Vista Audio Spark II Review! Beautiful sound from a little box!

[@sashacolic2427]

Spot on Sean! Actually, my first encounter with Zero Fidelity was a Vista Spark V1 review, years ago and that is still epic :) By living in Belgrade, Serbia I can offer my take on the audiophile gear made here: Its a small and passionate community, purist, hand made with high-quality parts, point to point wiring and amazing value! For example, Vista audio toroidal transformer is hand winded by Serbian high-end brand - Trafomatic Audio, then there are others like RAAL, Soulines, Karan Acoustics, Auris audio, Korato, Solaja audio, Acoustic Invader, NN acoustics, Dayens... Mostly is consumer direct and you get to deal with the designer itself with some of them providing a lifetime warranty. Audiophile market is rich with flavors with enough juice to keep everyone happy!

[@ZeroFidelity]

Thanks for sharing! I tend to absolutely love Serbian gear! One day, I'll need to take a journey over there. To this date, my favorite SS gear is from Karan Acoustics.

[@sashacolic2427]

@@ZeroFidelity You’re welcome any time! Did I hear someone has an obsession with "The Karan, king of integrated"? No way :) Thanx for years of trustworthy content you've shared with us. Peace out!

[@rickg8015]

Audial too..

[@GusdeHbg]

Dayens make goods amps too, Belgrade is a very cool city!

[@C--A]

@@ZeroFidelity Nice to see you reviewing HiFi gear from countries not really known for producing good audio equipment. And not just from the main countries USA, or UK where I'm from. My new class D power stereo amplifier is from Bulgaria. 100w 4ohms, 60w 8ohms, very high build quality and very high sound performance. Virtually no colouration and completely transparent throughout the frequency range. Massive toroidal with a sophisticated dual power supply. The two founder's have many years of experience previously working in the implication of equipment for various radio stations in Europe. Plus over a decade of experience producing recording studio quality consumer speakers.

[@audiorick841]

Buddy, I really like your comparison sections at the end. Don’t stop those 👊🏻

[@Atlquotl]

I'm still wondering who gets this far through one of his videos and goes "naaah I don't need no stinking comparison!!"

[@padree.t.3520]

Thank you for your review of the Spark II and comparison with the IOTAVX. Now I have the Spark II on my shopping list since I am looking for an integrated amplifier for my office space for near field / and or desktop listening in a smaller room.

[@sebastianpolcyn6358]

Your reviews of those off-the beaten-path gems like Vista Audio are my favourites from you - worth it for learning of their existence alone. Needless to say, great review as well, as usual. I'm actually considering this for a secondary system, just not sure about the speaker pairing. Luckily, the thing is so small I might just go ahead and buy it, then simply carry it to a dealer and audition a couple of candidates over it, which is cool!

[@ZeroFidelity]

Thanks! haha I remember doing something like that many years ago. Just prepare for the store owner being hesitant about you hooking up that little unknown box to their speakers. :D

[@markcarrington8565]

Hi Sean, great review, thanks for posting. Remember a little amp called the NAD 3020? That started life with 20wpc and went on to become possibly the most famous hi-fi amp of all time. It was £79.99 when is came out over 40 years ago, so probably in the same bracket today. So hey, sometimes twenty is plenty! 😄

[@ibdam1]

Thank you for the review. I’ve been looking for the correct Integrated Amplifier for my listening setup for months. Sir, your detailed reviews are THE BEST.

[@ZeroFidelity]

Thanks!

[@ZeroFidelity]

This is like a rave review, but not really, but kinda... Anyway, I forgot to mention something important: The Spark II almost behaves like a tube amp in the sense that it tends to sound best after you leave it on for a good 30 minutes. Every time. Also, in case you didn't see the text in my review, the Spark II carries a price tag of $389. And remember, before you buy, keep your expectations realistic. While the Spark II can offer great performance for the buck and is *absolutely* my favorite desktop solution for the cash - don't expect it to be a giant killer. Nothing is.

[@svalbard01]

Have you tried the Spark II with your (assuming you still have them) P3ESRs in nearfield? If yes, is it almost as good as with the Heed (I remember you saying that combo was your fave a while back for nearfield)? Thanks for the review!

[@ZeroFidelity]

@@svalbard01 I prefer the Heed / P3 combo regardless of the situation. This is to be expected though. A musical $389 integrated stands no real chance against a musical $1,500 (or whatever it is now) integrated. That's like expecting a stock Ford Fiesta to have the same quarter mile time as a Mustang GT.

[@mosfet500]

That looks like a chip amp to me!

[@ArthaxtaDaVince777]

Douk Audio M1 pro is like 50-60 WPC and only 100 bucks and its sounds good too. While this $400 amp is an overpriced piece of junk.

[@mosfet500]

@Trevor What are you basing that on? His strengths and weaknesses are all you're getting. Is he using science? DB tests? Where's a graph of his hearing spectrum. Do we know if his hearing drops off at 15khz? No. I'm trying to teach you guys to be objective. People evaluate products without science and this is exactly why audio is such a mess. It totally lacks science and is built on opinion. Tomorrow someone else will say something else, someone tells you you need $1k speaker cables and your equipment will sound better. What are you using to evaluate all these opinions? Why is he the one you trust? How exactly did that happen? It's called critical thinking.

[@deepcuttabeats356]

I bought this amp based on your review and I am Sooooooooooo pleased. You’re spot on.

[@stevenp9555]

Nobody does better. Excellence top class reviewer rating 10/10 .

