Diode Compression Discrete Op Amp

[aziltz]

Could someone enlighten me on the sonic difference this little puppy might impart when used in clipping stages, with and without clipping diodes?

I've read that *most* op-amps sound pretty similar in clean situations, but you will notice the sonic differences when the op-amp itself is clipping against its supply rails, without clipping diodes to limit the signal.  I'm wondering if the "Diode Compression Op-Amp" might sound better (subjective of course) than a regular op-amp chip when it clips to the rails, or if its an overall improvement to sound in many applications.

[anchovie]

Sonic beauty is in the ears of the beholder.

Just like how the best way to compare op-amps in an overdrive is to put different ones in a socket and judge for yourself, the best thing you can do here is breadboard the circuit and decide if you, personally, think it sounds better.

[aziltz]

Sonic beauty is in the ears of the beholder.

Just like how the best way to compare op-amps in an overdrive is to put different ones in a socket and judge for yourself, the best thing you can do here is breadboard the circuit and decide if you, personally, think it sounds better.

I plan on doing exactly that, I was just curious if others have done it already and what they thought.

I've experienced circuits where the chip op-amp clips and some are good some are bad.   A TS without clipping diodes sounds pretty crappy, but a Tech21 Double Drive sounds beautiful.  I'm specifically hoping to enhance the Double Drive even more, as well as redesigning some circuits like the Orange Squeezer for more dirt, hopefully with nice clipping from a discrete op-amp.