Full roar: Burson Audio headphone amplifiers and DACs

(From left to right: Burson Playmate 2, Burson Soloist 3XP/Composer 3XP, Burson Conductor 3XR)

Small foreword

Burson Audio is an audio component manufacturer based in Melbourne, Australia. Her specialty is building high-quality desktop equipment such as DACs, headphone amplifiers, preamplifiers and combination devices that pack a punch. Burson's main philosophy is to build devices that simply reproduce music as naturally and pristinely as possible.

This is less a test of individual devices than a comparison of these devices:

Burson Playmate 2 Basic
Burson Conductor 3XR
Burson Soloist 3XP / Composer 3XP combination

Basic differences

If you look at the specifications of all the devices, they are basically all very similar. They use the same SABER32/ESS9038Q2M DAC chip and also have the same operational amplifiers. (On the Playmate 2, the V6 Vivid opamps are optional). In other words, the technical basis responsible for the sound is more or less the same in both models, with slight differences in frequency response, channel separation, THD, etc.

However, the big difference lies mainly in the input and output options for each device - hence the versatility AND the output power, which ranges from 3W on the Playmate 2 to a stunning 8W on the Soloist 3XP.

Conductor 3X Reference (headphone amplifier / preamplifier / DAC)

• 7.5 W Class A XLR / 3.75 W single ended
• Two SABER32/ESS9038Q2M DAC
• Bluetooth 5.0 aptX HD
• XMOS USB DSD512
• Upgradable operational amplifiers (Vivid V6 operational amplifiers included)
• Frequency response ± 1 dB 0 - 58Khz
• Channel separation 142dB @ 1kHz, 135dB @ 20kHz
• THD+N 0.0005% at 1kHz, 0dBFS
• USB-C Plug 'n Play
• Inputs: 2 x XLR line level input, USB, Optical Toslink, BlueTooth 5.0, microphone
• Outputs: 1 x XLR preamp, 1 x line level DAC output, 1 x 6.3mm & 1 x XLR headphone jack
  
  

Playmate 2 (headphone amp / preamp / DAC)

• 3W Single ended
• SABRE32/ESS9038Q2M DAC
• XMOS USB DSD512 @ 32bit / 768kHz
• Upgradable operational amplifiers (2 x NE5532, 2 x NE5534 opamps included)
• Burson Max Current Power Supply
• Frequency response ± 1 dB 0 - 35Khz
• Channel separation 128dB @ 1kHz, 121dB @ 20kHz
• THD+N 0.0018% at 1kHz, 0dBFS
• USB-C Plug 'n Play
• Inputs: USB, Toslink
• Outputs: RCA preamp / headphone jack

Combination of Soloist 3XP and Composer 3XP

Soloist 3XP (amplifier / preamplifier)

• 8W Class A XLR / 4W Single ended
• Upgradable operational amplifiers (Vivid V6 operational amplifiers included)
• Burson Max Current Power Supply
• Frequency response ± 1 dB 0 - 48Khz
• THIS FACTOR 0.0015%
• Inputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x RCA, 1 x Mic Bypass
• Outputs: 1 x XLR preamp/DAC, 1 x XLR headphone jack,
• 1x SE headphone jack

Composer 3XP (DAC/Preamp)

• SABRE32/ESS9038Q2M DAC
• XMOS USB DSD512 @ 32bit / 768kHz
• Upgradable operational amplifiers (Vivid V6 operational amplifiers included)
• Burson Max Current Power Supply
• Frequency response ± 1 dB 0 - 58Khz
• Channel separation 142dB at 1kHz, 135dB at 20kHz
• THD+N 0.0005% at 1kHz, 0dBFS
• USB-C Plug 'n Play
• Inputs: USB, Optical Toslink, BlueTooth 5.0, Microphone
• Outputs: 1 x XLR Pre Out / DAC Out, 1 X RCA Pre Out / DAC Out

I tested with this

• Burson Audio Soloist 3XP / Composer 3XP Combo
• Burson Audio Conductor 3XR
• Burson Audio Playmate 2
• Empire Ears Odin (2.5mm balanced via XLR adapter)
• Empire Ears Legend X (3.5 mm single ended via 6.3 mm adapter)
• Spirit Torino Radiante, Super Leggera, Twin Puls, Valkyria

Music selection/test playlist

Voices, midrange, acoustic guitars etc.