[@ZeroFidelity]

There are plenty of great reviewers, but I appreciate your kind words all the same. :)

[@NeilBlanchard]

Your comment about the revision extending the high frequency, high enough to get a clean(er) square wave at 20kHz, grabbed my attention. This aspect is how we get clean(er) transients - the "attack" of percussive instruments in particular, is how this affects the music we hear. Piano, percussion, strummed and plucked and struck strings, are all going to sound better with good transient response. This is also why many Class D amps lack this kind of sound quality - by definition, their low pass filters that are required to get rid of the high frequency switching noise generated by their switching power supplies.

[@Ceko]

Man you make me so curious about this thing! I’d love to buy this beauty just to see what you’re talking about!

[@NathanBily]

I’m selling mine, just bought it for my dad and he said he already bought his own integrated amp. The Spark II compared to my Rotel makes everything smoother, both micro and macro dynamics. It’s almost like the sound of Dynaudio speakers, there is this smooth controlled dynamics thing going on with it. Super listenable over long stretches of time, I can see why people are going nuts for it.

[@TorToroPorco]

I think gear heads can appreciate the design philosophy of this integrated amp and its execution. Of course given its limitations it’s somewhat of a niche product but in a small space with the right speakers it sounds like an excellent entry point for an audiophile system or for someone who’s on a budget. Personally I could see this in a second / third stereo unit that would go into my home office space.

[@ZeroFidelity]

You got it!

[@medonk12rs]

Your reviews are amongst the best on YT. Cheers!

[@kyb4649]

Finally, a long awaited review has landed on ZF! It's time to make a decision now. Do you think the Spark ii is a good match with single fullrange speakers like Omegas?

[@ZeroFidelity]

It should make for a good match, but I cannot say for sure. Haven't tried it.

[@al201103]

I might catch some fire for this, but....about that China comment. Absolutely fair enough, some people want to choose products made in America, or Germany, or wherever. And I'll happily concede that there are some products made in China where low price takes priority over good quality. However, I want to say that a) there are some fantastic products coming out of China (Fiio being the obvious example, but there are more). Also, b) there are going to be some people (admittedly it might be a small number) who do not subscribe to the anti-China sentiment and who may be put off by that very specific point. Obviously, I am one of those (UK born, white, lived in China for 17 or so years)! Really like your channel and your content. I guess just putting it out there that you can make clear that components come from one country without specifying that they DON'T come from another - delivering the information one group will want in order to purchase happily, without potentially ostracising another. Of course, your channel, you can say whatever you want! Just offering another perspective in the hopes it's helpful!

[@ZeroFidelity]

Thanks for sharing your perspective in a lucid and respectful way. A rarity, in my experience! Your point is well taken. The funny thing is that I review tons of gear from China and frequently ban people who get downright ignorant about it in the comments section. Hell, I will soon review a product that I'm SURE will ruffle some culturalist feathers. :D

[@sean870523]

You are entirely entitled to your honest opinion Sean. With the coronavirus killing hundreds of thousands of people, passage of the Hong Kong national security law, the internment camp in Xinjiang, the persecution of Tibetan religious leaders, the sword rattling around Taiwan, yes Sean you were 100% correct in saying that some of us will appreciate the fact that none of the components in the box are sourced from China. I, as someone from Taiwan, which has been the subject of China's military muscle flexing over the years, can absolutely appreciate any effort to prevent adding to China's economic clout, which ultimately emboldens Beijing when committing violations of human rights and forwards its agenda to establish a hegemony over other nations. Yes, there are good products that are made in China, but there are more even better products that are NOT MADE IN CHINA. When I choose a product, I obviously choose quality, but I also look at the larger picture and the value it represents.

[@editorjuno]

@@sean870523 -- I can certainly appreciate your position, because my elder son and his family live in HK and I'm very concerned for my grandson's future if they don't get out soon. That said, it's becoming very hard to find audio products that don't have at least some Chinese-made content, including those bearing famous American, European, Japanese, and Korean brand names -- and it's pretty much impossible at the low end of price spectrum, where the rest of the world has pretty much conceded that China is the only place to go when it comes the actual manufacturing processes involved in that sort of product. Even "high-end" companies like PS Audio have turned to Chinese contract manufacturing when it comes to their sub-$1K audio gear, as per the incentives and priorities of capitalism -- so, unless your pockets are very deep, having at least some of the money you spend on audio equipment eventually wind up in the PRC is pretty much unavoidable.

[@ridirefain6606]

Another great review. Direct, detailed, yet succinct. Nice job.

[@tomheath5361]

Thanks for the great review, I took the plunge and purchased a spark paired with klipsch rp160 (pre 600). I upgraded from a vintage NAD 3020. Pairs really nicely, very detailed, pick out so much more from the music. The mids are delicious, thanks for the nudge

[@DavidMartinez-fg1hh]

I paired the original Spark with some Omega 3i monitors and I love it! Curious about this one.

[@hi-fihaven2257]

Hi Sean! I think that little guy is built better than my car! I love that toroidal transformer. That gloss black finish, and the minimalist look just catches my eye. I think that I need one! Love the rear panel, just the stuff that you need. I love that is has a removable power cord. The price tag is awesome, my wife will especially appreciate that. LOL Mondorfs awesome. Nice design in the heat sink department. Desk top application for me. Laid back on the dark side of neutral got my antennas up, great for my desk top application. Great review as always. Have great one man!

[@ZeroFidelity]

Sweet! If you get one, then I hope you enjoy it!

[@Chris.from.1950]

Love the work you do, Sean. If I were in a place to buy hardware right now, it would definitely be something like this! I picked up a pair of early '90s Klipsch KG3.2s just before the Coronavirus Shutdown started, and would LOVE to hear them powered by the Vista Spark, were it not for the fact that my almost-50-year-old Sansui integrated amp still sounds so good! (One note though... "Vista is also an English word. Pronounce as so. In English it is pronounced like "pit". Not like "bee".") All the best!

