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The difference is very pronounced, the Sparkos upgrade added a lot of weight to the overall sound profile, both male and female vocals are more open, thicker, a little more forward, wider and deeper soundstage. Instruments like Piano and Saxophone are also much more live-like, the Sparkos adds a lot of warmth to the tonality. It seems like this upgrade is a must for those running the ZA3 with very harsh and bright speakers, or listening to less than ideal recording, the upgrade certainly would smooth out and tame down some of the harshness. Quite a substantial and transformative upgrade I'd say, most definitely worth it. In direct comparison, the standard/OEM opamp came off quite thin, hallow, compressed, and sharp, the Sparkos pretty much set free the soul of the amp and open it up.
@@danielbrrio I'm wondering if this Sparkos Opamp would give the same kind of sound quality improvement for the TB10D, A07, A08, and A07 Pro Max....this $80 Sparkos Opamp cost more than the TB10D and A07. lol
@@Benjamin-nm4jd - i installed akliam lc2 op amps in my aiyima a07 max to great effect. the reviews on akliam's website swayed me over the muses02 i was considering; most preferred the akliam. one person even preferred it to the sparkos op amp. of course these are tall, and won't fit inside the cases; i had to fab a case for my a07 max. (i had posted a link to pics, but my post got deleted - are links not allowed?)
You need to take that one step further. You also need to use a magnifier to ensure the tip of each pin is correctly lined up with the hole at the bottom of the gold spot on the socket. If you do not, there is a high risk of bending the pin over, causing a bad connection that could damage the op-amp. When this chip-flipping nonsense started, I got quite a few of the a07 amplifiers in with dead channels and other crazy problems. Every time it was because someone had just jammed the chip into the socket and bent over the pins.
Wow! Thank you very much for this thick with unused opamps! I have two ZA3's in mono, at first I swapped opamps (SS3602) in right channel, that made a huge difference. Then I swapped XLR opamps and I definitely could hear difference but it was rather small. And when I've removed all unused opamps, that made a big difference in sound too! Almost as big as swap of first pair of opamps. Vocals became full and open, more air and even wider soundtage, there is no harshness left in the high frequencies. The stock opamps really prevented Sparkos from opening up! Thanks again and best wishes!
thanks for sharing. yes it's funny how it works. that is why I like simple and specialized units. it's not like the signal flow like a water in the pipe, it's more of a electron pulses moving through entire PCB tracks and components. so if the MM pre is not used it should be deactivated if no headphone amp is used it should be out if not ... you get the point of the big integrated circuits ;)
I also have two ZA3's in mono, and I am using only one balanced XLR from each. Which opamps do I need to replace if I want to try the Sparkos? Just the XLR one? And you are suggesting removing all the others? Thanks for your help. :)
@@edthetruth Hi! You need to replace opamps in Right Channel and in the XLR. Sound became more opened when I removed all "unused" opamps (left channel & both sub opamps).
Why would you need to replace the R channel also if you’re using XLR? If you’re only using XLR, you’re not using any other inputs, so you could just remove all of them, right?
Everything sounds amazing. It's all good. I think if I was standing in the live studio that I may here some difference . The play list was excellent. Good choice
This Video was a game changer for me. Two things specifically. The diagram was extremely helpful as I never realized that for stereo mode I needed three SparkOs OpAmps. And the second thing was removing the sub woofer chips. I have not yet received my 2nd ZA3 for Mono Block, but I had received the additional set of SparkOS Op amps. So I did exactly as you recommended and all I can say is wow. Sound is amazing and the clipping stopped as well.
Very interesting and useful video, nice job! So an upgrade path: Buy one ZA3. Replace one chip per channel (Sparkos or whatever). Buy second ZA3. Remove left channel chip from first amp, and put it right channel in second amp. No redundancies (apart from the stock ones), beautiful. I think I'll try that for my 'desktop' setup (the speakers are mounted in the walls :) )
Thank you for your very comprehensive review and instructional video. Very helpful. Your time and efforts to share this with us all are much appreciated.
Definitely hear the difference in detail. I can imagine if any owner of Fosi ZA3 watches your video they will be trying the OP amp subraction that is is they are using mono. Thanks for an informative and straight ahead video.
Batku, it’s not a bad idea to remove 2 sub op-amps and stock them on top of the left channel and XLR op-amps in parallel. Super cheap solution for budget minded guys who won’t be using that useless sub out. ✊🏻👏🏻
As an avid audiophile, I find very useful the info that you post on your channel, and I also appreciate very much the sound samples that you record. Please check and tell me if is just me and my bad hearing capacity, or the recorded level on each channel is slightly different, because I hear in this recording that the right channel sounds a little bit louder than the left channel, not on headphones, but on a stereo hi-fi system. That was not the case in the video posted with comparisons between DMP-A6 / Master Edition and DMP A8.
First track: Better sound, more open with Sparkos. Greater dynamics too. Second: Same Third: Same Fourth: Same PS: with my *modified* KEF Q100 5.25 coaxials in near-field.
The more I listen to your channel, the more I genuinely appreciate all the effort you put in. Only Ron at New record Day on YT also goes to the trouble to play music from Epidemic Sounds, but you tend to include more clips. Kudos and many thanks! 🙂 To my ears, the sound of the dual mono with the Sparkos was noticeably richer and more immersive -- I'd guess over speakers in your room that would translate into more spaciousness and overall engagement. BTW, a short while ago I got a Singxer SU-2 DDC (£399 from Amazon) to improve the sound coming from my laptop. You may recall we had a brief interchange where you said something like an Eversolo would probably sound better than my laptop, but I was reluctant to change from my favoured interface. Well, I'm glad I got the Singxer because it's boosted the sound of my system to an obviously higher level and is only about half the price of an Eversolo. And of course, I get to keep the laptop!
Well, yeah! Different enough to dive into the rabbit hole and purchase some SS3602 op amp modules from Sparkos Labs for my Fosi ZA3!! Thanks for your work in doing this video! 😉👍
@andrews4379 I have a superb headphone amp/preamp that has the wonderful Sparkos SS2590 Pro op amps installed, and so have that Sparkos experience in my setup already. 😊 The sound clip demo in this video was enough to persuade me to make morph of my amplification chain into Sparkos amplification. For me, not really a difficult decision. 😉👍 Happy listening, whatever decision you make for your musical bliss. 🙂👍🎶🎶
Replacing an op amp is more likely to add distortion as the Equipment you have is designed around the opamp inside. Most people don't have enough electronic knowledge to do this. Every mixing desk in the audio chain has gone through hundreds of NE5532. So you put in an unsuitable JFet OPamp in a little box in your living room, you hear some high frequency noise and think it sounds better because you paid more for it, Unless you can test an improvement you are probably making things worse. Plenty of High End audio use Philips / Signetics NE5532 because they are perfect for audio.
From engendering point of view it might be the case, I'm not IC designer but from audiophile point I can clearly hear the difference between opamps and find it valid to change them to EQ the system that way ;)
???? Hang on...aren't operational amps just like any different circuit design or topology!? - that are all designed, developed, adjusted, improved or refined over the years and different from each other! Or have designed to different price and performance points?! ...and therefore like all things....even op amps have also been improved, or made different or made worse!? Therefore they are just interesting options to test and try like trying different tubes, or amp topologies, like valve, solid state, class a/b/d /g discreet, chip or hybrid designs? As they are all subjective variations designed to appeal and suit our different subjective hearing, tastes, preferences and budgets! So sure, for some, NE's are fine op amps ...but objectively and subjectively there are other options that are better....just like everything else!
I really appreciate the effort made in producing this very high quality video. The information and sound provided are excellent. However, while I can hear a slight difference in the opamps, I just don't think the improvement justifies the cost. I really had to focus to hear the difference. I have to wonder if much of that difference is attributable to an increase in gain. I have the Fosi ZA3 and like so many others am amazed at how good it sounds. I'd love to try the Sparkos opamps but based on what I'm hearing here I'm really hesitant.
Actually a good question, is it worth. For me it depends on the track, quality or type of instrument, but I def. noticed a more full or complete sound (body) of instruments and voices. I tried to achieve this with gain (PEQ) but to no avail (can't add what's not there I suppose). Once you hear it, you can't unhear it.. I'm also not in a hurry to replace the opamps, but it's itching. Not only for 'better' sound, but I also like to tweak gear. 😅 Expensive, yes, but also in the eye of the beholder.
