Aside from having the best op amps I've ever heard, Andrew Sparks (the Sparkos founder) is not only one of the friendliest, but also one of THE MOST hilarious guys I've ever met in the industry. Add in the fact that they're insanely reasonably priced, and you've got a win/win/win. His products have certainly been transformative in my gear.
I have the dual ss2590s in a Geshelli Labs J3 DAC and in my humble system it sounds fantastic. Doing business with Sparkos is a great experience. Andrew Sparks is a cool guy.
The best and most inexpensive tweak I’ve ever done to my hi-fi is ignore the advice of those who claim mains cables make no difference. They indisputably do. When I purchased a mains cable and connected it between my amp and the wall socket, my whole system burst into life. Something I’d not previously been able to achieve with no mains cable.
These Sparkos opamps have been known in the pro-audio world for years. I have them installed in several EQs, mic preamps, and amplifiers. The difference you are experiencing may vary depending on the quality of the rest of the circuit you apply them to. However, overall, they are really nice-sounding. WARNING: removing an opamp from a PC board takes skill and will void any warranty. Very few manufacturers use swappable chip sockets.
2 місяці тому+2
If the op amp is surface-mounted (soldered) on the PCB, there is an adapter that allows the installation of a DIP-8 socket. Of course, you need to have the skill to do it, but this kind of equipment upgrade also implies some DIY skills. I believe that everyone is fully aware that such and similar modifications lose or limit the warranty.
The biggest issue is removing a PC board from the circuit to access the bottom of the chip's pins. This can be pretty difficult if it's a complex circuit like an EQ. You will rarely find the accessible swap-out socket you see in this video.
ASUS Essence series of sound stuffs had DIP8 sockets. Dual to single adapters are easy too. Get a soldering iron and some solder, watch some YT videos and practice.
I have the Sparkos op amp in my Geschelli DAC. It made a huge difference in everything you talked about. I'm glad you went to Ron's and heard what these little gems can do,
Well, Danny, we already switched all our op amps months ago after having seen Randy from "Cheap audio man" having done that. That video came out, I think 8 months ago. You may also check Bursons op amps if you like them better than the Sparko's.
I put these in my Geshelli Dayzee DAC and was shocked at the improvement. It was already an incredible sounding DAC to start with and now it's much better somehow.
I bought an Aune X8 XVIII magic dac and it was totally transformed by the Sparkos SS3602 op amp. The soundstage width and depth opened up a lot and i am just blown away, recommended highly.🙂
Same setup here 😊. I also have the aune XP2 LPS and I'm not certain the LPS make Aune better or not but I'm super happy with the SS3602 upgrade. I'm tempted to upgrade to SS2590. I heard that's even better but I'm not sure how much better.🤔
@@ehong123the difference between the SS3601 and the SS2590 is about the same as the difference between a good chip opamp and the SS3601. Another big leap forwards.
I agree completely. I read about the Staccato opamps on the Dagogo audio website. The writer had done a long test, trying different opamps in his Legacy Class D amp. and much preferred the Staccato. I tried Burson Vivid, Sparkos and the Staccatos in my Eigentakt amp and found the Staccatos to be significantly better than either of the highly acclaimed brands.
I haven't had a reason to buy any more op amps from SparkOS but my experience with them was excellent. I'll never forget the feeling and the look on my wife's face after I swapped the TI chips out of my Topping Dx7Pro with a full set of SS3602s. Essentially the same improvements Danny mentions in the video. That DAC is now on my desk for headphone usage and running off an EcoFlow River -- really enjoyable sound.
The good news is, if you liked the Sparkos SS3602, the SS2590 is even better yet. It's worth going through whatever gymnastics (adapters, extenders, etc.) are necessary to make them fit.
Totally agree. The jump in quality you get from going from a good chip opamp to the SS360X is huge. The jump from the SS360X to the SS2590 is even bigger.
@@klausfreis7202I love the Sparko voltage regulators. It might sound like overkill but have you tried pre-regulating a Sparko regulator with another Sparko regulator? It does make quite a difference.
I am trying to find some extenders or 90 degree adapters to potentially put on my sound card. Do you know of any good ones? I can't seem to find one online.
Burson Audio V7V and V7C are about on par with the Sparkos 3302 that Dany tested. The Sparkos Pro SS2590 is a noticeable stepp up from 3302 but it takes more space. I supply the Sparkos Pro with the Sparkos regs and that's yet better. Greetings Klaus
Staccato Op Amps for a warmer, more natural lush analog sound. Sparkos for the absolute best freaking Voltage Regulators out there. His voltage regulators are little miracle workers.
It brought tears in your eyes, and I know not many things move you that much these days as you’ve seen and heard it pretty much all… that fact alone speaks volumes! Will definitely look these guys up and order one!
Getting thousands of dollars worth of an upgrade in sound, for a fraction of that amount is worth crying over (at least in my case, as I'm a poor monk).
The Sparkos SS3602 is a wonderful op-amp. And a pair of Sparkos SS2590 in a DIP8 adapter is *even* *better*. The latter is their flagship, and it is a stunner.
What's next ? At this point we'll have a SEMA show for audio...parts for audio cause the manufacturer didn't do it or was to expensive too doo ? But as you just heard ...if it was $5000. He would buy it ? So the fact that's it's $79.00 bucks show's how Perspective and resources don't always come together in the same room. Next week will be a new one greater than all that has come before ? And you will buy it ! As you just heard... and there's a group of people who have the resources to do that, The Dac of the month club! These things are not Legacy standard ! Legacy standard is technology that must last for at least 10yrs ! If there's no problem with the design it will stay as is until there is something to replace it for another 10yrs ! McIntosh is the king of this practice! They build Legacy quality components! We will all be gone, and McIntosh will still be here! Even if the company goes out of business their components will still be in existence ! Anything you speak on is disposable tech ! The proof is you will be getting something else quite soon that will be the greatest thing you have heard ? And this is very possible, but it does not instill buyer confidence or brand loyalty? Resale? Fogetaboutit ? Music has not changed the notes are still the same! Our perspective and resources has changed! The longest line to heaven is sinners trying to book a flight at the last minute... audio allows you to hear what's going on with the music you listen to from what ever time it was made in ? Led Zeppelin absolutely said it best on stairway to heaven... you can't buy your way out of this! A lot of these things are cute it's like the Dynaco days of building your own equipment on a budget, and you learn something! Which made places like Radio Shack possible ! The perspective that a $76.000 Phono pre amps can make $6.00 records sound better than $6.00 records? Maybe if you have the resources you can abandoned perspective.
Yes. I have the J2S with the older AKM and SS2590s on the single ended outputs. I also have the J3 with SS2590s on both balanced and RCA outputs. Love them both so much, I just bought the Sparkos Gemini tube headphone amp/preamp with 2590s in it. Can’t wait to fire it up, and my new mini XLR cables just were delivered.
Hi Danny, I like that you have the vulnerability to show emotion over something you're very very passionate about. In addition to no commercial advantage to yourself, just passing on advice. Kudos to you.🇦🇺☮️
I would love to see an oscilloscope frequency sweep of the existing op amps in a particular Class D amp compared to when using Sparkos op amps to see if there is a change in frequency response that may also affect the sound staging..
@@dannyrichie9743 Bwahaha, if an electronic device has an influence on a signal outcome but you can't measure it you're in the wrong profession buddy. You need to go back to school and learn about transfer function and VNAs. Oh wait, no you're self taught on everything audio and that allowed to discover some things that every supplier HIDES and never tells the masses, and that ALL electrical engineers hide in a vast conspiracy from the fleeced consuming sheep... You're every audiophile's friend (for the modic sum of $341 for a couple of 'tube' parts and caps). What an absolute riot: someone without proper electrical background giving the REAL TRUTH to unfortunately trusting people. You should sell bibles (from China), gold sprinkled sneakers and fake expensive watches. Oh wait, that spot is already taken by the Grifter-In-Chief, too bad.
I've been sold over the past year on the Sparkos SS2590 Pro discrete op amps, as standard issue op amps installed in the Geshelli Labs Archel 3 Pro headphone amp. I plan to get their J3 DAC with either the Sparkos Labs SS3602 installed or the special-order install of SS2590 Pro op amps. And I'll probably purchase a few of these op amps for more upgrades I have in mind for other gear around here. I agree ... these are wonderful op amps.
I have a little Aune X8 that I dropped one of these in and even at that level it is night and day difference. It is truly a shocking change over anything else (I actually got a set up that it cam with the swap tools and multiple op amps and had tried a few more....until the Sparkos the changes were subtle if noticeable....the Sparkos was obvious to anyone who heard it).
Wow, amazing, and coming from Danny there's no doubt it's something special. Something I did lately that kinda blew my mind is apply some felt around a midrange driver on a vintage speaker with a big 15 inch wide baffle, man it transformed that speaker. Similar to what Acoustic Research did with the AR-9's back in the day, I never thought it would make that much of a difference but it did, at least on the one's I tried it on. I've got an older DAC that I now want to check into the opamp thing that Danny is talking about.
nice coverage. Those sparkos opamps are really in their own league. Nothing compares sonically to them. Key point though is they are opamp packages made from all discrete devices not an integrated circuit.
I'm a Canadian and I appreciated your recent review of an expensive Paradigm speaker. Thanks for exposing how cheap the crossover network parts were and the lack of structural rigidity, etc. I love seeing any company whose products are full of compromise and over-priced to be exposed for their lack of integrity. The Paradigm PF95 Prestige.
@@CanberraProtest-dm6hu Seems to me that bonuses would be largely dependent on the number of speakers sold, which one would think is related to how good their speakers sound (at least at a given price point).
I do have the Geshelli Labs Dayzee and I have purchased "8" Sparkos Labs Pro Discrete Op Amp SS2590. Currently I am burning in the stock OPA1655 (which by the way does sound very good), but I cannot wait to install the SS2590.
I was just going to say, the TI op-amps are no slouch either. Top of the line a few years ago even. Things are heating up in the premium op-amp market.
I must be honest. $79.00 for any op-amp is not cheap! What I have seen over the years is that monolithic op-amps out perform discrete in any and every measurable way. I think Nelson Pass demonstrated somewhere with a discrete line level circuit that he could mimic all the so-called warm 2nd order harmonics found in tube amps. Texas Instruments, etc. do not design added 2nd order harmonics to their op-amps. Sparkos, Burson, and others are suspected of spiking their designs this way with 2nd order harmonics. It can be measured and has been several times. If you like the sound, I am all for it. But, if you want honest reproduction of a signal, these discrete designs are going to be your worst choice. He'll, why not a discrete vacumm tube op-amp? Or better yet, a Model T Ford racing at the NHRA Winter Nationals. There is a reason why technology advances and surpasses previous technology. If discrete op-amps were better than modern monolithic designs, you would see them in computers, televisions, and everywhere else they are used. Tube amps are liked because they add artifacts that are pleasing to the ear. And yes, I own tube amps.
I’ve seen tracings of the frequency response from these discrete op amps and what I noticed was *Lack* of 2nd harmonic that was more prominent in the monolithic op amps-sorry but I don’t think you are correct at all. Now: if you are gonna argue that people cannot *really* hear the difference because they aren’t doing proper blind listening tests with gain-matched testing and proper A-B-A sampling where the listener needs to identify correctly which was the B and which were the two A… then I am listening🤣🤣
@@kineahora8736 Would love for Amir from ASR to do that: buy a bunch of plug-in op-amp audio modules and plot their transfer function. That'd tell us right away which one change the input signal the least, which add decoration and of what type, etc.
I installed the Sparkos discrete op amp in my cheap import dac that functioned well enough, The improvement revealed itself literally in the first note of the first song I played. It has been 3 or 4 yrs. now, no issues.
