This Amp Hack is Changing the Hifi Industry! No more Gate Keeping

Summary

The video enthusiastically promotes upgrading inexpensive class D amplifiers by replacing their operational amplifiers (opamps) to customize and optimize sound. It describes swapping various opamps in an FZYA Audio amplifier, assessing impacts to clarity, warmth, soundstage, etc. The sparkos opamps excel, intensely pulling the listener in with expansive, immersive sound. Opamp rolling mimics changing phono cartridges. Upgrade costs start small, so those with limited budgets can incrementally improve their systems and resell unwanted opamps.

Takeaways

• 😀 These budget amps can be upgraded to get high-end performance for a fraction of the cost
• 🤔 The opamps significantly change the sound characteristics like clarity, warmth, sound stage etc
• 🧐 You only need to change 2-3 opamps in the amps to get most of the benefit
• 😮 The Sparkos opamps gave the biggest improvement in sound stage, imaging and dynamics
• 🤩 The Burson opamps made the sound smoother and more laidback
• 😲 The TI opamps emphasized cleanliness and clarity in the treble
• 🔧 The amps are easy to modify by swapping opamps in sockets on the circuit board
• 💰 Start with cheap amp, upgrade opamps incrementally as budget allows
• 👍 Can resell opamps later if you don't like them after trying out
• ✅ Overall changing opamps is an inexpensive way to tune the sound of budget amps

Q & A

What was the first high-fi product the narrator purchased?

The first proper high-fi product the narrator purchased was a used 12 watt per channel receiver that cost about $100.

How much power can the class D amplifiers discussed put out?

The class D amplifiers discussed can put out 70, 80, or 200 watts per channel depending on the power supply.

What does the narrator recommend to help protect yourself from getting hacked?

The narrator recommends using a quality VPN service like NordVPN to help protect yourself from getting hacked when using public Wi-Fi.

Why does the narrator think upgrading cheap amplifiers makes sense?

The narrator thinks upgrading cheap amplifiers makes sense because you can upgrade components over time as your budget allows, much like upgrading a car.

Which op amp did the narrator say adds warmth and smoothness?

The narrator said the Burson Audio V5i dual op amp adds warmth and smoothness, making it good for taming harsh-sounding speakers.

What op amp did the narrator say was his favorite for the amplifier?

The narrator's favorite op amp for the amplifier was the SparkOS SS3602, which he said made the sound more intense, immersive, and dynamic.

How did the narrator compare op amp rolling to other audio upgrades?

The narrator compared changing out op amps to changing phono cartridges on a turntable in terms of altering and customizing the sound.

What speaker was used for the op amp comparisons?

The speaker used for the op amp comparisons was the PSB Alpha 3.

How can readers support the narrator's channel?

Viewers can support the narrator's channel by signing up on Patreon, using affiliate links, liking videos, subscribing, or sending money via Thanks on YouTube.

What does the narrator recommend listeners do instead of binge watching tv/movies?

The narrator recommends listeners "binge listen" to music through their favorite new op amp rather than binge watch shows.

Outlines

00:00

😊 Introducing Class D Amplifiers That Can Be Hacked for Better Performance

The paragraph introduces new class D amplifiers that provide high power at low cost. These can be hacked and modified, like upgrading components in a cheap sports car, to improve their Hi-Fi audio performance substantially. Different op amps create different sound profiles and can help tailor the amplifiers to one's preferences.

05:01

😎 Comparing How Different Op Amps Change the Sound Characteristics

The paragraph describes the author's process for comparing different op amps in an amplifier. Using an amplifier switcher and high quality speakers, the sound character with stock op amps is compared to alternatives like the 1656, Bon v5i, and Sparkos. The Sparkos op amp provides the most intense and immersive experience.

10:01

😃 Sparkos Op Amps Take the Amplifier's Performance to the Next Level

The paragraph elaborates on how the Sparkos op amps dramatically improve spatial imaging and dynamics of the amplifier. This creates a more engaging and lively sound. The op amp rolling process allows customizing an amplifier's sound at reasonable cost.

Keywords

💡Amplifier

An amplifier is an electronic device that increases the power of a signal. In audiophile terms, it refers to a component that boosts the audio signal going to speakers. The video talks about inexpensive Class D amplifiers that can output high wattages at low cost, making them ideal to get started in hi-fi. The script mentions brands like FiiO, Aiyima and SMSL.

💡Op-amp

An operational amplifier or op-amp is an integrated circuit that amplifies voltage signals. In the video, op-amps are discussed as ways to modify and upgrade the sound of inexpensive amplifiers. Different op-amp models like the Burson V5i or Sparkos SS3602 have distinct sonic flavors that can tailor the sound.

💡Soundstage

Soundstage refers to the perceived spatial characteristics of the sound - the width, depth and height of the audio image. The script mentions how op-amps like the Sparkos widen the soundstage, creating a more immersive experience.

💡Imaging

Imaging refers to the placement of instruments and voices in the stereo soundstage. The video discusses how op-amps improve imaging qualities like center image and channel separation.

💡Dynamics

Dynamics refer to the range between loud and soft sounds. The script describes how certain op-amps improve the dynamics, making the music more lively and intense.

💡Warmth

In audio, warmth refers to a full, rich sound with emphasized mid-bass. The video describes how the Burson V5i op-amps provide a smooth, warm sound compared to more analytical op-amps.

💡Clarity

Clarity refers to the ability to hear fine details and textures in the music. Some op-amps like the stock 5532 are described as providing clean, clear sound.

💡Analog

In audio, analog refers to continuous signal transmission as opposed to digital. Op-amps process analog signals, providing analog sound modification versus digital effects.

💡Transistor

A transistor is an electronic component that regulates current flow. Transistors were a breakthrough that enabled miniaturized hi-fi components. The script refers to op-amps being the biggest advancement since the transistor.

💡Audiophile

An audiophile is a person who is enthusiastic about high-fidelity sound reproduction. This video is geared towards audiophiles on a budget looking to maximize inexpensive gear.

Highlights

These amps like this could be the most important invention in Hi-Fi since the transistor.

You can get started with these amps right away, then hot rod and upgrade them over time as your budget allows.

Upgrading components is common in car culture, but often questioned in audiophile circles. However it allows you to start small and improve incrementally.

All these op amps sound different and provide a way for audiophiles to tune the sound.

The TI NE5532 op amps are very clean and even sounding. Good baseline reference.

The TI OPA1656 adds more clarity, dynamics and treble compared to stock op amps.

The Burson V5i smooths the sound, adds warmth and calms harshness.

The Sparkos Labs op amps greatly improve imaging, soundstage size and dynamics - big upgrade.

Rolling op amps brings tube-like sound tuning without the downsides of tubes.

The OPA1656 brings slightly more air and soundstage space.

The Burson V5i is laidback and relaxed sounding.

The Sparkos op amps make the sound intense, immersive and engaging.

Upgrading allows customizing sound in an incremental way, great for those starting their audiophile journey.

Op amp rolling brings significant sonic changes, like changing phono cartridges.

The Sparkos op amps provide excellent sound quality even with imperfect speakers or rooms.

Transcripts

these amps like this like this could be

the most important invention in Hi-Fi

since the transistor I kid you not

really good it completely changes things

so sit down grab a cup of coffee and

let's talk about how these amps are

changing the entire Hi-Fi industry and

how you can hack them to get even better

performance

[Music]

[Applause]

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[Applause]