Thank you and nice sound track. The difference in real is amazing, ss33602 is a very good investment and if you want a bit more, you should change the power supply Fosi 48V/5A (240W) for a 48v/7A (336W). This amp tuned is awesome.
not so clear, not sure if my mind fools me when I see the name of the opa being changed, but as soon as I close my eyes I can't detect any difference!, please try it yourself.
I did that (always do). With the standard op-amp the soundstage shrinks slightly (listen to the sax.). It gets a bit fuller and wider with the upgraded op-amps. Btw, I'm not listening with a 'high end' headset (BT Sennheiser Momentum 4). To be fair, we can debate what causes this, but something does 😉
I first listened to the video you just did with the gryphon and d'agostino and then listened to this one and both of these sound like there is a blanket over the music.
yes that's because the system had meitner ma3 as a source and tellurium q black cables and make the sound very soft and the tellurium in my opinion adds plenty of body but at a very big cost of midrange detail and energy in the sound.
Is volume pot bypassed in mono mode? If not, is there a way to bypass attenuator for amplifier only function. I ask because it makes no sense to have a volume pot in the signal path while using dedicated preamplifier. Dzieki 👍🏻 Edit By the way, Sparkos offers 15% off on their website when you sign up to their mailing list. And you can do that with every purchase. So pair of those op amps will cost under $70. With shipping to US, about $71.
Please tell me, is it possible to replace the op amp in the DAC, combine them, for example put Sparkos in the I/V cascade, and put LHY Discrete in the LPF? I have a Hifiman Serenade DAC, R2R
Noticeable improvement ,but I'm still very impressed how ZA3 sounds even with the stock OP amps . I will keep the stock OP amps for now (probably will remove only those which are not needed) because the investment for sparcos is significant for me and I,m quite satisfied with the sound even now.
Very interesting. Of course it seems questionable to essentially double the price of an amplifier by using super expensive opamps. But if you have the money to play around with, why not? Personally I wouldn't do it, but to each their own, and of course the Sparkos are extreme examples in terms of price. You can always try cheaper ones and see if you like the difference. There's a lot of options for 2-10 moneys each, all of which are theoretically better than the stock ones. So you can still play around and see (or hear 😅) for very little money.
Great review! As usual, your reviews are great! Question for you. If I want to use only one ZA3 or V3, via RCA cables (no XLR), how many op amps do I need? Only one or a pair? Thank you!
Very well done video, excellent audio quality recordings and a nice playlist. I've heard clearly the differences and seems like those Sparkos are really lifted the amps on another level. Im curious if that sound signature of them is as suitable for more busy and speed music tracks where more are going on, as for the chosen more relaxed easy going playlist used in the video. The reason for asking that is because of my experience such a tunning where the atmosphere sound of the room, the air around of the notes are so beautifully saturated, works great on acoustic and relaxed music, but is the opposite when playing speedy tracks with more instruments playing together as metal, some classics etc.
Thank you for your comment and great question. in simple words I normally listen to way more punchy dynamic music, that I unfortunately cant use due to copyrights and the openness, punch and overall improvement of the sound is next level regardless the music ;)
Hello, Thanks so much for your top quality videos. For me the difference is clearly audible but I'm not sure I prefer this new configuration in fact the midrange is more open and detailed but also a little too much pronounced in top-mid range. And for me it becomes a little aggressive when listening, and It gets tiring after a while compared to the original. Even on these rather soft music. Do others experience the same feeling ?
This might be OK I wanted to step out of the budget sector but if I want to stay in the budget arena then this is not the best choice. For example 2 x Za3 = £300! 4 x Sparkos = £320 Grand total = £620!! Not budget sector and for that money you could buy the Cambridge Audio CXA61 which has a built in dac....
yes if budget is concerned it's not the most cost effective approach and single Fosi V3 is better, but IMO there is no Cambridge amp in the world that can outclass the ZA3
I can confirm this. My stock, single ZA3 sounds much better than the Cambridge amp it is replacing. I have a set of Sparkos that I will eventually install, but even out of the box, the ZA3 has an amazingly detailed sound. Thank you for your videos on this great device!
Thank you for the hint to remove all unused op-amps. Definitely I'll try it when my ZA3s arrive, but for the op-amps I'm going to check the Muses 8820 / 8920 first. Those are about $10 per piece, so later I'll see if additional $70 for Sparcos are justified.
Sure you should try removing all unnecessary ones. Ill do a battle of Obama some time In the future, but when few months ago I bought stacatto ones for the aiyima i also got like 10 normal ones and they were not a match at all. ;)
The muses 8920 are in my aiyima a07 max and they sound great. I don’t think the sparkos are worth spending 160 euros on. They sound great but the muses sound great as well
@@VirtualHiFi You really have one of the best sound quality on CZcams, so I'd love to hear your recordings of various op-amps in ZA3, even if I plan to replace mine within 2 weeks, so most probably before your comparison. If I had 7k EUR speakers (yours sound good :)) I'd go directly for the Sparkos, I'm quite sure they are technically better than e.g. 8920s, the question is what kind of difference I'll be able to hear on my system.
@@tjeerdkruidhof5808 I'm a happy user of the 8820s (in the headphone amp), these are warmer than 8920s. I need to hear ZA3s in my system to decide which way to go - warmer = 8820, neutral = 8920 or Sparkos. I expect that difference between 8920s and Sparkos will be much smaller than between 8920s and the stock op-amps, but maybe I'm wrong or even if that's true it still will be worth extra $$...
Ho comprato il v3 con alimentazione 48v… il suono è molto bello e morbido, l’unica cosa che posso notare è il palcoscenico non molto ampio e i dettagli che sono un po’ poco evidenti… hai provato anche il muse e opa? Quale consiglieresti? Dovrei anche abbinare un dac perché sembra che il v3 abbia bisogno di un ingresso con più guadagno
I'd protect the finish with blue tape then use two spoons on opposite sides of the knob to remove. Fit tip of spoon under knob the then push down on handles evenly.
I clearly hear the difference and I absolutely think it sounds more open with the Sparkos. Just ordered a pair for my two ZA3s. Just one question. There are some comments in ASR forum and others that the result is due to 2db increase in volume. Could you please elaborate about that? Thanks for a good channel :)
Unless that was confirmed by measurements, I would heavily doubt that. Different opamps of the same compatible type do NOT have different gain - that is entirely determined by the surrounding circuit. Specifically, gain of the whole circuit around one opamp is set by the relations of resistors. Those do not change when you replace opamps.
which preamp you recommend for this dual monoblocks set? Is it really need to buy two of them? Is one to small in power? Soarkos opamp is just the only one ir ut myst be special type for this amolifier?
I found the sound widened and lifted whenever the Sparkos kicked in. More airy and rich sounding. With some songs I preferred the more focussed sound of the originals. A cheap option for making the ZA3 more crisp may be the opa627 dual. They are about 10 euros a piece. I am also wondering how well the ZA3 will work with Staccato opamps.
Hello thanks for the comment. Yes later on I'll try some opamp wars with more options. Fosi and staccato is basically a no go. They are too high to fit inside and unlike aiyma A07 enclosure is an aluminium radiator so it can't be working without the box unless one get rids of the box entirely and put the food on some kind of copper or aluminum radiator
Hi there, thanks for your video and tutorial. Great stuff. I have a question please: If I want to use XLR AND I also have 2 subs that I want to connect (1 to each ZA3), do I also need to change the Op amps for the sub channel? Or can i keep the standard op amp that comes with the ZA3 for the subs? Also, by removing the stock op amps from the left channel (as per your advice), will this affect the circuitry and paths on the board from allowing the subs to work? Thank you
Didn't the Sparkos make the sound louder? If so, that by itself will lead to it sounding better, as we tend to prefer slightly louder. If they were level matched, though, it doesn't follow that there would be any improvement. There might be, but so far we don't know.