[@erikquinn707]

Great review, and appears could be awesome option for some, and I like the audio quality you detailed it can have, but for me it's too niche and not enough wattage for what I'm trying to accomplish. Thank you, love the channel, excellent honest reviews that gets straight to the point and the good stuff we want to hear.

[@ZeroFidelity]

Thanks Erik. Yep, this is a niche solution for sure. Keep huntin!

[@doctordorkmeister5330]

Rega just came out with the IO which is a very similar all analog box with the same form factor. Rega does have a remote control. That would be a sound quality comparison i would be interested in learning about.

[@fernandocoutinho6661]

Just received the Spark II a couple of days ago. Can't comment on the Rega IO but I have the Brio 2017 and it's an interesting comparison. I am using Proac Tablette sig 10. The Brio can through a party and has great pace. Moving back and fourth between the two, the spark is more delicate, has more clarity and feels way less coloured. Low to moderate levels it sounds like a high-end amplifier and beats the Brio sound quality wise. Tried to play Beethoven 9 symphony at moderately high volume and the spark couldn't keep the pace...felt like a 90 year old senior trying to run. My reference amplifier is the Luxman mq-88uc with nos mallards ecc82&83 and what strikes me is that the Spark sounds more similar to the Luxman (5,000usd) than the Brio (999usd) but what it gives you, it gives in small amount. The Brio feels better built. Will post some videos and comparison in a few weeks.

[@doctordorkmeister5330]

@@fernandocoutinho6661 Thanks for the info, yo. That's about what i would have expected. I have a 1959 motorola EL84 push pull with the original mullards and understand the angelic sound you're probably talking about. Someday i hope to sit down with a rega, and get a feel for the sound signature. I always heard good things.

[@GusdeHbg]

Nice, I had have this for 1 week now, it is great.

[@ZeroFidelity]

Congrats!

[@NickP333]

Sean man, that review was really good. I don’t know how ya do it, dude. Thanks! 🎶✌️🔊💜🎵

[@PGHJR002]

How would you this to compare to a Musical Paradise 301MKlll for sound quality, @similar pricepoints?

[@ZeroFidelity]

Wouldn't know. If Thomas ever expressed interest in reviewing the Spark II, he could share his impressions.

[@mehmetcamat4458]

You mentioned that vista sounded great with the Borea BR03s. I have a pair of BR03s and I paired them with a similar type of amp which is Rega IO and to me they match pretty well. Rega IO is also warm sounding and very transparent integrated amplifier. The BR03s sound very good especially with vocals as well as jazz music. You can get yourself into the rhythm and pace

[@iettord3124]

Funny, I also have the Bro3 and was looking at rega IO or Vista spark 2. Maybe the iota vx? Of spend some more om a Wilsenton r7? Or vintage Sansui. Or... Crap.

[@mehmetcamat4458]

@@iettord3124 yeah? I can definitely recommend Rega IO. I have even tried Rega IO with Harbeth Compact 7 and I sounded pretty good with the Hartbeths as well. I heard the harbeths with Jadis i35 tube amp which is a much more expensive amp believe me the Rega IO was performing pretty pretty good when compared to Jadis

[@rvbsoundfactory]

Good looking amp. You sold it quite well to. Love quality over quantity. My speakers are 85dB efficiency so not that super cozy. I do like to play around With speaker placement, sometimes as close as 2 to 3' feet. Thanks for the review, deathly keep their amp in mind.

[@BIZJAMIN]

Wonderful work on the review. This seems like a great "sweetspot" simple amp. NOW the question I have is... What is the Simple DAC that compliments this AMP? Thanks.

[@jeffadams9699]

Well…. I almost pulled the trigger on a used V1 Spark for $200 until you mentioned the refined and more natural treble. In the V2. That completely sold me. V2 it is.

[@johnnixon2504]

Digging the up grades to your presentation.

[@AvneeshDwivedi]

There is something beautiful about the simplicity of the Spark! There is some debate about the sensitivity of Klipsch RP-600M. Would you recommend the Spark with those bookshelf speakers? Thank you in advance! :)

[@ZeroFidelity]

The RP600Ms are a touch less sensitive than the specs would lead you to believe. Having said that, they are still very easy speakers to drive. The Spark II should have no problems with em'.

[@BG-ig6fd]

@@ZeroFidelity Would the Spark pair well with Wharfedale D210s? It would be for the bedroom.....no loud volumes. Thanks for the great reviews on this little amp.

[@marcus1970]

Seems like a nice performing, inexpensive, simple integrated amp, ideal to pair with an inexpensive dac and a phono stage.. Clear upgrade path right there..... Im not even in the market for such a unit..... But great video from start to end.. 👍🏻

[@67spankadelik]

I've been on the fence on picking one of these up. The new and improved is definitely a get. Plenty of power for my Klipsch speakers.

[@ZeroFidelity]

Hope you like it!

[@kimweonill]

As always, thanks for the great review, Sean. I have a small but important question: Is the transducer in the Vista Audio Spark II quiet enough for desktop use? In the past, I set up a desk-fi with the Cambridge Audio AXA85 integrated amplifier. While I loved the sound, I had to sell it because there was always small but noticeable noise (especially at night) coming out of the transducers after using it for about an hour. I contacted the official local tech support for assistance, and they mentioned it was only natural for any Class AB amplifiers using transducers. If a smaller amplifier like the Audio Spark II doesn't have that issue, I would love to give it a shot!

[@sudipdutt9699]

Would love to hear your evaluation of Rega research IO amp. Thanks

[@ZeroFidelity]

I doubt I'll get one from the US distributor. A shame, as the IO looks like an interesting entry in the sub 1k market.