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when I was a kid this my friends was my

first receiver 12 WTS per Channel I paid

about a 100 bucks used for this same

model of receiver in the80s while it

wasn't the first high-fi product I had

ever purchased on my journey it was the

first proper high- five product today

you can get a bunch of these class D

amplifiers for around the same price the

difference is these are putting out 70

880 200 watts per Che Channel depending

upon the power supply these amplifiers

in a way can be hacked with this or this

or even this so let's hack these amps

but first a word from our sponsor to

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today's

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video These are not expensive amps and

some of the op amps I'm going to talk

about today can be fairly expensive

especially when you're buying multiple

opamps and I was talking to one of my

patrons which by the way we have an

awesome community and you should check

it out it's

patreon.com audioman we were talking

about doing upgrades on an amplifier

that turn out to be more expensive than

the amplifier itself kind of like when I

was 16 and I had a $600 stereo and a

$500 car but you see that's kind of the

point when you're first starting out

your Hi-Fi Journey you may not have a

lot of money I know I didn't and with a

product like a fzy AIO za3 or an Aima

a07 Max you can get started right away

with the product but then you can Hot

Rod the heck out of it you can spend a

little or you can spend a lot and in my

experience you will hear a

[Music]

difference my son has a Mazda Miata he

loves it it's kind of a running joke

because every time we talk we're talking

about the next thing that he's upgrading

sway bars coil overs short shifter

steering wheel extension there's so many

things things that you can do to that

car to upgrade it and I think in car

culture everybody upgrades their cars

but in our culture the Hi-Fi the audio

file culture people always get in the

comments and say why would you spend x

amount of money to upgrade $150 an why

not just spend that on something used

well because not everybody has that

money upfront and these can also be run

in mono and stereo so initially you can

run them in Stereo when you get more

money you can run them in mono

and when you save up more money you can

upgrade the opamps the thing about it is

though all these opamps sound different

or they have a different flavor but I

think I found the one that I like the

[Music]

best did a little comparison on the fzy

audio za3 with three different op amps

the sparos Dual op amp SS what is it

3602 the Bon audio V5 ID and this Texas

instrument 6

1956 and the ones that came in the za3

the 5532 also from Texas

Instruments one does not need to change

out all five opam and I didn't I only

changed out three frankly I really only

needed to change out two depends on

whether you're listening through XLR or

RCA so you can keep your upgrade costs

down by only buying the necessary amount

of opamps bored in the py audio za3

really well done it's labeled so you

know exactly which op amp you're

changing out I don't think you need to

change out the subwoofer op amps

personally the stock

5532 off amps have a very clean even

Dynamic Sound compared to something like

the Fato V3 I don't know what opamps are

in the Fato V3 you can change those out

as well the reason why I like the za3

though is because you can run it in mono

so you can add an additional amplifier

improve Channel separation and have a

dedicated power supply appi to each

amplifier anyway that's another video so

the stock op amps super clean but you

don't really know how they sound until

you change them out and compare them

what I did was put them on an amp

switcher so I used the aatika preamp

because it can output to both amplifiers

a and amplifiers B at the same time so I

could use the same Source The Source was

the su1 it's a Dack from smsl about $80

I had a weam pro going into the su1 one

going out to the amplifiers via RCA then

into the amp switcher and then into

these really good PSB Alpha 3 speakers

that's going to be another video so if

you're not subscribed make sure you

subscribe because I got a lot to say

about this PSB

[Music]