I had similar results with my two ZA3s and Sparkos opamps. I felt there certainly was an improvement, but to be fair the stock opamps are still pretty good. However, when i put my P3 back in the chain, i found it really closed up the sound stage and seemed to take away all the benefits brought by the Sparkos like air and width. Needless to say the P3 has since been sold . This setup really needs to be clean and simple for best results 🙂
Do you find that the sparkos has recessed vocals? I added it to my xd05 pro, and compared to the stock op amps OPA and LME, the vocals sound veiled to me. The sparkos adds smoothness and amazing layering and soundstage depth, you lose vocal clarity. I listen to a lot of kpop girl groups, so i want the vocals to pop and be crystal clear, but the sparkos has an effect where it dulls the vocals and makes it kind of husky.
Wow, the Sparkos Op-amp upgrade makes a very noticeable improvement in the overall sound quality. They should make the amps with these Op-amps right from the factory! I'd like to hear sound samples of your upgraded Fosi amps with some high-end class A/AB amps. In your earlier videos, I perceived more natural vocals and instrument sounds with the non-class D amps you sampled. I wonder if you've closed the gap with this upgrade?
making Sparkos Op amp by default would double the price, defeat the purpose of having something cheap and affordable, a pair of ZA3 with Sparkos upgrade would run you almost $400USD (that's after the 15% discount), at this price point there are a lot of people who rather buy a name brand integrated amplifier be it used or new instead.
@@Benjamin-nm4jd That is all true, unless, the Fosi with Sparkos can compete even more effectively against amps costing $500-5000. I could see a “premium” lineup from Fosi with these new components having potential.
Replacing opams is easy and it's true, they would have to do a rebranding to go for a big boys market. And I like the niche they are in. One can get great amp at few hundred bucks
If I want to use 1 subwoofer, can I leave the sub opamps in one of the amps and connect the sub to that amp? In this dual mono setup, I will only get one channel to the sub? If so how to connect 1 sub to a dual mono setup? Best regards Toby
Is there possible to use indual mono mode XLR only and therefore replacing and using only a pair of Sparkos, one for each amplifier in the socket corresponding to the XLR? I am not a huge RCA fan. Thank you in advance.
Replacing only the XLR chip, means you're keeping the original 5532 preamp chip rather than replacing it with Sparkos chip. And that preamp chip probably accounts for most of the change in sound, even more so than the XLR.
Hi. Could you compare the Sparkos SS3602 with the Burton V7 Vivid and give your opinion on the sound of these two op-amps. I would like to buy one of these options and am wondering which is better for me
Isn't this amp bridged when using mono? If so you would need both channels. I mean I guess it would be noticable, but I guess it would only need one preamp so thats probalby why the second opamp isn't needed. I'd have to see a schematic.
I wonder if the mic placement was a bit off or something since the sound balance appears tilted to the right in all the music samples? Didn't find that in your earlier videos, nor where you speak. Still, I can hear the difference. I switched the OpAmps to Sparkos' in my ZA3 and was not disappointed - definitely better depth of soundstage (more 3D) vs. the TI's. Anyway, big thanks for the comparison videos - they're really helpful if one is trying to understand if/how the equipment sounds differ. 👍
yes I moved the mics further apart to balance everything to sound as close to the what I hear in the room as possible, but also there is a new DAC now - it's Holo Audio May and it's awesome ;)
Thank you for the tricks. Your playlist is marvellous too and I add a lot of tracks on my favourites one. I noticed you changed your setup and replaced the Weiss audio dac by the holo. It sounds great too. It's little bit different. did you ever hear about 3DLAB brand? It seems they manufactured very good DAC and streamers but I never could hear how they sound. Maybe one day you may have opportunity to let them hear them. Thank you so much for your videos. It is always a pleasure😊
I get where the test is coming from but the audio recording is hitting the limiters so hard you cannot possibly hear the dynamics realistically. In a test like this - surely no compression should be added to the audio of the video
Have you matched the sound levels? Sparkos sound significantly louder at same volume, to me, which may be due to its more forward, dynamic sound, but it also may actually be producing higher gain possibly? When I match the volume relative to the female vocal range, then the initial impression of huge differences in sound becomes less pronounced, and I can see how bright systems may even prefer the darker/creamier Original Fosi, but for my tastes the Sparkos has more life, projection, density, and punch.
Hello Yes I always level match using pink noise and SPL meter. The precision is around 0.5 db so inn the end they can be in a worst case scenario 1db difference
Great video, made me take my Fosi ZA3 back out to open it up and tinker with it. Are you using the balanced XLR inputs with the ZA3 in your tests? Or RCA?
Difference was night and day. @Sparkos upgrade was open and airy, Just how I like my music to be. Clearly to appreciate the difference you need a good/better system. I am looking at adding to my new V3 monos, ordered on @kickstarter, when they ship in June. (Connect via XLR) would be good to know how to max use of these OpAmps? Brilliant video. Thanks.
Thank you for sharing your comment. I believe you will be very happy with the v3. I already tested them in my most recent video. You will need 6 sparkos for 2 v3 monos ;)
Would you be able to pick the sound of the Sparkos op amp in a blind test? How noticeable is the difference on a scale of 1 being slightly noticeable 10 being extremely noticeable?
Hi, appreciate all the work that goes into making a video like this so thank you 🙏 I have a pair of ZA3 as monoblocs and was waiting for your video on the sparkos before making the upgrade. Can you let us know what your setup is for doing this test? E.g. Dac / music source etc.
No problem 👍 It's Qualio IQ speakers Auralic Aries g2.2 streamer Holo Audio May KTE DAC Audiomica excellence USB Cable IC and speaker cables made by me OCC copper FOSI Za3 dual mono and sparkos Opamps
Thank you for sharing. If we will only use mono mode with RCA connection, no sub, does it mean we only keep opamp at socket "L-OPAMP" and remove all 4 other opamps?
Hello...the ZA3 is a bridge amplifier even in stereo mode, however switching it to mono places it parallel bridge mode. That is why you have to use both positive speaker posts in mono mode.
@@larryjohnson9019 Yes it is a BTL amplifier even in stereo mode. You were also correct about PBTL. But look at the back of the amp ... it's marked, showing the two right channel binding posts for mono.
Very informative, thanks! Got two ZA3’s and removed left opamps and did manage to smear a bit off the grease, hope this won’t affect that one unit. Also, can you tell me if I should take out the subwoofer out opamp as I’m not using that connection. I do however have my passive subwoofer connected to both ZA3’s, and my main speaker cables are connected to and through my subwoofer. Your advice would be apppreciated.
If you are using High level input on the sub(run parallel speaker cables from amp speaker outputs to the sub) , you can take out sub opamps as well. Let me know how it worked out for you :)
Okay, this what I courageously did yesterday and removed all four subwoofer opamps and there is markable increase in stage width and depth. Definitely worth doing.@@VirtualHiFi
Thank you for the informative video. Can you please make video comparing this amp against the Eversolo amp, so we can decide which way to go, then if we were to go the Fosi route then this video will be useful. I know Burson Audio has released new op amps as well. The Burson Audio op amps are very well reviewed as well. Can you change the op amps for the Eversolo amp? Thank you.
Jestem niezwykle ciekaw, jak przebiegną Pana testy z xlrami :) Ze swojej strony mogę napisać, że mam już ten test za sobą i w przypadku mojego zestawu różnica jest większa niż przy testach sparkos vs ne5532 na rca. Dzięki za świetny materiał. Pozdrawiam!
Witham, tak też już słuchałem i no cóż teraz będę składał full Balanced preamp. Film pewnie nagram jakoś w kwietniu, ale genearlnie XLR robią świetną robotę :) Żeby test był jak najbliższy obiektywnie muszę dokończyć swoje kable XLR z tym samym kablem co RCA i wtedy nie będzie samej różnicy w kablu :)
Thank you very much for you great reviews. Please have you tried TI LM4562NA OPA? These are so cheap and Audiophonics marks them as the most transparent OPA and use them in their new amp with new Purifi 1ET9040BA module
i'm curious - someone mentioned on a forum that the recordings with the sparkos op amps in the amps were 2db louder than the same passages recorded with the stock op amps. graphs were shown. (does youtube not allow links to be posted? my prior post about this had a link to the graphs, and my post disappeared.) comments are appreciated. doug s.
I always adjust the volume using pink noise and spl meter. Pink noise averages the volume across very wide spectrum and I'm able to match the volume to around 0.5db If the recordings are louder - I also have such an impression IMO the sound character difference - more open and pronounced midrange comes from something - louder midrange so yes there will be a difference.
