[tamleo]

I got my Liquid Spark!!!

First impression is good, tonality actually surprisingly close to the Dragonfly Red that I'm trying to upgrade from. Although Dragonfly Red is a bit more v shaped while Liquid Spark is a little bit more mid forward but otherwise fairly close. They each do different stuff a tiny bit better and tiny bit worse relatively to each other.

Though I do have a few questions now. Do burn in effect sound much? Manufacturer recommend 100 hours burn in should I keep letting it burn in before judging it pre-maturely?

Also first impression is that...... hmmmm......... how should I put it. Everything sounds right and sounds good but also nothing really stands out if that makes sense? Is that just the nature of the amp? What I mean is that, the treble is pretty good, but not the best I've heard, mid is pretty good, but also not the best I've heard, bass too........etc......

Like for example my Vali 2+ is really good at treble and separation but lacking impact, my Project Polaris is very good mid range detail and bass impact but lacks sub bass and treble detail. Liquid Spark is very good at everything but not the best at anything LOL (if that makes sense).

Should I just be patient and let it burn in and also letting my brain adjust to it? Initial thought is that like I said tonality is very close to Dragonfly Red and technicality is a tiny tiny bit better than Dragonfly Red, so do I really need 2 amps sounding so close to each other? Or should I just return it and get something more different to complement each other?

Though I know I just got it that's kind of why I'm asking to see what are you guys' long term impression. Anything would be helpful, thanks!

There is no fatal downside in the sound at the price point of an amp is quite spectacular, isn't it?

 

[Hyde00]

There is no fatal downside in the sound at the price point of an amp is quite spectacular, isn't it?

Oh yeah definitely agree.

Usually most amps (headphone too) it generally goes like "this is amazing if only it doesn't have this minor issue......". Liquid Spark is very good all around, the build and finish is great too.

I'll keep listening through out today and update my impression as it goes lol.

 

[PlantsmanTX]

I got my Liquid Spark!!!

First impression is good, tonality actually surprisingly close to the Dragonfly Red that I'm trying to upgrade from. Although Dragonfly Red is a bit more v shaped while Liquid Spark is a little bit more mid forward but otherwise fairly close. They each do different stuff a tiny bit better and tiny bit worse relatively to each other.

Though I do have a few questions now. Do burn in effect sound much? Manufacturer recommend 100 hours burn in should I keep letting it burn in before judging it pre-maturely?

Also first impression is that...... hmmmm......... how should I put it. Everything sounds right and sounds good but also nothing really stands out if that makes sense? Is that just the nature of the amp? What I mean is that, the treble is pretty good, but not the best I've heard, mid is pretty good, but also not the best I've heard, bass too........etc......

Like for example my Vali 2+ is really good at treble and separation but lacking impact, my Project Polaris is very good mid range detail and bass impact but lacks sub bass and treble detail. Liquid Spark is very good at everything but not the best at anything LOL (if that makes sense).

Should I just be patient and let it burn in and also letting my brain adjust to it? Initial thought is that like I said tonality is very close to Dragonfly Red and technicality is a tiny tiny bit better than Dragonfly Red, so do I really need 2 amps sounding so close to each other? Or should I just return it and get something more different to complement each other?

Though I know I just got it that's kind of why I'm asking to see what are you guys' long term impression. Anything would be helpful, thanks!

As I remember, I didn't notice any difference after 100 hours.

 

[exe163]

I was wondering if the pre-amp RCA output is the same as front 1/4"? Can I plug in my headphones to a RCA converted port and get the same output and sound?

 

[PlantsmanTX]

I was wondering if the pre-amp RCA output is the same as front 1/4"? Can I plug in my headphones to a RCA converted port and get the same output and sound?

Interesting question. I've never tried it. I searched the Liquid Spark thread on ASR for "preamp", and someone wrote "I think its volume changes with the volume knob. I actually tried RCA output. The sound *seems* different too". I don't know what they mean by "different", but I'm assuming it didn't damage the headphones.

Edit: Here's Amir's answer to him. If I'm reading this right, he says the RCA output goes above 8 volts.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...d-spark-headphone-amp.5224/page-2#post-115921

 

[Hyde00]

I was wondering if the pre-amp RCA output is the same as front 1/4"? Can I plug in my headphones to a RCA converted port and get the same output and sound?

Uh I'm not expert in this but........ to my understanding that RCA output typically is consider as line level output which has higher impedance and some other difference compare to the headphone out. Generally speaking line level output will not be loud enough to drive your headphone. Again I'm not expert in this so I can't explain it any better LOL.

Now the question is......... is pre-amp RCA out similar to RCA out in concept??? That I'm not too sure.

Though why would you want to plug into the pre-amp RCA? Is it because you want to have 2 headphone jack?

 

[exe163]

Uh I'm not expert in this but........ to my understanding that RCA output typically is consider as line level output which has higher impedance and some other difference compare to the headphone out. Generally speaking line level output will not be loud enough to drive your headphone. Again I'm not expert in this so I can't explain it any better LOL.

Now the question is......... is pre-amp RCA out similar to RCA out in concept??? That I'm not too sure.

Though why would you want to plug into the pre-amp RCA? Is it because you want to have 2 headphone jack?

