[PatOMalley]

Been listening to the LM4562 I got this past week - Best yet.
(http://home.comcast.net/%7Eomaille/bugle/opamp.html). Cleaner, more open, neutral, uncolored, no smudge. Less surface noise, too.

[audiojohn]

After reading your evaluation, I just had to order some LM4562's! Can't wait to try them. But it leads me to wonder ..... when an I.C. is socketed, is there a chance that over time, a bit of oxidation on the pins will degrade the sound? If so, would removing and then replacing the same I.C. change the sound? What about a good cleaning with one of the proprietary contact cleaners?  It's just a thought.
jpo

[hagtech]

socketed

Same issue with tubes.  Yes, oxidized or other corrosions on pins can screw up sound.  Various ways to clean.  Simplest is to remove and re-insert.  Tubes a lot more robust in this fashion.  Be careful with DIPs.

jh

[PatOMalley]

I haven't had any opamps in long enough to worry about oxidation. But with the LM4562's, I guess I should solder those in.

[peranders]

Sockets are use ONLY if you want to change the IC. If you still want a socket, use one with good quality. Like these: