The way I read this is that they have come up with a simpler design (GOOD!) and up the power to 4Wpc (NICE!). I’m excited. Here is the text from Burson:
3 years after their benchmark setting HA-160 headphone amplifier, Burson Audio has introduced a new head amp/preamp 2 in 1 named the Burson Soloist.
Staying true to their IC free design approach, the Soloist is a pure Class-A amplifier free from standard IC opamp and IC power regulator building blocks.
Comparing to the HA-160, the Soloist has 35% less components on its signal path which translate into a even more organic sound. Output power has increased to 4Wpc and can be varied to match to any headphones.
Furthermore, the Soloist is also a streamlined preamp that promises to match well with any power amps.
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Silvestro Pomes
and <1Ohm output impedance.. :Q_
Nice. Ad looks cute, too…
Mike Roderigo
the hell I’m looking forward to the review of this one. I hope you’ll be one of the early reviewer as you were with the ha-160D
Austin Morrow
Just got the email for this. Looks very interesting indeed. While I’m not the biggest fan of the pre-amp with the headphone amp, the power increase is very nice.
Julian Junishev
No XLRs. Not for me.
Mike
I actually prefer 1/4″ more than XLRs. But that’s just me.
Eugen
there is a good argument for single ended amplifiers vs balanced but there is no good argument for 1/4″ jacks vs. xlr’s 🙂
Mike
1/4″ is better. Believe me. 😉
Eugen
Maybe at sticking them in your ass … 🙂
dalethorn
Is there some crossover from recording gear here?
P. J.
I like the fact that it has so many inputs but for 1k I would expect a balanced amp.
This is something that I cannot agree:
“Comparing to the HA-160, the Soloist has 35% less components on its signal path which translate into a even more organic sound. ”
The Audio GD Ref 5 that I have has so many components in its signal path and it makes the most organic sound I have ever heard.
Looking forward to the review.
Mike
Generally speaking, from my experience with amplifiers, less parts do correlate to a more organic sound.
With DACs it’s not quite as simple.
Eugen
At least they went around the crappy limitation of the 24 level attenuator using gain switches and they actually have a preamp out this time. Could be quite ok as a desktop amplifier, too bad about the price though. All that good press must be used for something. 🙂
Mike
24 level attenuators are crappy?
Eugen
Not enough steps.
Mike Roderigo
Mike, looking forward to your review !-)
Mike
It’s in the mail 😉
mike roderigo
yes I know 😉
L.
jealous!
Victor Yu
Hi Mike,
When are you planning to release the Soloist detail review?
L.
Yes, Mike just had to redo the pictures