5534 Op Amp replacement in ANT W696b EQ module

C/G · 20th June 2006, 10:12 PM

I have a pair of ANT W696B EQ modules and would like to experiment with swapping the op amp. Who knows, it might make a big difference. There is a 5534 in there right now and am curious as to which substitutes will work. I realize one can not just put in any replacement since the original foot print and pin configuration will come to play. Any one have suggestions? If it is something I can simply do on my own I can try it out. If I have to send these modules off to have a tech do it, then I think I'll leave them be. I did a search and did not come up with much realiting to my specific EQ.

Maybe this is a huge waste of time and I should leave them alone.?!?

tINY · 21st June 2006, 01:49 AM

Leave them alone. The 5532 is a pretty decent op-amp and anything that _might_ sound a little better is sure to require different compensation.

Is there something about the units that you don't like?

-tINY

GL Respect Due · 21st June 2006, 03:59 AM

^Great advice. A lot of these "upgrades" ultimately change the color of the desk, module, etc. To me, that defeats the purpose of the puchase. Want a different color? Buy a different unit. No disrespect - just food for thought.

gyraf · 21st June 2006, 07:48 AM

This is good advice, imo.

The 696 is loved for what it is - not in spite of electronic/sonic shortcomings.

Jakob E.

Jim Williams · 21st June 2006, 04:54 PM

Good idea! The 5534 is long in the teeth now, it's over 30 years old now. Imagine using a 30 year old computer.

First, remove the 22 pf cap from pins 5 and 8, the 5534 compensation cap. Next, install a pair of local power supply bypass caps. Use .1 uf mono ceramics from pins 4 and 7 to a nearby ground. Next, measure the feedback resistance from pins 2 and 6. Remove the opamp first to avoid a contaminated reading. If it's around 10~20k ohms, use a 10 pf NPO mono ceramic cap across that feedback resistor. If it's lower, use 22pf. Install a machine socket in the opamp's spot.

Now you can play. Try:

BB OPA134
BB OPA604
AD OP42
AD797
LT1468
LT1357
OP-176
LT1115
BB OPA627
LM6171
LM7171
etc.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

C/G · 21st June 2006, 09:42 PM

Thanks for the info fellas! If it is not overly expensive I might get a tech to try swapping. If not I'll leave them be.

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20th June 2006, 10:12 PM	#1
C/G Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 2,796	5534 Op Amp replacement in ANT W696b EQ module I have a pair of ANT W696B EQ modules and would like to experiment with swapping the op amp. Who knows, it might make a big difference. There is a 5534 in there right now and am curious as to which substitutes will work. I realize one can not just put in any replacement since the original foot print and pin configuration will come to play. Any one have suggestions? If it is something I can simply do on my own I can try it out. If I have to send these modules off to have a tech do it, then I think I'll leave them be. I did a search and did not come up with much realiting to my specific EQ. Maybe this is a huge waste of time and I should leave them alone.?!? __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Colin G. http://www.myspace.com/generalsandmajors

21st June 2006, 09:42 PM	#6
C/G Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 2,796	Thanks for the info fellas! If it is not overly expensive I might get a tech to try swapping. If not I'll leave them be. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Colin G. http://www.myspace.com/generalsandmajors

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21st June 2006, 01:49 AM	#2
tINY Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 5,699	Leave them alone. The 5532 is a pretty decent op-amp and anything that _might_ sound a little better is sure to require different compensation. Is there something about the units that you don't like? -tINY

21st June 2006, 03:59 AM	#3
GL Respect Due Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wally World, AR Posts: 523	^Great advice. A lot of these "upgrades" ultimately change the color of the desk, module, etc. To me, that defeats the purpose of the puchase. Want a different color? Buy a different unit. No disrespect - just food for thought.

21st June 2006, 07:48 AM	#4
gyraf Gear addict Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 455	This is good advice, imo. The 696 is loved for what it is - not in spite of electronic/sonic shortcomings. Jakob E.

21st June 2006, 04:54 PM	#5
Jim Williams Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: beautiful Carlsbad, CA Posts: 3,886	Good idea! The 5534 is long in the teeth now, it's over 30 years old now. Imagine using a 30 year old computer. First, remove the 22 pf cap from pins 5 and 8, the 5534 compensation cap. Next, install a pair of local power supply bypass caps. Use .1 uf mono ceramics from pins 4 and 7 to a nearby ground. Next, measure the feedback resistance from pins 2 and 6. Remove the opamp first to avoid a contaminated reading. If it's around 10~20k ohms, use a 10 pf NPO mono ceramic cap across that feedback resistor. If it's lower, use 22pf. Install a machine socket in the opamp's spot. Now you can play. Try: BB OPA134 BB OPA604 AD OP42 AD797 LT1468 LT1357 OP-176 LT1115 BB OPA627 LM6171 LM7171 etc. Jim Williams Audio Upgrades