Hmmm... I agree with Paul's suggestions, but you asked for five ;)
I have a number of OP-275 that I use for audio -- very fast, low
noise, and high current. I use the LT1013 for precision voltages,
but they are slow. I have a bunch of SSM2135 that I use for
single-sided (9V battery audio applications) and you should have a
fast op-amp that can work single sided if you plan on building
stomp-boxes. However, the op-amp I use the most, is the TL072 --
fine for summing non-critical voltages, inverting signals, creating
high-impedance inputs, driving LED's, and as an output amp for gates,
triggers, LFO's, envelopes, etc. The fifth op-amp is the unusual
LM3900 "Norton" amplifier used in a number of different applications.
Since through-hole parts are becoming more difficult to find, some of
these might now be obsolete.
On 6/5/05, Greg Amann put forth:
>Thanks for the dirt on the LEDs.
>
>Next question: I would like to collect a few Op-Amps to keep around
>for DIY fiddling. Any recommendations for the top 5 candidates to
>keep in a well-stocked MOTM experimenters work bench? A general
>purpose Op-Amp to drive LEDs. An audio preamp. That kind of thing.
>The TL072?
>
>Thanks, Greg