Rotel RQ-970BX phono preamp upgrade with Burson Discrete V4 opamp

Published on

Carlos G
October 19, 2014

Post Info

Feedbacks - V4 SS Opamp
Rotel RQ-970BX

After debating the upgrade for almost a year, I finally decided to give it a try. I replaced the pre-amps two NE5534A op-amp chips with a pair of Burson Supreme op-amps. From pulling my pre-amp from the rack to listening to music again took less than an hour. I was delighted when I turned it on and it worked without a hitch. The Burson Supreme op-amp has added tons of low end and has a nice smooth tone across the entire frequency range.

I defy anyone to find an upgrade this effective for this good a value.

Thanks again Burson, totally worth it.

Marc

The System

Listening with

Rotel RQ-970BX

Burson

Burson V4 Opamp · Discrete opamp (single / dual) · discontinued

Supply voltage: ±5 V to ±20 V (absolute maximum)
Gain-bandwidth product: 50 MHz (at 100 kHz)
Dual or single: dual and single
Package: dual 40 mm × 16 mm × 20 mm; single 40 mm × 16 mm × 14 mm; 8-pin

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Also in the system

NE5534A · Operational amplifier

Operating voltage: ±5 V to ±15 V (recommended)
Supply voltage: ±22 V (absolute maximum)
Unity-gain bandwidth: 10 MHz typ
Dual or single: single
Package: SOIC-8; PDIP-8
Supply current: 4 mA typ / 8 mA max

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Specs from manufacturer data unless a source below says otherwise. “calc.” values are worked out from those figures (V = √(P × R); 110 dB SPL used as a loud reference level). Gear listed without specs is not in our spec library yet.