speaker the

1656 takes everything the stock op amp

5532 does and turns it up to

11

these count to 11 more clarity more

Dynamics more concentration on the top

end if you're into cleanliness you like

to hear that Reverb and the acoustic

guitar just hang out for a half a second

longer then the 1656 maybe the op amp

for you there's not a huge difference

between the stock op amp and the 1656

but there is one the problem with the

1656 is it does not come on a dip8 and

the dip8 is how you plug the opamp into

the amplifier there will be sockets on

the amplifier board that are dip eight

means eight pins the 1656 at least from

my research comes on a smaller chip that

won't actually fit into the op a

receiver but I did find some options

where the 1656 was already soldered onto

that traditional dip 8 connection the

prices varied widely if you're buying

just a small chip like $2 some of the

ones connected to a dip8 connector were

$17 to $50 a piece if you can find them

new it's a great way and an inexpensive

way to start to roll these off amps and

change out the sound a little

bit the

v5i all right now we're going to warm

things up a little bit this is a Smooth

Operator so you're going to lose Clarity

but you're going to gain flavor and that

flavor is caramel so if you have a

speaker that's a little bit harsh you

want to calm things down a little bit

the buron audio v5i is the way to go

these are all dual opamps by the way so

there's mono opamps and dual for the fzy

audio you want the Dual to get two of

the v5i it's

$79 50 bucks if you only want to get one

so you save a little money by getting

two what really surprised me the most

was how similar I thought these buron

audios were to this Naga Oka phono

cartridge and that's kind of the vibe I

get from changing out opamps is it's

like changing out the phono cartridge on

your turntable but if you want that

laidback sound the Bon is definitely the

way to

go I have two extra ones because sposo

is nice enough to send me five of these

SS 36 O2 opam and this is Far and Away

my choice for the opamps I'm going to

leave in this amplifier long term the

biggest reason why

is

intensity and Sound Stage basically all

of the placement in space things like

Center image things like Sound Stage

height were very noticeable when

comparing the sparkos to the stock off

aims already installed on the fzy audio

za3 livelier punch year I just did a

review on the advanced Paris A10 classic

and I described and if you want to watch

it I'll put it right up here how I

described that amplifier was it was

Lively and that's really the vibe I get

from these Sparkles opamps the sparkos

opamps come in looks like

$798 a piece you buy three of them

that's an extra $240 basically is it

worth it in my opinion yes even on a

speaker that may not resolve everything

perfectly there's still a there's still

an immediate difference in the center

image the center image I'm on my desk

right here the center image is pretty

much at camera angle so where you are

watching me anyway when I switched it to

the amp with the sparkos op amps in it

the center image just went Boop and then

things got deeper and things got wider

and way more Dynamic it was almost like

a switch on a home theater receiver when

you toggle dra or one of the DSP

settings on and off to make things a

little bit wider it was that much of an

improvement base impact also greater but

cleaner so you're getting more

separation in instruments a bigger Sound

Stage a higher Center image a deeper

Sound Stage more base impact highs were

also cleaner and a bit airier more of an

intense sound it almost pulls you in and

makes you listen because it's so Dynamic

and has so much life it's truly amazing

what the sparkos can do to this za3 it

really takes it to the next level I

could go crazy with these comparisons

but it's been a lot of fun just

switching out these opamps and comparing

them to the stock amplifier super broad

Strokes the

1656 adds a little bit more space and

air sonically not incredibly different

from the installed opamps Bon super warm

super laidback sparkos intense larger

more immersive and in my opinion the

sparkos just levels up that high highi

experience and if you don't have a

perfect room or you listen at lower

volumes the sparkos is going to be a

great way to get more immersive sound

and not a huge

premium so these different opamps these

discrete opamps that Bon and sparos are

making these Texas Instruments opamps

really give us the audio file the

customer so many different ways to

listen to our amplifiers this is like

tubes but not terrible and you have

actual power from these really good it's

really

good you want some class D amplifiers if

you're looking for a way to build out

your system incrementally the za3 the A7

Max from Aima the V3 from fzy audio

perfect Foundation you can add another

one and then you can start rolling these

op aims because it is a blast and if you

don't damage your op aims you can

actually resell them if you don't love

them so if you want to support the

channel you can sign up for patreon

patreon.com a man you can use the links

in the description I don't have an

affiliate relationship with sparkos or

Bon or Texas Instruments really please

make sure you like this video And

subscribe if you got any value out of it

you can use the thanks button down at

the bottom of the video send a few

dollars my way buy me a cup of coffee

but don't feel compelled to buy me

anything so don't binge watch anything

on Netflix or Hulu binge listen Maybe

through your new favorite opamp and fill

your soul with happiness and with that

I'm Randy I'm going a cheap Audio Man