@@VirtualHiFi - that's why i asked the question - the graphs are of recordings of the same musical passage; the measurements for the passage w/the sparkos op amps installed are consistently 2db louder that w/the stock op amps installed. maybe his recordings are not correct? doug s.
Hello Sir! You are not right in your description of changing op amps. In Mono Mode you are right. Only the op amp of the right channel must be changed. But this is not only for RCA. This is for XLR too! Because this op amps "Left" and "Right" are for audio output! The op amp in the "XLR Slot" is n o t for output and has n o t to be changed!!! This op amp is only for inverting the uninverted signal to filter out interferences - what XLR is for. If you change this op amp in the "XLR Slot" you get more space in your money bag - nothing more! BTW: To take the other op amps out and leave the slots empty and to say this would improve something is absolutely bullshit!
Good question! I had Purifi here for some time and I liked the Aiyma A07 more for the magical musicality and midrange, and I believe the Fosi is a little biot less dynamic, but even more musical so we have this answered. For the AB amps well Check out this video and let me know ;) - czcams.com/video/LWft9BX0fLQ/video.html This amp is stupid good to the point where with the right speakers It's going to be hard to find anything good unless the price for the am gets close to a new car ;)
So guys, i bought the v3 to test and hooked it up last night and i love it. Then bam, the za3 magically became available on amazon tge same night so i bought two, arriving tomorrow. I would tend to want to try further modding than the opamps. Im definitely getting some binding posts (klei) but i would also wonder about things like bypassing the volume control, disconnecting any unused features (extra inputs etc...) and upgrading resistors and capacitors. Some kf that is easy, but since i dont know much about circut boards, do you think its possible to disable volume control and have it set to maximum, and maintain the on/off? Think thats possible? I figured you would know G.
Congrats A. :) Yes I would go for opmps, to start with and leave it at that for now. With ZA3 give them 200 Hours of break in the sound will change a lot since at the begining they are very sluggish. The Fosi is working on v3 monoblocks and that is worth waiting for and than deciding to choose the best one and selling the others and ust upgrading the best potential candidate. So go with the opams now :)
I have ordered the ZA3, I am only going to use it on my desktop as a near field. After watching a multitude of videos about the product, I have a question, the next time I spend, do you recommend that I buy another ZA3 to configure both as mono, or that I buy two Sparkos chips and have it as stereo?
The 2nd amp for mono also has its own benefit. The parallel mono amps see 4 ohm speakers as 8 ohm, so they're easier to drive with double the current output.
hi greg! i'm curious if you've tried the fosi and aiyima amps on the cube audio speakers, and what you think of that pairing. single driver speakers, but not the most efficient, while certainly more efficient than average... thanks! doug s.
Hi, well, fullrange speakers with amps of high damping factor do not show their max since they like loose amp control. While standard speaker drivers have magnetic field in the gap that push the voice coil at the level of 1 Tesla, and hence like to good control from the amp to jest the cone at bay, the fuller age drivers like Cube had field of 1.8-2 Tesla and hence all class A amps are great since they have a small damping factor. So generally full range drivers love A class amplifiers whether it's Tube or not ;)
@@VirtualHiFi- well, I'm not sure of the tesla level of the full range driver tang band w8-1772, but the aiyima a07 max amp sounds better than the tube almarro a205a mkii single ended tube amp, and the solid state class-a pass f2 clone amp, (and also the tube mesa baron amp), that I was using previously. So I was just wondering if you tried one of these 3255 amps on the cube audio speakers. doug s.
No. You'd still be listening to the original NE5532 preamp chip. You need to change out the single NE5532 preamp chip on the right channel, for Sparkos chip.
Hi there! I like your videos. Can you try some other op amp like BB1656? I have already changed and I think that they are very good choice. Two ZA3 with two Omron 48v 5A blow my head out. Thanks again for your videos
@@VirtualHiFi - i installed akliam lc2 op amps in my aiyima a07 max to great effect. the reviews on akliam's website swayed me over the muses02 i was considering; most preferred the akliam. one person even preferred it to the sparkos op amp. of course these are tall, and won't fit inside the cases; i had to fab a case for my a07 max. i had posted a link to pics, but my post got deleted - are links not allowed? doug s.
Good morning, a super amazing Video thank you so much. Has anyone tried the BURSON Op amps? Or have experience with the V6 Classic or V6 Vivid. They have just pre released the V7 being in Australia I wonder if they are as good as Sparkos. Thank you so much for your insights.
Thank you for your comment. I am planning to record Opamp Wars with many different opamps so that there is a good reference for all of us ;) Wasnt aware about the v7 ones ;) I'll try to get them as well ;)
I had to listen hard to hearthe differences but there are some, the Sparkos sounded more open with a wider sound stage I guess in the room you will be hearing this much more profoundly, a great video and some nice music
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@VirtualHiFi, Hello. Could you upload uncompressed samples with two opamps?
The difference is very pronounced, the Sparkos upgrade added a lot of weight to the overall sound profile, both male and female vocals are more open, thicker, a little more forward, wider and deeper soundstage. Instruments like Piano and Saxophone are also much more live-like, the Sparkos adds a lot of warmth to the tonality. It seems like this upgrade is a must for those running the ZA3 with very harsh and bright speakers, or listening to less than ideal recording, the upgrade certainly would smooth out and tame down some of the harshness. Quite a substantial and transformative upgrade I'd say, most definitely worth it. In direct comparison, the standard/OEM opamp came off quite thin, hallow, compressed, and sharp, the Sparkos pretty much set free the soul of the amp and open it up.
100%
@@danielbrrio I'm wondering if this Sparkos Opamp would give the same kind of sound quality improvement for the TB10D, A07, A08, and A07 Pro Max....this $80 Sparkos Opamp cost more than the TB10D and A07. lol
@@Benjamin-nm4jd - i installed akliam lc2 op amps in my aiyima a07 max to great effect. the reviews on akliam's website swayed me over the muses02 i was considering; most preferred the akliam. one person even preferred it to the sparkos op amp.
of course these are tall, and won't fit inside the cases; i had to fab a case for my a07 max. (i had posted a link to pics, but my post got deleted - are links not allowed?)
@@doofus4568 What improvement and difference did you notice with the akliam opams over the standard one from A07 max?
Just use tube, sparko is too expensive
Thanks for showing the proper way to align the opend to the socket. I watched a few other channels, you are the 1st to cover the details.
You need to take that one step further. You also need to use a magnifier to ensure the tip of each pin is correctly lined up with the hole at the bottom of the gold spot on the socket. If you do not, there is a high risk of bending the pin over, causing a bad connection that could damage the op-amp.
When this chip-flipping nonsense started, I got quite a few of the a07 amplifiers in with dead channels and other crazy problems. Every time it was because someone had just jammed the chip into the socket and bent over the pins.
Wow! Thank you very much for this thick with unused opamps!
I have two ZA3's in mono, at first I swapped opamps (SS3602) in right channel, that made a huge difference.
Then I swapped XLR opamps and I definitely could hear difference but it was rather small.
And when I've removed all unused opamps, that made a big difference in sound too! Almost as big as swap of first pair of opamps.
Vocals became full and open, more air and even wider soundtage, there is no harshness left in the high frequencies.
The stock opamps really prevented Sparkos from opening up!
Thanks again and best wishes!
thanks for sharing. yes it's funny how it works. that is why I like simple and specialized units. it's not like the signal flow like a water in the pipe, it's more of a electron pulses moving through entire PCB tracks and components. so if the MM pre is not used it should be deactivated if no headphone amp is used it should be out if not ... you get the point of the big integrated circuits ;)
I also have two ZA3's in mono, and I am using only one balanced XLR from each. Which opamps do I need to replace if I want to try the Sparkos? Just the XLR one? And you are suggesting removing all the others? Thanks for your help. :)
@@edthetruth Hi! You need to replace opamps in Right Channel and in the XLR. Sound became more opened when I removed all "unused" opamps (left channel & both sub opamps).
@@RomanBagdasarovso to confirm, for XLR you need 2 opamps for each mono unit? One for the channel and one for the XLR?
Why would you need to replace the R channel also if you’re using XLR? If you’re only using XLR, you’re not using any other inputs, so you could just remove all of them, right?