[@peterserrano9320]

your review of the Spark sounds very enticing...I am using BW Matrix 805s with 87 db efficiency @ 8 ohm and carbon fiber speaker cones...do you think the sonic magic will come thru ?

[@BG-ig6fd]

So the Spark would not be a great pairing with Wharfedale D210 small bookshelf speakers, that are 86 db and 8 ohms? Trying to understand.

[@BartholomewSmutz]

According to what he said it wouldn't be a good match. He recommends 90DB sensitivity speakers or higher.

[@stevec3526]

So how does the Spark II compare with the Rega io?

[@peterpixo]

you have a lot of favorite amps in that category already :)

[@amusikpoem1071]

Nice review, Sean...interesting camera angles...I was wondering where's your face at the beginning of the video...and it's good to see that tag on the toroidal transformer doesn't say "NOT OK", lol...it's a pretty little amp and could be a great desktop solution or one for a small space like a bedroom...it could kickass with high efficient speakers in a larger room.

[@ZeroFidelity]

That's funny. I thought the same exact thing. :D.

[@amusikpoem1071]

@@ZeroFidelity LOL...

[@louiesipes2257]

Sean I just realized you wrote for Affordable Audio. Saw it on the review section on Vistas website. I loved that site. Where did all the reviews go? Lost in the ether? Anyway, did you review the Ascend Acoustics Sierra? I bought a pair after reading a review there.

[@ZeroFidelity]

Yep. I assume that at some point, whoever was put in charge of the publication was tired of paying the bills for something that died long ago. And yeah, I reviewed the Sierras for Affordable Audio. Small world huh? :D.

[@mict3588]

I have this in a small listening area with some Audel Nika speakers and a simple little Auris Pro. Sounds fantastic!

[@bertroost1675]

How small?

[@andrewcale6100]

Hi Sean, How does it compare to the Sprout II (or is that another price range)? Also a great desktop app + more.

[@ZeroFidelity]

Check out my review of the Sprout II. It's a totally different sound. In a desktop application, I'd take the Vista Audio over the PS Audio integrated all day long.

[@jackprick9797]

Any change you can get your hands on a Rega IO amp for review?

[@Rickzolla]

The "output transistor" looks a lot like a chip amp.

[@mosfet500]

Me too, another reviewer fooled by a $5 chip!Remember when Stereophile got fooled by $3k, LM3886 amp? I do!

[@wa2368]

Not to mention that it looks butt ugly.

[@bukwok]

@@mosfet500 LM3886 really not bad. that kind of chip amp simple and easy to understand how it work,understand how to modify to change sound,good fun for diy. that amp looks like a 4766.

[@GusdeHbg]

@@mosfet500 can you have a chip amp in a class AB amp? isn't the chip amp for calss D ones?

[@mosfet500]

@@GusdeHbg No, chips designed for AB like LM3886 and the LM1875 are not class D. Class D is an entirely different circuit typology where a high frequency (above human hearing) passes a signal through a composite metal core at high efficiencies. Transistor AB amps basically split a signal into to halves using two transistors to process each half of the signal. Efficiencies are lower so you need larger heat sinks to dissipate that heat. Notice in the picture of the inside of this amp the heat sinks required for just 20 watts RMS, if it was a 20 watt class D you wouldn't need large heat sinks.

[@thomaswachter7782]

The perfect review.

[@naldsarmas8584]

I bought this combination but not sure if I have the right set-up meaning cables and speaker position. Not getting very good results .

[@jogmas12]

Think ZU audio speakers when using this amp

[@skipandteddyconnell2049]

Last time for the first Spark you suggested Polk T50 speakers for low cost great option. This time you said 90 plus speaker sensitivity...so I checked the Polk t50 and it said 86db. So, do you not recommend these Polk t50s for the new Spark? And if so, any specific suggestions for pairing speakers woth Spark ii?

[@fernandocoutinho6661]

sensivity is one of the most misleading specs. My 85db Proac Tablette 10 play very loud with the spark (of course they don't fill a big room) but for something up to 20m2 it is more than enough.

[@Unker_Spunkanathan]

Perhaps the better upper end is due to the use of better coupling caps at the front.

[@out99990]

Anyone know whether this Spark II will push a couple of Infinity P363 tower speakers with a sensitivity rating of 93db?

[@duken4evr]

Interesting product, seems perfect for a quality desktop situation. PS Audio's "Sprout100" deserves a look if willing to spend $700 and wanting a more full featured (phono input and built in DAC) and far more powerful (100 WPC into 4 ohms) integrated in a small form factor. The Sprout is built in the US too :) Edit, Sean of course beat me to it, he already has a review of the Sprout on his channel.

[@gamiwv]

NOT cheap for a double BTL in one IC amplifier (MAYBE a TDA7379/STA540). BUT the power is more than adequate for a modern medium size apartment without dedicated "listening room" with absorption panels etc. (just a living room for mixed use). Just for driving a pair of medium sensitivity (preferably full range) speakers

[@bloodbathory5624]

Hey Sean, in a small room desktop setup at medium to low level listening volumes, if the BRO3 + Iotavx combo has raw bass amount output at 10/10 what would the BRO3 + Spark II combo have at the same scale out of ten ? ( Talking raw bass output punch not speed or tightness just to be clear once more ). You are the best man, thanks !!!

[@greysuit17]

Would this work good for the Emotiva B1+? It’s sensitivity is 86db. It’d be in a pretty small room about 7’x19’.

[@magicoon6565]

Hi Sean, I Want to buy the Spark for a small room. Please please tell me. I have the bookshelf Polk Signature ES15, I Know they have 88dB. What do you think about this match? it's possible for both to work really well, or should I forget about this match?

