The Opamp thread

[TheManko]

Could someone compare Burson V7 Vivid vs Sparkos SS3602 in terms of sound?

I own both, and V6 Vivid as well. I think V7 Vivid is a clear step above SS3602 in sound quality. I haven't done a direct comparison in a long while, but the biggest advantage of V7 Vivid is that it makes SS3602 feel a bit distant and vague in comparison. SS3602 reproduces the air and reverb very well, which can sound awesome in games for example. But the sound is a bit too leaned back, whereas V7 Vivid also reproduces that air and reverb just as well, but also allows sounds to be more forward and to cut through that air and project more directly at you. To my ears it sounds like a more correct reproduction of sound. At least in my system I see no reason to use SS3602 instead of V7 Vivid, as V7 Vivid are just better in every way. No matter the genre of music, if it's a movie, a game or just sound effect recordings on youtube like a walking video, V7 Vivid are better. With V6 Vivid and SS3602 the two had their strengths and weaknesses where I could prefer one over the other depending on situation. But since I got V7 Vivid they have collected dust, because V7 Vivid are just a tier above in quality and can create sounds that the others simply cannot.

 

[Ben86]

I own both, and V6 Vivid as well. I think V7 Vivid is a clear step above SS3602 in sound quality. I haven't done a direct comparison in a long while, but the biggest advantage of V7 Vivid is that it makes SS3602 feel a bit distant and vague in comparison. SS3602 reproduces the air and reverb very well, which can sound awesome in games for example. But the sound is a bit too leaned back, whereas V7 Vivid also reproduces that air and reverb just as well, but also allows sounds to be more forward and to cut through that air and project more directly at you. To my ears it sounds like a more correct reproduction of sound. At least in my system I see no reason to use SS3602 instead of V7 Vivid, as V7 Vivid are just better in every way. No matter the genre of music, if it's a movie, a game or just sound effect recordings on youtube like a walking video, V7 Vivid are better. With V6 Vivid and SS3602 the two had their strengths and weaknesses where I could prefer one over the other depending on situation. But since I got V7 Vivid they have collected dust, because V7 Vivid are just a tier above in quality and can create sounds that the others simply cannot.

Wow, thanks for the detailed explanation did you also try to compare V7V vs SIL994?

 

[TheManko]

did you also try to compare V7V vs SIL994?

I've never heard or owned the SIL994! I've never heard any Sonic Imagery op amps. I've been curious, because the 990ENH is offered by some amplifier companies like Nord Acoustics as an equivalent but different alternative to Sparkos SS2590. I haven't been able to justify buying them to test because I have a fairly big pile of op amps already. There's probably someone out there who happens to own the SIL994, so let's hope they chime in with comparisons against the SS3602 or V7 Vivid. I have no idea what tier of quality they're at.

 

[les24preludes]

I have a chi-fi PCM56 DAC and I've started op-amp rolling in it. It has 2 stages of op-amps and comes with four NE5534s. I started with LT1028 in the first stage but that wasn't happy. A LT1363 was better, quite good but not game changing. Then by good luck I found I had a pair of AD845 so put those in. That was a game changer. Detailed, punchy, clear vocals and the music "made sense" if you've had that experience and recognise it. It's probably a result of more clarity in the instrumental parts and lines combined with a smidge more attack on notes.

So..... I'm embarking on a period of trying the "usual suspects" - AD811, AD825, AD844, AD843, AD797, OPA627 for starters. All have a reputation for this kind of clarity. It won't be without problems. Many are obsolete, most are expensive or even silly money, plenty of fakes from China. And these days some are SOIC rather than DIP8 so that means adapters. And then there are practical considerations to deal with - AD811 gets hot, AD843 has offset issues etc. I just hope it will all be worth it. From what I'm hearing with the AD845 I'm cautiously optimistic, but it won't be a smooth ride.

Any similar experiences you've had with these op-amps would be most welcome.

 

[TheManko]

AD811, AD825, AD844, AD843, AD797, OPA627 for starters. All have a reputation for this kind of clarity. It won't be without problems. Many are obsolete, most are expensive or even silly money, plenty of fakes from China.

As you noted, these are all old and often have new versions intended to replace them, except they're now made in SOIC packages instead. This means the older parts are often much more expensive now than they were just 10 years ago. On manufacturer websites you can often scroll down and see what they recommend as modern equivalents to older parts. For example, on the page for Texas Instruments page for OPA627 the recommended modern replacement is OPA828, and for AD797 Analog devices recommend AD4898, AD8597 and ADA4627. It can unfortunately be hard to find these replacements pre-made on DIP8 boards. But you can have a look on sites that sell op amps like Audiophonics, sellers on Ebay, Aliexpress or whatever. They usually have many good options you could test.

 

[SHIMACM]

Hey guys! I bought these Muses02 on Ebay. I paid $23.5 for each. The chip contacts are very flexible. Could you tell me whether or not the chips are original?

 

[TheManko]

Could you tell me whether or not the chips are original?

Compared to mine which are real, yours look identical. I bought fake MUSES01 on Ebay many years ago, and they had the wrong logo with wrong color and legs with normal stiffness instead of the soft ones. But that was many years ago, and fakes are probably much better now. Yours seem to be authentic, but who knows!

 

[SHIMACM]

Compared to mine which are real, yours look identical. I bought fake MUSES01 on Ebay many years ago, and they had the wrong logo with wrong color and legs with normal stiffness instead of the soft ones. But that was many years ago, and fakes are probably much better now. Yours seem to be authentic, but who knows!

The seller claimed they were authentic. I hope so. I'm waiting for another one that I bought to arrive so I can install them on my amplifiers and listen with my own ears.

 

[leeperry]

I bought these Muses02 on Ebay

Only get MUSES from official reseller, or else

 

[SHIMACM]

Only get MUSES from official reseller, or else

But now I already bought it.

 

[TheManko]

But now I already bought it.

For consolation there are many more genuine MUSES02 in circulation now that Fosi Audio and others have made them popular in low cost speaker amps, so it's not impossible that you got real ones. MUSES02 in particular seems to have been given a second lease on life recently as there are brand new products shipping with them installed, like the Rose RD160 dac and the Mamoritai Euphony headphone amplifier.

 

[vendix]

Hey guys! I got a good deal on Aliexpress for some Burson V5i-Ds. I received them today and I think I know the reason now for the cheap price. They look completely different than the pictures that you can find on the internet. Am I right by assuming that these are fake?

 

[TheManko]

Am I right by assuming that these are fake?

Yes, they are probably fakes. On the Burson Audio product page, if you scroll all the way down, there you can see user photos of builds using the V5i-D. The real ones are more chromed, they have a slightly speckled textured under light, and are more squared off in their shape. Yours are far too matte with the wrong shape. Aliexpress strikes again.

 

[Gustavo1976]

I have V7 dual vivid on kaei tap 1 pro. What your oppinion about sx45b?

 

[jjazzy]

I just did a review on the Sparkos Labs SS3602

For people who are interested.
http://www.head-fi.org/showcase/sparkos-labs-ss3602-discrete-op-amps.22289/reviews

& my website
http://jjazzifi.com/review-sparkos-labs-ss3602/