La diferencia es muy apreciable. Muchas gracias por hacer este vídeo.
Everything sounds amazing. It's all good. I think if I was standing in the live studio that I may here some difference . The play list was excellent. Good choice
This Video was a game changer for me. Two things specifically. The diagram was extremely helpful as I never realized that for stereo mode I needed three SparkOs OpAmps. And the second thing was removing the sub woofer chips. I have not yet received my 2nd ZA3 for Mono Block, but I had received the additional set of SparkOS Op amps. So I did exactly as you recommended and all I can say is wow. Sound is amazing and the clipping stopped as well.
Very interesting and useful video, nice job! So an upgrade path: Buy one ZA3. Replace one chip per channel (Sparkos or whatever). Buy second ZA3. Remove left channel chip from first amp, and put it right channel in second amp. No redundancies (apart from the stock ones), beautiful. I think I'll try that for my 'desktop' setup (the speakers are mounted in the walls :) )
Thank you for your very comprehensive review and instructional video. Very helpful. Your time and efforts to share this with us all are much appreciated.
Definitely hear the difference in detail. I can imagine if any owner of Fosi ZA3 watches your video they will be trying the OP amp subraction that is is they are using mono. Thanks for an informative and straight ahead video.
Batku, it’s not a bad idea to remove 2 sub op-amps and stock them on top of the left channel and XLR op-amps in parallel. Super cheap solution for budget minded guys who won’t be using that useless sub out. ✊🏻👏🏻
As an avid audiophile, I find very useful the info that you post on your channel, and I also appreciate very much the sound samples that you record. Please check and tell me if is just me and my bad hearing capacity, or the recorded level on each channel is slightly different, because I hear in this recording that the right channel sounds a little bit louder than the left channel, not on headphones, but on a stereo hi-fi system. That was not the case in the video posted with comparisons between DMP-A6 / Master Edition and DMP A8.
First track: Better sound, more open with Sparkos. Greater dynamics too.
Second: Same
Third: Same
Fourth: Same
PS: with my *modified* KEF Q100 5.25 coaxials in near-field.
The more I listen to your channel, the more I genuinely appreciate all the effort you put in. Only Ron at New record Day on YT also goes to the trouble to play music from Epidemic Sounds, but you tend to include more clips. Kudos and many thanks! 🙂
To my ears, the sound of the dual mono with the Sparkos was noticeably richer and more immersive -- I'd guess over speakers in your room that would translate into more spaciousness and overall engagement.
BTW, a short while ago I got a Singxer SU-2 DDC (£399 from Amazon) to improve the sound coming from my laptop. You may recall we had a brief interchange where you said something like an Eversolo would probably sound better than my laptop, but I was reluctant to change from my favoured interface. Well, I'm glad I got the Singxer because it's boosted the sound of my system to an obviously higher level and is only about half the price of an Eversolo. And of course, I get to keep the laptop!
Thank you for your comment and sharing your experience. Yes Laptop sound can be improved so why now do it ;)
if I use 2x ZA3 AMP as Mono block for each speaker. Do I need upgrade OPAMP both left-righ CH / each amp ? or just need right channel for each AMP ?
would it make more sense buying and A B class amp instead of putting so much money into a D class amp? i have a Geshelli dac with xlr sparkos
Well, yeah! Different enough to dive into the rabbit hole and purchase some SS3602 op amp modules from Sparkos Labs for my Fosi ZA3!! Thanks for your work in doing this video! 😉👍
Thanks for sharing! You'd be very happy for sure. It's exactly what the amps need imo ;)
How much dou you need them?
@andrews4379 I have a superb headphone amp/preamp that has the wonderful Sparkos SS2590 Pro op amps installed, and so have that Sparkos experience in my setup already. 😊 The sound clip demo in this video was enough to persuade me to make morph of my amplification chain into Sparkos amplification. For me, not really a difficult decision. 😉👍 Happy listening, whatever decision you make for your musical bliss. 🙂👍🎶🎶
Replacing an op amp is more likely to add distortion as the Equipment you have is designed around the opamp inside. Most people don't have enough electronic knowledge to do this. Every mixing desk in the audio chain has gone through hundreds of NE5532. So you put in an unsuitable JFet OPamp in a little box in your living room, you hear some high frequency noise and think it sounds better because you paid more for it, Unless you can test an improvement you are probably making things worse. Plenty of High End audio use Philips / Signetics NE5532 because they are perfect for audio.
From engendering point of view it might be the case, I'm not IC designer but from audiophile point I can clearly hear the difference between opamps and find it valid to change them to EQ the system that way ;)
???? Hang on...aren't operational amps just like any different circuit design or topology!? - that are all designed, developed, adjusted, improved or refined over the years and different from each other! Or have designed to different price and performance points?!
...and therefore like all things....even op amps have also been improved, or made different or made worse!?
Therefore they are just interesting options to test and try like trying different tubes, or amp topologies, like valve, solid state, class a/b/d /g discreet, chip or hybrid designs? As they are all subjective variations designed to appeal and suit our different subjective hearing, tastes, preferences and budgets!
So sure, for some, NE's are fine op amps ...but objectively and subjectively there are other options that are better....just like everything else!
I really appreciate the effort made in producing this very high quality video. The information and sound provided are excellent. However, while I can hear a slight difference in the opamps, I just don't think the improvement justifies the cost. I really had to focus to hear the difference. I have to wonder if much of that difference is attributable to an increase in gain. I have the Fosi ZA3 and like so many others am amazed at how good it sounds. I'd love to try the Sparkos opamps but based on what I'm hearing here I'm really hesitant.
Actually a good question, is it worth. For me it depends on the track, quality or type of instrument, but I def. noticed a more full or complete sound (body) of instruments and voices. I tried to achieve this with gain (PEQ) but to no avail (can't add what's not there I suppose). Once you hear it, you can't unhear it.. I'm also not in a hurry to replace the opamps, but it's itching. Not only for 'better' sound, but I also like to tweak gear. 😅
Expensive, yes, but also in the eye of the beholder.
The difference isn't subtile, didn't expect that... Thanks for the practical tips re. swapping opamps 👊
My pleasure ;)
Thank you and nice sound track. The difference in real is amazing, ss33602 is a very good investment and if you want a bit more, you should change the power supply Fosi 48V/5A (240W) for a 48v/7A (336W). This amp tuned is awesome.
Thanks for the tips! :)
I subscribed because of excellent recording.
not so clear, not sure if my mind fools me when I see the name of the opa being changed, but as soon as I close my eyes I can't detect any difference!, please try it yourself.
I did that (always do). With the standard op-amp the soundstage shrinks slightly (listen to the sax.). It gets a bit fuller and wider with the upgraded op-amps. Btw, I'm not listening with a 'high end' headset (BT Sennheiser Momentum 4). To be fair, we can debate what causes this, but something does 😉
I first listened to the video you just did with the gryphon and d'agostino and then listened to this one and both of these sound like there is a blanket over the music.
yes that's because the system had meitner ma3 as a source and tellurium q black cables and make the sound very soft and the tellurium in my opinion adds plenty of body but at a very big cost of midrange detail and energy in the sound.
Is volume pot bypassed in mono mode? If not, is there a way to bypass attenuator for amplifier only function. I ask because it makes no sense to have a volume pot in the signal path while using dedicated preamplifier. Dzieki 👍🏻
Edit
By the way, Sparkos offers 15% off on their website when you sign up to their mailing list. And you can do that with every purchase. So pair of those op amps will cost under $70. With shipping to US, about $71.
Please tell me, is it possible to replace the op amp in the DAC, combine them, for example put Sparkos in the I/V cascade, and put LHY Discrete in the LPF?
I have a Hifiman Serenade DAC, R2R
Noticeable improvement ,but I'm still very impressed how ZA3 sounds even with the stock OP amps . I will keep the stock OP amps for now (probably will remove only those which are not needed) because the investment for sparcos is significant for me and I,m quite satisfied with the sound even now.
Very interesting. Of course it seems questionable to essentially double the price of an amplifier by using super expensive opamps. But if you have the money to play around with, why not? Personally I wouldn't do it, but to each their own, and of course the Sparkos are extreme examples in terms of price. You can always try cheaper ones and see if you like the difference. There's a lot of options for 2-10 moneys each, all of which are theoretically better than the stock ones. So you can still play around and see (or hear 😅) for very little money.
