[sdiy] Do op amps need bypass caps?

[Steve Lenham]

On 19/08/2014 07:06, Chris McDowell wrote:
> Hi guys,
>
> I was taught to put 0.1uF-ish bypass caps on every IC, every time,
> but recently have come across statements declaring that op amps in
> the audio range and below don’t need them. Is this true? Is this
> controversial? What’s the real scoop here?

Low-power devices with light loads probably don't need individual 
decoupling. However, I can say from personal experience that thirstier, 
gruntier parts like the NE5532 really do need a pair of local 0.1uFs to 
avoid instability. I suspect that the longer and twistier the power 
tracks to them are, the more true this becomes.

HTH,

Steve L.