Discrete Op-amp Round-up - Burson vs Sparkos vs Staccato

A review and comparison of the Burson Audio #V6Vivid, #SparkosLabs SS3602 and Staccato OSH-DHb discrete op-amps.

00:00 - Introduction
00:45 - What are op-amps?
03:59 - Dual vs single / mono
05:32 - Glamour video
06:10 - Burson V6 Vivid
07:32 - Sparkos Labs SS3602
09:06 - Staccato OSH-DHB
10:55 - Sonic characteristics
14:08 - SS3602 vs V6 Vivid
15:53 - Staccato OSH vs SS3602 & V6 Vivid
18:06 - My Soloist 3XP preferences
21:57 - Risks of op-amp rolling
24:32 - My Composer preferences
26:39 - Final conclusions

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Reviews filmed using:

#audiophile #audioreview #op-amps

[clarencehoover]

Anyone who plans to remove an op amp from a socket should absolutely invest in a chip puller. It’s cheap and helps you safely remove the device without bending pins.

[cheapaudioman]

Very timely review. I’m getting a pair of bursons in soon! Very excited.

[edverbeek]

For DIY: Best results by far with the SparkoS I got with not just drop in replacement but build a little seperated circuit according to the datasheet, with quality input and output decoupling capacitors added, with seperate linear power supply. Use a a DIP8 extension socket to lead the input signal from your original opamp socket to your little circuit you build yourself. It was my first time I build an electronic circuit, so with a precise (temperature regulated) soldering iron it is easy to do. Gives an Astonishing improvement of sound quality.
PS I used this in the output stage of a DAC / preamp

[mattman]

I bought 4 Sparkos SS3602s for my Soloist 3XP. I was experiencing the brightness on the high end that you mentioned with the stock V6 Vivids. The way you described how these op-amps change the sound was spot-on. I ended up on the same combination as you, with 2 SS3602s in the volume stage and 2 V6 Vivids in the gain stage. This combination brought out a bit of magic from the Soloist. Thank you for providing quality information and recommendations.

[Koopagamelouda]

I asked and you answered. Thank you! I'm also happy that I can try your recommendations exactly with the Soloist 3x. Another informative and entertaining video, great work.

[djhmax]

That was meee! haha Thanks for the shoutout. Can't imagine trying to roll op-amps on the GT. ☠️
Glad you were able to try the Staccato. I actually found them to be neutral instead of v-shaped, but I agree putting it at the volume stage is where it's at. It's just a slight tweak that will offset the vivids tonality a bit.
I also want to echo your thoughts on being VERY careful with op-amp swapping. I tried the sonic imagery labs op-amps and they ended up blowing one of my headphones (they weren't exactly throw away but I didn't mind losing them). After inspection, there was nothing I did wrong and there was nothing wrong with the op-amps. It's still a mystery. Too bad I didn't get to test them because they looked really good.

[oblio]

Excellent review, especially since I just bought the Burson amp today! I didn't know about op-amp rolling before this video and now I look forward to 'playing around' with this down the line. Great.

[tynanmedia]

The glamour video segment is so cute 😍 the inside of the Burson looks like an aerial view of a city

[PaulSelka-bb]

Nice job explaining the quality’s of the different op amps

[richardr]

I had never really thought about "rolling" Op-amps. You really have peaked my interest. Thank you!

[amarketing]

I'm using the Sparkos SS3601 in a phono premap and it's great for vinyl playback. It has a smooth and warmer tube sound, but no loss of detail. I agree that treble is a bit rolled off, but it works for my system, which was a tad bright.

[brandonburr]

Since your into diy headphone amps and op amp rolling I thought I would mention the whammy class a headphone amp kit at diy audio. Lots of positive reviews of it and can't go wrong with a pass labs designed amp ! Thank you for your hard work !

[phantomplastics]

I tried about 15-20 kinds in the Kinki Studio M1 amp. The best was the Staccato but the Burson was good and enjoyed the Muses01 and 03 JFETs op amps where very good for non-discrete units.

[engelericj]

I have a composer / soloist stack. I bought a pair of sparko's op amps. I liked them in the volume stage of the soloist ... until I purchased a super charger, now I am back using all v6 vivid's. Tried the sparko's in the LP stage of the composer. Tons of depth vs the vivid's wall of detail, totally lost all the special sauce though. Swapped them to volume, same but not as pronounced. I know this is an op amp video. But if you have this setup. My money was best spent purchasing a super charger. This opinion is based on He6se v1's, Focal Elegia's, Starfield's, tea's and my 42 year old ears. I appreciate all your time spent in the creation of this video ... it was definitely an undertaking!

[Berkanann]

Great summary of Op-amps. Have you tried the 3XP in 'headphone power amp mode', where the volume stage is bypassed and the volume is controlled by the DAC? It would be interesting to hear which Op-amp you would prefer when you only need two of them in the 3XP.

[mikeyremy]

Hello, that was a very complex video. It must've taken a long time to put together! And you did an amazing job on explaining everything.
I am wondering if using the Staccatos in the DAC improve the depth of the soundstage? Does any combination compares to the Schiit Bifrost 2 in terms of soundstage?

Thank you,

Good job on the video

[kennethoransky]

I think eventually compiling an opamp "guide" would be very useful. Essentially describing what the sound signatures are for various opamps in the same device with all other things being equal in that device. Perhaps by class of opamp.

[aceofspades]

Thanks for the content Lachlan! between the 3XP 3GT and supercharger reviews this is just another tweak for people to make to get the sound/performance they are looking for.

[PixelPipes]

Literally exactly the video I needed at exactly the time I needed it. Thanks!

[curlmythic]

Great review, I enjoyed the contrasting op-amps. Owning the composer/soloist, I feel like I have a complete picture. Appreciate all the tips too.