Great review! As usual, your reviews are great! Question for you. If I want to use only one ZA3 or V3, via RCA cables (no XLR), how many op amps do I need? Only one or a pair? Thank you!
Very well done video, excellent audio quality recordings and a nice playlist. I've heard clearly the differences and seems like those Sparkos are really lifted the amps on another level. Im curious if that sound signature of them is as suitable for more busy and speed music tracks where more are going on, as for the chosen more relaxed easy going playlist used in the video. The reason for asking that is because of my experience such a tunning where the atmosphere sound of the room, the air around of the notes are so beautifully saturated, works great on acoustic and relaxed music, but is the opposite when playing speedy tracks with more instruments playing together as metal, some classics etc.
Thank you for your comment and great question. in simple words I normally listen to way more punchy dynamic music, that I unfortunately cant use due to copyrights and the openness, punch and overall improvement of the sound is next level regardless the music ;)
Hello, Thanks so much for your top quality videos. For me the difference is clearly audible but I'm not sure I prefer this new configuration in fact the midrange is more open and detailed but also a little too much pronounced in top-mid range. And for me it becomes a little aggressive when listening, and It gets tiring after a while compared to the original. Even on these rather soft music.
Do others experience the same feeling ?
Acoustics and tweeters could be the issue too.
When i use ZA3 , XLR inputs, i leave XLR op amp chip and remove other chips?
I just ordered the LPS A6 in my opinion any electronics with a linear power supply is always a better choice!
Congrats 🎉
This might be OK I wanted to step out of the budget sector but if I want to stay in the budget arena then this is not the best choice. For example 2 x Za3 = £300! 4 x Sparkos = £320 Grand total = £620!! Not budget sector and for that money you could buy the Cambridge Audio CXA61 which has a built in dac....
yes if budget is concerned it's not the most cost effective approach and single Fosi V3 is better, but IMO there is no Cambridge amp in the world that can outclass the ZA3
I can confirm this. My stock, single ZA3 sounds much better than the Cambridge amp it is replacing. I have a set of Sparkos that I will eventually install, but even out of the box, the ZA3 has an amazingly detailed sound. Thank you for your videos on this great device!
I love that Fosi is currently killing many famous name brand products at a fraction of the price. What a good time to live for those into audio😊
Thank you for the hint to remove all unused op-amps. Definitely I'll try it when my ZA3s arrive, but for the op-amps I'm going to check the Muses 8820 / 8920 first. Those are about $10 per piece, so later I'll see if additional $70 for Sparcos are justified.
Sure you should try removing all unnecessary ones. Ill do a battle of Obama some time In the future, but when few months ago I bought stacatto ones for the aiyima i also got like 10 normal ones and they were not a match at all. ;)
The muses 8920 are in my aiyima a07 max and they sound great. I don’t think the sparkos are worth spending 160 euros on. They sound great but the muses sound great as well
@@VirtualHiFi You really have one of the best sound quality on CZcams, so I'd love to hear your recordings of various op-amps in ZA3, even if I plan to replace mine within 2 weeks, so most probably before your comparison. If I had 7k EUR speakers (yours sound good :)) I'd go directly for the Sparkos, I'm quite sure they are technically better than e.g. 8920s, the question is what kind of difference I'll be able to hear on my system.
@@tjeerdkruidhof5808 I'm a happy user of the 8820s (in the headphone amp), these are warmer than 8920s. I need to hear ZA3s in my system to decide which way to go - warmer = 8820, neutral = 8920 or Sparkos. I expect that difference between 8920s and Sparkos will be much smaller than between 8920s and the stock op-amps, but maybe I'm wrong or even if that's true it still will be worth extra $$...
@@przemekmarciniak8007 no i totally agree
Ho comprato il v3 con alimentazione 48v… il suono è molto bello e morbido, l’unica cosa che posso notare è il palcoscenico non molto ampio e i dettagli che sono un po’ poco evidenti… hai provato anche il muse e opa? Quale consiglieresti? Dovrei anche abbinare un dac perché sembra che il v3 abbia bisogno di un ingresso con più guadagno
great video! did you already tested the BURSON AUDIO V7 VIVID PRO ?
Hello how did you try the fois audio za3 muses03 op amp sound? i'm really curious about this, are there any friends who have tried it?
16:03 i can hear the differences . thanks for great video
My pleasure ;)
Hello, when I configure the za3 amplifier as a monomono with xlr cable, do you mean that I can remove the sub side and the 3 left opamp?
Sparkos really open up the sound they also seem louder But I like the original op amps too. Killer sound.
Thank you for sharing your findings and superb feedback ;)
If I only use XLR, can I then only install one Op amp (for the XLR) and can ignore the other two?
I'd protect the finish with blue tape then use two spoons on opposite sides of the knob to remove. Fit tip of spoon under knob the then push down on handles evenly.
Thanks for sharing. Great way to do that for sure ;)
@@VirtualHiFi I picked it up from guitar techs taking off hard to remove knobs on guitars where protecting the finish is important.
I clearly hear the difference and I absolutely think it sounds more open with the Sparkos. Just ordered a pair for my two ZA3s. Just one question. There are some comments in ASR forum and others that the result is due to 2db increase in volume. Could you please elaborate about that?
Thanks for a good channel :)
Unless that was confirmed by measurements, I would heavily doubt that. Different opamps of the same compatible type do NOT have different gain - that is entirely determined by the surrounding circuit. Specifically, gain of the whole circuit around one opamp is set by the relations of resistors. Those do not change when you replace opamps.
If you want proper fact Class A sparkos is your option
There 1 other brand off shelf option but they aren’t as stable
très belles explications, merci
Oh good job it sounds so good and the bass sounds so perfect from my end beautiful thanku good job
Thank you very much as well ;)
which preamp you recommend for this dual monoblocks set?
Is it really need to buy two of them? Is one to small in power?
Soarkos opamp is just the only one ir ut myst be special type for this amolifier?
Momentary i use a wonderful sounding SMSL AO200 MK2 Amp.
Do U think the ZA3 in Stereo and with 2x Sparkos OP Amps, is the better
Amp?
I found the sound widened and lifted whenever the Sparkos kicked in. More airy and rich sounding. With some songs I preferred the more focussed sound of the originals. A cheap option for making the ZA3 more crisp may be the opa627 dual. They are about 10 euros a piece. I am also wondering how well the ZA3 will work with Staccato opamps.
Hello thanks for the comment.
Yes later on I'll try some opamp wars with more options. Fosi and staccato is basically a no go. They are too high to fit inside and unlike aiyma A07 enclosure is an aluminium radiator so it can't be working without the box unless one get rids of the box entirely and put the food on some kind of copper or aluminum radiator
Hi there, thanks for your video and tutorial. Great stuff. I have a question please: If I want to use XLR AND I also have 2 subs that I want to connect (1 to each ZA3), do I also need to change the Op amps for the sub channel? Or can i keep the standard op amp that comes with the ZA3 for the subs? Also, by removing the stock op amps from the left channel (as per your advice), will this affect the circuitry and paths on the board from allowing the subs to work? Thank you
Didn't the Sparkos make the sound louder? If so, that by itself will lead to it sounding better, as we tend to prefer slightly louder. If they were level matched, though, it doesn't follow that there would be any improvement. There might be, but so far we don't know.
It seems that its louder, but it puts more volume on the midrange and thats where it being louder comes from in my opinion :)
I had similar results with my two ZA3s and Sparkos opamps. I felt there certainly was an improvement, but to be fair the stock opamps are still pretty good. However, when i put my P3 back in the chain, i found it really closed up the sound stage and seemed to take away all the benefits brought by the Sparkos like air and width. Needless to say the P3 has since been sold . This setup really needs to be clean and simple for best results 🙂
Do you find that the sparkos has recessed vocals? I added it to my xd05 pro, and compared to the stock op amps OPA and LME, the vocals sound veiled to me. The sparkos adds smoothness and amazing layering and soundstage depth, you lose vocal clarity. I listen to a lot of kpop girl groups, so i want the vocals to pop and be crystal clear, but the sparkos has an effect where it dulls the vocals and makes it kind of husky.