And what about measurements? Has anyone measured a significant difference between a discrete and a normal op-amp? According to the point of view: you can't hear what you can't measure?
I had the same experience with my system. Replaced the rca output amp on my D90 AKM and whole new world of soundstage and detail I have not heard before. Decided that it could get even better, as the rca output op amp is driven by the XLR op amps, so I replaced the XLR op amps and used the XLR outputs single ended. More goodness! All had to be adapted and soldered in as the LME49720 originally in those locations are soic. Several hours work well rewarded. Considering doing the 4 I/v converters next, but sounds sooo good now I am just listening. All other amplification is tubes into Aerial 10t speakers.
I was one of the earliest user of the sparkos devices and ended up designing a preamp and phono stage around them...they are a fantastic item at a great price...in the right piece of gear. They are most notable in a short high quality signal path, at one point I was sent some of the devices at no charge to evaluate and I love them...but they are not for everything and in certain circuits(pro audio +4db gear in particular) they actually did not function properly and I had to go back and use a product from a different company, I briefly communicated the issue and the response was somewhat muted but I am still a huge fan when used in certain circuits. Absolutely great in all the hifi gear I used them in especially the few units I designed around them.
@@JagadguruSvamiVegananda I had issues with the 2520 used in a compressor circuits that use a 2520...worked great in a preamp but you should contact Andrew, he's a great guy and I assume would accept returns if it didn't work for you
@@JagadguruSvamiVegananda I've tried others but not staccato... sparkos was by far the best, I designed a couple of circuits to utilize them and clients and myself use them everyday with no failures and great results... can't say the same about some others.....
Two commercial op amps I always recommend people try. Opa1612 and opa1656. I'm convinced you'd have to try real hard to get the 1656 to oscillate. The 1612 is a bit more picky, but if it integrates with the circuit well, is probably one of the clearest commercial op amps (for audio) that currently exists. If the circuit doesn't play nice though, it will ring. Also better to replace another smd part with these, as the parasitics from the dip8 adapter alone can cause issues with the 1612.
@raymondc9896 I guess I'm going to read a data sheet. I find it hard to believe that it would have a lower noise floor than a 1612. Almost certainly the circuit coming into play. Especially considering Johnson noise is going to be the dominant noise, at least with the 1612 in a circuit designed around it.
@raymondc9896 indeed, the 1612 itself has "much" lower noise. 5.1nv for the 1642 and 1.1nV for the 1612. So I'm guessing the noise you're getting on the 1612 is its interaction with the circuit as a whole.
I just installed them into a Music Hall a30.3 integrated amplifier… wow! I thought this amp sounded incredible already, but I am hearing even more detail and a more open sound stage. I had to purchase two, since the DAC had two op amps (dual circuit). Thanks for the suggestion!
I put SPARKOS’ Op-Amps into an ADCOM GFP-565 (replacing 134’s) along with Nichicon UKA’s (audio grade) in the audio circuit and was blown away more by the SPARKOS opamps than the caps. But WHAT a combination. Despite the SPARKOS device being a BP transistor type NOT FET they just work. I still use that in my garage stereo (APT-Holman - updated - for general HiFi use) and can’t recommend them highly enough.
Seems to me that the results that’s got Danny so excited is part of the whole package that is his souped up Dodd dac. Why not make an updated version of that package available?
"I find your lack of faith disturbing". There's competition and there's capitalism. That will keep your prices low. Also, there are alternatives. I have found other discrete double opamps that are also very good for less than $20.
I don't think that Andrew has increased his prices in the best part of a decade. He's passionate about his creations and wants to get them into as many systems as possible. He doesn't strike me as a money-grabber.
What is several steps beyond this, is the su-r1000, it is an amp/DAC without op amps in it, and that does NOT use a chip when using the USB signal. Meaning that you basically have the most optimal amp/DAC and bypass this op-amp negotiation of sound. Mcintosh type of brands use a gigantic amount of up-amps in their products, and it really kills the sound/steers it. And gives it and edge type of sound that is very flat. Yes I believe Danny in this specific case because of fitting the specific design. But ultimately you want op amps out of a system.
I’d love it if you’d do a video showing how to properly install NoRez. I have a project coming up where I’ll be using some and I’d like to be sure I get it right.
Danny love watching...I'm definitely not a tech guy. Would a phono pre amp contain an op amp? I have a cambridge audio alva solo. Like how it sounds but I can improve sound quality even more I'm up for the challenge
I'd like to see GR Research dip it's toes into the mini-mono amp, tube pre and DAC game with opamps like the SS3602 & SS2590. Give ChiFi a run for their money using even better components than the V3 Mono.
Would also recommend staccato opamp, Burson new v8 vivid and classic line, some people’s opinion is that sparko are often associate with warm sounding. Personally I am a big fan of staccato. I have a Kinki studio ex-m1+, an integrated unit. And that unit has one dual opamp slot for the preamp and two single for the amplification. I haven’t be able to find another amp that has the opamp option with the power output that it puts out.
I have been using 10 Andrew ops in my me built 3-way line active boxes going on 10 years. Also use his regs in the PSU I built for them. I upgraded the 2 Sparkos single input buffer ops with his Pro Discrete Op Amps. SCARY SOUNDING. I would imagine going all in with 8 double Pros would be WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO X 100. I love his op amps but I'm not touching the inners of my Linn Klimax DS till I can hear the upgrade in the flesh. Altering that RA TA TAT TAT time machine could be tune damaging.
I'm also building an active crossover for a friend's open baffle speakers. It has Sparkoslabs SS3601 opamps and Sparkoslabs voltage regulators. It totally blew away the Pass Labs B5 active crossover he was previously using. Beating Nelson Pass on my first attempt was very pleasing. The next step is going to be rebuilding with SS2590 opamps and more voltage regulators.