[@musicm8kr]

Sean, as an owner of the Vista Spark II (myself), I love it. But I'm wondering how you reconcile your review with what Audio Science Review (ASR) had to say. I mean, the reviewer (Amir) just tore this amp to shreds. How can something like that, from a scientific and analytical perspective, do so poorly (in testing) but sound so good? What are we missing? And are there other chip amps out there, that cost much less, which test better and sound better (i.e. AIYIMA A07 TPA3255)? -Sean, California

[@ZeroFidelity]

Easy: Because almost nothing in the audio space is designed to appease people like Amir. The products that ARE geared towards conventionally good measured performance are mostly used as tools for professional / studio use. This is where linearity and certain predictable behaviors are valued well beyond entertainment purposes. Example: You can go to Best Buy right now and pick up some cheap KRK monitors that, on paper, measure better than most hi-fi speakers on the market regardless of the price. Yet few of us own them because most of us prefer the sound of those highly flawed / poorly measuring gear. Measurements have their place, but I've never once found them useful as buying guides.

[@musicm8kr]

@@ZeroFidelity Thanks Sean. I meant to catch you yesterday, on your stream, but missed the time. As an engineer, myself (civil), these kinds of things mess with my head. But hey, I love this little amp and it sounds incredible. Thanks man...love your channel...I've learned a lot. -Sean, California

[@fernandocoutinho6661]

interesting to see your comment as I was also surprised with ASR measurements. I love my Spark II and find it a truly refined amplifier. I have only paired it with relatively expensive speakers...Proac T10 signature and Chartwell LS3/5a, the sound quality is way above my expectations and it plays damn loud. I use the spark in my desk system mostly with the LS3/5a and a mhdt atlantis DAC. I decided on the vista because of the small size and A/B configuration. Before the spark I tried other small amplifiers and couldn't live with the sound quality...it was just crap comparatively to what I am used to...my main system comprises the Luxaman mq-88uc + AN Dac & CD transport...I would recommend the spark every day of the week. BTW I really appreciate the work of Amir but I have a hard time to accept this thing of people using measurements to support objective facts as it it is the absolute true. A sound wave is such a complex thing...you can make a perfect wave by summing a great deal of crap stuff in the same way you can make an imperfect sound wave by summing two or three high quality things...guess what sounds better?

[@Peconi111]

There is people whom measures and people that listens. I listen and I find this amp amazing. Keep the good work Sean!

[@JP1050x]

Amir seems like a measurebator.

[@saverioricchiuto5386]

Hi Sean, very good one (as usual). Have you ever tried their pre-phonos? If the sound signature is similare and so is the price range and Q/P ratio, that could be really interesting for me. Thanks a lot.

[@ZeroFidelity]

Nope. I heard from some good friends that the phono pre's are insanely good for the money, but cannot verify this with first-hand experience.

[@Atlquotl]

Sean, I never did take any of your advice on power amps mostly because I've been so busy trying to buy a house, but man...Id bought a pair of klipsch r51m's based on the old review and I kinda think this amp would make a good matchup to those for something like a higher end pc gaming session. Still I really do like the r51's and it's also given me a good basis for what to listen for when you're talking about speaker sound type, I know I'mnot going to like something hyper full in the midrange. Though, I am coming to appreciate the midrange a tiny bit more than I used to, I still like my v curve. When I do finally get around to upgrading and buying all the stuff I want to, I probably will hook one of these to my r51's and let you know how it works out! 😁😁😁

[@ZeroFidelity]

Enjoy the journey man. Yeah, the Spark II would go nicely with those r51M's in the nearfield.

[@BlownMacTruck]

I'm kind of curious about where that shirt came from…

[@losriosprofundos2113]

What do you think about the Spark II with the Modi 3?

[@BG-ig6fd]

I’m wondering about this exact combo also.

[@BartholomewSmutz]

A good match for Klipsch Heresy One's?

[@maheeinfy13]

What’s with the 20w power rating on both 8 and 4 ohms? Shouldn’t power output increase with 4 ohm ?

[@dicmccoy]

This is going to piss off those guys who think amplifiers all sound the same, all they do is carry the signal. I shake my head at those kinds of guys because they're so stuck in their ways and aren't open minded. They think they see all and know all. Great review Sean! Keep up the great work.

[@ZeroFidelity]

There are tons of ways to go about this. If somebody's psychological needs are fulfilled by graphs or the notion that they "don't need no fanceh gear", that's fine with me. It's just hi-fi. :).

[@happychappy2014]

But that’s the problem, they don’t sound the same, when they should! If an amplifier has a pronounced signature sound, it means it colours the sound and you essentially have a compromised product as far as accurate sound reproduction is concerned. In a perfect world they would all sound the same bar the units specifically advertising deviations from ideal reference measurements. That being said there is nothing wrong with coloured or imperfect sound reproduction. For example, people intentionally turn to distortion/noise prone analog mediums and tube amps to get an imperfect sound that sounds better to them.

[@Powerpickle68]

Without tone controls and you want more/less treble etc, what do you do to get either ?

[@ZeroFidelity]

If you're using the Spark II in a desktop configuration, then you can use your music/media software to apply tone controls. But really, when most people hear this, I don't see too many people needing them.

[@luxpiotr]

Maby review of Revel Concerta 2 m16 or GoldenEar BRX? I wonder how Revel Concerta 2 m16 perform compared to Triangle, Elac or Kef...

[@califmike2003]

I'm interested in this but 20 watts seems hardly even enough for a desktop I'd have to hear it I have the triangle Berea bro 2 absolutely love the speakers wondering how it would pair with this if the 20 watts would be enough.

[@alexanderdavenport2921]

I'd like to know how the Vista Audio Spark II compares to the Emotiva TA-100, the Fosi HD-A1, or the Monoprice Pure Tube Stereo Amplifier (EL84PP). Thanks.

