I love hate my Spark 40

DiscoStu · March 2023

It's a clever bit of kit don't get me wrong. Yes some folk find it too dark sounding but I addressed that by filling the bass port. Some people including me wish it originally came with a footswitch but I addressed that with an Airstep SPK.

I want to love it because it offers so much. But it's that bloody app that does my nut in. Why do they make it so temperamental? Completely ruined the experience for me.

dazzajl · March 2023

I’ve run the app on a few varieties of iPhone and not had one problem with it. Maybe there’s hope you can get it to behave?

roberty · March 2023

The app is a bit shonky but okay on my android phone. Mostly gimmicks imo but it does all the useful stuff you would need

Besides stuffing the bass port I put some full range car speakers in and stuffed the cabinet with teddy bear foam. It's quite absurd that you'd need to do this with something so expensive but never mind, it's done now

bertie · March 2023

I found the best way of fixing issues with the Spark Mini

was to sell it to a mate

PAL · March 2023

I tried both and bought the Spark Mini.

RaymondLin · March 2023

I prefer the THR and the mini, which actually sounds really good.

My 5 year old niece has my Spark 40 now.

DiscoStu · March 2023

Why is it that if I choose a different amp in the app it only plays clean? For example I was on a metal setting and wanted to change from the Mesa clone to their SwitchAxe but when I did it was clean only and I couldn't get any high gain out of it.
That happens more often than it should.
And if I need to check another app on my phone the app closes and I have to reopen it. Every time. Why can't it stay open in the background like every other app?

jennywallace · March 2023

Been tempted by one of these just out of curiosity, maybe go for the mini?

RaymondLin · March 2023

I think the Mini has the more balanced sound, it's also battery powered (Spark 40 is mains only), so it does the "play anywhere in the house concept" much better.

It also has the same app support, the only thing you lose out on are the knobs at the top really.

jennywallace · March 2023

Thanks @RaymondLin useful to know

RaymondLin · March 2023

jennywallace said:

Thanks @RaymondLin useful to know

It really is mini, about 1/3rd the size.

jennywallace · March 2023

Yeah that is pretty tiny! Might go for it when I get paid this month.

inewham · March 2023

I find the 40 sounds ok with humbuckers but a bit weird with single coils unless I fiddle with the EQ.
I keep saying I will sell it but still haven't got around to it

bertie · March 2023

RaymondLin said:

It also has the same app support, the only thing you lose out on are the knobs at the top really.

which was the real deal breaker for me - far too much dependency on fiddling about on a phone app, where all I wanted to do was get on with it and tweak the odd knob (said in Charles Hawtrey voice)
so stayed with the THR and recharging 8 AAs every couple of weeks

hollywoodrox · March 2023

bertie said:

RaymondLin said:

It also has the same app support, the only thing you lose out on are the knobs at the top really.

which was the real deal breaker for me - far too much dependency on fiddling about on a phone app, where all I wanted to do was get on with it and tweak the odd knob (said in Charles Hawtrey voice)
so stayed with the THR and recharging 8 AAs every couple of weeks

One good thing with AA’s is they are easily sourced & replaced at the end of their life I’m not sure about whatever battery cells are in the spark mini . It does seem an intriguing beast though , I was proper tempted but there seems to be a lot of talk about App shenanigans in the Positive grid forums . The THR does seem a very stable bit of kit . Does it work better with rechargeables I could t remember if it was them or alkaline that resulted in it sounding odd when they are running down

RaymondLin · March 2023

bertie said:

RaymondLin said:

It also has the same app support, the only thing you lose out on are the knobs at the top really.

which was the real deal breaker for me - far too much dependency on fiddling about on a phone app, where all I wanted to do was get on with it and tweak the odd knob (said in Charles Hawtrey voice)
so stayed with the THR and recharging 8 AAs every couple of weeks

I rank them as THR -> Spark Mini -> Spark 40.

Don't have the newer generation THR to compare but very happy with the beige THR10 that i got.

The AA batteries (which I have an abundance of rechargables) means that solves the built-in problem of the Mini too. If I had to pick one, I'd get the THR, but if you want to play with the app....some people do, then the Mini is better, and some people prefer built in rechargables too.

donbot · March 2023

I’ve had the Mini for a month or so. No probs with the app on iPad.

Sound quality I find much better than the THR.
Not sure why they insist on drenching the presets in so much delay! Easily sorted though.

Rocker · March 2023

Can the Spark be used with an external speaker?

dazzajl · March 2023

Rocker said:

Can the Spark be used with an external speaker?

There’s a headphone/line out on them, yes.

Adamski · March 2023

I’ve fancied getting one for a while. Need a low powered small amp. How does it sound? Don’t really care about the rest!

RaymondLin · March 2023

^^^ what he said.

dazzajl · March 2023

Adamski said:

I’ve fancied getting one for a while. Need a low powered small amp. How does it sound? Don’t really care about the rest!

They sound really good. BUT that is really good for a very very small little box. It’s a great little tool to have around for late night noodling and makes a good BT speaker.

Rocker · March 2023

dazzajl said:

Rocker said:

Can the Spark be used with an external speaker?

There’s a headphone/line out on them, yes.

Is that the full output from the amp or an output that is limited (as it is for headphones)? Thanks.

dazzajl · March 2023

Rocker said:

dazzajl said:

Rocker said:

Can the Spark be used with an external speaker?

There’s a headphone/line out on them, yes.

Is that the full output from the amp or an output that is limited (as it is for headphones)? Thanks.

Fairly sure it is just a headphone level out and can’t be a speaker out.

Squareheadedfreak · March 2023

I found them to be a great little practise took/messing about, but then became a gateway drug for chasing some of the real amp tones on there, which became very costly!

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I love hate my Spark 40

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