RayMets1
100+ Head-Fier
I just didn't want a big brick on my desk. Also if I ever chose to sell it, it is something easier to sell with unit and ship.Good to hea. Ive been considering picking up an iPower for my J2S 4499.
I just didn't want a big brick on my desk. Also if I ever chose to sell it, it is something easier to sell with unit and ship.Good to hea. Ive been considering picking up an iPower for my J2S 4499.
I just didn't want a big brick on my desk. Also if I ever chose to sell it, it is something easier to sell with unit and ship.
I’ve become a believer in power supply upgrades. I added an LPS to power my phono stage and TT and was really surprised by the improvements it made in terms of lowering the noise floor and making everything sound more dynamic.Yes, my situation is different in that my DAC is part of a home audio setup, with everything in a rack and powered via a active line conditioner, so it's not a desktop unit. Also, the array of LPSs are not all created equal, and I bought what I did only following hours of research. That being said, if I ever decided to sell my J2S, it wouldn't be anytime in the near future and the 12V LPS would not be part of the package. I see now that I had actually posted a photo of my 5V LPS for my WiiM Mini streamer, which also makes a marked audible improvement for that device.
The iFi iPower X SMPS (not their cheaper unit), although spendy for what it is, has good reviews and is more easily transportable.
I was using the Icon HP8 Sig. amp and the ZMF Atrium and Verite. Have not tried the PS500e on it yet, but will today.Thanks JerseyD, I think the wider soundstage is one of biggest advantages to the Burson V6 Vivid with the J2S (the Sparkos is no slouch either) and your impressions generally mirror mine. I would imagine the SS2590 would also be excellent and worth the little extra install steps as shown in @TedB posts. Out of curiosity what amp did you pair up with your J2S for your Burson V6 Vivid trial and did you try it with your Grado 500e?
Listened to the PS500e today with the J2S w/Burson 6V6 and Icon HP8. After letting my ears and brain adjust to the Grado sound, and applying some judicious EQ, things were sounding terrific. That lively treble Grado is known for was sparkling and splashing. Bass (after eq) was full and lovely. Mids were more recessed than I am used to on my ZMFs. Since I had not done much listening to the PS500e with J2S w/Sparkos, I cannot offer a comparison. Sorry about that.Thanks JerseyD, I think the wider soundstage is one of biggest advantages to the Burson V6 Vivid with the J2S (the Sparkos is no slouch either) and your impressions generally mirror mine. I would imagine the SS2590 would also be excellent and worth the little extra install steps as shown in @TedB posts. Out of curiosity what amp did you pair up with your J2S for your Burson V6 Vivid trial and did you try it with your Grado 500e?
When did they send them? What sucks is the V7s are out now. Now we need to know how they compare...Finally got up the nerve to swap out the Sparkos SS3602 op-amp for the Burson V6V that the fine folks at Burson sent me for free, in exchange only for me writing my impressions here. I thought it would be much more difficult, as I have no experience in this area. I listen single-ended only, so there was only one to replace. Turned out to be super easy. Head-Fi'er @Dan DRC 's photos in his fine write-up helped quite a bit.
What with taking the unit apart etc., it's not like I could do A-B test listening, so going by general impressions and sense-memory. I already thought the J2S with the SS3602 was a great sounding DAC for the price. Is it even better with the Burson V6V? I'm not sure, but maybe. It still sounds great! The differences made by swapping the two different op-amps is not enormous, as this is the only change made in the whole chain.
Here goes, though: I feel like the 6V6 is giving me more instrument separation and a wider soundstage. More air, maybe? I'm loving the effect. Is the bass a tad bit woolier, though? Without being able to quickly swap back, I can't be sure. Midrange and treble are very clear and defined - more detailed perhaps, less smoothed out. Not sure which presentation I prefer yet (I usually prefer smooth over etched). But that bass...there may be a tad less meat on the bass-bone, or the meat is just a little loose. It's very slight and maybe my imagination or my mood/hearing/time of day.
Sometimes when I make a gear change, I am immediately displeased and go back to how I had it before. Not with this. The sound is making me want to live with it for a while. That's a very good sign. I have no idea if op-amps burn in or not. This listening is all being done fresh from the oven. Let's see how I feel next week! Thumbs up for now for the Burson V6V.
Next up (eventually) is the Sparkos SS2590, which I bought back on Black Friday for a good discount and have not tried yet. @TedB says this is the one. We shall see...or hear!
They sent the V6V in May 2023. I don't think I will be looking to add any more op-amps to swap in beyond the three I now haveWhen did they send them? What sucks is the V7s are out now. Now we need to know how they compare...
Been reading about the V7 as well, while considering the Cyan2 and the Audio-GD R1-NOS. At the same time, I still haven’t swapped in the SS2590 for the V6V (which replaced the SS3602). And then when I’m listening, I ask myself if I really will get much improvement with one of those new dacs. Very indecisive!My V7V's will arrive today... I only bought 2. But I'm also using the SparkosLabs SS2590 Dual Pro's in all three sockets right now. And that... Well, that just sounds exactly as it should... Wonderfully Natural.
Not for nothing.. I might be listing my J2 fully loaded in walnut soon too.... Currently looking at the Holosound Cyan 2.