I was planning build a small device that joins headphone and mic signals together into a single TRRS so that I can connect to my Macbook directly via one cable. I can use the front headphone jack (semi-permenantly attached to this "box") and that's one way. But if I can free up the front headphone jack, it would both look better and allow me to quickly plugin another headphone through the 1/4" jack.

Audio path: Macbook Pro source (3.5mm) -> "box" -> LS amp -> "box" -> TRRS HD 6XX
Mic path: Macbook Pro source (same 3.5mm) -> "box" -> TRRS HD 6XX

I tried using the pre-amp out for my headphone as I happened to have all the adapters. It sounded a bit quieter. Not sure if this is because of the crappy and long RCA wires I have or pre-amp is less powerful. But I was able to control volume with the same knob. Will there be adverse effects still if I "upgrade" my wires to something shorter and use that to drive my 6XX? I am more afraid of distortion and not enough current powering the headphones given the same loudness.

Interesting question. I've never tried it. I searched the Liquid Spark thread on ASR for "preamp", and someone wrote "I think its volume changes with the volume knob. I actually tried RCA output. The sound *seems* different too". I don't know what they mean by "different", but I'm assuming it didn't damage the headphones.

Edit: Here's Amir's answer to him. If I'm reading this right, he says the RCA output goes above 8 volts.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...d-spark-headphone-amp.5224/page-2#post-115921

If I am understanding this correctly, the max V output is close to the rated headphone jack output of around 9V. So the pre-out has a similar max amplification as the main headphone out. My subjective volume level seems to match this observation.
https://downloads.monoprice.com/files/specsheets/33304_Specsheet_181025.pdf

 

[bru87tr]

I've been looking to pick up another power supply. I travel often and have been taking my spark with me because of its compact size, the only issue is I have to mess with my pc's cable management every time I go I take it. Anyone have any luck tracking down a second power supply for the spark?

I know this is an old post, but I found the exact power supply on ebay or amazon. Can't remember but will check my orders. It was cheap like $10 and the same exact one that came with the Liquid spark.

 

[bru87tr]

Sorry, brain fart.

was thinking of my preamp.

 

[jackdanyal]

Did anybody compared LS with Aune X7s? I use LS for a while and really like it with my Fostex T60rp, but thinking about upgrading. I tried Monolith THX 887 but didn't like the sound. it was too clinical and neutral. and also it's quite terrible to have "balanced" amp which can't give a full potential with balanced dac (sound clipping on 3rd gain when input voltage is more than 2vrms). And thinking about Aune X7s. I really like the astetic view of Aune products and hear quite positive things about their architecture. I know about high output impedance, it's not a problem with Fostex. But would it be a noticable upgrade over LS (or maybe downgrade?). Do anybody has both of them and can describe the differences between them?

 

[bru87tr]

I also have the LS with T60’s. Good combo!

 

[jvandyk]

Hi folks, new poster here (at least recently). Regarding the Liquid Spark, can I run this through my tape monitor? In other words, will the pre-out be line level if it's controlled by the volume knob? Set it to max? I noticed it only has a +3 and 6 gain option, no zero db. Thanks in advance for any replies!

BTW, these are $79 brand new right now at Monoprice!

 

[Jimmyblues1959]

Hi folks, new poster here (at least recently). Regarding the Liquid Spark, can I run this through my tape monitor? In other words, will the pre-out be line level if it's controlled by the volume knob? Set it to max? I noticed it only has a +3 and 6 gain option, no zero db. Thanks in advance for any replies!

BTW, these are $79 brand new right now at Monoprice!

Never used the LS as a preamplifier. If I understand you correctly though, it seems that you are asking if the LS output is connected directly to its volume control and variable, versus just a pass through output like the Liquid Platinum has; which simply passes the source signal through its output with no control over volume?

$79 is a great price. I paid that for an open box B stock LS back in 2018.

 

[jvandyk]

Never used the LS as a preamplifier. If I understand you correctly though, it seems that you are asking if the LS output is connected directly to its volume control and variable, versus just a pass through output like the Liquid Platinum has; which simply passes the source signal through its output with no control over volume?

$79 is a great price. I paid that for an open box B stock LS back in 2018.

Thanks for such a quick reply! Right, I want it through my tape monitor and I also have a Schiit Lokius there as well. The other unit I'm considering is the Topping L50 which has pass through but I'd like to try this one purely from all of the positive reviews for such an inexpensive unit. With a Schiit Magni or JDS Atom, they have a zero gain option and advise to turn the volume control to max if using it for line level. But the LS doesn't have a zero gain option.

 

[Jimmyblues1959]

Thanks for such a quick reply! Right, I want it through my tape monitor and I also have a Schiit Lokius there as well. The other unit I'm considering is the Topping L50 which has pass through but I'd like to try this one purely from all of the positive reviews for such an inexpensive unit. With a Schiit Magni or JDS Atom, they have a zero gain option and advise to turn the volume control to max if using it for line level. But the LS doesn't have a zero gain option.

For what it's worth, I have the original Magni 3 and JDS Labs Atom. Both have a hi/low gain switch, while the LS's gain is fixed.
Sonically I prefer the LS to both of the other headphone amplifiers. Of course this is purely subjective. I just like the tone of the LS
better. I also have a Lokius and it works well with the LS. At $79 it's difficult to go wrong with the LS. It sounds quite a bit
like the Liquid Platinum: the same "House sound." Just not quite as detailed. But given the price difference that's not surprising.