Man I wasted so much time researching speakers that I thought were of good value and performance. I wonder why companies go through all the trouble of researching, designing and producing speakers they throw crap parts into to limit their performance? You would think performance would draw in people who cared about sound. What a crazy business model. Danny, do you have any preferred resources to get the most out of the speakers one has in their room right now? I am thinking how to start with speaker placement, seating position and subwoofer integration? Cheers!
Did I get banned? I posted earlier about other comparable discreet op amps, and they are not here, or on my history page. I'll try again. Sonic Imagery and Staccato make very well reviewed op amps, too.
Hi, the "holographic" speakers you mention in the video, what model are they? Are they on your site? Thanks, and congratulations for the channel that I have been following for a couple of years. Greetings from Italy.
I will leak this much today. It is one of three new models that are under development. These will only be offered fully assembled. The first model is the smallest and the one you have seen in my videos and videos from New Record Day. They set a new benchmark in many areas and are beautiful to listen to.
I know you usually focus on higher-end gear, but have you ever come across any of Boston Acoustics' older bookshelf speakers, like the CR8 or CR85? I recently picked up a pair of CR85s to use as beaters for my gym, but they really surprised me. Despite paying almost nothing, the sound quality is excellent. Now I'm curious if it's worth exploring more of their older models from late '90s or early 2000s. Any thoughts?
We design and offer upgrades for speakers like that all the time. Sometimes a lot can be done with them and a lot of improvements can be made. Sometimes there isn't much to work with and may not be worth it.
I wish I could figure out in I could use these in my Denafrips Pontus II, Odyssey Stratos, or Oppy BDP-95. I asked Andrew Sparks and he didn't know and I can't find anything online. Is the only way to figure it out to open them up and take a look?
Please answer someone.. Can I use these in my Technics suv8 And is it so easy to put them in the .I heard ' just drop them in '. Surely they need soldering? I know the suv8 is a little harsh maybe these can soften it a bit. Even though it has a low distortion figure. O.003
Aside from having the best op amps I've ever heard, Andrew Sparks (the Sparkos founder) is not only one of the friendliest, but also one of THE MOST hilarious guys I've ever met in the industry. Add in the fact that they're insanely reasonably priced, and you've got a win/win/win. His products have certainly been transformative in my gear.
I've got the Sparkos Aries headphone amp, and it is my end game. The capabilities boggled me. I love it and highly recommend Sparkos.
I have the dual ss2590s in a Geshelli Labs J3 DAC and in my humble system it sounds fantastic.
Doing business with Sparkos is a great experience. Andrew Sparks is a cool guy.
The best and most inexpensive tweak I’ve ever done to my hi-fi is ignore the advice of those who claim mains cables make no difference. They indisputably do. When I purchased a mains cable and connected it between my amp and the wall socket, my whole system burst into life. Something I’d not previously been able to achieve with no mains cable.
I see what you did there...
🤣
They do make a difference to my ears. Here we go again…..
😄 I lolled
what about cables inside the walls?
These Sparkos opamps have been known in the pro-audio world for years. I have them installed in several EQs, mic preamps, and amplifiers. The difference you are experiencing may vary depending on the quality of the rest of the circuit you apply them to. However, overall, they are really nice-sounding. WARNING: removing an opamp from a PC board takes skill and will void any warranty. Very few manufacturers use swappable chip sockets.
If the op amp is surface-mounted (soldered) on the PCB, there is an adapter that allows the installation of a DIP-8 socket.
Of course, you need to have the skill to do it, but this kind of equipment upgrade also implies some DIY skills. I believe that everyone is fully aware that such and similar modifications lose or limit the warranty.
The biggest issue is removing a PC board from the circuit to access the bottom of the chip's pins. This can be pretty difficult if it's a complex circuit like an EQ. You will rarely find the accessible swap-out socket you see in this video.
ASUS Essence series of sound stuffs had DIP8 sockets. Dual to single adapters are easy too.
Get a soldering iron and some solder, watch some YT videos and practice.
@@StephenMcGregor1986 and a solder sucker to clear the holes.
Pro audio world don't partake in this nonsense.
These are SUPER good op-amps and a very noticeable sonic upgrade.
Hi skunkie didnt expect you here
Skunkie!
A wild Skunkie appears!
Skunkie lives!!
I have a Topping D50S and one of those opamps in transit. Can't wait to swap it in Skunkie. :)
I have the Sparkos op amp in my Geschelli DAC. It made a huge difference in everything you talked about. I'm glad you went to Ron's and heard what these little gems can do,
Seriously amazing results with these. Makes fosi amps sound like they're 10 times more expensive.
Please make a more detailed video on the DAC setup you used. Work on an upgrade kit to make a killer DAC.
you want a killer dac buy geshelli end of story
Well, Danny, we already switched all our op amps months ago after having seen Randy from "Cheap audio man" having done that. That video came out, I think 8 months ago. You may also check Bursons op amps if you like them better than the Sparko's.
I put these in my Geshelli Dayzee DAC and was shocked at the improvement. It was already an incredible sounding DAC to start with and now it's much better somehow.
I bought an Aune X8 XVIII magic dac and it was totally transformed by the Sparkos SS3602 op amp. The soundstage width and depth opened up a lot and i am just blown away, recommended highly.🙂
I have a Old maverick d two I bought second hand and Switch the options to the sparkos and big difference
Same setup here 😊.
I also have the aune XP2 LPS and I'm not certain the LPS make Aune better or not but I'm super happy with the SS3602 upgrade.
I'm tempted to upgrade to SS2590. I heard that's even better but I'm not sure how much better.🤔
@@ehong123the difference between the SS3601 and the SS2590 is about the same as the difference between a good chip opamp and the SS3601. Another big leap forwards.
@@ehong123 buy better dc cable it helps
@@ehong123add a decent power cable to the linear supply
Running those in my fosi za3 mono amps and the difference it made was staggering. Freakin amazing pieces of kit. Highly recommend.
Same here. Replaced my 300b tubeamp and expensive integrated bettering both. And they are all fabulous.
