What Is the NE5532? Low-Noise Audio Op-Amp: Pinout and Uses
The NE5532 is a low-noise dual operational amplifier and one of the classic standards of professional audio design. With a bipolar input it offers low noise (~5 nV/√Hz), ~10 MHz bandwidth and good drive. It is used in microphone/line preamps, mixers and headphone driver stages; it drives low-impedance loads well.
The NE5532 is a low-noise dual operational amplifier (op-amp) and one of the classic standards of professional audio design. With a bipolar input, it offers low noise, wide bandwidth and good drive capability. For the concept, see what is an op-amp.
What is the NE5532 used for?
Microphone/line preamps, mixer channels, active tone controls and filters, headphone driver stages and general high-quality audio processing. Its low output impedance drives low-resistance loads well.
NE5532 pinout (DIP-8 / SOIC-8)
| Pin | Function |
|---|---|
| 1 | Output A |
| 2 | Input A − |
| 3 | Input A + |
| 4 | V− (negative supply) |
| 5 | Input B + |
| 6 | Input B − |
| 7 | Output B |
| 8 | V+ (positive supply) |
The pinout is the standard dual op-amp layout (same as the LM358/TL072).
Key electrical specifications
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Input type | Bipolar (low noise) |
| Supply (dual) | ±3 V – ±20 V |
| GBW | ~10 MHz |
| Slew rate | ~9 V/µs |
| Input noise density | ~5 nV/√Hz |
NE5532 or TL072?
Both are popular for audio. The NE5532 has a bipolar input, lower noise and drives low-impedance loads better; the TL072 has a JFET input and wins with very high-impedance sources or when input current is critical. For headphone/line driving most designers choose the NE5532.
Limitations
- The bipolar input draws more input current than a JFET → for very high-impedance sources the TL072 is a better fit.
- The output is not rail-to-rail; not suited to single-supply ground-sensing work.
NE5532 equivalents and alternatives
- NE5534: the single version.
- TL072: JFET input, for high impedance.
- OPA2134: hi-fi FET-input dual op-amp.
- LM4562: very low noise/distortion audio op-amp.
Find it in our catalog
To compare price and stock for the NE5532 and its alternatives, use the NE5532 search.