Sparkos Labs Aries - Base
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Sparkos Labs Aries - Full (with preamp)
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Sparkos Labs Aries
State of the art headphone and pre amplifier
- Fully Discrete Audio Path Using Our SS2590 Discrete Op-Amps
- Discrete Voltage Regulation Using Our SS78XX/SS79XX
- Powerful, 3.8W into 32Ω
- 64 step relay switched attenuator
- 3 gain levels
- No Capacitors In The Signal Path
- DC And Overdrive Protection
- Precision 0.1% Tolerance Thin Film Resistors
- Mu Metal Shielded Power Transformer
- High Damping Factor
- 9400uF Per Rail Power Supply Capacitance
- Touch Screen Control
- Switchable input voltage, 115V or 230V
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Sparkos Labs Aries
All of our discrete op-amps and voltage regulators have come together to form our first piece of actual audio gear. The Aries Headphone and Pre Amplifier. It utilises our Pro discrete op-amps for the main audio path, our DIP8 discrete op-amps for managing line level inputs and outputs and our discrete voltage regulators in the power supply. All of this coupled with a precision stepped attenuator volume control and an interactive touch screen display yields what is quite possibly the finest headphone and pre amplifier that mankind has ever known.
Inputs and Outputs
The Base model comes with 2x RCA inputs and a 3.5mm front panel input. Optionally, one can obtain a set of XLR inputs and a pair of both RCA and XLR line level outputs to enable the unit to function as a preamp with the Full Model. The headphone output is a standard 6.3mm jack on the front panel. All Connectors are Gold-Plated.
Input selection and gain settings are handled through a touch screen display. The volume and balance controls can be swapped as far as which one is which and are used to control a 64 step relay switched attenuator.
Insides
The main audio path is on the right hand side of the unit and consists of 2 pairs of our SS2590 discrete op amps that make up the input and output stages with the relay switched stepped attenuator in-between them. Our SS3601 and SS3602 discrete op amps handle the XLR inputs and drive the preamp outputs. There are no capacitors in the signal path and potential DC offsets are handled by a DC servo. The power supply is regulated by a pair of our discrete voltage regulators and the toroidal power transformer is shielded with Mu Metal for extremely low magnetic field pick up and hum. The AC power input is universal and can work with either 115V or 230V. Both the signal and ground side of all inputs are switched with high quality latching relays. Switching the ground side of the inputs (rather than just tying them all together) will prevent ground loops from forming between interconnected pieces of equipment. The micro-controller that controls the attenuator and runs the touch screen display will go into sleep mode when the unit is idly playing music to further reduce noise.
Volume and balance controls are implemented with a reed relay switched stepped attenuator. Using reed relays eliminates much of the annoying "click and clack" that relays have when switching and instead has a much quieter "ting and tick". The attenuator is 64 steps, 1dB per step, and will mute when the volume is turned all the way down. The resistors inside the attenuator (and in the audio path as a whole) are all precision 0.1% tolerance thin film resistors. The attenuator has a constant output impedance of 180 ohms for extremely low Johnson noise that is consistent across all volume settings. Stepped attenuators give superior right to left volume level matching that is critical when listening to headphones on a headphone amplifier. Pot or Rheostat based volume controls, even the good ones like the Alps Blue Velvet, typically have something like a +/-20% tolerance so the left to right channel matching can easily be off by a couple dB. The output impedance of such volume controls (and associated Johnson noise) also varies by where the volume control is set. For example, a 50K volume control set to the middle will have 12 times the noise (22dB) of the Aires volume control and about twice the noise as the entire Aires Headphone Amplifier.
RETURNS POLICY
Elise Audio has a standard 14-day return / exchange policy for electronic products (DAC/DAP):
Must be returned in like-new factory condition
Must include all original packaging and accessories
Please note that the return shipping cost is to be paid by the customer.
Returning products that raise hygiene concerns - Products that have contact with the ear, nose or throat can only be returned for a full refund if sent back sealed and in unused condition. This applies all in-ear monitors.
If you are dissatisfied with your product please get in touch with us. We may be able to offer credit for another purchase (subject to inspection of the returned product) or to purchase the product back as used if we can dispose of the item as B stock. Please note the products would need to be inspected before any final offers are made but, as a guidance only, a 20% restocking fee will be applied on most in-ear monitors.
Custom made products - Products that have been custom made to the customer's specification cannot be returned for a refund or credit under this policy.
Read our full Returns, Warranty & Terms of service by clicking here
SHIPPING
We offer a range of delivery options to suit your purchasing needs. The options are presented to you at the checkout, in an easy to understand way.
Most orders for In-Stock items are shipped within 1 to 3 business days (Monday to Friday, except bank holidays), subject to stock availability and security checks. Please ensure you provide a valid phone number for us to contact you should verification of your identity be required.
For More information about our Shipping Policy please click here
Royal Mail Special Delivery - Next Business Day
Products purchased from Elise Audio are supplied with a manufacturer warranty that is specified on the product page on our website. Most products come with a 1Y manufacturer warranty (or 3 months for B-grade, open box, refurbished, ex-demo and second hand items).
The manufacturer's warranties are limited to physical defects in the materials, parts and workmanship used in making the product. Abnormal conditions, deliberate abuse and damage due to accidents, operator's error, or unauthorized service attempts are excluded from any warranty claims.
Faulty goods returned under the manufacturers warranty are to be returned to Elise Audio at the cost of the customer. Elise Audio will cover the cost of shipping the repaired or replacement product back to the customer.
