Petros Laskis of Ichos Reviews upgraded the op amps in a Burson Playmate 2 with single and dual Burson V7 Vivid op amps, and also tried the V7 Vivid in an Aune X8 XVIII DAC.
Note: the V7 Vivid reviewed here is the op amp now sold as the V7 Vivid Pro.
He expected IC op amps to beat discrete designs on noise, but found the opposite: after the swap the Playmate 2 was quieter, even with sensitive earphones like the FiiO FX15.
The blacker background brought better detail retrieval, and the Playmate 2 gained clarity, definition and transparency without losing its natural, organic timbre. He describes quick and precise bass, more mid-range clarity and more treble energy, with a broader soundstage both horizontally and vertically.
Against the Muses op amp in the Aune X8 XVIII, he heard the V7 Vivid as neutral and linear, with superior layering, more precise imaging, wider dynamics, a more impactful low end and a more refined, resolving treble without brightness or glare.
He notes the differences are audible but not drastic: the V7 Vivid fine-tunes a device rather than transforming it.
Is it worth replacing stock IC op amps with the V7 Vivid? “If you have everything else set up and you are looking to refine the sound, then the answer is a resounding yes.”
Discover the full features and specifications on the Burson Supreme Sound Opamp V7 Pro product page.
