burson new soloist headphone amp - Page 31

Quote:

Originally Posted by K_19 

It would be great if Burson can release a version or include an option with a standard Alps pot as they did with the 160DS.

OMG.... A standard Alps pot is so bad, in my humble opinion of course, that it would render much of the goodness that Burson puts into their products pointless. If you want that, then just get a cheaper amplifier with an Alps pot. That would make a lot more sense.

Or buy the Burson 160DS...

Hearing small clicks between steps is not a big deal for me. For others probably is, you mean a soloist with alps pot? 

I've personally haven't heard big differences between the pots within the Bursons (I've had the 160D and also heard the 160DS, I personally didn't hear a "massive" difference) and do prefer the smoothness of pots over stepped attenuators for most cases.  Then there's also the problem of finding that right amount of volume between the steps (I did have the earlier versions of the 160D where the steps jumped too much). Of course, well implemented stepped attenuators can negate that problem to a degree, as well as having a source with an adjustable output, that I do realize.  

The ticks and pops are something that Bursons owners have been complaining about for ages though and really something they should work on minimizing IMO, if they were to continue down the stepped attenuator line for their products in the future (and I'm sure they are considering this is one of the most common complaints with their line). 

Anyways, if they do release a Conductor S version in the future, I'd definitely be interested in it. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackwess 

Hearing small clicks between steps is not a big deal for me. For others probably is, you mean a soloist with alps pot? 

The mechanical clicks from the attenuator itself you can't do anything about of course. I'm referring more to the static pops and such that comes from the headphones though. 

I am looking for some feedback for my question.

I have the opportunity to upgrade my HA-160, which has been troublesome for me and been back to burson for testing/repair, to the soloist for a few hundred dollars.

Do you think it is worth the upgrade?

Andrew

I will add as well that my phones I use are all AudioTechnica.... My main set, day to day, is the AD-2000.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masika 

I will add as well that my phones I use are all AudioTechnica.... My main set, day to day, is the AD-2000.

Some users have it, take a look at this post (taken from the AD2000 appreciation thread)

I bought the Soloist yesterday, it should arrive at the end of the week. I will try to do a small review with my different headphones (HD650, D7000, HE-400 and DT770-LE).

I can do a more in-depth review if someone is interested in.

Congratulation. Would be interested in Soloist / HE-400 impressions. 

Some people complains that volume knob is not progressive enough (only 24 steps) and there's too much volume variation between 2 steps.

What's about it ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by elipson73 

Some people complains that volume knob is not progressive enough (only 24 steps) and there's too much volume variation between 2 steps.

What's about it ?

For me I want to fine-tune the sound level. I found the steps on Soloist irritating and that was enough of a personal reason to disregard them whatever the amp's SQ performance would be.

I never had any problems finding the adequate volume level with the soloist attenuator. 

Stepper without gain switch, uber no fun :(  Stepper with many gain settings... yay :D

Reading the review of the Soloist over headfonia, I am not so sure I get a picture if it is a 100% upgrade over the HA-160.

Apparantly the reviewer found the HA-160D (which has the same headphone amp section as with the HA-160) were more linear, having a more forward sound and a better PRaT. The HA-160D had a wider soundstage and a clearer articulation, while the Soloist had a better depth in the soundstage.

Would you say, if one is not pairing it with hungry planar phones, the Soloist would present marginal improvement over the HA-160 at best ? What other amps in the $1K range should I consider ?

Thanks for help.