 |
Computer audio newbie? Don't panic. Start here. FAQs | Forum | Bargains | > Email or call 0(044) 1782 621225 |
|
 |
||
Burson Audio HA-160D NOW IN STOCK AND – FINALLY! – C.E. MARKED Adding a DAC to Burson's stellar HA160 headphone amp and preamp enables it to function at the heart of a modern mixed digital/analog system. Given that this is the Ozzies first DAC, and that its addition incurs a cost premium of only a few hundred notes, you could be forgiven for not having high expectations. But Burson do know analog: 6Moons were so impressed by its overall performance that they awarded it their highest 'Blue Moon' award in 2010. So if you're looking for a really first class headphone amp, the HA160D is it. If you need analog inputs, or mutiple line level functionality, in a compact form factor, with a very high quality stepped attenuation, the HA160D is absolutely perfect, too. And if you're looking for a gutsy, analog-sounding DAC with real verve, the superbly engineered Class A output of the HA160D's D-A stage might fit the bill very nicely. Purely as a DAC, it makes an interesting counterpoint to the widely known Benchmark DAC1 – or perhaps, the flip side of the coin would be a better description: where DACs with pro-audio origins tend to commendably transparent, they often underplay timbre and have a lousy noise floor: the HA160D is absolutely none of the above: smooth, dark, rich and warm – ideal for those intolerant of thin, anaemic, 'digital'-sounding converters. Now available for free in-home audition: email or call for details. BUNDLE DEALS: REVIEW EXTRACTS: 6Moons 'Blue Moon' Award Winner 2010: HA160D vs. HA160: These stable mates were very closely matched. That said, there were two consistent small differences. One, the D version had a bit more energy above the upper midrange. This meant more top-end sheen. With overcooked Pop albums or close-mic'd cymbals, this could quicken the onset of sizzle but on most material—I thought it a worthwhile refinement . . . the D version pounded harder on slam beats. The upshot was a slightly more energetic but just as well-balanced reading. It felt true then that the D version wasn't merely a functionally enhanced 160 but had been subtly tweaked. Burson vs. Antelope as headphone amps with DACs: Quoting from my Zodiac+ review," . . . to headphones the Antelope was Sennheiser's HD800. The Burson was beyer-dynamic's T1. The Zodiac+ was more aerated, lithe and fluffy plus— here the tie-in with the stock HD800 stops—smooth. This combination of qualities proved very much secondary however to the Burson's audibly greater drive. This drive translated into higher solidity, density, tone color richness and, quite simply, more substance. That suite of qualities dominated. The general difference was very much like swapping in a more powerful speaker amplifier. Superior control nets greater firmness, higher power greater dynamic contrasts. "While Antelope's headphone output had sufficient voltage to generate fully satisfactory levels from today's best headphones—and while it was of obviously higher quality than raw convenience sockets on receivers; it was bested by the less than half-priced Australian. The latter's raison d'être is first and foremost as dedicated headphone amplifier. To that platform then were added a DAC and relay-switched inputs. The Zodiac+ seems first and foremost a converter to which were tagged headphone outputs for studio monitoring. For demanding audiophile headfiers, the Burson is the better more focused choice... In that context, don't think of the Zodiac+ as a headphone amp with DAC. Think of it as a very advanced pro-audio DAC with studio caliber (but not ultimate audiophile) headphone sockets." As a headphone amp, the Burson clearly beat the Antelope. Would this hold true for speaker listening when each machine acted only as variable-gain converter? Not as a clear win but simply two equally valid though different presentations. The Zodiac+ had somewhat higher resolving power and the clearly upper hand on upper harmonic finesse for spookier soundstaging . . . On the lower hand, the Burson was beefier, grippier and more robust. In an upscale context well beyond the Burson's own price where everything was balanced just so, most would likely give the Zodiac+ a nod on ultimate sophistication and refinement. In a context financially matched to the Burson as $1.100 DAC/pre, I'd expect a draw. Whenever a system was shy on tone density and color saturation to put the burden of those aspects on the DAC, the Burson would clearly win. Burson vs. Weiss as DACs: This was a repeat performance. Burson's converter clearly was no 3rd-class USB traveler. On bass heft and impact, it relegated my Weiss to 2nd place, the Antelope to 3rd. This produced a very solid foundation. More importantly, it affected the perception of tone colors by adding black to the midrange. Timbres and images grew denser and more saturated. The HA-160D also reminded me of Yamamoto's YDA-01 DAC. It too had excelled at these rich colors mixed with potent bass and a very organic feel. Like team Burson, Shigeki Yamamoto had made no bones about being an analogue man. Frankly, I was shocked by how dominant a performer the Burson was as D/A converter. All it needed to 'arrive' was being warmed up for about 30 minutes. The Australians' claim that insufficient attention is spent on the I/V conversion stage to promote instead fawning over high-spec digital 'ultra' chips repeated itself like an earworm. I was trying to silence it as marketing propaganda. My ears meanwhile knew that something vital was in place. The Weiss Minerva aka DAC2 received widespread attention during its pre DAC202 reign. For the upstart from Oz to beat it on important core qualities was unexpected. On general image density in the stage's outer quadrants, it did better than the Weiss which is denser in the center but fades a bit at the edges. If you find the Weiss somewhat cerebral, the Burson is clearly more earthy and gutsy. It is stronger on tone saturation and image heft. This difference is not subtle. It's like swapping a transistor preamp for a tube preamp*. In my context depicted above, I had a clear preference for the Burson. Burson + Onkyo NDS1 Dock vs Peachtree iDecco: For headfi, the smart money wants to know how the $999 Peachtree Audio iDecco held up to the $1.500 Onkyo/Burson combo ($123 Black Cat Veloce digital cable included). The Burson's winning streak continued. Whether due to higher gain, beefier power supplies, discrete current-to-voltage stage or actual converter implementation, it again had the more robust intense presentation with deeper blacks. The iDecco was more laid back energetically and in staging perspective and injected more white into the color palette. Even accounting for taste, I believe that a good cross section of listeners would have unanimously crowned the Onkyo/Burson duo victorious while admitting that this came at the cost of 50% more money. Wrap: In the context of my current system/room, I prefer the Burson DAC to my Weiss DAC2. It was inevitable that I'd eventually come across such a converter. It's part of the never-ending hobby. I simply so did not expect it at 1/3rd the price. Also, with my very best headphones—ALO Audio-recabled Audez'e LCD-2, beyerdynamic T1, Sennheiser HD800 and in that sequence—the HA160D is the top transistor amp I've heard. This extra DAC/preamp functionality adds only $400 over the HA160. This seems an insufficient financial leap to parlay any proper seriousness of purpose and execution. Just how much do you expect a $400 DAC can do? Snobs and cynics are destined to overlook the Burson for that simple but very silly reason. Someone for whom $1.100 represent a real stretch meanwhile to save up for over many long months might apply the same snobbery albeit stood on its head. While enjoying the Burson after finally buying it, he might secretly dream about just how much better a $3.000 big-name DAC would be. That person would miss the point twice over. But since you've read this far, you already know that. My final math on the subject is simple. With a Realsization award for Burson's HA160 headphone-only amp, the HA160D as a DAC/preamp/headphone amp has a Blue Moon award written all over it. I actually think of it as the new benchmark in this component and price class.” |
||
|
||
Currency conversions updated daily by coinmill.com |
||
