SOIC-8 → DIP-8 Adapters in a Breakaway Panel

If you have ever tried to restore vintage hi-fi audio gear, you have probably felt the temptation to replace the original operational amplifiers (op-amps) with newer, better-designed, more modern parts. The problem is that many contemporary audio-oriented op-amps are sold only in SOIC-8 packages, while older CD players and DACs typically use DIP-8 packages and sockets.

Many sellers on AliExpress offer ready-made solutions of this type, for example a modern OPA1611 mounted on a DIP-8 adapter. Unfortunately, a large number of those sellers are dishonest and do not sell original op-amps (which are expensive). One of the most frequently counterfeited “brands/families” is MUSE.

Sadly, checking purchased op-amps with an oscilloscope and comparing them with genuine parts very often shows that the seller provided a counterfeit device with worse parameters, re-marked with text meant to imitate the original. After many bad experiences with AliExpress, I decided to make my own adapter and buy op-amps only from large, trusted distributors to avoid counterfeits.

SOIC-8 → DIP-8 adapters are also available on AliExpress at a low price, but in practice you usually need more of them for experiments. In that case it is much cheaper to order the adapters directly from a PCB manufacturer. Ideally they are made in a panel, which reduces the cost even further. You only need to snap off a single adapter from the panel for assembly — it’s a very simple operation. Then you just order genuine op-amps from a reputable distributor, do a bit of soldering, and you get exactly what you wanted: a genuine op-amp in “DIP-8 form”.

1:1 Converter (Single-to-Single / Dual-to-Dual)

This converter is 1:1, which means you can solder a single SOIC-8 op-amp and plug it into a single DIP-8 op-amp socket.

Or you can solder a dual SOIC-8 op-amp and plug it into a dual DIP-8 op-amp socket.

Warning

Important!!! Do not mix them up: never plug a single op-amp into a dual socket (or the other way around), because it can destroy the op-amp. Always double-check the orientation as well — the polarity mark / “key” must match (key on the adapter PCB → key on the op-amp / socket). If you insert it reversed, you can also damage the op-amp.

Pins / Headers

For the pins mounted on the underside of the PCB, you should buy 2.54 mm pitch pins (commonly sold on AliExpress) and cut them four in line. (See the example photo in the project gallery below.)

Suggested search phrase in Aliexpress:
“2.54mm Pitch Gold Plated Male 40P 1*40 Round Pin Header Strip Hole Single Row Straight Socket Connector”