Interesting alternate IC for Aeon Drive

[Brent]

Anyone ever tried the Raytheon RC4559N IC in the Aeon Drive?  Im putting one together right now and have some of those chips.

Apparently the “secret” to the OG Eternity pedal is the LM1458 IC.  I personally don’t really get into the hair splitting over op-amps, but a quick bit of research says that the RC4559 and LM1458 are real close in specs.  Of course any of the 4558 type chips are “real close in specs” so Im just curious if any one has any experience.  I suspect that its mostly a mojo thing.

[Barry]

Often times the difference heard involves mis-biasing when using a different chip.

This can include clipping, distortion, and reduced headroom.

While mis-biasing is usually considered a fault in standard circuit design, some pedal builders do it intentionally to create unique, gritty, or lo-fi effects.

I am not sure you would hear a difference worth noting between two chips with similar specs.

[Brent]

I figured that it probably wouldn’t make too much difference.  Interesting about the mis-biasing, Ill have to read up more on that.

Either way I will say that Raytheon makes a darn fine chip.  They are really high quality, they have the strongest, shiniest pins I’ve ever seen on an IC.  So I suppose they will be perform as expected.  Plus they were really inexpensive when I bought them.  I think I paid like $0.58 ea for a whole grip of em.

[Anonymous]

I haven’t tried the RC4559N in the Aeon Drive myself, but from what I’ve seen, it’s pretty close to the LM1458. I’ve tinkered with a few different op-amps, and honestly, the differences are usually pretty subtle. If you’re not too concerned about matching the exact original specs, the RC4559N should work well and might give you a similar vibe.

 

 

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