[Nikos K]

I have just received my Sparkos Aries also
I could not resist plugging it in for a few minutes between my work calls.
Aries is indeed a very high caliber amplifier, clearly the best solid state I have heard so far, by a significant margin
Effortless, with outstanding detail retrieval and ease of presentation, images and organs are delineated in space with real breathing air in between
The Utopia is driven easily as expected
happy

 

[Palyodgree]

I have just received my Sparkos Aries also
I could not resist plugging it in for a few minutes between my work calls.
Aries is indeed a very high caliber amplifier, clearly the best solid state I have heard so far, by a significant margin
Effortless, with outstanding detail retrieval and ease of presentation, images and organs are delineated in space with real breathing air in between
The Utopia is driven easily as expected
happy

Nikos I sure like my Aries, it didn’t take long to realize what it brought to the table . I don’t stream much as I have access to an enormous collection of music , Personally I prefer the sound quality of ripped over streamed music from Qobuz
Having recently owned the Zenith and Phoenix let me suggest at some point check out the Zenith server . Personally I’m one to focus on what’s up stream of the dac or phono stage 2nd only to choice of high performing transducer.

 

[Nikos K]

Nikos I sure like my Aries, it didn’t take long to realize what it brought to the table . I don’t stream much as I have access to an enormous collection of music , Personally I prefer the sound quality of ripped over streamed music from Qobuz
Having recently owned the Zenith and Phoenix let me suggest at some point check out the Zenith server . Personally I’m one to focus on what’s up stream of the dac or phono stage 2nd only to choice of high performing transducer.

Your prioritization makes absolute sense ,anything lost upstream or muddled cannot be recovered, similar to a 2 channel hi end system. Decide what sound you like from the transducer and then start from upstream (cartridge/arm/turntable/drive etc)
Clearly the Zen Mini is not in the same league with the Zenith / Phoenix

 

[Nikos K]

Nikos I sure like my Aries, it didn’t take long to realize what it brought to the table . I don’t stream much as I have access to an enormous collection of music , Personally I prefer the sound quality of ripped over streamed music from Qobuz
Having recently owned the Zenith and Phoenix let me suggest at some point check out the Zenith server . Personally I’m one to focus on what’s up stream of the dac or phono stage 2nd only to choice of high performing transducer.

I am curious of the Audiobyte combo, it has good reviews from reviewers I respect and Rockna/audiobyte know their digital. Please post comparisons with the May when you receive it

 

[Palyodgree]

I am curious of the Audiobyte combo, it has good reviews from reviewers I respect and Rockna/audiobyte know their digital. Please post comparisons with the May when you receive it

In a nut shell I gave up waiting for the Audiobyte Hub , a streamer , to be released .It was the third piece to complete the digital stack. I took the server out of my main system to use for headphone listening and now my original idea for a small neat and tidy package is out the widow ,..
I no longer have the AudioByte Vox dac however I have a friend who owns a Hydra Vox I could borrow.
The Holo May KTE dac is ready to be shipped though I expect a long , long run in ,,..

 

[duranxv]

In a nut shell I gave up waiting for the Audiobyte Hub , a streamer , to be released .It was the third piece to complete the digital stack. I took the server out of my main system to use for headphone listening and now my original idea for a small neat and tidy package is out the widow ,..
I no longer have the AudioByte Vox dac however I have a friend who owns a Hydra Vox I could borrow.
The Holo May KTE dac is ready to be shipped though I expect a long , long run in ,,..

I'm awaiting the Holo Spring 3 - which is going to integrate some of the Holo May's features into it. Supposed to be coming out in the next few weeks hopefully. I imagine it'll pair real well with the Aries amp.

 

[Palyodgree]

I'm awaiting the Holo Spring 3 - which is going to integrate some of the Holo May's features into it. Supposed to be coming out in the next few weeks hopefully. I imagine it'll pair real well with the Aries a

Yeah i think Holo Audio offer tremendous value for the dollar , beautiful design with exceptional measurements and apparent fabulous sound quality.

 

[Palyodgree]

Your prioritization makes absolute sense ,anything lost upstream or muddled cannot be recovered, similar to a 2 channel hi end system. Decide what sound you like from the transducer and then start from upstream (cartridge/arm/turntable/drive etc)
Clearly the Zen Mini is not in the same league with the Zenith / Phoenix

Yes Innuos catapulted my listening experience to a whole other level a couple years ago though I’ve switched server brands to another brand I’m pretty sure I’ve found my Nirvana.
Sure if you stay with the Innuos brand keep an eye out for a used Zenith , it’ll rock your world ,.

 

[Vangelis]

Some changes are currently taking place with my system starting today ,... first my favourite lazy boy i use for listening is getting re-upholstered ,,... a new component rack with caster wheels is in the planning stage, a new dac will be ordered soon , Holo May KTE and my Sparkos Lab Aries is being returned for the Aries preamp model ,..,,...I know , I know who Fn cares ,,..

We share a somewhat simlar HiFi system. Considering a couple different SS upgrades after selling my Headamp Mini. I would be interested in driving a power amplifier from a preouts of headphone amp for my 2ch system. I noticed you had your Aries upgraded to the preamp version. Did you notice any change or sacrifice to the sound of your headphones with your new preamp version?

 

[Palyodgree]

We share a somewhat simlar HiFi system. Considering a couple different SS upgrades after selling my Headamp Mini. I would be interested in driving a power amplifier from a preouts of headphone amp for my 2ch system. I noticed you had your Aries upgraded to the preamp version. Did you notice any change or sacrifice to the sound of your headphones with your new preamp version?

Thats a great question , I did give that a bit of a think and went ahead anyway with the preamp model , I‘ll be able to answer that question once my new dac arrives . I’ll certainly post my findings.

 

[Palyodgree]

We share a somewhat simlar HiFi system. Considering a couple different SS upgrades after selling my Headamp Mini. I would be interested in driving a power amplifier from a preouts of headphone amp for my 2ch system. I noticed you had your Aries upgraded to the preamp version. Did you notice any change or sacrifice to the sound of your headphones with your new preamp version?

I did contact the manufacturer he told me “no“, it will not effect playback sound quality, the signal paths are identical in the standard Aries and the full Aries ...

 

[Vangelis]

The Aries is a apparent contender for the current top solid state amplifier and a great value, that being said and and tossing all costs aside what solid state amplifier clearly out performs the Aries?

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

Niimbus US5 Pro, Riviera AIC-10, Wells Audio Headtrip / Headtrip Lv II, Mass-Kobo 406 to name a few.

 

[Palyodgree]

Niimbus US5 Pro, Riviera AIC-10, Wells Audio Headtrip / Headtrip Lv II, Mass-Kobo 406 to name a few.

Bongiorno Mickey ,..., I understand your response to Vangelis question though it would be interesting to directly compare sound quality performance to these other headphone amplifiers starting at double the price and up . However what the Aries has in spades is its transparent character that doesn’t as far as I can tell add or subtract anything from the upstream components .

The reviews of the Sparkos Lab preamplifier are honest and spot on I would add this being the very first component offering by Andrew Sparks this young man has a brilliant high end audio future.

Mickey try one I’ll think you’ll like it ,...

 

[Nostoi]

Niimbus US5 Pro, Riviera AIC-10, Wells Audio Headtrip / Headtrip Lv II, Mass-Kobo 406 to name a few.

@project86 has written very clearly on the comparison between these amps. From what I recall, he mentioned the Aries gets into Niimbus territory at a significantly lower price (I actually think it's a bit of a bargain).

I would, however, love to try the Mass Kobo 406.