Got my HA-160D and listened to it for some time and I have to admit it is great. Worth every penny of the steep price I paid for it.
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- categoryAmp DACs
- itemBurson HA 160D
- categoryDesktop Amps
- categoryHeadphone Amplifiers
- itemMeier Audio Concerto
- itemMeier Audio StageDAC
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- sridhar3
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Quote:
Glad you're enjoying it.
It really takes my T5ps to a new level of performance and makes my FA011 shine.
- driggs
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I have the Beyers DT990 Pro (250)... and on Burson's site they link to a youtube review (see link) that states they are not so good for high-impedence phones, esp 250's - yet, here I read that it does well with some insensitive phones! Please help as I am considering this amp for my phones but am not sure if it the right choice!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8erfVEvtio&feature=player_embedded#at=379
- driggs
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The reviewers specifically states that "it doesnt work well on 250 ohm headphones.... lacking bottom end". Why would such an expensive high end amp not be suitable for such headsets??
It is not a high-power amp. It is more suitable for IEMs and low impedance headphones.
- driggs
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Really? But so many have paired them with the HD800 and other 600 ohms sets. I am confused.... and I want to buy one (cant get an audition in Greece!)
- Uncle Erik
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The Burson puts out plenty of power and since it's solid state, should have a nice, low output impedance suitable for almost all headphones.
Don't expect too much from reviewers. Some are idiots who are mostly interested in getting free gear and sweetheart deals from manufacturers. Not all of them (I know a few I trust), but some are chasing freebies and couldn't tell a resistor from a capacitor if their life depended on it.
Also, impedance seems to have been misstated once again. I'll go into it briefly. There are four factors to consider:
1. The amp's output power
2. The headphone's sensitivity
3. The amp's output impedance
4. The headphone's impedance
The difference between the output impedance and headphone impedance only tells you how well power transfers from one to the other. There is a formula for this. Once you know that, you take the output power, see how well it transfers, then you use sensitivity to determine how loud the headphone will get given the amount of power that gets through.
It's more complicated than this, but you should get the general idea. Simply, you want an output impedance lower than the impedance of the headphone. That's not a problem witg a solid state amp like this, and it has plenty of power. Driving 250 Ohm, or higher, headphones should be fine.
- Uncle Erik
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I pulled the specs and it puts 650mW into 300 Ohms.
Would you mind explaining how that's "low" power?
Most headphones only pull 100mW-150mW at fairly loud listening levels. So how does having at least an extra 500mW on tap mean it's underpowered?
You could probably get decent listening levels out of a pair of Lowthers or efficient horn loudspeakers with this amp.
Edited by Uncle Erik - 7/17/11 at 6:31pm

Are you serious?
I pulled the specs and it puts 650mW into 300 Ohms.
Would you mind explaining how that's "low" power?
Most headphones only pull 100mW-150mW at fairly loud listening levels. So how does having at least an extra 500mW on tap mean it's underpowered?
You could probably get decent listening levels out of a pair of Lowthers or efficient horn loudspeakers with this amp.
Haha, my replies were about a completelyy different thing. I mistook this thread for another one I created ;) about DACPort.
- driggs
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Well that makes me happy... will probably order one now.... Now, if only I can understand why people dont think it matches with the T1.....

Are you serious?
I pulled the specs and it puts 650mW into 300 Ohms.
Would you mind explaining how that's "low" power?
Most headphones only pull 100mW-150mW at fairly loud listening levels. So how does having at least an extra 500mW on tap mean it's underpowered?
You could probably get decent listening levels out of a pair of Lowthers or efficient horn loudspeakers with this amp.
I think because both are a bit brightish and pairing them makes it too bright, that is my understanding at least.
I have HA-160D and bought a pair of T1s and will see how it works in 2 weeks when I get back home.
- driggs
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Great... will be interested in your comments!
Waint until August 10th and you should see something. I will only have two days at home and will be going on holiday and then be back on August 8th.
- driggs
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This is very helpful... the comments about reviewers often not knowing what they're talking about is spot-on, although disappointing at the same time, esp. for us less-experinced headfiers who rely on others' feedback. Well, I have ordered my Burson and will see. I have the DT900 and the HD800 so I'll see how it goes...

The reviewer doesn't know what he's talking about.
The Burson puts out plenty of power and since it's solid state, should have a nice, low output impedance suitable for almost all headphones.
Don't expect too much from reviewers. Some are idiots who are mostly interested in getting free gear and sweetheart deals from manufacturers. Not all of them (I know a few I trust), but some are chasing freebies and couldn't tell a resistor from a capacitor if their life depended on it.
Also, impedance seems to have been misstated once again. I'll go into it briefly. There are four factors to consider:
1. The amp's output power
2. The headphone's sensitivity
3. The amp's output impedance
4. The headphone's impedance
The difference between the output impedance and headphone impedance only tells you how well power transfers from one to the other. There is a formula for this. Once you know that, you take the output power, see how well it transfers, then you use sensitivity to determine how loud the headphone will get given the amount of power that gets through.
It's more complicated than this, but you should get the general idea. Simply, you want an output impedance lower than the impedance of the headphone. That's not a problem witg a solid state amp like this, and it has plenty of power. Driving 250 Ohm, or higher, headphones should be fine.
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