Fosi 😅
Just ordered 2 for my audio preamp projects. Thanks for the heads up!
If you prefer a slightly more organic sound with just as much detail and sound stage, the Staccato opamp is an option. It is from Poland.
Poland makes quality audio gear. The Mytek Liberty DAC $1595 (and other Mytek products) is made in Poland, and it sounds fabulous.
@@danmarjenka6361, as are the Ferrum Audio gear.
Thanks for the tip!
I agree completely. I read about the Staccato opamps on the Dagogo audio website. The writer had done a long test, trying different opamps in his Legacy Class D amp. and much preferred the Staccato. I tried Burson Vivid, Sparkos and the Staccatos
in my Eigentakt amp and found the Staccatos to be significantly better than either of the highly acclaimed brands.
I haven't had a reason to buy any more op amps from SparkOS but my experience with them was excellent. I'll never forget the feeling and the look on my wife's face after I swapped the TI chips out of my Topping Dx7Pro with a full set of SS3602s. Essentially the same improvements Danny mentions in the video. That DAC is now on my desk for headphone usage and running off an EcoFlow River -- really enjoyable sound.
The good news is, if you liked the Sparkos SS3602, the SS2590 is even better yet. It's worth going through whatever gymnastics (adapters, extenders, etc.) are necessary to make them fit.
Absolutely right. I made them fit into a smd based dac and better yet with the Sparkos regs supplying power to them.
Totally agree. The jump in quality you get from going from a good chip opamp to the SS360X is huge. The jump from the SS360X to the SS2590 is even bigger.
@@klausfreis7202I love the Sparko voltage regulators. It might sound like overkill but have you tried pre-regulating a Sparko regulator with another Sparko regulator? It does make quite a difference.
@@nathanevans6277😂😂😂
I am trying to find some extenders or 90 degree adapters to potentially put on my sound card. Do you know of any good ones? I can't seem to find one online.
This is not new, but it is cool. I have a pair in my dac and it was a instant upgrade. I am glad you are excited about Sparkos opamps.
I used Sparkos discrete op amps many years ago on one of PC sound cards. The transformation was incredible.
I bought some 5 years ago for old dad that I brought off a craigslist and the sound difference is amazing
I've loved Sparkos for a while now. I'd be interested to see what you think of the Burson Op Amps!
Burson Audio V7V and V7C are about on par with the Sparkos 3302 that Dany tested.
The Sparkos Pro SS2590 is a noticeable stepp up from 3302 but it takes more space.
I supply the Sparkos Pro with the Sparkos regs and that's yet better.
Greetings Klaus
I've gone Sparkos myself to replace my factory op-amps. Outstanding upgrade!
Welcome to op-amp rolling! 🗽🙏
Love that someone is still using one of the mics I do, love my Deity
Staccato Op Amps for a warmer, more natural lush analog sound. Sparkos for the absolute best freaking Voltage Regulators out there. His voltage regulators are little miracle workers.
It brought tears in your eyes, and I know not many things move you that much these days as you’ve seen and heard it pretty much all… that fact alone speaks volumes!
Will definitely look these guys up and order one!
Getting thousands of dollars worth of an upgrade in sound, for a fraction of that amount is worth crying over (at least in my case, as I'm a poor monk).
Best review ever. Man came to tears 😂
The Sparkos SS3602 is a wonderful op-amp. And a pair of Sparkos SS2590 in a DIP8 adapter is *even* *better*. The latter is their flagship, and it is a stunner.
What's next ? At this point we'll have a SEMA show for audio...parts for audio cause the manufacturer didn't do it or was to expensive too doo ? But as you just heard ...if it was $5000. He would buy it ? So the fact that's it's $79.00 bucks show's how Perspective and resources don't always come together in the same room. Next week will be a new one greater than all that has come before ? And you will buy it ! As you just heard... and there's a group of people who have the resources to do that, The Dac of the month club!
These things are not Legacy standard !
Legacy standard is technology that must last for at least 10yrs ! If there's no problem with the design it will stay as is until there is something to replace it for another 10yrs ! McIntosh is the king of this practice! They build Legacy quality components! We will all be gone, and McIntosh will still be here! Even if the company goes out of business their components will still be in existence ! Anything you speak on is disposable tech ! The proof is you will be getting something else quite soon that will be the greatest thing you have heard ? And this is very possible, but it does not instill buyer confidence or brand loyalty? Resale? Fogetaboutit ? Music has not changed the notes are still the same! Our perspective and resources has changed! The longest line to heaven is sinners trying to book a flight at the last minute... audio allows you to hear what's going on with the music you listen to from what ever time it was made in ?
Led Zeppelin absolutely said it best on stairway to heaven... you can't buy your way out of this!
A lot of these things are cute it's like the Dynaco days of building your own equipment on a budget, and you learn something!
Which made places like Radio Shack possible !
The perspective that a $76.000 Phono pre amps can make $6.00 records sound better than $6.00 records? Maybe if you have the resources you can abandoned perspective.
Already have mine in the Geshelli Labs JNOGS Socketed DAC. Maybe you should try the Geshelli Labs Dayzee DAC with those OP Amps
Yes. I have the J2S with the older AKM and SS2590s on the single ended outputs. I also have the J3 with SS2590s on both balanced and RCA outputs. Love them both so much, I just bought the Sparkos Gemini tube headphone amp/preamp with 2590s in it. Can’t wait to fire it up, and my new mini XLR cables just were delivered.
Hi Danny, I like that you have the vulnerability to show emotion over something you're very very passionate about. In addition to no commercial advantage to yourself, just passing on advice. Kudos to you.🇦🇺☮️
I would love to see an oscilloscope frequency sweep of the existing op amps in a particular Class D amp compared to when using Sparkos op amps to see if there is a change in frequency response that may also affect the sound staging..
The frequency response remains the same. The quality of the sound though is very different.
