SparkoS Labs Gemini Headphone Amp

[jonathan c]

Gemini, 'tubed' with Raytheon JAN 'windmill getter' 5751, is very happy to with ZMF Caldera Closed!

 

[VintageAudio]

M1 MacBook Pro > Geshelli JNOG 3 via USB with 2 x VirtualHifi Supersonic V2 op amps via balanced to RCA cables into the Sparkos Gemini with a Wathen Audio Cryotone ECC88 tube > Bakoon Amp 13-R running in power amp mode.

Did have an Aiyima A70 budget amp in place of the Bakoon but I blew it up somehow.

Plan to replace it with a 3E audio A5 TPA-chip based amp once they get back in stock, so I can move my Bakoon Amp-13R into my other setup.

Headphones are Hifiman Susvara OG, and also Etymotic ER2XR, speakers are KEF LS50 metas.

Everything sounds wonderful!

 

[psklrdk]

I am listening the Gemini with the merason frerot today. A great combination regarding the size on the desk. This is really compact setup with a mature sound. Will try to pair it also with other headphones to see if they are scaling with it. Definitely worth a try.

 

[plcpitt]

I am listening the Gemini with the merason frerot today. A great combination regarding the size on the desk. This is really compact setup with a mature sound. Will try to pair it also with other headphones to see if they are scaling with it. Definitely worth a try.

Nice system. What amp were you using before the Gemini and what are those great looking headphones?

 

[psklrdk]

Nice system. What amp were you using before the Gemini and what are those great looking headphones?

The Headphones are ZMF Atrium open. I am using mostly the Cayin HA-6a in the other setup.

 

[TheMiddleSky]

The Headphones are ZMF Atrium open. I am using mostly the Cayin HA-6a in the other setup.

What do you think aboute Gemini compare to HA-6A?

 

[plcpitt]

The Headphones are ZMF Atrium open. I am using mostly the Cayin HA-6a in the other setup.

Great looking headphones and I expect they sound as good as they look. Cost is more than I can justify but will do a bit of research to see if I should expand my horizons. Thanks.

 

[VintageAudio]

Has anyone tried one of those tube depot 6SN7 to 6922 adapter to expand tube rolling possibilities?

When I owned a Schiit Freya+,Schiit had some solid state 6SN7s LIIST tubes, you could run in place of real tubes.

Good for a backup or if you never want to have a no maintenance pre-amp.

Might be fun to try...if it doesn't damage the Gemini.

 

[jonathan c]

Has anyone tried one of those tube depot 6SN7 to 6922 adapter to expand tube rolling possibilities?

When I owned a Schiit Freya+,Schiit had some solid state 6SN7s LIIST tubes, you could run in place of real tubes.

Good for a backup or if you never want to have a no maintenance pre-amp.

Might be fun to try...if it doesn't damage the Gemini.

Note: the 6SN7 has a heater (filament) current of 600 mA, while the 6922 has a heater (filament) current of 300 mA. This could be a problem in Gemini.

 

[trinitty]

Well, the heater circuit can deliver up to 1 A (according to Andrew Sparkos). I did try a 6N6P tube , which draws up to 760mA and it's working splendidly. I use this tube in other rigs and I wondered what if...considering it's a fantastic tube. So I reached Andrew and he gave me the go. The cherry on top, it's not expensive, like many other ridiculously priced tubes. I do advise you guys try 6N6P tube. It's a marvel. Prefer those with red tip or made by Photon.
Happy listening !
A glimpse to Gemini imbued with 6N6P tube

 

[VintageAudio]

Well, the heater circuit can deliver up to 1 A (according to Andrew Sparkos). I did try a 6N6P tube , which draws up to 760mA and it's working splendidly. I use this tube in other rigs and I wondered what if...considering it's a fantastic tube. So I reached Andrew and he gave me the go. The cherry on top, it's not expensive, like many other ridiculously priced tubes. I do advise you guys try 6N6P tube. It's a marvel. Prefer those with red tip or made by Photon.
Happy listening !
A glimpse to Gemini imbued with 6N6P tube

Thanks for sharing.

Yes, I was thinking it might depend on what the power supply on the Gemini can output (despite specified current) if it would work or not.

Good to know.

I'm pretty happy with the way my system sounds now...but curiosity is always lingering

 

[DangerToast]

Very interested in auditioning this amp. I have a bit of an odd question: do the 1/4” and and XLR headphone outputs work simultaneously, and, if so, are there any downside to running two headphones out of the gemini at once? The wife and I like to listen together, from the same source, whenever possible. Thanks!

 

[VintageAudio]

Very interested in auditioning this amp. I have a bit of an odd question: do the 1/4” and and XLR headphone outputs work simultaneously, and, if so, are there any downside to running two headphones out of the gemini at once? The wife and I like to listen together, from the same source, whenever possible. Thanks!

The one difference I noticed between the 2 headphone outputs is, if you have headphones plugged into the 1/4" jack, the pre-amp RCA outputs on the back of the unit will cut out.

With the XLR headphone outputs, they will play simultaneously with the RCA preamp outputs.

If you are not using the unit as a pre-amp to active speakers or a power amp, then I don't think there's any issue using both headphones outputs at the same time.

 

[plcpitt]

Agree with VintageAudio but would also suggest you contact Andrew Sparks through the sparkoslabs website. Who gets to control the volume?

 

[DangerToast]

Agree with VintageAudio but would also suggest you contact Andrew Sparks through the sparkoslabs website. Who gets to control the volume?

Thanks VintageAudio and plcpitt! Purchased! As with all happy marriages, we fight over who controls the volume knob, and she always wins . I don’t know why I’m choosing to insert that emoji. It just seems super weird and somehow appropriate?

Anyway, I’m really excited to get my hands on this thing and argue not only over the volume knob, but also the gain setting and the million other settings controlling the tubey-ness.

My deciding to purchase it was a long one. I just purchased two DCA Noire X’s (again, for his and hers listening), and it seems from reviews like the gemini is the absolute best option for a hybrid amp that can work well with planars while offering such flexibility with regards to the sound. Was considering some solid looking options from xduoo but the Gemini seems like a significant step up. I’ll also be trying it with some CA IEMs even though that will almost certainly be dumb.