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RE: Highly secretive new opamps made of the rarest Unobtainium

Posted by danvegso (A) on July 15, 2010 at 11:11:10

In Reply to: RE: Highly secretive new opamps made of the rarest Unobtainium posted by jihad on July 15, 2010 at 06:25:37:

Here's a description from the NJR Website:

"The MUSES01 is a dual J-FET operational amplifier, and the MUSE02 is a bipolar input dual op amp. Both of these high-quality amplifiers are optimized for high-end and professional audio applications using unique materials, advanced circuitry and layout, and skilled craftsmanship. Applications for these op amps include audio preamplifiers, active filters, and line amplifiers that produce excellent sound."

Specs:

MUSES01 - High quality sound, J-FET input, dual operational amplifier for high-end audio equipment
Features
•J-FET input
•Operating Voltage: ±9V to ±16V
•Output Noise: 9.5nV/√Hz typ. @f= 1KHz
•Input Offset Voltage: 0.8mV typ. 5mV max.
•Input Bias Current: 200pA typ., 800pA max. @Ta=25°C
•Voltage Gain: 105dB typ.
•Slew Rate: 12V/μs typ.
•Bipolar Technology
•Package Outline: DIP8 (8.8mm × 6.4mm × 6.75mm typ.)
•Application: High-end & professional audio equipment

MUSES02 - High quality sound, bipolar input, dual operational amplifier for high-end audio equipment
Features
•Bipolar input
•Operating Voltage: ±3.5V to ±16V
•Output Noise: 4.5nV/√Hz
•Input Offset Voltage: 0.3mVtyp. 3mV max
•Input Bias Current: 100nA typ., 500nA max. @Ta=25°C
•Voltage Gain: 110dB typ.
•Slew Rate: 5V/μs typ.
•Bipolar Technology
•Package Outline: DIP8 (8.8mm × 6.4mm × 6.75mm typ.)
•Application: High-end & professional audio equipment

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Here's the official website: http://semicon.njr.co.jp/eng/MUSES/index.html


Now, I do believe that one of the people mentioned by BEVO was/is a manufacturer. The way I see it, what designer would commit to a component of this lofty a cost without an opportunity for evaluation?
I'd seen these mentioned on a board somewhere, so my own interest was piqued. It might have been a post by Nelson Pass, but I might well be wrong.
As NJR is new to the "high end market"-mostly known as a replacement IC supplier, I don't quite understand the marketing model.
It would take a truly "high end" product and/or price to recoup such an investment (probably about $30-40 each in quantity).
In searching I've found no reference to any audio equipment manufacturer using either of these devices in existing designs. I also have to figure that if these were the greatest things since sliced bread there'd be a lot of talk around the 'net.
Look at the buzz caused by the opa627/637 costing about $30 per each single SOIC (so a dual op-amp replacement would cost about $65 with the needed adapter)-and a lot of apps need two of these. Apparently enough people/companies are purchasing these (along with the opa827) that TI (from my understanding in speaking with some "industry" guys) is frequently backordered on them.
The way I see it, demand drives a market, and the "market" is remarkably mute about the MUSES line (even the MUSES8820 at about $7 each-certainly a cheap enough price for "experimenting")
Just more questions than answers here.
I'm curious myself about the sonics of the MUSES01 and 02, but I'm not prepared to spend $150 to satisfy it.
If any of you well-heeled audiophiles out there decide to bite the bullet and buy one (or two) I'd be very interested in your findings.
Otherwise, we'll just have to wonder what we might be missing.....
If the specs are so horrible/unimpressive, then shame on them for trying to foist a product this bad on the "pro" market- I can't see how they'd sell even one of them.

Dan

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