@@dannyrichie9743 Bwahaha, if an electronic device has an influence on a signal outcome but you can't measure it you're in the wrong profession buddy. You need to go back to school and learn about transfer function and VNAs. Oh wait, no you're self taught on everything audio and that allowed to discover some things that every supplier HIDES and never tells the masses, and that ALL electrical engineers hide in a vast conspiracy from the fleeced consuming sheep... You're every audiophile's friend (for the modic sum of $341 for a couple of 'tube' parts and caps).
What an absolute riot: someone without proper electrical background giving the REAL TRUTH to unfortunately trusting people.
You should sell bibles (from China), gold sprinkled sneakers and fake expensive watches.
Oh wait, that spot is already taken by the Grifter-In-Chief, too bad.
I've been sold over the past year on the Sparkos SS2590 Pro discrete op amps, as standard issue op amps installed in the Geshelli Labs Archel 3 Pro headphone amp. I plan to get their J3 DAC with either the Sparkos Labs SS3602 installed or the special-order install of SS2590 Pro op amps. And I'll probably purchase a few of these op amps for more upgrades I have in mind for other gear around here. I agree ... these are wonderful op amps.
Sparkos also has some really nice low noise regualtors
You got love a guy in electronics whose name is Sparks!🇦🇺☮️
I have a little Aune X8 that I dropped one of these in and even at that level it is night and day difference. It is truly a shocking change over anything else (I actually got a set up that it cam with the swap tools and multiple op amps and had tried a few more....until the Sparkos the changes were subtle if noticeable....the Sparkos was obvious to anyone who heard it).
Wow, amazing, and coming from Danny there's no doubt it's something special. Something I did lately that kinda blew my mind is apply some felt around a midrange driver on a vintage speaker with a big 15 inch wide baffle, man it transformed that speaker. Similar to what Acoustic Research did with the AR-9's back in the day, I never thought it would make that much of a difference but it did, at least on the one's I tried it on. I've got an older DAC that I now want to check into the opamp thing that Danny is talking about.
I've got lots of discrete op amps collected. The Stacatto type is really good. I like the Sparkos too.
I'll look into the Staccato.
nice coverage. Those sparkos opamps are really in their own league. Nothing compares sonically to them. Key point though is they are opamp packages made from all discrete devices not an integrated circuit.
Installed Sparkos Op Amps into my Sansui 9090db about 1.5 years ago. I cosign everything in this video.
The Sansui 9090db uses op amps?
@@59seank i don't think it does.. If so maybe a lowly 741 or tl072 which there are definitely better monolithic replacements.
maybe i missed GR Research's disclaimer warning, but if you put an opamp in the wrong direction (VERY easy to do) POOF! 🤯
Danny, your Kung-fu is getting stronger. Excellent vid
Indeed, his Kung-fu is good.
Been practicing his Wing Chun
@@juy3541
... everybody Wing Chun tonight ...
been using BURSON opamps in my sound card for years ...... incredible upgrade
Danny this is the most i have seen you excited period
Here's a challenge: How about a blind test for audiophiles and non-audiophiles?
Sure, come on over for blind comparisons.
What's the difference, does one have a certificate and the other a bike ?
I wish I knew what an opamp is !!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operational_amplifier
😉
Operational amplifier
For amplification of a small signal.
Me too… did I live under a rock?
@@Jeep_on_audio can also be configured for use as a voltage buffer, e.g Marantz HDAM
I'm a Canadian and I appreciated your recent review of an expensive Paradigm speaker. Thanks for exposing how cheap the crossover network parts were and the lack of structural rigidity, etc. I love seeing any company whose products are full of compromise and over-priced to be exposed for their lack of integrity. The Paradigm PF95 Prestige.
I am not trying to make excuses for Paradigm, but that speaker (PF95) is no longer in production.
@@Mark-rw3kwyep. I’d love to see the same video except with a Paradigm Persona
Paradigm has been building shit from day one.
Managers bonuses are the priority
@@CanberraProtest-dm6hu Seems to me that bonuses would be largely dependent on the number of speakers sold, which one would think is related to how good their speakers sound (at least at a given price point).
I do have the Geshelli Labs Dayzee and I have purchased "8" Sparkos Labs Pro Discrete Op Amp SS2590. Currently I am burning in the stock OPA1655 (which by the way does sound very good), but I cannot wait to install the SS2590.
I was just going to say, the TI op-amps are no slouch either. Top of the line a few years ago even. Things are heating up in the premium op-amp market.
Schiit DACs use the 1656 opamp, which is very, very good.,
1611/1612 for life
I must be honest. $79.00 for any op-amp is not cheap! What I have seen over the years is that monolithic op-amps out perform discrete in any
and every measurable way. I think Nelson Pass demonstrated somewhere with a discrete line level circuit that he could mimic all the so-called warm 2nd order harmonics found in tube amps. Texas Instruments, etc. do not design added 2nd order harmonics to their op-amps. Sparkos, Burson, and others are suspected of spiking their designs this way with 2nd order harmonics. It can be measured and has been several times. If you like the sound, I am all for it. But, if you want honest reproduction of a signal, these discrete designs are going to be your worst choice. He'll, why not a discrete vacumm tube op-amp? Or better yet, a Model T Ford racing at the NHRA Winter Nationals. There is a reason why technology advances and surpasses previous technology. If discrete op-amps were better than modern monolithic designs, you would see them in computers, televisions, and everywhere else they are used. Tube amps are liked because they add artifacts that are pleasing to the ear. And yes, I own tube amps.
I’ve seen tracings of the frequency response from these discrete op amps and what I noticed was *Lack* of 2nd harmonic that was more prominent in the monolithic op amps-sorry but I don’t think you are correct at all.
Now: if you are gonna argue that people cannot *really* hear the difference because they aren’t doing proper blind listening tests with gain-matched testing and proper A-B-A sampling where the listener needs to identify correctly which was the B and which were the two A… then I am listening🤣🤣
@@kineahora8736 Would love for Amir from ASR to do that: buy a bunch of plug-in op-amp audio modules and plot their transfer function. That'd tell us right away which one change the input signal the least, which add decoration and of what type, etc.