Wow, the Sparkos Op-amp upgrade makes a very noticeable improvement in the overall sound quality. They should make the amps with these Op-amps right from the factory! I'd like to hear sound samples of your upgraded Fosi amps with some high-end class A/AB amps. In your earlier videos, I perceived more natural vocals and instrument sounds with the non-class D amps you sampled. I wonder if you've closed the gap with this upgrade?
making Sparkos Op amp by default would double the price, defeat the purpose of having something cheap and affordable, a pair of ZA3 with Sparkos upgrade would run you almost $400USD (that's after the 15% discount), at this price point there are a lot of people who rather buy a name brand integrated amplifier be it used or new instead.
@@Benjamin-nm4jd That is all true, unless, the Fosi with Sparkos can compete even more effectively against amps costing $500-5000. I could see a “premium” lineup from Fosi with these new components having potential.
Replacing opams is easy and it's true, they would have to do a rebranding to go for a big boys market. And I like the niche they are in. One can get great amp at few hundred bucks
Bei Sparkos Opamp Betrieb wird der Hintergrund besser ausgeleuchtet.Das Piano glänzt mehr.
Very nice! Thanks for sharing.
If I want to use 1 subwoofer, can I leave the sub opamps in one of the amps and connect the sub to that amp? In this dual mono setup, I will only get one channel to the sub? If so how to connect 1 sub to a dual mono setup?
Best regards Toby
Is there possible to use indual mono mode XLR only and therefore replacing and using only a pair of Sparkos, one for each amplifier in the socket corresponding to the XLR? I am not a huge RCA fan. Thank you in advance.
Replacing only the XLR chip, means you're keeping the original 5532 preamp chip rather than replacing it with Sparkos chip. And that preamp chip probably accounts for most of the change in sound, even more so than the XLR.
Hi. Could you compare the Sparkos SS3602 with the Burton V7 Vivid and give your opinion on the sound of these two op-amps. I would like to buy one of these options and am wondering which is better for me
Just done it here - czcams.com/video/kNDX7SCN6Jc/video.html
Isn't this amp bridged when using mono? If so you would need both channels. I mean I guess it would be noticable, but I guess it would only need one preamp so thats probalby why the second opamp isn't needed. I'd have to see a schematic.
I wonder if the mic placement was a bit off or something since the sound balance appears tilted to the right in all the music samples? Didn't find that in your earlier videos, nor where you speak. Still, I can hear the difference. I switched the OpAmps to Sparkos' in my ZA3 and was not disappointed - definitely better depth of soundstage (more 3D) vs. the TI's. Anyway, big thanks for the comparison videos - they're really helpful if one is trying to understand if/how the equipment sounds differ. 👍
yes I moved the mics further apart to balance everything to sound as close to the what I hear in the room as possible, but also there is a new DAC now - it's Holo Audio May and it's awesome ;)
Thank you for the tricks. Your playlist is marvellous too and I add a lot of tracks on my favourites one. I noticed you changed your setup and replaced the Weiss audio dac by the holo. It sounds great too. It's little bit different. did you ever hear about 3DLAB brand? It seems they manufactured very good DAC and streamers but I never could hear how they sound. Maybe one day you may have opportunity to let them hear them. Thank you so much for your videos. It is always a pleasure😊
I have agd audion amps and Qualio speakers but I think after this demo I’ll try the fossi amps.
I get where the test is coming from but the audio recording is hitting the limiters so hard you cannot possibly hear the dynamics realistically. In a test like this - surely no compression should be added to the audio of the video
Great test tracks, thanks.
Hello, Is Fosi Audio ZA3 muses 03 opamp compatible?
Have you matched the sound levels? Sparkos sound significantly louder at same volume, to me, which may be due to its more forward, dynamic sound, but it also may actually be producing higher gain possibly? When I match the volume relative to the female vocal range, then the initial impression of huge differences in sound becomes less pronounced, and I can see how bright systems may even prefer the darker/creamier Original Fosi, but for my tastes the Sparkos has more life, projection, density, and punch.
Hello Yes I always level match using pink noise and SPL meter. The precision is around 0.5 db so inn the end they can be in a worst case scenario 1db difference
Great video, made me take my Fosi ZA3 back out to open it up and tinker with it. Are you using the balanced XLR inputs with the ZA3 in your tests? Or RCA?
At the moment RCA but I'll swich to XLR once I have my cables ready :)
Zastanawiam się tylko po co XLR w tak tanim urządzeniu i jaki ma to wpływ na brzmienie
A Dlaczego nie, na XLR jest żywiej i lepsza kontrola a RCA jest spokojniej i bardziej analogowo :)
Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it
Difference was night and day. @Sparkos upgrade was open and airy, Just how I like my music to be. Clearly to appreciate the difference you need a good/better system. I am looking at adding to my new V3 monos, ordered on @kickstarter, when they ship in June. (Connect via XLR) would be good to know how to max use of these OpAmps? Brilliant video. Thanks.
Thank you for sharing your comment. I believe you will be very happy with the v3. I already tested them in my most recent video. You will need 6 sparkos for 2 v3 monos ;)
Would you be able to pick the sound of the Sparkos op amp in a blind test?
How noticeable is the difference on a scale of
1 being slightly noticeable
10 being extremely noticeable?
I'd say a 9 for sure 😊
Hi, appreciate all the work that goes into making a video like this so thank you 🙏
I have a pair of ZA3 as monoblocs and was waiting for your video on the sparkos before making the upgrade.
Can you let us know what your setup is for doing this test? E.g. Dac / music source etc.
No problem 👍
It's Qualio IQ speakers
Auralic Aries g2.2 streamer
Holo Audio May KTE DAC
Audiomica excellence USB Cable
IC and speaker cables made by me OCC copper
FOSI Za3 dual mono and sparkos Opamps
Thank you for this great review. I was wondering if you compared 2 ZA3 + stock op-amp with 1 ZA3 + Sparkos?
Thank you for sharing. If we will only use mono mode with RCA connection, no sub, does it mean we only keep opamp at socket "L-OPAMP" and remove all 4 other opamps?
You have to keep R op amp for mono mode
Zaciekawiłeś mnie tymi wzmacniaczami,czy to zagra na poziomie Supernait 3 ?a może lepiej?
To jest integra czy końcówka?
Ja mojego Supernaita sprzedaje bo uważam że fosi po wymianie opa gra lepiej.
@@VirtualHiFi
Jako pojedynczy czy jako dual mono?
Trzeba dwoma potencjometrami głośności regulować czy jednym?
@@VirtualHiFi
Różnica między opampami ogromna
nice.. i really love it. za3 + sparkos par with class ab amp😊
Hello...the ZA3 is a bridge amplifier even in stereo mode, however switching it to mono places it parallel bridge mode. That is why you have to use both positive speaker posts in mono mode.
Not in this case. Read the ZA3 instructions... you use only the right channel binding posts.
Hello Blake thanks for correcting, we missed that @@Douglas_Blake_579
However the amp is still a bridge design...thank again
I have to ask at the fosi :)
@@larryjohnson9019
Yes it is a BTL amplifier even in stereo mode.
You were also correct about PBTL.
But look at the back of the amp ... it's marked, showing the two right channel binding posts for mono.
Are you using an pre Amp or what's your set up?
Very informative, thanks! Got two ZA3’s and removed left opamps and did manage to smear a bit off the grease, hope this won’t affect that one unit. Also, can you tell me if I should take out the subwoofer out opamp as I’m not using that connection. I do however have my passive subwoofer connected to both ZA3’s, and my main speaker cables are connected to and through my subwoofer. Your advice would be apppreciated.
If you are using High level input on the sub(run parallel speaker cables from amp speaker outputs to the sub) , you can take out sub opamps as well. Let me know how it worked out for you :)
Okay, this what I courageously did yesterday and removed all four subwoofer opamps and there is markable increase in stage width and depth. Definitely worth doing.@@VirtualHiFi
Please help, if I use XLR and stereo mode, how many OPA should I change to 1 or 3? Thanks
Thank you for the informative video. Can you please make video comparing this amp against the Eversolo amp, so we can decide which way to go, then if we were to go the Fosi route then this video will be useful. I know Burson Audio has released new op amps as well. The Burson Audio op amps are very well reviewed as well. Can you change the op amps for the Eversolo amp? Thank you.
