burson new soloist headphone amp - Page 29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude 

Well to add to the fire, I preferred the Soloist to my balanced B22.  I found them inter-changable in character with the Soloist having better resolution.  That said, I also think the balanced B22 isn't the best config.  If I was to rank the B22 configs... 2 > 4 > 3.  Active ground is plain retarded.  The gains in a balanced B22 are beyond useless while the losses are very real.  Which is why my new B22 is 2 channel ;)

Being fully balanced, all-discrete (4 amp boards) with no integrated circuits. separate dual PSU.  Has much more advantages than a 2ch. build IMO.  I get way more resolution for one.  I was lucky enough to have a chance to listen to a 2 ch. before I got mine built.  There is a difference IMO.  not even close.  The 4ch. B22 build if I'm not mistaken has one of the lowest output impedance of any amp at 0.01 ohms.

Quote:

Originally Posted by preproman 

 

 

Well if you would ask Phil I'm sure he would say - (although it my be biased) that his B22 is the best amp ever.  

 

I think your missing the point.  

 

Cheaper yes.  That's one thing and a major thing for most.  However, when I compare I put price aside for the sake of performance alone.  I'm sure there's amps out there that outperforms the B22 - Nowhere did I say it wasn't.  You are the one that's saying what outperforms what - I never did.  

 

And yes. I would defiantly say the architecture on a 4ch. B22 is far above that of either amp.

I don't see how I missed the point. I said the Mojo and Soloist were both cheaper, but that they outperformed the B22.

That is putting price aside and focusing on what should matter most.

Quote:

Originally Posted by paradoxper 

I don't see how I missed the point. I said the Mojo and Soloist were both cheaper, but that they outperformed the B22.

That is putting price aside and focusing on what should matter most.

I see.  You just keep bringing up cost.  For me.  It has no relation on performance / unless I want to base my purchase on cost per performance.

I won't have a chance to hear a Soloist.  But having owned the BHA-1 and how it failed to my 4ch. B22 and just reading about others preferring the BHA-1 over the MJ makes it all the more interesting for me when I get a chance to hear them both side by side.

Quote:

Originally Posted by preproman 

 

 

I see.  You just keep bringing up cost.  For me.  It has no relation on performance / unless I want to base my purchase on cost per performance.

 

I won't have a chance to hear a Soloist.  But having owned the BHA-1 and how it failed to my 4ch. B22 and just reading about others preferring the BHA-1 over the MJ makes it all the more interesting for me when I get a chance to hear them both side by side.

Ok. costs in just 1 factor to consider. But to me, they both outperform the B22.

So it's simple really. Why would you spend more to get less? You wouldn't, right....

The main point is this hobby is subjective..yadda yadda.

I voiced my opinion, that's all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by paradoxper 

Ok. costs in just 1 factor to consider. But to me, they both outperform the B22.

So it's simple really. Why would you spend more to get less? You wouldn't, right....

 

The main point is this hobby is subjective..yadda yadda.

I voiced my opinion, that's all.

I wouldn't like to, no.  To me there haven't been a headphone amp yet that I've heard that outperforms my 4ch. B22.  So as far as right now I'm good.  I will see this weekend.  If the MJ will to do it.

And I've voice mine...  

Quote:

Originally Posted by preproman 

 

 

I wouldn't like to, no.  To me there haven't been a headphone amp yet that I've heard that outperforms my 4ch. B22.  So as far as right now I'm good.  I will see this weekend.  If the MJ will to do it.

 

And I've voice mine...  

Then we're on the same page. Assuming you also find the B22 to be the lesser amp. If not, you have no argument from me. 

I guess the question becomes, what part(s) of the B22 circuit do you find 'above and beyond'?

Yep - but I hardly think so..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude 

Well to add to the fire, I preferred the Soloist to my balanced B22.  I found them inter-changable in character with the Soloist having better resolution.  That said, I also think the balanced B22 isn't the best config.  If I was to rank the B22 configs... 2 > 4 > 3.  Active ground is plain retarded.  The gains in a balanced B22 are beyond useless while the losses are very real.  Which is why my new B22 is 2 channel ;)

Active ground? Could you please explain what that is and why it is retarded? Are you talking about the ground in a single ended setup?

Active ground, ie the 3rd channel in a 3 channel B22.  Basically you trade stupid high sinking rates for one that can only handle half what the amp can use in exchange for fixing a problem that likely doesn't exist.  Which is why unsurprisingly no one in the audiophile manufacturing business uses them ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude 

I guess the question becomes, what part(s) of the B22 circuit do you find 'above and beyond'?

For starters. In my B22 like I said before the dual sigma 22 PSU with my 2 Plitron transformers IMO is beyond what the others offer.

How is that architecture and not parts selection?  More to the point, what makes you think the Burson power supply isn't regulated?  Or that their transformers aren't as good as Plitrons?  

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude 

How is that architecture and not parts selection?  More to the point, what makes you think the Burson power supply isn't regulated?  Or that their transformers aren't as good as Plitrons?  

By architecture (again I'm no amp engineer) amp and psu / transformers all on one board instead on separate boards. 

Being as though it's DIY my amp has a few different parts than AMB recommendations.

Never said it wasn't regulated for one.  There transformers is a custom-built low noise transformer (that's all the info I see on them).  Where as there're lots more information on the performance of Plitron transformers in the DIY audio site and just in general.  

The benefit and downside of DIY is parts selection.  Burson moves quantity and can have transformers built to spec where DIY is stuck with whatever is available off the shelf.  Separating parts, needing wiring instead of PCB traces is bad.  Its the reason a lot of DIY is noisy and often acts like an antenna if care isn't taken to minimize it.

That said, the B22 is a great amp and the O22 a great power supply.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude 

The benefit and downside of DIY is parts selection.  Burson moves quantity and can have transformers built to spec where DIY is stuck with whatever is available off the shelf.  Separating parts, needing wiring instead of PCB traces is bad.  Its the reason a lot of DIY is noisy and often acts like an antenna if care isn't taken to minimize it.

 

That said, the B22 is a great amp and the O22 a great power supply.

Yeah - I've found it to be a benefit in all my cases.  

That's interesting,  Having owned stuff from Corey and Ying and all the others DIY amps I've been around, I haven't came across that yet.

It's good to have a good builder.  Corey really likes to experiment with things.  That's why I like him as a builder.