SOUND QUALITY
The following discussion is provided, recognizing that
I2
I1
not all measured performance behavior explains or
correlates with listening tests by audio experts. The
design of the OPA604 included consideration of both
objective performance measurements, as well as an
awareness of widely held theory on the success and
failure of previous op amp designs.
R6
800µA
500Ω
200µA
R1
R2
R5
R7
75Ω
75Ω
500Ω
4kΩ
(+)
J3
J4
J1
J2
(–)
Distortion
Output
Stage
Rejection
Circuitry
J5
SOUND QUALITY
The sound quality of an op amp is often the crucial
selection criteria—even when a data sheet claims ex-
ceptional distortion performance. By its nature, sound
quality is subjective. Furthermore, results of listening
tests can vary depending on application and circuit
configuration. Even experienced listeners in controlled
tests often reach different conclusions.
Q2
R10
10kΩ
Q3
Q1
Q4
R11
10kΩ
R3
R4
R8
R9
3kΩ
1kΩ
1kΩ
3kΩ
Many audio experts believe that the sound quality of a
high performance FET op amp is superior to that of
bipolar op amps. A possible reason for this is that
bipolar designs generate greater odd-order harmonics
than FETs. To the human ear, odd-order harmonics
have long been identified as sounding more unpleasant
than even-order harmonics. FETs, like vacuum tubes,
have a square-law I-V transfer function which is more
linear than the exponential transfer function of a bipo-
lar transistor. As a direct result of this square-law
characteristic, FETs produce predominantly even-or-
der harmonics. Figure 10 shows the transfer function
of a bipolar transistor and FET. Fourier transformation
of both transfer functions reveals the lower odd-order
harmonics of the FET amplifier stage.
THE OPA604 DESIGN
The OPA604 uses FETs throughout the signal path,
including the input stage, input-stage load, and the
important phase-splitting section of the output stage.
Bipolar transistors are used where their attributes,
such as current capability are important, and where
their transfer characteristics have minimal impact.
The topology consists of a single folded-cascode gain
stage followed by a unity-gain output stage. Differen-
tial input transistors J1 and J2 are special large-geom-
etry, P-channel JFETs. Input stage current is a rela-
tively high 800µA, providing high transconductance
and reducing voltage noise. Laser trimming of stage
currents and careful attention to symmetry yields a
nearly symmetrical slew rate of ±25V/µs.
VBE = 1kHz + DC Bias
FFT
1
IC
VO
IC
(mA)
log
(VO)
VBE
The JFET input stage holds input bias current to
approximately 50pA or roughly 3000 times lower
than common bipolar-input audio op amps. This dra-
matically reduces noise with high-impedance circuitry.
fO
2fO 3fO 4fO 5fO
0
0
0.65
1
0
1
2
3
4
5
The drains of J1 and J2 are cascoded by Q1 and Q2,
driving the input stage loads, FETs J3 and J4. Distor-
tion reduction circuitry (patented) linearizes the open-
loop response and increases voltage gain. The 20MHz
bandwidth of the OPA604 further reduces distortion
through the user-connected feedback loop.
VBE (V)
Frequency (kHz)
VGS = 1kHz + DC Bias
FFT
1
VGS
–ID
(mA)
log
(VO)
VO
ID
The output stage consists of a JFET phase-splitter
loaded into high speed all-NPN output drivers. Output
transistors are biased by a special circuit to prevent
cutoff, even with full output swing into 600Ω loads.
fO
2fO 3fO 4fO 5fO
0
1
0
0
1
2
3
4
5
VGS (V)
Frequency (kHz)
FIGURE 10. I-V and Spectral Response of NPN and
JFET.
®
OPA604
12