The incorruptible - breeze audio tsuranagi headphone amplifier

While reading relevant audio forums and chatting with audiophiles, I am often made aware of new devices and manufacturers whose products and philosophy simply seem to win over music lovers - without any major marketing hype!

Many of these "pearls" come from Asia and are usually no longer unknown there. This is also the case here: I am talking about the products of the Japanese company Brise Audio, which are slowly gaining attention. Western world becomes aware.

Brise Audio actually only produces very high-quality audio cables of all kinds—including IEM and headphone cables. Waiting times can sometimes be as high as three months. 😱 - A clear sign of how popular their products are!

However, I was drawn to their latest product, a mobile headphone amplifier called "Tsuranagi." The special thing about this little amp is that it was never intended to be sold as a product.

"The TSURANAGI portable amplifier was designed as a test device for the development of BriseAudio's high-end headphone cables and high-end portable line cables (mini-mini cables) to create an ideal portable audio environment."

Brise Audio cables are used for internal wiring, and the electromagnetic wave absorbing shielding material and CNT (carbon nanotubes) used in their high-end cables such as MURAKUMO and YATONO are installed on the circuit board to further improve sound quality.

The Tsuranagi was actually designed as a measuring instrument and not to "simply enjoy music."

Curious about this unusual story, I contacted Brise Audio and shortly afterwards, a demo of the Tsuranagi was ordered and the brand was added to our shop.

But before we delve into the inner workings of the little amp, here are, as usual, a few pictures of the Tsuranagi:

The Tsuranagi comes - like all Brise Audio products - in a black box with a golden Brise Audio logo. Inside, you will find the device and a A card with the serial number, an instruction manual, and nothing else earth-shattering. Everything seems very high-quality and classy, ​​and the reduction to the bare essentials is perfectly acceptable.

The Tsuranagi has a very classic look - in contrast to some other "stylish" devices such as the Cayin C9, Aroma Audio A100TB or Astell&Core PA10.

The fat volume control and the toggle switch for input selection (4.4mm or 2.5mm) make it clear: This is old-school - but in the best sense!

Oh yes, the case is unfortunately not included, and Brise Audio doesn't offer one either. Luckily, our friends at Vishnu-Leather offer a suitable case for (almost) all devices.

So, immediately after ordering the Tsuranagi Demo, we also ordered a few carrying cases from Vishnu. Needless to say, the quality of the leather and the workmanship are, as always, excellent. 😊🙌



And this is what it looks like inside the case. Any color and stitching imaginable is possible.

I paired the Tsuranagi with the stunning Cayin N7, which thus acts as a pure DAC/transport. Yes, the N7 really blew me away, and currently I only listen with this fantastic DAP.With the Tsuranagi, the N7 can show how good its new 1-bit DSD DAC really is. (Spoiler: Hammer 🤩).

Oh yes. If you are wondering what a great interconnect cable this is: It is a Satin Audio Perseus 4.4 to 4.4mm interconnect. (No, unfortunately, the Tsuranagi doesn't come with such a cable either.) Brise Audio also offers various interconnects.

With such a high-quality combination, the connected headphones should not be the limiting factor. So, I chose another of my personal favorites: The Unique Melody Multiverse Mentor.

The Tsuranagi is primarily a mobile amplifier for in-ear headphones – as you can tell from the 2.5 and 4.4 mm inputs and outputs. Out of curiosity, however, I connected a "really big" pair of headphones: The Spirit Torino Twin PulseWhat can I say: No problem for the Tsuranagi. The volume control is set to about 50%, and I simply enjoy the music.

Encouraged by the results, I became cocky and closed the CA-1A from RAAL - of course with interface to 32 ohms. According to the manufacturer, the RAAL actually still requires a conventional amp with at least 4 watts, despite the interface.

But the Tsuranagi didn't care: He drove the CA-1A like a grown-up, completely unfazed. Unbelievable! 😱😍

So how does it sound?

I've already hinted at it: The Brise Audio Tsuranagi is an "incorruptible" and, in the best sense of the word, neutral and extremely coherent headphone amplifier. As a reminder, the Tsuranagi was actually built as a measuring instrument to test Brise Audio's cables.

Sound signature

But that doesn't mean the Tsuranagi sounds analytical and "flat." Quite the opposite: It presents the music as it is—without coloration or "whitewashing." Good recordings sound simply wonderful, while bad recordings are mercilessly exposed.

stage & channel separation

Something that stands out is the stage that the Tsuranagi creates. He sets the music incredibly three-dimensional and airy into the room. The instrument and channel separation contributes to this impression: Every instrument in the ensemble, the singers, simply everything has its place and is clearly audible from the larger whole without disturbing the interplay. Voices are haunting and extremely naturalThe word that comes to mind here is coherenceI haven't heard any other portable headphone amplifier at this level, and very few desktop devices. Bravo!

Resolution, detail

Well, what can I say: the details and resolution are beyond reproach, and I find it hard to imagine anything missing here. It couldn't be more!

dynamics

Anyone who thinks that, despite all the neutrality and naturalness, the dynamics might be a bit lacking is mistaken. I'm listening to "Beautiful Lie" from the soundtrack "+atman vs. Superman" by Hans Zimmer and the RAAL CA-1a The sub-bass just blasts me in the face. Crazy!

synergy

So far I have only the N7 by Cayin I tested it on the Tsuranagi, but this combination is a match made in heaven. The 1-bit DSD DAC in the N7 seems to provide the perfect "feed" for the Tsuranagi to perform at its best. However, I will be testing more DACs in the future. && Testing DAPs at Tsuranagi.

Conclusion

If I had made these impressions with the Tsuranagi in a blind test, without knowing what kind of amp was connected to the headphones, I would have pictured a huge desktop headphone amplifier in my mind's eye, not such a small, inconspicuous black "box."

What the Tsuranagi can do in combination with the Cayin N7 is absolutely incredible, considering its size and price. The fact that it not only handles RAAL's ribbon headphones (with interface) without any problems, but masters them so masterfully, is simply impressive. I should probably change the title to "The Unshakeable."

I hardly dare say it out loud, but the Tsuranagi is arguably the best portable headphone amplifier I've ever heard. 🤩

If you don’t believe it and want to see for yourself, you should definitely visit the Tsuranagi test for free at home!

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