2. amps-preamps
  3. 195215-189789

op amp rolling

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipO7mVKfzW_dSV5rxCvMv4z2gwdtk1cLM3eSFhIy

I have a setup for a send system that I have been playing with to see what I can do on the cheap and I've been quite surprised at the result so far. I've been reading about supposedly major improvements in performance of the Fosi ZA3 amps with op amp swaps. I'm wondering if anyone else has had any experience with the various ones available. I'm running the dual mono with XLR on each speaker bi wired to max the power which means I'll need three per amp which will cost more than the amps so I'd like to get it right the first time if I can. I'd like to take some of the sibilance from the top end which some I reckon comes from the nature of the speakers (Klipsch RPM 600II). Any opinions/advice would be most welcome. I'm looking at the Burson v7 vivid and the sparko but the sparko has been reported as softening the ZA3 too much which the reviewers on youtube seem to like for the V3 mono but not for the ZA3. I have attached a link to the setup because I cand figure out how to attach the photo to this forum. Thanks in advance

johnnybwood
johnnybwood OP
59 posts
 

I will say that the system is quite a departure from my main system which uses electric static speakers and Macintosh gear, but I don’t want to reinvent the wheel. I’m just having fun with this all digital system in a simplistic set up.That being said, I don’t wanna be reinventing the wheel here. I’m quite happy for right now to work with what I’ve got. I actually like the way the system sounds for what it is. I just wanted to tame down the forward brightness of the clips in the class D apps with maybe some mellow or sounding op apps. if anybody out there has done it I’d love to hear about it. I'm getting into streaming and probably will inegrate it into my main system but for now I'm enjoying the simplicity of this system and checking out new music. I like tinkering with equipment so I thought it would be fun to mod the amps.

bigeks357's avatar
bigeks357
5 posts
 

I did the same thing for a bedroom system for the same reasons.  Got a pair of Fosi ZA3s and rolled the op amps with Burson V7 Vivids (yes, op amps cost more than the unit).  There's a lot of talk on removing ALL of the op amps and just inserting the XLR and channel amps, since you won't use anything else (second channel, RCA), so you only need two op amps if you run them as mono and use only one input. I tried with stock, with Vivid, with extraneous op amps removed.  All three slightly nuanced and removing extras DID make a difference.  Call it an "inexpensive" system, but the centerpiece is a Topping Centaurus R2R and it is worth every penny. Added a Schiit Saga pre, WiiM Ultra, etc. Super fun to build this.

audiodwebe's avatar
audiodwebe
260 posts
 

I also have the Fosi monos and have upgraded the op amps to the SparkoS brand. For balanced, you’ll need two op amps per mono and not three. Three if you’re also swapping out the op amp for the RCA input.

I don’t recall the improvements I heard as I did the swap many months ago, but to my recollection there was more detail in the music. I was pleasantly surprised with the improvements the SparkoS made to an already good sounding pair of monos. 

I also upgraded the power blocks but that improvement, if there was any at all, was rather small and I might have just imagined it. But the SparkoS was clearly audible.

 

johnnybwood OP
59 posts
 

audiodwebe

Are you running the mono's or the za3?

johnnybwood OP
59 posts
 

bigeks357

Did the vivids reign in and take some of the edge off? Do you think it was significant enough to justify it? Looks like about 500.00 for the six. Won't bother with the sub outs. Doubt there would be any appreciable gains there.

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