Jestem niezwykle ciekaw, jak przebiegną Pana testy z xlrami :) Ze swojej strony mogę napisać, że mam już ten test za sobą i w przypadku mojego zestawu różnica jest większa niż przy testach sparkos vs ne5532 na rca. Dzięki za świetny materiał. Pozdrawiam!
Witham, tak też już słuchałem i no cóż teraz będę składał full Balanced preamp. Film pewnie nagram jakoś w kwietniu, ale genearlnie XLR robią świetną robotę :) Żeby test był jak najbliższy obiektywnie muszę dokończyć swoje kable XLR z tym samym kablem co RCA i wtedy nie będzie samej różnicy w kablu :)
Thank you very much for you great reviews. Please have you tried TI LM4562NA OPA? These are so cheap and Audiophonics marks them as the most transparent OPA and use them in their new amp with new Purifi 1ET9040BA module
Thanks for your feedback :)
I'll try to test them when I'll do a Opamp wars ;)
i'm curious - someone mentioned on a forum that the recordings with the sparkos op amps in the amps were 2db louder than the same passages recorded with the stock op amps. graphs were shown. (does youtube not allow links to be posted? my prior post about this had a link to the graphs, and my post disappeared.)
comments are appreciated.
doug s.
I always adjust the volume using pink noise and spl meter. Pink noise averages the volume across very wide spectrum and I'm able to match the volume to around 0.5db
If the recordings are louder - I also have such an impression IMO the sound character difference - more open and pronounced midrange comes from something - louder midrange so yes there will be a difference.
@@VirtualHiFi - that's why i asked the question - the graphs are of recordings of the same musical passage; the measurements for the passage w/the sparkos op amps installed are consistently 2db louder that w/the stock op amps installed.
maybe his recordings are not correct?
doug s.
Hello Sir! You are not right in your description of changing op amps. In Mono Mode you are right. Only the op amp of the right channel must be changed. But this is not only for RCA. This is for XLR too! Because this op amps "Left" and "Right" are for audio output! The op amp in the "XLR Slot" is n o t for output and has n o t to be changed!!! This op amp is only for inverting the uninverted signal to filter out interferences - what XLR is for.
If you change this op amp in the "XLR Slot" you get more space in your money bag - nothing more! BTW: To take the other op amps out and leave the slots empty and to say this would improve something is absolutely bullshit!
Hello! What do you think, how could this Fosi be rated in terms of sound compared to, for example, Purifi or a very good AB amplifier?
Good question!
I had Purifi here for some time and I liked the Aiyma A07 more for the magical musicality and midrange, and I believe the Fosi is a little biot less dynamic, but even more musical so we have this answered.
For the AB amps well Check out this video and let me know ;) - czcams.com/video/LWft9BX0fLQ/video.html
This amp is stupid good to the point where with the right speakers It's going to be hard to find anything good unless the price for the am gets close to a new car ;)
Because I have a very good ASR Emitter 1 amplifier, I ordered a few from FOSI anyway:) Let's see if they're any good against it...@@VirtualHiFi
So guys, i bought the v3 to test and hooked it up last night and i love it. Then bam, the za3 magically became available on amazon tge same night so i bought two, arriving tomorrow.
I would tend to want to try further modding than the opamps. Im definitely getting some binding posts (klei) but i would also wonder about things like bypassing the volume control, disconnecting any unused features (extra inputs etc...) and upgrading resistors and capacitors.
Some kf that is easy, but since i dont know much about circut boards, do you think its possible to disable volume control and have it set to maximum, and maintain the on/off? Think thats possible? I figured you would know G.
Congrats A. :)
Yes I would go for opmps, to start with and leave it at that for now. With ZA3 give them 200 Hours of break in the sound will change a lot since at the begining they are very sluggish.
The Fosi is working on v3 monoblocks and that is worth waiting for and than deciding to choose the best one and selling the others and ust upgrading the best potential candidate.
So go with the opams now :)
@@VirtualHiFi ok that makes a lot of sense, about the v3 mono blocks. I'll wait before doing anything too involved.
I have ordered the ZA3, I am only going to use it on my desktop as a near field. After watching a multitude of videos about the product, I have a question, the next time I spend, do you recommend that I buy another ZA3 to configure both as mono, or that I buy two Sparkos chips and have it as stereo?
That is an interesting question. I'd go for the second amp first. And you can buy few even few buck opamps to have fun in te meantime :)
The 2nd amp for mono also has its own benefit. The parallel mono amps see 4 ohm speakers as 8 ohm, so they're easier to drive with double the current output.
I think the sound is more natural without the opamps, they add a little more space to the sound but in some recordings it sounds a little artificial.
Thank you for sharing your opinion ;)
hi greg!
i'm curious if you've tried the fosi and aiyima amps on the cube audio speakers, and what you think of that pairing. single driver speakers, but not the most efficient, while certainly more efficient than average...
thanks!
doug s.
Hi, well,
fullrange speakers with amps of high damping factor do not show their max since they like loose amp control.
While standard speaker drivers have magnetic field in the gap that push the voice coil at the level of 1 Tesla, and hence like to good control from the amp to jest the cone at bay, the fuller age drivers like Cube had field of 1.8-2 Tesla and hence all class A amps are great since they have a small damping factor.
So generally full range drivers love A class amplifiers whether it's Tube or not ;)
@@VirtualHiFi- well, I'm not sure of the tesla level of the full range driver tang band w8-1772, but the aiyima a07 max amp sounds better than the tube almarro a205a mkii single ended tube amp, and the solid state class-a pass f2 clone amp, (and also the tube mesa baron amp), that I was using previously. So I was just wondering if you tried one of these 3255 amps on the cube audio speakers.
doug s.
That's a cool idea. I'll test it against the Tekron 211 amp that is really good sounding one on a Cube Speaker ;) as added to the to do list ;)
If you use it as a mono block with XLR input you only have to swap the XLR Opamp?
No. You'd still be listening to the original NE5532 preamp chip. You need to change out the single NE5532 preamp chip on the right channel, for Sparkos chip.
@@geevee1045Tank you
Is dual mono mod Stereo to?
Can you do the same comparison for a07 max?
Hi there! I like your videos. Can you try some other op amp like BB1656? I have already changed and I think that they are very good choice. Two ZA3 with two Omron 48v 5A blow my head out. Thanks again for your videos
Thanks for sharing. I'll try to do opamp wars soon ;)
Please also try some reviews of some Chinese made discrete opamps. 😉👍 would love an honest review on those as well
Interesting. Do you have any particular in mind ?
@@VirtualHiFi EQ100 EQ200 on Ali SA100 / SA200
@@VirtualHiFi - i installed akliam lc2 op amps in my aiyima a07 max to great effect. the reviews on akliam's website swayed me over the muses02 i was considering; most preferred the akliam. one person even preferred it to the sparkos op amp.
of course these are tall, and won't fit inside the cases; i had to fab a case for my a07 max. i had posted a link to pics, but my post got deleted - are links not allowed?
doug s.
@@VirtualHiFi yeah there are some on the known Chinese websites. EQ100
How is the Fois Audio ZA3 muses02 opamp sound? would you recommend muses02?
i should be getting the muses02 opamp pair i ordered from fosi next week. ill let you know how they compare to the stock opamps.
@@Apocrypha303ok, i bought muses02 from digikey.
Good morning, a super amazing Video thank you so much. Has anyone tried the BURSON Op amps? Or have experience with the V6 Classic or V6 Vivid. They have just pre released the V7 being in Australia I wonder if they are as good as Sparkos. Thank you so much for your insights.
Thank you for your comment. I am planning to record Opamp Wars with many different opamps so that there is a good reference for all of us ;) Wasnt aware about the v7 ones ;) I'll try to get them as well ;)
That's awesome news I cant wait to hear the sound test and your comments, the V7 is so very new pre orders only opened this week@@VirtualHiFi
I had to listen hard to hearthe differences but there are some, the Sparkos sounded more open with a wider sound stage I guess in the room you will be hearing this much more profoundly, a great video and some nice music
Thanks for the comment. Yes it's exactly like that. More open spacious energetic and definitely not relaxed it goes for a concert sound character ;)
I agree. Espcially on the monsoons track and the following ones. Wood and skin is more 3D with the sparkos.