Tenacious D - Tenacious D - Wonderboy
Marily Manson - The Pale Emperor - Day3
Chris Jones - Moonstruck
Sara K. - Hell or High Water - I Can't Stand The Rain, Stars
Ana Tijoux - 1977 - Partir de Cero

Channel separation

Tenacious D - Tenacious D - Kielbasa
NIN - The Downward Spiral - Hurt
Johnny Cash - The Essential - Ring of Fire
Stephen Coleman - Westworld Season 2 Soundtrack - C.R.E.A.M.

Soundstage, treble, electric guitars etc.

Alice in Chains - MTV Unplugged - Rooster
Korn - MTV Unplugged - Freak on a Leash
Anneke van Giersbergen - Symphonized - Feel Alive
Howard Shore - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Blunt the Knives

Dynamics, bass, subbass

The Diary - The Gentle Storm - Endless Sea |Gentle Version|
Wardruna - Runaljod: Ragnarok - Tyr
Hans Zimmer - Man of Steel OST - Look to the Stars
Hans Zimmer - Pearl Harbor OST - Tennessee
Ice Cube - Raw Footage - Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It
Andreas Vollenweider - Vox - Enchanted Rocks

Packaging & Accessories

The packaging for all Burson devices is very plain and simple - nothing fancy.

The units come in two boxes - an outer plain cardboard box and a white inner box with the Burson Audio logo on it, which reminds me of car hi-fi packaging when I was a student 20 years ago looking for the biggest one Subwoofer that fits in the trunk of my Corolla.

The device is very well protected inside by some additional foam panels. All in all, you don't have to worry about the carrier dirtying the precious cargo.

Besides the device itself, you get a power brick, a metal remote control, spare opamps, and depending on the device, some additional things like USB-C to USB-A converter, USB-C cable (Composer 3XP) and an Allen key to open the case. What's missing here is either a printed manual OR simply a QR code that points to the correct manual for download.

Since I ordered 4 devices, I had no idea which one was in which box no name or description is printed on the boxes.Certainly it's a borderline case, since most people order 1 device, but the Soloist and Composer boxes are absolutely identical, even in size, and getting them as a combo may leave you looking for a specific accessory later , but of course unpacks the wrong box (Murphy's Law). This has happened to me several times, so perhaps Burson could at least add a sticker as a simple and cheap solution.

Processing quality and design

The latest iteration of Burson Audio devices has undergone a design overhaul and I personally find it very appealing. The devices are clad in gunmetal-colored aluminum, with clear cooling fins all around. This "cool case" helps keep temperatures in check while giving the devices a serious and very professional look. I really like this!

The build quality is very good and the metal used has a reassuring thickness. I found no defects or imperfections in all 4 devices I tested. Burson only uses high-quality connectors like Neutrik for the XLR connectors, so no complaints here either.

Each device has a simple white-on-black OLED display on which you can see the most important information and through that Can navigate menu. I know that other manufacturers have high-resolution, color (touch) screens, but I'm not particularly interested in that. I actually prefer the simple screens built into the Bursons.

Finally, there is a menu/volume button on each device. The solid metal knob moves with a beautiful pattern for each of the 100 volume levels. Very nice!

Sound

The basic sound signature of all devices tested is actually very similar, which is to be expected considering they have pretty much the same innards. In other words, they sound pretty much the same, the sonic differences are in the details. Therefore, the following descriptions apply to all tested devices unless otherwise stated.

General tonality

The tonality can be described as neutral in the best sense. Nevertheless, the result is neither "flat" nor boring, but has energy and musicality, resulting in a very pleasant listening experience. As Burson intended, the devices process the music in a way that preserves as much of the original information as possible.
There's a reason why I use Burson devices as my main source for testing in-ears or headphones !

Highs

The highs of the Bursons are simply wonderful. They are natural and silky soft and reveal every little detail in the shots. Rest assured that the Bursons are unlikely to be the limiting factor in your playback chain.

There are subtle differences between the devices: Compared to the Conductor 3XR and the Soloist 3XP/Composer 3XP combination, the Playmate sounds 2 a little grainy and has a little less energy. This is probably because my Playmate 2 Basic is not equipped with the Burson V6 Vivid opamps, but with simpler ones. I assume that the Playmate 2 Basic will sound the same as its big brothers after switching to the V6 Vivids.