[@alexanderdavenport2921]

Excuse me--not the TA-100 but the A-100 Emotiva. Thanks again.

[@fdeee]

I wonder how this sounds with a pair of Martin Logan 15i

[@stephencosta6814]

I take it with sound fantastic

[@richardroberts5797]

Is there a balance control. I realize we're looking at a minimalist amp, but I consider this to be second only to volume.

[@toddwerner8848]

To anyone who has purchased the Vista Audio Spark II in the U.S., how long did shipment take? It took a couple weeks to manufacture and I got notice it shipped, but the tracking indicates its been sitting at the airport in Serbia for a week. Getting seriously ANTSY!!!

[@fernandocoutinho6661]

be patient...the pandemic is hitting europe strong and services are struggling to deal with all christmas packages. no worries that you will get it and it sounds lovely.

[@SeanKingwell-ig6wc]

Hey Sean, do you think this amp would be a good fit for the XSA Vanguard speakers?

[@losriosprofundos2113]

I saw in another video of yours that you added a subwoofer to the spark with speaker wire, so you added them to the terminals with the speakers?

[@s7robe297]

Have you heard any amps with similar characteristics as the spark ii but with more power? Looking for an amp that doesn’t force detail on you but allows you to hear very fine details in music all while being very dynamic and “sturdy ” sounding if that makes any sense. I’ve had a lot of high end studio monitors so a less harsh sound that’s similar to what you’d hear from speakers like that. My budget is max of $1,500

[@gerard3797]

I have the Vista Audio Spark 2 with Harbeth P3ESR (desktop application) and looking to upgrade amp. How does it compare to the Heed Audio Elixir which I think you mentioned earlier as the best matching amp so far?

[@fernandocoutinho6661]

I compared the Spark II with the Rega Brio 2017 and was kind of surprised that the Spark felt more transparent and detailed. The Rega could play louder and the soundstage was wider. In the end of the day both amplifiers were deeply satisfying and the Rega was better overall, more musically engaging. If I were you, I would save money one more year and buy something substantially different...if you are in Asia that would be a Leben CS300, in the UK could be an Audio Note OTO SE or Sore SE (don't say they are too expensive without speaking with the dealer personally), in the US something from Decware, Finale, Canary or First watt. That would make your speakers sing. You will buy the Heed Elixir, you will find out that is indeed somehow better and think to upgrade again because they are not that different.

[@gerard3797]

@@fernandocoutinho6661 High Fernando, thx a lot. I read that the Heed is also step up from the Rega Brio, more like the Rega Elex R. Maybe I should go for the Obelisk than. Really looking for an amp that gets the best out of the Harbeths but is not overkill in desktop environment. What speakers and setup did you use them with?

[@fernandocoutinho6661]

​@@gerard3797 My speakers are Proac Tablette 10 Signature. There was a time I had at home the Luxman MQ-88uc, Rega Brio 2017 and Spark 2 and moved back and forth between the amps to have a feeling of the differences. I got surprised that in terms of tonality and transparency the Spark was more similar to the Luxman than to the Brio. The Brio added some kind of colouration that made my A&K300 sound good whilst when connected to the Luxman and Spark directly, it sounded a little edgy and bright. When I connected the A&K to my Belcanto Dac 1 via an optical cable then RCA cables to the amplifiers, the Spark sounded amazing whilst the Brio had a little more detail but the tonality didn't change much. I ended up with the feeling that the Spark was a very transparent amplifier that worked well with better sources whilst the Brio had its own sound which helped a lot with less good sources but could be less desirable with the better sources . Now, these are very limited observations that may be due to other factors since I am not an expert reviewer. My point is that within its limited power the spark is a very very good amplifier. I bought it for fun and was impressed that in my very high end setup I could actually live with it. Don't take me wrong, the Elixir should be an amazing amplifier but unless you need the extra watts or MM input, it feels more like a side move. A small tube amplifier or Class A would at least give you some different perspective. What is your source?

[@gerard3797]

@@fernandocoutinho6661 Thanks for sharing your experience. Always like it when someone shares their history :)! My source equipment is Mac Mini over usb C into a Burson Conductor 3 Performance DAC/Amp/Preamp, than going into the Vista Audio Spark 2 ( RCA -> Oyaide NEO class A). I also had too much edginess and sharpness in my system, but all components are still pretty young (1-2 months now and I only listen at pretty low volumes and a few hours a day, so break-in is still full in progress). Nonetheless I made three very profound changes that drastically reduced that edginess or sharpness already (by maybe 80 procent). 1. I changed the Burson V6 Vivid opamps to V6 Classic. Very noticeable difference, much more than for example filters have (20%). 2. Changed my $25 RCA cables to $100 Oyaide Neo Class A. This was a huge and profound difference. I did not expect this (30%). 3. Added Rel t5i. Maybe this has been the most profound change yet. Because in a desktop setup you are pretty close to the speakers, the bass is somehow a little cancelled out. This was very noticeable when I got further from my desktop. The Rel t5i has filled this gap perfectly and does it so seamless, that it sounds part of the system. It was also very easy to dial in. I don't see how a 5k amp could ever have such a profound impact in a desktop environment , especially in the bass region. Despite these changes there is still some edginess and sharpness, but only with really bad recordings or sources (like KZbin etc). If it was a HiFi only system this would be OK. But because it is a desktop system for me it is actually important that it also performs well with lesser sources. So this made me think of upgrading the amp and DAC. Sean said in his video that although the treble of the Spark 2 has improved and is a lot more refined, it still has "some energy" in the lower treble. I think this is what I am hearing still, because it is especially with edgy female vocals. The Heed Obelisk SI3 seems to be more refined than the Elixer, but also has a more profound 'voicing' and therefore is more difficult to match. Therefore my first try would be the Elixir. Also because that is the preferred combo of Sean and he actually has purchased himself to use as his longterm desktop sources (with his Harbeths). He almost never does that he said. Additionally I could also add a second Dac (Abacus), which should also be more forgiving in nature, without lossing too much information. Both are very musical. These would not be contenders in a living room setup, to be clear. Lastly, when I sit at 5 feet instead of 2,5 feet the harshness is almost fully gone. So it maybe also has to do with ultra nearfield setup and early reflections from the deskl. My current plan is to further break all components in for at least 2 months and than maybe upgrade. This is already a system I could happily live with. Maybe good to note that I don't have any harshness/edginess on my headphone HD650 directly into my Burson Conductor 3, so the primary "problem" really seems to be in the analogue part (amp, cables, speakers). But maybe the HD650 are also less revealing than the Harbeths in the treble region.

