing and much to my surprise the TS9 with the JRC 4558D and two resistors making it an 808 has permanently replaced the TS9 in my live rig. I defiantly recommend it as a boost or as a standalone distortion. It has an extra midrange bite now that really growls making the TS9 sound wimpy.

[JHS]

For a more audible sound change put a JRC 4558D into your TS-9. There is only a litte difference in tone between a TS-9 equipped with a RC4558-P and a TA75558. To me the TA sounds a bit more hifi and a bit thinner.

Both chips can vary a lot in specs. and tone, so buy a least 3-5 of each type and compare them.

Due to the different resistors at the output the TS-808 sounds a bit deeper compared to a TS-9. The 470E in series with a 10uF coupling C forms a filter and has a higher rolloff freq. than a filter with 100E and 10uF.

I like the TS-9 with a 4558D a lot, not as woofy and undefined sounding as a TS-808 with a 4558D.

JHS

[FlyingZ]

I extracted my chips from an old crossover. I must have gotten lucky.