Middle range

What applies to the highs is true also in the midrange. Voices are clearly defined, have a nice body and sound very natural. The entire mid-frequency spectrum is well balanced.I can't detect any coloration or emphasis at all.

Bass/Sub-bass

The Bursons' bass is fast and tight with good energy. It's the same everywhere: neutral and faithful reproduction. It's not as warm or pronounced as other devices, but that doesn't mean it lacks impact or warmth. It is exactly what is there - nothing more, nothing less.

Soundstage

The soundstage depends heavily on the capabilities of the headphones/earbuds used. With the Focal Clear, for example, you get a nice feeling of space. This combination was by far the best in rock/metal, for example. Guns 'n Roses' "Appetite for Destruction" has never sounded so good to me. When recording live, you can imagine the environment in which it was recorded. Of course, this is most fun with a good pair of over-ear headphones.

Channel separation/instrument separation

The channel and instrument separation is simply outstanding. As of this review, I haven't heard anything better. You can either analyze the music or just enjoy it - it's up to you.

Neutrality

I've already mentioned that the Bursons are very neutral sources that simply reproduce what is there - provided the headphones are attached sufficiently.

Adaptability/Synergy

The Bursons work with all types of headphones/earphones you can connects. Even the small Playmate 2 has an output power of 3W, which should be enough for most headphones and use cases. For more power-hungry headphones, either the Conductor 3XR or the Soloist/Composer combo offer more reserve when you need it. If you want to work symmetrically, the Playmate 2 isn't an option anyway as it only has single-ended outputs.

All Bursons tested work with most headphones as they all have the option, at least between high and low Choose reinforcement. The Soloist even has a mid-gain option, making it even more adaptable. I recommend an IEMatch if you are using sensitive in-ears with the Conductor 3XR. Otherwise there will be a significant background noise. I've tried it with various in-ears, and while it's not a problem when playing music, it's still there.

The best overall synergy came with my Focal Clears and that applies to all Bursons tested . It's just a wonderful combination. As Burson service told me, the two companies work closely together, so it's no wonder that their products fit together perfectly!

Comparison - similarities & differences

I've already mentioned that all the Bursons I've tested sound basically the same. What are the sound differences, if there are any?

Playmate 2 vs. Conductor 3XR (6.3mm single ended out)

In the single ended -In operation, both devices sound very similar to my Focal Clears. The big difference came when I switched from single-ended to balanced on the conductor. Everything just felt more energetic and alive with the balanced output. I have already noticed this behavior with DAPs (Digital Audio Players) that I have tested in the past. It's the same here. Another factor could be that the Conductor is equipped with two ESS9038 chips, each processing one channel in balanced mode.

The Playmate 2 also has a much lower output power than the Conductor 3XR.(3W vs. 7.5W), so if you use very demanding headphones this could be a limitation.

Soloist 3XP/Composer 3XP vs. Conductor 3XR (both XLR balanced output)

The first thing you notice is a much higher noise level on the Conductor 3XR with in-ears. Even at low gain, the Conductor 3XR with the Empire Ears Odin IEMs produces a noticeable level of noise. With the Soloist 3XP, which has 3 gain stages instead of 2, the background noise is barely noticeable. It's worth noting that the Conductor 3XR was probably never made for (sensitive) IEMs, but rather for demanding full-size headphones. The Soloist 3XP/Composer 3XP combination gives you more flexibility here, while managing to beat the Conductor 3XR in absolute output power (8W vs. 7.5W).

Switching between the Soloist 3XP/ Composer 3XP and the Conductor 3XR show clear differences in the (sound) details: The Conductor 3XR has more energy overall and reproduces details with even more eloquence than the Soloist 3XP/Composer 3XP combination. I clearly attribute this to the use of two ESS9038 DAC chips in the Conductor versus just one in the Soloist/Composer combo. The basic sound characteristics and quality are the same, but the Conductor 3XR simply has a bit more drive.

I have to note that at the time of this review the Conductor 3XR had already been in use for a few weeks and the Soloist 3XP/ Composer 3XP Combo has only been running for a few hours, so the differences could become smaller as the combo progresses. I believe that some energy difference will prevail, as the Conductor 3XR has the technical advantage of the two DACs.

