SparkoS Aries headphone amp

[sparko311]

Thanks for the feedback!

The jack on the front is Blue, which implies an input.. The color code for an output would be if it were green. I think Mic input jacks are a different color still.

But as you mentioned, not everyone knows that. But that is the reason it was not initially labeled.

 

[Benno1988]

Has anyone used the 3.5mm input?

 

[Benno1988]

I've gone back to the Aries. Recently have ditched the TT2, iCan Pro, Singxer SA1.

Have a Benchmark AHB2 en route too for my speakers, and am modding a switch box to allow quick flicking between using it to drive speakers then headphones.

Keen to hear how it differs from Aries driving headphones. Albeit it will still be in the chain on preamp duties.

 

[vulup]

Thought I'd add to the thread. I am really enjoying the Aries as well. Currently listening to the ZMF Atrium on the Aries. Only gripe I have is that the RCA connectors aren't far enough apart for my RCA cable set with Xhadow RCA connectors. If anyone has a suggestion on a DAC to pair with the Aries, by all means. Hugo 2 & TT2 have been dropped in this thread thus far, I believe. I am using the Soekris dac2541 right now and while great, it is becoming the weakest link, so to speak. Andrew is great to deal with, too.

 

[Benno1988]

I'd play to the strengths. Dynamics, black background, punchy etc. Qutest is good (or Hugo or TT2).

 

[vulup]

I just ordered a pair of Audio Art AAC Statement e IC Cryo XLR Gold Interconnects & Synergistic Research Purple fuse for the Aeris- hoping for good synergy. First time with a "HiFi" fuse. Curious more than anything else.

 

[bluenight]

How's the synergy with HD800S?
If i dont like the synergy with Ferrum Oor +Hypsos. Too dry and harsh treble and to little subb bass information and not enjoying the music so much. Could Sparkos work better?

 

[Rayon]

@Nostoi you mentioned something about trying Aries with IEMs. I have Softears Cerberus that are 104db/mw and their sensitivity is 5ohm. I wonder if I'm going to be able to use them safely with Aries and Holo May. Holo May gives out 2.9Vrms from RCA. I did some initial calculations using these parameters and unless my calculations are wrong, this setup would produce 95db on low gain and attenuator minimized @ -53db. That kind of sounds like playing with fire. With Campfire Andromeda, the situation would be quite brutal.

I kind of wish there was -10db or -20db gain option on top of +10, +20, +30 for the most sensitive IEMs or then more steps in the attenuator.

 

[Nostoi]

@Nostoi you mentioned something about trying Aries with IEMs. I have Softears Cerberus that are 104db/mw and their sensitivity is 5ohm. I wonder if I'm going to be able to use them safely with Aries and Holo May. Holo May gives out 2.9Vrms from RCA. I did some initial calculations using these parameters and unless my calculations are wrong, this setup would produce 95db on low gain and attenuator minimized @ -53db. That kind of sounds like playing with fire. With Campfire Andromeda, the situation would be quite brutal.

I kind of wish there was -10db or -20db gain option on top of +10, +20, +30 for the most sensitive IEMs or then more steps in the attenuator.

Hi, I'm afraid it's been a long time since I had the Aries, but I never had an issues with noise on IEMs. I'm sure other folks on this thread can provide more info.

 

[Rayon]

Hi, I'm afraid it's been a long time since I had the Aries, but I never had an issues with noise on IEMs. I'm sure other folks on this thread can provide more info.

I'm not worried about the noise, but that it will explode my IEMs.

 

[Nostoi]

I'm not worried about the noise, but that it will explode my IEMs.

Should be fine. The gain on the Sparkos is very precise. So long as you can set your DAC to 1v or 2v, I wouldn't see a problem.

 

[Rayon]

Should be fine. The gain on the Sparkos is very precise. So long as you can set your DAC to 1v or 2v, I wouldn't see a problem.

In May it's fixed @ 2.9v. Anyway, hopefully the difference between 2 vs 2.9 doesn't make it or break it. That's just 3db so I would be super unlucky if I landed right there where it's juuuust too loud at amps minimum settings

 

[Rayon]

@Nostoi you mentioned something about trying Aries with IEMs. I have Softears Cerberus that are 104db/mw and their sensitivity is 5ohm. I wonder if I'm going to be able to use them safely with Aries and Holo May. Holo May gives out 2.9Vrms from RCA. I did some initial calculations using these parameters and unless my calculations are wrong, this setup would produce 95db on low gain and attenuator minimized @ -53db. That kind of sounds like playing with fire. With Campfire Andromeda, the situation would be quite brutal.

I kind of wish there was -10db or -20db gain option on top of +10, +20, +30 for the most sensitive IEMs or then more steps in the attenuator.

@sparko311 I got the amp today. This definitely needs lower gain settings. I'm using this with Focal Utopia and Holo May @ +10db and -52dB (the absolute minimum setting) and it's not even my quiet listening level. It's not yet loud, but if it's not very relaxing either. Holo May gives out 2.9V (non adjustable) and Utopias are 104dB sensitivity @ 80ohm. I'm not sure if I dare to use it with my Softears Cerberus which are same sensitivity, but only 5ohm. This definitely needs like -10db gain setting for low sensitivity gear. Right now I can use it, but I can't say I'm happy that I can't listen it quiet with my full sized headphones without using software based attenuation. Feels like settling, which shouldn't happen at this price point.

Sound is great though and +1 for no channel imbalance on lowest setting.

 

[Rayon]

@sparko311 what is the input impedance of Aries (se and xlr)? I'm thinking about buying Goldpoint to attenuate the signal.

 

[tamtrum]

I was apart of a small demo tour that was set up by Andrew of Sparkos Labs and I was given the opportunity to use the Aries amp (XLR version) for a week! Here's some backstory and then my review of the Aries :

I initially heard of Sparkos Labs through their discrete-based op amps and I used the SS3601 as drop in replacements for the OPA551 in the Pete Millet DIY Sangaku Kit and I was already impressed with the sound upgrades I was hearing from this change. When Andrew sent out an email asking if anyone was interested in Aries tour, I was really curious and jumped on the chance to hear it!

Sound Impressions: Pairing the Aries amp with my Prismsound Callia is a pretty neat experience. It's a neutral sounding amp, the bass is very clean and tight, the treble is resolving and not harsh whatsoever. The stage width is decently wide and the separation of instruments is well done. Aries has some dynamics that I am happy with when I used it with my HD580.

User Experience: The amp runs a bit warm but not hot, the touch screen is quite responsive, I've had no issues or complaints with the user experience. I like the sound of the reed relays when I was changing the volume.

Conclusion: If you have the funds to swing for this amp, it's a well designed solid-state amp that looks and sounds good. If I were to ask for something different about this amp, I'd ask for a remote control for volume control and muting purposes which would be great for 2 channel listening setups. Thank you Andrew for setting this up and I'm looking forward to whatever else you have in the pipeline!