Op-amp Rolling Using Sparkos on Fosi V3 Mono

[Jimster480]

Beautiful Pictures from the inside also here from 9:00 min on :

Definitely some nice shots of the interior of the Amps in there. I personally love these amps and use them several hours per day, sometimes all day. I have basically not been using my headphones these days and instead using my RP-8000F Gen II's with these Amps and a SMSL SU-8S DAC on my main TV. I just play the speakers at 35-45% volume and that is enough to fill a good portion of my house!

 

[burkm]

Sure. The main question is if you want to hear the difference in linear transfer function or not. If not, then you may EQ. But in case you are interested in linear transfer differences as well, then you must not equalize them. And if they exist, you hear them and it is the fact, you cannot deny it. BTW, linear differences are much more audible than the nonlinear ones, in fact linear differences are key to perceived differences.

The "problem" is, that the brain is manipulating everything, for example what you hear, and delivers it corresponding to individual preferences and notions. You are not even sure, it ever existed, even if you believe that you are "hearing" it. It is a misconception per se, to believe, that anything you "hear" is really existing as a singular entity, which can be trusted. But this is "old news" and is known for several tens of years already...

 

[CraigVMN]

No, I did not read through all 18 pages, but are there measurements for 2 Sparkos op amps, in the two positions?

 

[NTK]

No, I did not read through all 18 pages, but are there measurements for 2 Sparkos op amps, in the two positions?

No. If there is no detectable difference with one, why would the difference with two be any more than twice the non-detectable difference?

 

[solderdude]

No, I did not read through all 18 pages, but are there measurements for 2 Sparkos op amps, in the two positions?

What needs to be realized is that both the NE5532 and Sparkos op-amps perform 'better' than the output stage that follows the op-amps (namely the TPA3255).
That TPA3255 determines the amp's performance (the so-called bottle neck) so it really does not matter for the actual output signal waveform/fidelity which of the op-amps is in there.

Where it does matter is
A: the price of the amp went up considerably meaning the sound quality improves as you paid more.
B: the 'knowledge' that something 'discrete' with a wonderful audiophile sound and it's own 'sound character' is in there instead of a cheap run of the mill op-amp (boo... sounds bad).

So op-amp rolling works because of A and B despite the actual output signal NOT changing even the slightest.
It does not work from any technical viewpoint/measurement.
Pick your poison.

 

[burkm]

Ooops ... opamp rollers are gonna be up-in-arms

Their arguments are mostly "I can hear the difference". Nobody questions, what they really "hear", but unfortunately their brain might mess with what they really hear. Listening by using our hearing is no scientific measurements, because our brain messes with everything they "hear"; it was originally made for a completely different purpose: "survival".
It follows "glues, believes and illusions" done by their brain to predict the outcome without really knowing at that time to make that possible. Thus it might err in every aspect...

 

[CedarX]

Their arguments are mostly "I can hear the difference". Nobody questions, what they really "hear", but unfortunately their brain might mess with what they really hear. Listening by using our hearing is no scientific measurements, because our brain messes with everything they "hear"; it was originally made for a completely different purpose: "survival".
It follows "glues, believes and illusions" done by their brain to predict the outcome without really knowing at that time to make that possible. Thus it might err in every aspect...

Correct, but it doesn’t matter: they can truly “hear” the differences. It is just that, in that context, “hearing” is entirely subjective. That how & why op-amp rolling works.

 

[maudio]

Im using Sparkos on Fosi V3 Stereo and it made all the diff.
i mean only the fact it’s class A means different sound.

 

[Karmacoma]

Correct, but it doesn’t matter: they can truly “hear” the differences. It is just that, in that context, “hearing” is entirely subjective. That how & why op-amp rolling works.

Placebo medicine gives surprisingly good results.

 

[Aivan]

I changed and tried several op-amp combinations on my za3/zd3 stack last winter. I could swear I hear the difference. Not necessarily better sound but different whatsoever.

Then, during the summer, I didn't have that much time for music listening. After a while, somewhere about a month ago, I started fiddling with my setup again. But this time, there was absolutely no difference in sound, no matter which combo I applied.

Therfore I realised that I can't even trust my own ears and let alone someone else's.

List of my YT channel subscriptions got a bit shorter. Then I carefully watched all Amir's videos and a few of Erin's. I ordered a measuring microphone.

So, it might sound boring, but IMO if you want actual sound improvements, then study the data, measure, address speaker positioning, adjust EQs...

And don't forget to enjoy the music.

 

[gwing]

Im using Sparkos on Fosi V3 Stereo and it made all the diff.
i mean only the fact it’s class A means different sound.

Class A doesn't have a sound let alone a different sound from something else that doesn't have a sound.

 

[RexrothPigeon]

Im using Sparkos on Fosi V3 Stereo and it made all the diff.
i mean only the fact it’s class A means different sound.

You are laboring under some misapprehensions about amps

 

[thomsbrain]

I just had a Sparkos SS3602 opamp go bad in my Fosi ZA3. I had put in three, one for each channel and one for the XLR input circuit. Go ahead, make fun of me! I bought them before the ASR review. After a year or so of being turned on a few hours a day and playing at low desktop volumes, the left channel started randomly popping and crackling with enough volume that I was worried about it damaging the speaker, plus that channel was producing audible hissing and humming. It was doing it even without a signal, and regardless of volume position, and I confirmed it wasn't my source by swapping in a different amp. I swapped around the opamps, removing the suspect left Sparkos, moving the XLR Sparkos to the left channel and replacing the XLR with the stock opamp. All problems gone. So in additon to any sonic benefits being dubious, they aren't built for the ages, either. I now see they do not have any kind of warranty for the opamps (which is understandable, given the chances of user error in installation). So another reason to buyer beware, I suppose, even if you still believe they make a sonic difference. And obviously any product is going to have a bad apple, but since I haven't seen anyone else run into this issue, I thought I'd add my experience to the hivemind.

 

[totti1965]

Using v3 monos with 48v10a stoke op amp sound too good too my ear sounds better than 3E Audio a5 and A7 . When i swap opa 1656 in v3 xlr position 2 and position 3 ne5532 and 3e Audio ne5532 the 3e sounds better to my setup but with all stoke V3 sounds way better , are anyone upgrade with sparkos ss3602 in position 2 in fosi v3 mono, how much improvement in sound quality?

Just keep the shining everywhere you go!

 

[Joe Smith]

What is a "stoke op amp?"

 

[antcollinet]

What is a "stoke op amp?"

Stock - with a typo.

 

[RexrothPigeon]

sound too good too my ear

Unless you are testing this blind and controlled, then you are not actually using your ears, sorry.