Sparkos vs Burson V7 Hi Fi Audio Op Amp Shootout!

[@geardawg1358]

I grabbed a set of V7 classics, they were recently 25% off, I've just got an Ayima 07, just the plain cheap version, started with a pair of Burr Brown, costed $8 for a pair noticeable upgrade in all regards, then the V7 classics, very noticeable and pleasant change! next time there is a sale I'll grab the vivids, I would say Burson describes the changes they make pretty well! I've just 3d printed a spacer for the lid.

[@GoggleAX]

I just grabbed a set on sale as well, which vendor was your sale through?

[@thepracticalaudiophile]

Being 61, I understand your memory. Great way to A/B them. Plus, thank you for saving me time and money. I have the Geshelli J2S DAC with the Sparkos S3602 upgrades in both the balanced and SE outputs. I heard so much fluff about the Burson V7s. I was ready to spring for a pair. I trust your judgment and be happy with what I already have.

[@paulcaruthers9647]

I installed the Sparkos Labs Op amp in my dac, Though I didn't perceive anything wrong with it when the stock op amp was in it, the better sound quality of the Sparkos revealed itself literally with the first note of the first song I played. I would never put the stock op amp back in.

[@phillipmorris9847]

Good stuff, thank you

[@charlesnr]

There is a reason for height that I used a Burson 5I which even with a soic to DIP adaptor if needed is low enough to fit smaller chassis.

[@JohnScheppler]

That sounds like a great way to test them. Great Job

[@reidabney2915]

I use sparkles app in my old tube dac I bought used and boy what a difference

[@allenwalters8812]

They make a couple different solutions to make the opamps fit. There's a 90 degree adapter that lays it sideways and one with wires.

[@dungysphincter7974]

Great video! Thank you!

[@DericChristensen]

burson makes extenders for 20 a pair to put their op amps in anything. works for all op amps and you can bend to fit anything

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Can you share a link for everyone? I looked for something like that, and didn't see it on their site.

[@MrBenherrmann]

I guess the biggest surprise is, knowing how small of a package the V3 Mono's are, how did you even get the V7 vivid op amps to fit (in otherwords, did they fit and you were able to put the covers back on? Also, did you experience more heat coming from the cases with the V7 Vivid's and the Sparkos Labs versions? I've found that with my V3 Mono's, when I added the Sparkos Labs, my amps got so much hotter (too hot for my tastes).

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

yup case fit right on. but it was CLOSE! Interesting about the heat, I'll have to keep an eye on that.

[@boborman5537]

Love your stuff great job

[@NealBlanchard-db5tz]

I own a Sparko's Aries and it is a iron fist in a velvet glove

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Nice to hear!! Everything I have demo'd from them has been top shelf!

[@ToobTime]

Neat! But it seems to me that you could have just removed the front knob and remove the pot nuts and then slide the whole assembly out. Anyway, great video!

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

As I said in the comments and in the follow up video, the knob was stuck on really tight, I didn't want to break it and did it this way. If I had tried too hard and broke the shaft off people would say "Why did you try to take the knob off?" lol But yes the knob does come off, it has a metal shaft and won't easily break like I had on one amp years ago that had a plastic shaft and it broke off.

[@thelowprofile9767]

Say 'Hi' to Dolly. 😊

[@WoodandSteel]

I've got the Burson vivid in my Burson Playmate 2 love em. Tried the Sparkos a little too much air for me. Both are killers compared to the stock chips in most equipment.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

I could see where in some devices/speaker/room etc the burson would sound better. It's cool there are choices!

[@GoggleAX]

@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics Well said, and strongly agree

[@fx-studio]

None of the discrete opamps are fast enough for good clarity at the high end. They can hold a candle to the OPA828 because of the high 150uS slew rate. But many people can't seem to hear high frequency detail so it doesn't matter to them - an NE5532 from 1970 sounds about the same to them.

[@enricolisk1357]

V7 Classic is better suited for hours of home listening, especially if your speakers have a healthy top end or forward presenting speakers. The V7 is like enjoying 4th of July, up in a hot air balloon. Very vivid in deed, but you tend to miss the depth & breath of the gigantic presentation. All IMO.

[@yuknasty1013]

I’m glad you are not full of shit ! Thank You

[@mikevincent6332]

With respect, this is just subjective. Why not properly analyze the chips for THD / slew rate / clipping etc?

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Because I listen to Hi Fi gear. Feel free to study it if you'd rather :)

[@kineahora8736]

Subjective but blind and controlled. Most people prefer the sparkos over everything, while I’ve been watching…

[@59seank]

I just watched the 5 part series on the " 807 Single Ended Amplifier Project" by the ElPaso TubeAmps channel. I mention this because I figure most folks who watch this channel might find it interesting. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gH6ygXiioZuAo8k

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Have to check that one out!

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

High end discrete op amps, you can say that again, $128.00 AU dollars each. But more education, thankyou. I still associate "them" tubes with gas filled incandescent light bulbs. Not sure how they amplify. 🌏🇦🇺