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816 discrete op-amps provides pristine tone and outstanding performance in a common DOA format. MCAudioLab 816 is an hand-built op-amps using selected top quality components: if you’re looking for a high performance signal path, the 816 is an easy to install replacement for your gear’s onboard op-amps.

Op-Amps (Operational Amplifiers) are a key component for amplifying and processing audio signals. “Discrete” is that the audio circuit made up of a large number of small individual components: transistors, diodes, resistors, capacitors. The opposite of this design is “monolithic”, which just means that everything is contained within a single enclosure, like a normal integrated circuit; an IC Opamp is entirely constructed on a single dice of a silicon wafer. So, a discrete design uses individual components to accomplish the same thing that the single chip (IC) does.

Discrete circuits offer some distinct advantages over monolithic design  – when we’re talking about audio. One of the most important benefit is that we choose the best component for every single part in the circuit where monolithic chips have to fit everything on the same single piece of silicon. So in a discrete preamp we can achieve better audio performance than a monolithic design can.

Common integrated circuit op-amps require heavy compromises in the choice of components, and this has a big influence on final performance specs. Our op-amps features a discrete design because it allows us to choose the best audio grade components to provide high headroom, low noise floor and extreme bandwidth. In the 816 every single component is carefully selected and tested to provide top notch sonic audio performance for the most demanding applications.

The MCAudioLab 816 conforms to the 2520/990 series discrete op-amp footprint, which is very common in both vintage and modern gear. The replacement process is fast and easy, and doesn’t require any soldering or special technical skills. Fitting our op-amps in your gear is a matter of seconds. If you’re interested in the 816 but you’re not sure if it’s compatible with your gear, get in touch with us and we’ll do the research for you.

The 816 operates on a dual rail power supply (up to 20V), and can be used as a direct replacement for any 2520/990 format op-amp. It can handle low and high level signals in input and heavy loads in output;. read: more headroom, lower noise floor and distortion.