[@fernandocoutinho6661]

​@@gerard3797 :-) it seems you have things well studied...just follow your instinct and go for the Elixer, nothing better than own experience.. It should be an easy sell if you happen not to like it. My only advice is that you don't' rush to sell Spark and keep both for half a year or so. Something I learned is that it takes little time to identify the new things we like in a new piece of hardware but it can take some months to notice what we don't like ;-)

[@williamrose7434]

Hi Sean, really on point with your vids .. top man .. I’m in the UK 🇬🇧 so the IOTA is appealing but my moms actually Serb and I’m fluent .. so the allegiance is the first issue .. ha ha .. but here’s the thing I’d really appreciate and love your opinion on .. primarily I’m a music lover, soul disco rare groove jazz house kinda guy .. I dj and put a few little beats together .. so, I’m running most of my sounds through Genelec’s bi-amp monitors .. I shuffle them off the brackets sometimes and run a chord mojo on a bedroom near field or UA interface and blah blah .. so, I really don’t want to buy separate speakers for a hifi

[@mikebooth8858]

The Iota PA3 is as minimalist as the Spark. How would this compare? It would be cheaper for sure and British Audiophile thought the PA3 sounded better than the SA3.

[@ZeroFidelity]

The PA 3 is only an amp. You'd need to use your source as a volume control. It's not uncommon for some people to like the source-direct approach, which I'm guessing prefers. I have no comparisons for you on that front.

[@yttean98]

After watching the first 5min of this video, If I am not mistaken, this amplifier is based on proven the design commonly known a GainClone using a chipamp LM1875T, you can purchase per channel from czh-labs.com/ for US$28. This chipamp is proven to sound very good and you can easily build it yourself for peanuts. BTW my builders have done it just visit the DIYaudio.com those residents expert there can even teach you how to do it. DIY is easier than you think and by far cheaper and enjoy your equipment more after you build it.

[@jikenj]

Another great video kind of reminds me of the Emotiva Basx A-100 I'd like to hear your opinion on that amp also.

[@davidthom7127]

Can I use the spark with a turntable or cd player ?

[@hoobsgroove]

I wonder if it's better to buy 2 and bridge the amplifiers for the cost could be worth it give you more output, can it drive 2 - ohms ? would have been easier just put an LED with a clear perspex light pipe drill a hole in the volume knob and there you go

[@seanb3303]

Is this amp based off the LM3886? Specs seem to indicate so.

[@ZeroFidelity]

I didn't take a close look at the transistor, so I couldn't tell ya.

[@gabeo.731]

2:40 what transistor?

[@DarkKnight-yc8nw]

Any words when compared to sprout 100? I only care about the sound quality.

[@JMAudioEditions]

how does this CLASS D amp stack up against the LOVELY Dayens you reviewed ??? thanks!

[@HungryEatNow]

Where is the best place to buy online for South East Asia?

[@omnivorace]

Will it be right with a pair of Q Acoustic 2020 ? I guess yes because it will be on my desk. I can't wait.

[@fernandocoutinho6661]

yes and the foam plugs of the Q acoustics will help a lot to get the frequency right in a near field near wall environment.

[@PGHJR002]

Sounds like the Spark ll could be a great headphone amp.

[@GusdeHbg]

Great review and any hint on how the spark II will compare to the little Holographic Audio you reviewed once?

[@ZeroFidelity]

It's been wayyyy too long since I heard the HA gear. Cant say, beyond it being significantly more expensive and to my memory, better sounding as a whole

[@stephenroberson2451]

thanks for the review. How do you feel the spark would match up with the Revel f35 floor standing speaker that has sensitivity of 90 and 6 ohms? Thanks in advance.

[@ZeroFidelity]

Difficult to say. The specs and the general voicing of both products would suggest a good match provided you keep the volume below 85db. The X factor is that Revels 'wake up' when fed strong current. It's too close for me to say for sure.

[@yuckysamson]

Now here is the question; take 2 spark II's, get a source with 2 analog outs, run the 2 L's to one spark, the to R's to the other, and then bi-amp. (Put the right tension belt over the volume knobs to keep them synced if necessary). NOW YOU'RE TALKING, BISHES.

[@bukwok]

looks like lm4780, 4766 kind of chip, not bad.

[@nc3419]

Any way to evaluate the SoundArtist SA-200IA integrated? I think Jay has one.

[@ZeroFidelity]

Perhaps later down the line.

[@larsv6144]

Am going to order the Triangle BR02 for desktop use (chosen over the PSB Alpha P3 and P5) and am interested in the Spark as amp (now have the TEAC A1-101DA). I also have the XTZ Edge and am wondering if I can use the Spark as a pre-amp for the XTZ Edge if I like to play in a bigger room? Or would the IODAVX be a better pre-amp for the XTZ Edge?