Geshelli/sparkos make the best gear. Made in US. Made by the coolest people on the planet.
I installed the Sparkos discrete op amp in my cheap import dac that functioned well enough, The improvement revealed itself literally in the first note of the first song I played. It has been 3 or 4 yrs. now, no issues.
Fosi Audio is a rather young Chinese brand, founded in January 2017 by (Youlong) Ryan Huang in Longgang District, Shenzhen.
And what about measurements? Has anyone measured a significant difference between a discrete and a normal op-amp? According to the point of view: you can't hear what you can't measure?
There are things you can measure that you can't hear and some things that you can hear but can't measure.
@@dannyrichie9743 Thank your answer. Nevertheless i‘m still waiting for you saying: „Just kidding 😊“
I had the same experience with my system. Replaced the rca output amp on my D90 AKM and whole new world of soundstage and detail I have not heard before. Decided that it could get even better, as the rca output op amp is driven by the XLR op amps, so I replaced the XLR op amps and used the XLR outputs single ended. More goodness! All had to be adapted and soldered in as the LME49720 originally in those locations are soic. Several hours work well rewarded. Considering doing the 4 I/v converters next, but sounds sooo good now I am just listening. All other amplification is tubes into Aerial 10t speakers.
I was one of the earliest user of the sparkos devices and ended up designing a preamp and phono stage around them...they are a fantastic item at a great price...in the right piece of gear. They are most notable in a short high quality signal path, at one point I was sent some of the devices at no charge to evaluate and I love them...but they are not for everything and in certain circuits(pro audio +4db gear in particular) they actually did not function properly and I had to go back and use a product from a different company, I briefly communicated the issue and the response was somewhat muted but I am still a huge fan when used in certain circuits. Absolutely great in all the hifi gear I used them in especially the few units I designed around them.
So, the Sparkos won't be compatible with my Lynx Hilo? :(
@@JagadguruSvamiVegananda I had issues with the 2520 used in a compressor circuits that use a 2520...worked great in a preamp but you should contact Andrew, he's a great guy and I assume would accept returns if it didn't work for you
@@TheKevinrobertink, thank you - I'll look into it.
I'm also considering a Staccato operational amplifier around the same price.
@@JagadguruSvamiVegananda I've tried others but not staccato... sparkos was by far the best, I designed a couple of circuits to utilize them and clients and myself use them everyday with no failures and great results... can't say the same about some others.....
Nothing in electronics is one size fits all
I love how transparent you are about everything Danny! Thanks for sharing. I want to purchase all the recommended!
Two commercial op amps I always recommend people try. Opa1612 and opa1656. I'm convinced you'd have to try real hard to get the 1656 to oscillate. The 1612 is a bit more picky, but if it integrates with the circuit well, is probably one of the clearest commercial op amps (for audio) that currently exists. If the circuit doesn't play nice though, it will ring. Also better to replace another smd part with these, as the parasitics from the dip8 adapter alone can cause issues with the 1612.
Yes, those are good.
Just try these and you will be convinced. These Sparkos are really that much better. Unless you're in a tight space then try Burson V5
I also like the opa1642. In most cases it has produced a lower measured noise floor over the 1656 and 1612 with no raise in thd.
@raymondc9896 I guess I'm going to read a data sheet. I find it hard to believe that it would have a lower noise floor than a 1612. Almost certainly the circuit coming into play. Especially considering Johnson noise is going to be the dominant noise, at least with the 1612 in a circuit designed around it.
@raymondc9896 indeed, the 1612 itself has "much" lower noise. 5.1nv for the 1642 and 1.1nV for the 1612. So I'm guessing the noise you're getting on the 1612 is its interaction with the circuit as a whole.
I would love to hear your opinions on the bigger brother, the SS2950. People make it seem like that's the best OP amp of all time or something.
I just installed them into a Music Hall a30.3 integrated amplifier… wow! I thought this amp sounded incredible already, but I am hearing even more detail and a more open sound stage. I had to purchase two, since the DAC had two op amps (dual circuit). Thanks for the suggestion!
Have you tried the Burson OP Amps they are very good as well.
I put SPARKOS’ Op-Amps into an ADCOM GFP-565 (replacing 134’s) along with Nichicon UKA’s (audio grade) in the audio circuit and was blown away more by the SPARKOS opamps than the caps. But WHAT a combination. Despite the SPARKOS device being a BP transistor type NOT FET they just work. I still use that in my garage stereo (APT-Holman - updated - for general HiFi use) and can’t recommend them highly enough.
I will get one for my adcom amp system, great News.
@ I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Enjoy.
Seems to me that the results that’s got Danny so excited is part of the whole package that is his souped up Dodd dac. Why not make an updated version of that package available?
Danny, try the SS2590 next. You will experience another similar leap forward in soundstage and resolution.
My NCore NC500 amp has two SS3602 and sounds incredibly good
$79 today $299 tomorrow
I feel a price increase coming brothers. You better jump on them
"I find your lack of faith disturbing". There's competition and there's capitalism. That will keep your prices low.
Also, there are alternatives. I have found other discrete double opamps that are also very good for less than $20.
I don't think that Andrew has increased his prices in the best part of a decade.
He's passionate about his creations and wants to get them into as many systems as possible. He doesn't strike me as a money-grabber.
Just got my JNOG3 and added the Sparkos. It's unreal.
The Akliam discreet opamps are crazy good, if you have enough space for them.
What is several steps beyond this, is the su-r1000, it is an amp/DAC without op amps in it, and that does NOT use a chip when using the USB signal. Meaning that you basically have the most optimal amp/DAC and bypass this op-amp negotiation of sound. Mcintosh type of brands use a gigantic amount of up-amps in their products, and it really kills the sound/steers it. And gives it and edge type of sound that is very flat. Yes I believe Danny in this specific case because of fitting the specific design. But ultimately you want op amps out of a system.
