ZD3 & 2 ZA3 Op Amps

[mscore59]

My setup is a ZD3 connected to 2 ZA3 vis XLR w/trigger. I had 2 Sparkos SS3602 installed in the ZD3. I want to change the op amps in both ZA3's. Should I install the Sparkos in them or is it ok to use Bursen V7 Vivid's?

 

[Massimo]

In my Za3 I put Muses 02 and I have to say that the sound is very velvety. The Sparkos are very open on the high mids and are unforgiving. I don't know the Vivio and I would be very curious to know how they sound in za3.

 

[holsen]

I bought a pair of both Muses 02 and V7Vs. The Muses showed up 2 weeks earlier than the V7Vs, which arrived this morning. Running an External Dac (Topping DX7 Pro) into the ZA3 via XLR. For the last 2 weeks I've had the Muses02 in the L & R Slots, stock in the XLR slot and pulled the 2 stock OpAmps for the Sub Out as I'm not using it. With the Muses there was a clear improvement over stock with better resolution across the board and perhaps a bit more depth to the sound field, however, I did find the mids a little forward and thin for my liking and bass not as deep as I'd like - but better and I could add to it with PEQ.

Today the V7V arrived so I performed my morning surgery procedure. I moved 1 Muses02 to the XLR Slot and dropped the V7Vs into the L & R Channels. To be honest at first I was a bit disappointed - it was marginally better sounding with a bit more weight in the mids and bass but I found the treble lacking. I let the system run for an hour and I could hear it all opening up. The Amp has now been running approx 8 hours and I'm absolutely delighted. The treble region has developed more air and more crispness and bass lines have got better definition to them. For me a very good upgrade.

I've got a second ZA3 I haven't even taken out of the box yet. I was going to run them as Monos but there's so much power coming out of a single unit, so much low level volume - I dont need the 2nd one. I'm going to list it. I've got everything I need and want with a Single ZA3 and 2 x V7V + a Muses02

 

[Dozer-HH]

Running an External Dac (Topping DX7 Pro) into the ZA3 via XLR. For the last 2 weeks I've had the Muses02 in the L & R Slots, stock in the XLR slot ...

Think again about your configuration...

You have connected an external Dac to the ZA3 via XLR, but have plugged the MUSES02 into the L&R slots first. These are for the RCA connections.

So at first you only had the sound impression of the stock OP-Amps, not the MUSES02.

Now that you have the MUSES02 in the XLR connector and the V7Vs in the L/R (RCA), you can hear the difference in sound of the MUSES0, not for the V7Vs.


In your own interest, try the following:
If you connect the external DAC via XLR, leave the original OP-Amps in the L/R (RCA) and then make the comparison between MUSES02 and V7Vs in the XLP slot.

And another tip:
Be sure to test the two ZA3s in mono mode (always with the same OP-Amps configuration)!
The difference is enormous and gives the whole sound much more width / depth and dynamics. If you are already enthusiastic now, you will be even more overwhelmed by the difference.