[@ZeroFidelity]

The Spark has no pre-outs. So that'll take care of that... :)

[@gerard3797]

Hi Lars, did you already receive the Triangle BR02? And how do you like them with the Spark? I also ordered the Spark, but still deciding on the desktop speakers (PSB P5, Triangle BR02 or Sound Artist LS3/5a)? Triangle is relatively cheap in EU (319 EUR), whereas the P5's are about 510 EUR (current rate), due to shipping and taxes.

[@larsv6144]

@@gerard3797 Actually I have been testing a lot of different gear lately (Corona hobby I call it), so I changed my set up and choices a bit. I got the BR03 half price and tested that on my normal set up. Then I got an offer to buy the PSB Image Mini new for half price. They are great near field speakers that perform great for desktop, so I went with the PSB, as they are even smaller than the BR02 and (probably) sound better. But I liked the BR03 sound and sound stage, so I am sure that the BR02 will do fine for desktop set up. Since the PSB Image Mini sound already really good with the TEAC A1-101DA amp, I am sticking with that. However, after testing the BR03, XTZ 99,25 LCR, Quad S2 and Quad Z2, I have said good bye to my Canton Chrono SL 580.2 DC and choose the Quad Z2. My set up is now XTZ Edge amp, Schiit Saga+ preamp (instead of the IFI iTube 2), Bluesound Node 2i with Tidal, Supra Ply 3.4S cables) and REL T/7i subwoofer. Great sound at both setups now. I am sure I will fine tune something later, but for now I am very happy with both.

[@gerard3797]

@@larsv6144 Thx for sharing, nice to see that you are in a similar process. I ordered the BR02, so hope that bass issues will be manageable for near field. I also ordered the closed box ATC SCM7 as a more premium alternative to try out. Apparently a bit like P3ESR's, but a lot cheaper and more dynamic. I currently use HEDD type 5, which are clearly ahedd ;) of monitors like Adam etc. (not as forward, not as sharp, better bass control, more depth, better imaging), but I still find the AMT tweeters too detailed for my taste. In my living room I have the Buchardt S400, and although those are also detailed, the are also very relaxed, but still engaging to listen to with almost all sources. I still use IOTAVX that, but will upgrade to the I150, which is on presale.

[@carlosgustavohernandezcala7964]

Sean, any thoughts about pairing the spark with a saga + or freya preamp. My reasoning for this is giving the amp some tube flavor, improving the source and of course having the convenience of the remote control.

[@ZeroFidelity]

There's no way to do that with the Spark II. It doesn't have a dedicated pre-out or dedicated main-in.

[@carlosgustavohernandezcala7964]

@@ZeroFidelity thanks for your answer, I mean, main source in and full volume up

[@ZeroFidelity]

@@carlosgustavohernandezcala7964 No way to do it. There is no using a separate pre-amp or a separate amp.

[@wildersoncheriscar1875]

Have you heard the denon pma-600ne? For $400 seems like it would be a better deal than the spark.

[@ZeroFidelity]

I reviewed the PMA-800NE. I think it's all relative. If you want a purist integrated that's made in Serbia, and if your situation can facilitate a lower power amp - then the Spark II will be the way to go in terms of sound quality. Even over something like the 800NE. But for MOST people... the additional power and features of the Denon will make a lot more sense. Hence why I outwardly said in this review that the Spark II is a fantastic integrated that I cannot recommend to most people.

[@handsomeasiandude1126]

Audio Science gave the VAS 2 a bad review saying it is weak, noisy and overrated. I wonder if this is true

[@bertroost1675]

They seem to be pretty harsh on their reviews. Have they ever rated anything as great and a good deal?

[@Kissislove17]

I'd love to know how the Spark would sound on something like the Tekton Lore Reference in comparison to the IOTAVX PA3. I wonder if the spark can produce similar low freq control (more tight/dynamic) to the PS3 in that scenario.. On that note, I'm fairly new too amps, so I've never run a duel monoblock setup or sub. I know you can stack the PA3 and SA3 to basically get monoblocks. Can the same thing be done with two PA3's? I'm assuming yes since it has that pre-out for source but I'd love to make sure it isn't just for a sub. Also, with the SA3/PAS combo, is that actually how monoblock setups are done with other barebones amps, or is that specific to IOTAVX?

[@ZeroFidelity]

Tighter bass control on a set of Tektons? I'm betting that's exactly how it would play out. But will the Spark II offer more visceral bass output? The odds are very slim. There is no replacement for raw mass (transformer size, filt cap bank, input stage, etc). With the possible exception of Class-D amps. This is why the Iotavx STACK sounds significantly larger in scale, with stronger bass output, than the SA3 by itself.

[@Kissislove17]

@@ZeroFidelity haha, I suppose you're right. Thank you for the response :D. Still continuing to better understand how things work. The extra filter caps in the Spark is nice too(sorta know what they do lol), definitely compelling for it's sound, especially mids! EDIT: Oh geez, so bridged amps are certainly different and a bit more confusing. (treating speaker impedance differently, halved) I actually missed the part you mentioned Tekton's X'D. I'm definitely sold, especially for being a fantastic bookshelf choice.

[@justinlee2830]

I live in England .but i can not find anywhere to buy this amp..iv emailed vista a few times..emailed stockists..no reply ,can anyone. Please help me purchase one

[@nunyabiz2016]

I bought mine from the distributor in New York. Verty Audio. Not sure if they ship to UK

[@GusdeHbg]

I bougth mine directly from Serbia, contact them, they reply very fast, and I live in EU.

[@ibdam1]

I ordered one today😃

[@ZeroFidelity]

Hope you love it!