I’d love it if you’d do a video showing how to properly install NoRez. I have a project coming up where I’ll be using some and I’d like to be sure I get it right.
he will never help you with that. he's here just to make money
Danny love watching...I'm definitely not a tech guy. Would a phono pre amp contain an op amp? I have a cambridge audio alva solo. Like how it sounds but I can improve sound quality even more I'm up for the challenge
"The most amount of gain from" - when speaking of opamps. I know my humor is dry, but that was kinda funny.
There is no telling what I might say. I am always unscripted.
Only a very few will understand. But, nice catch. I missed it until now. Thanks!
The funny part is that the production cost probably is less then 5$.....
To make Danny tear up these OP Amps must be spectacular!
I'd like to see GR Research dip it's toes into the mini-mono amp, tube pre and DAC game with opamps like the SS3602 & SS2590. Give ChiFi a run for their money using even better components than the V3 Mono.
Does NoRez have to be placed on the inside of speaker? Or can it be stuck to the back on the outside?
Would also recommend staccato opamp, Burson new v8 vivid and classic line, some people’s opinion is that sparko are often associate with warm sounding. Personally I am a big fan of staccato.
I have a Kinki studio ex-m1+, an integrated unit. And that unit has one dual opamp slot for the preamp and two single for the amplification. I haven’t be able to find another amp that has the opamp option with the power output that it puts out.
The 3602 is very good but the 2590 is another world
Wait until you hear the 2490.5. This one was broken in for 200 hours at the factory !
Damn, that Voena group has 67 monthly listeners on spotify, I suspect it's gonna be much more soon! Really good album!
I have been using 10 Andrew ops in my me built 3-way line active boxes going on 10 years. Also use his regs in the PSU I built for them. I upgraded the 2 Sparkos single input buffer ops with his Pro Discrete Op Amps. SCARY SOUNDING. I would imagine going all in with 8 double Pros would be WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO X 100. I love his op amps but I'm not touching the inners of my Linn Klimax DS till I can hear the upgrade in the flesh. Altering that RA TA TAT TAT time machine could be tune damaging.
I'm also building an active crossover for a friend's open baffle speakers. It has Sparkoslabs SS3601 opamps and Sparkoslabs voltage regulators. It totally blew away the Pass Labs B5 active crossover he was previously using. Beating Nelson Pass on my first attempt was very pleasing.
The next step is going to be rebuilding with SS2590 opamps and more voltage regulators.
Danny, I I appreciate your work. But u just did something that’s going to make things hard 4 the rest of us.
got 3 sparko opamps running in my j2 geshelli DAC. love it
Daniel, please compare with Burson's latest operational amplifiers.
Man I wasted so much time researching speakers that I thought were of good value and performance. I wonder why companies go through all the trouble of researching, designing and producing speakers they throw crap parts into to limit their performance? You would think performance would draw in people who cared about sound. What a crazy business model.
Danny, do you have any preferred resources to get the most out of the speakers one has in their room right now? I am thinking how to start with speaker placement, seating position and subwoofer integration? Cheers!
Does the Audiolab 6000A have an op amp in it? 😮
Did I get banned?
I posted earlier about other comparable discreet op amps, and they are not here, or on my history page.
I'll try again.
Sonic Imagery and Staccato make very well reviewed op amps, too.
You are not banned.
Happened to me as well
What is the little Douk dac that you have that outperforms the Holo May in terms of the SS depth? Can you disclose it?
It is a one off design that was used as a test bed for several companies.
I'm not 100% sure if Danny is recommending this or not.
🤣😂
🤣🤣🤣
cant wait to see those behind Danny
Those (wood side paneled) speakers in the background look great.
Just wait until you get to hear them.....
@@dannyrichie9743 Yep, many of us are just waiting…….
Hi, the "holographic" speakers you mention in the video, what model are they? Are they on your site? Thanks, and congratulations for the channel that I have been following for a couple of years. Greetings from Italy.
I will leak this much today. It is one of three new models that are under development. These will only be offered fully assembled. The first model is the smallest and the one you have seen in my videos and videos from New Record Day. They set a new benchmark in many areas and are beautiful to listen to.
Great information Danny.
Ive been inspired.
Are you receiving any sort of compensation for Sparkos?
Not at all. They didn't even know I was going to shoot a video on it.
@@dannyrichie9743
Thank you for answering.
@@NotSure723 The chips weren't even set out to me. They sent them to Ron.
Its always funny that audiophools super hearing powers diminish the second you spew these two words...
Blind test ...
Not around here.
Wow !!! Starting some research right now... hopefully available to us in the UK
I know hificollective co uk have them
They have them at hificollective
I know you usually focus on higher-end gear, but have you ever come across any of Boston Acoustics' older bookshelf speakers, like the CR8 or CR85? I recently picked up a pair of CR85s to use as beaters for my gym, but they really surprised me. Despite paying almost nothing, the sound quality is excellent. Now I'm curious if it's worth exploring more of their older models from late '90s or early 2000s. Any thoughts?
We design and offer upgrades for speakers like that all the time. Sometimes a lot can be done with them and a lot of improvements can be made. Sometimes there isn't much to work with and may not be worth it.
I wish I could figure out in I could use these in my Denafrips Pontus II, Odyssey Stratos, or Oppy BDP-95. I asked Andrew Sparks and he didn't know and I can't find anything online. Is the only way to figure it out to open them up and take a look?
No coupon code for the Sparkos? ;D
This has been my plan,, geshelli dac, w V3 mono's and Nx-bravos... w sparkos throughout. W freya+ pre-amp.
Please answer someone..
Can I use these in my Technics suv8
And is it so easy to put them in the .I heard ' just drop them in '. Surely they need soldering? I know the suv8 is a little harsh maybe these can soften it a bit. Even though it has a low distortion figure. O.003
Sparkos makes a $995 tube hybrid preamp with Sparkos 2590 opamps in it. The Gemini. More than one reviewer have called it incredible or stunning.