Both the Soloist 3XP/Composer 3XP Combo and the Conductor 3XR sound good with my EE Odins and the Spirit Torino Headphones absolutely fantastic. Both headphones/earphones have a rather neutral tuning and are able to reveal even the smallest details in the recordings. The synergy with the Bursons is absolutely wonderful and I use these desktop devices in my office, replacing my DAPs.

Playmate 2 vs. Soloist 3XP/Composer 3XP

Here we hear a similar result to the Playmate 2 vs. Conductor 3XR comparison, as the Soloist 3XP/Composer 3XP combination and the Conductor 3XR are very similar. Overall, the Soloist 3XP/Composer 3XP combo is of course better in terms of sound and offers much more flexibility. Still, it's amazing what the little Playmate 2 delivers!

User Experience & Ease of Use

I finally added this section to my reviews because I think it's time to cover these topics for audio products too. Furthermore, as a UX (User Experience) designer, I consider it my "sacred" duty to do this. Burson Audio's devices will be a first for me, so here we go:

Hardware

Good

• Simple overall layout
• Tactile menu/volume selection buttons
• Useful display with good contrast

To Improve

• Volume selector switch on the Conductor 3XR occasionally "slips" between volume levels, the switches on the other tested devices work more reliably
• Accessibility: The Playmate 2 and Soloist/Composer combo's tiny displays only allow for (far too) small text.Readability is impaired for people with visual impairments
• Cryptic symbols/missing descriptions for inputs/outputs on the back of the device, markings for left/right channels missing (left/right is correct when looking from the back, not the front, which many users misunderstand!)
  
  

Software

Good

• Simple menu layout and options
• The option to rotate the device (and display!) 90 degrees is great!

To Improve

• Cryptic abbreviations in the menu that sometimes do not match the description in the manual (frustrating especially for newbies)

Accessories/Manual

Good

• Including replacement opamps (for all tested devices)
• USB-C to USB-A adapter (some devices)
• USB-C cable (Composer 3XP)
• Hex key to open the housing
• High-quality remote control included (for all tested devices)

To Improve

• No printed manual in the box!
• No QR code that links directly to the online manual
• Manuals have several errors and are sometimes out of date (on the Conductor 3XR the gain is called "HEA level" - the manual says "gain". I had to write to Burson to help me)
• No device names on the uniform packaging (at least attach a sticker!)
• All in all, the Burson devices tested offer good usability. If Burson updates/improves the manuals and at least makes them easier for the user to find (QR code), my biggest complaints will already be resolved.

@Burson: Don't think that all your customers/users have experience with audio technology! Help newbies get started without frustration and you'll gain loyal and long-time customers.

Usability Rating: B+

Conclusion

All Burson products tested are great!

The build quality and design are at a very high level, the sound quality is excellent for me.

You may be wondering which product you should buy? Well, it really depends depends on your needs.

Of course there are big price differences to consider. The Playmate 2 starts at 649 CHF, the Soloist 3XP/Composer 3XP combo and the Conductor 3XR cost over 2000 CHF.

The great thing is that no matter which device/combo you choose, you basically get the same sound quality. Of course the big siblings surpass the Playmate 2 in terms of details and energy, but the Playmate 2 is very close for the price!

Reasons for purchasing the more expensive devices are:

• Higher output power for more demanding devices/applications
• Much more input and output options, including Bluetooth 5.0 (which works great, by the way) and balanced XLR output
• Much more flexibility regarding the above points
• The maximum possible sound quality (if you really want that last bit!)

In the end there are 3 winners for me:

Price/performance: The Playmate 2 easily wins this point.

Sound Quality: The Conductor 3XR wins due to its dual DAC implementation.

Flexibility: The Soloist 3XP/Composer 3XP combination offers the most flexibility, as it offers 3 amplification levels, which enable a low background noise even with sensitive headphones/earphones. Plus, you can easily pair both devices with other DACs/amps.

If Burson made a Soloist 3XR (Reference) with the same two DACs as the Conductor 3XR, the Soloist/Composer combination would be the last desktop for me solution I would ever need (and want). I'll definitely ask them about it, maybe they already have something up their sleeve. 

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