SparkoS Labs Gemini Headphone Amp

[dmagnan]

Has anyone here (or any professional reviewer) yet done a direct "shootout" comparison between the Sparkos Aries and the Sparkos Gemini, focusing hopefully on among other issues whether the Gemini is justified if the audiophile (like myself) already has the Aries and is extremely happy with it as a supremely sophisticated discrete OP-amp design with numerous sonic excellencies. For instance, it never sounds "solid state". I do think that the Aries could use a little tube "softness" and even more musicality, but I think that would be at the cost of some low distortion and loss of resolution. A real tradeoff.

 

[trinitty]

Well, I do have and enjoy both. While it's obvious the Aries is a different beast, extremely refined and pleasant with lots of details (it's an end game for me, actually), I'm surprised that I return more often than not to Gemini. The thing with Gemini, at least to me, is that it's so much fun and easy to listen to the music. It's muscular and at the same time elegant. And the fact that you can tune it to your tastes it's priceless. Oh, almost forgot. When you use Gemini as a preamp to the Aries (tip from Andrew Sparkos) something magical hapens (you'll part some tubiness to the big brother). Can't describe. You have to see it(listen) for yourself. Cheers !

 

[kobinski]

The profile of the GEMINI is being defined day by day.... I really like this amp. At least, connected to the X-SABRE 3 (I still have to listen to it with the YOUNG). At first, we could be tempted to say that this is a SS with a valve touch. And, in a way, it is so. But my impression is that it is more than a touch. And not only because of the possibilities to switch between the different settings. The sound you get with this hybrid is, dare I say, very singular. And I imagine that here the Sparkos opamp also play their part.

As I said from day one, if I recall correctly, what is most striking is the authority with which it handles any pair of headphones. However, it is not an authority that overwhelms - and here the tube I suppose will have something to say. Rather, it's like bringing a Doberman and laying it at your feet... for you to pet without fear. And as a preamp it does more than I initially imagined. In fact, I am also using them to preamplify the signal that reaches the EUFORIA... and, the truth is that the result convinces me more than with the LEHMANN... although I suspect that not as much as the one I obtained with the OOR. Well, I remember the OOR being a little more friendly. And I say suspect because I didn't go A/B. In any case, very good. We'll see how the final installation turns out. The best sound with the EUFORIA was extracted by plugging the YOUNG mkIII, but I don't want to disconnect the YOUNG, which has only one XLR output, from the OOR.... . That said: I'll see.

How would you define this very singular profile of the GEMINI? Well, as if the music came from the background and stopped just before hitting you in the face. Certainly, it's no longer the wall of the early days. But it's not like the notes are now going through your skull either. I've only had this sensation with the MEDOUSA. All this without going -yet- into the tube balancing... although I won't go crazy there either. My idea is to replace the stock valve with a 12AU7 or a 12AT7... a few weeks from now.

Let's see when we get to the two hundred hours that some claim out there... if the thing changes. Although I don't think the change, if any, will be drastic either.

By the way, I said I moved the SUS OGs no problem, even if the OOR provided a little more joy. The idea is that they were not that far from each other when it came to handling the HIFIMAN TOTLs. However, after listening to them again with the ENVY... I have my doubts that the OOR, despite what is said out there, will make the SUSs really let loose. Yes, but... Now, having said that, it is surprising how the GEMINI is coming. Maybe it's just me...

Best regards

 

[kobinski]

Today with this... Dynamics? Impressive. The CALDERA's are loose, loose.... The end notes, despite the tube —or rather, this tube, the stock tube— are smoother on the OOR. But this is not necessarily against the GEMINI.

best regards

 

[ToddRaymond]

Today with this... Dynamics? Impressive. The CALDERA's are loose, loose.... The end notes, despite the tube —or rather, this tube, the stock tube— are smoother on the OOR. But this is not necessarily against the GEMINI.

Are you saying that you are finding the Gemini to have more texture than the OOR? Or more detail, or....

 

[jonathan c]

Presumably, Gemini qualities such as texture would be tube-dependent, bias-dependent, (front button) gain-dependent.

 

[kobinski]

Presumably, Gemini qualities such as texture would be tube-dependent, bias-dependent, (front button) gain-dependent.

Right. Plus I suspect the GEMINI will pull a lot of gain (and by gain I don't mean —or not only— what you get with the gain knob). This as we know, if so, implies distortion. But in the case of the GEMINI, we would be dealing with distortion that comes in very well. I imagine that this “distortion” has to do with the incisive character of the GEMINI, even if it is dressed in silk dresses. However, I have not yet rolled the tubes. Therefore, I trust our colleague @jonathan c. For, moreover, that is usually the case. However, I would say that OOR is finer when it comes to microdynamics... although the GEMINI is not far behind in this respect either.

best regards

 

[kobinski]

Absolute synergy with D8000...

 

[jonathan c]

Gemini, tubed with a 'cryo treated' Brimar CV4003 -- a 12AU7 which requires the Type 2 jumper setting -- delivers the goods! Grado RS-1x is a fine headphone in this setting (& many others)! EDIT: excellent tonal balance, convincing spatial presentation -- no paucity of depth or height. Impact? Mmm mmm !

 

[kobinski]

Hi @jonathan c . What feet did you put on the Gemini?
Thanks in advance.

 

[VintageAudio]

Just ordered one of these puppies based on the positive reviews and ability to dial in the tubi-ness.

Seems to be consensus that the stock 6922 is a great start.

Andrew Sparks indicated that the 12BH7s were nice on the Gemini.

I have some Genelex Gold Lion 6922s I can try, but was also considering the Wathen Cryotone ECC88s and Wathen Cryotone 12BH7.

Anyone play with these?

Chain would be:

Topping DX90 III Discrete 1-bit DAC > Sparkos Gemini > HifiMan Susvara

Also want to use it is a pre-amp to my Choco Emei or Ayima A70 amp onto some LS50Metas, Buchardt S400Mk2, or Buchardt E50s.

Fun stuff!

 

[jonathan c]

Hi @jonathan c . What feet did you put on the Gemini? Thanks in advance.

The taller rubber feet are from Western Supply Warehouse (US); there may be a vendor closer to you. The circular silver feet are from Ebay.

 

[kobinski]

Thanks, @jonathan c. !

 

[kobinski]

Just ordered one of these puppies based on the positive reviews and ability to dial in the tubi-ness.

Seems to be consensus that the stock 6922 is a great start.

Andrew Sparks indicated that the 12BH7s were nice on the Gemini.

I have some Genelex Gold Lion 6922s I can try, but was also considering the Wathen Cryotone ECC88s and Wathen Cryotone 12BH7.

Anyone play with these?

Chain would be:

Topping DX90 III Discrete 1-bit DAC > Sparkos Gemini > HifiMan Susvara

Also want to use it is a pre-amp to my Choco Emei or Ayima A70 amp onto some LS50Metas, Buchardt S400Mk2, or Buchardt E50s.

Fun stuff!

The other day I did my first tube rooling with the GEMINI with the 12Au7 Gold Lion. Very good. The sound is less incisive than with the original. EMHO. I take note of the 12BH7s.
On the other hand, I am pleased to see that you use the Susvara with the GEMINI. Well, when I listened the other day with the same combination I thought I was inside a hallucination...

best regards

 

[VintageAudio]

Thanks, @jonathan c. !

Right now I use my Susvara with Bakoon Amp-13r which is very good. Will be able to try with Gemini later this week I hope (when it arrives). Excited to hallucinate