Hello all!

When i started my portable audio journey, i bought Sansa Clip like most of the guys here. After buying, selling bunch of devices for now i've settled with Zishan Z2. It's a easy to carry around, easy to use in public transport and it has decent sound quality.

I come across op-amp changes couple of times but never gave in. To be honest i was kinda skeptical about it. Then Charles from Supreme Audio messaged me and asked me if i wanted a free trial. I said sure and here we are.



V5i is way bigger than Z2's stock op-amp LM4562. And more weightier too. But it causes no problem with Z2, it fits fine and there's plenty room available.

So, about the sound... I used iBasso IT03, Flare R2A, VE Monk Plus, AKG K7XX. I will compare it to Z2's stock op-amp LM4562.

V5i has warm and analogue-like presentation. Bass is big, mids are full bodied and lively, treble is a little rolled off. Resolution is a little better than 4562. Instrument seperation is way better. With 4562, Zishan Z2 struggles on mid area. Instruments try to fight with vocals for soundstage. With V5i, vocals has it's place rock solid and other instruments follow behind.



Bass is star of this op-amp. There's no subbass roll-off, it's really tight, nicely textured and has really nice impact. It hits and it hits reallly hard. Especially with iBasso IT03, it's awesome to listen electronic music. Feels like a subwoofer on your ear. Compared to 4562, V5i hits better and has better texture.

Mids have analogue and warm tonality. Compared to 4562's kinda bright and lean presentation, V5i has bold mids and natural timbre. They're on par with resolution. V5i is more lively and more approachable. Although boldness can be problem with some headphone pair ups. For example with VE Monk Plus (which has a big midbass with really full-bodied mids), soundstage can get congested and midbass can get out of control. But I will be lying if i say it sounds bad. It sounds delicious with juicy bass guitar lines and vocals

Treble... Like i said earlier it has roll off at this area. It doesn't extend like 4562. I like rolled off treble so i love this sound signature but people has different tastes.



Lastly I want to talk about headphone pair ups.

IT03 has really gained from V5i. Subbass has become ruthless, mids gained a little warmth. V5i smoothed IT03's metallic treble.

With 4562 I wasn't a fan of R2A. 4562's digital and in your face sound combined with mid centric earphone didn't pair up nicely. With V5i, R2A has better boom at lows and more warmth across all the frequency range.

K7XX. Although it doesn't drive it superbly, K7XX has better bass impact and a little less grained upper mids thanks to V5i.

VE Monk Plus. Thousands of people can't be wrong right It's really fun with V5i. Big midbass, full mids. You gotta try.