burson new soloist headphone amp - Page 41

Look who's back on Team Burson!  First a move from LCD-3 to LCD-2 and now from Peak to Soloist... really should get myself checked ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude 

Look who's back on Team Burson!  First a move from LCD-3 to LCD-2 and now from Peak to Soloist... really should get myself checked ;)

Care to say why ? 

I also heard the LCD3 and even though I like it and has some stronger points than lcd2, lcd2 seems to have a more intimate sound presentation. 

Back to LCD-2 for the reasons you mentioned.  The LCD-3 is too laid back for me, smoother treble but less of it and just a passive listen.  Low comfort for big heads too.

As for the Soloist...  when I had the LCD-3 I concluded after repeated A/B that it was a better B22.  Same tonal balance but higher resolution, more clarity, more precise imaging... BUT like the B22 pretty laid back with the already laid back LCD-3.  So my hope is the more active LCD-2 and better B22 split the middle.  Should get it tomorrow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude 

Back to LCD-2 for the reasons you mentioned.  The LCD-3 is too laid back for me, smoother treble but less of it and just a passive listen.  Low comfort for big heads too.

 

As for the Soloist...  when I had the LCD-3 I concluded after repeated A/B that it was a better B22.  Same tonal balance but higher resolution, more clarity, more precise imaging... BUT like the B22 pretty laid back with the already laid back LCD-3.  So my hope is the more active LCD-2 and better B22 split the middle.  Should get it tomorrow.

Certainly interested in keeping up with your findings. I think at this price point synergy is really starting to play into impressions of these amplifiers. Luckily for me the soloist plays well with my current line up of headphones. 

Should be interesting because the PWD2 is new since then too.  And then there is how it will compare with the First Watt, SWA B22 and the new GS-X.  Still trying to get my hands on the Bryston but I'm not too keen on it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude 

Should be interesting because the PWD2 is new since then too.  And then there is how it will compare with the First Watt, SWA B22 and the new GS-X.  Still trying to get my hands on the Bryston but I'm not too keen on it.

HaHa, now we can compare notes on the Soloist, BHA-1 and the new GSX

the BHA-1 is really nice, though no pre-amp for you

I can't wait to hear about your GSX-2 ...

BHA-1 has always on pre-outs.  Which sucks but still pre-outs if needed.  It's just another part of the design I don't like too much.

Hi elwappo99,

Quote:

Originally Posted by elwappo99 

Definitely make sure you have some kind of power protection. I use one of these with my audio stack behind it. My voltage can get high (128 range), so I use this to keep it locked in at 110. 

 

http://www.amazon.com/APC-LE1200-Automatic-Voltage-Regulator/dp/B00009RA60/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358282242&sr=8-1&keywords=voltage+regulator

I agree, but apparently, Burson support, does not.

After sending two e-mails, a few days apart, asking Burson if they can recommend a power conditioner for use with the Soloist, explaining that my area suffers from daily afternoon brownouts (especially during the summer months), as well as "hammering blackouts" averaging about once a month - where the power cycles off, then on, then off, then on, rapidly and repeatedly for as many as four or five cycles before either staying off or staying on, Burson has responded, as follows:

I've replied, telling them that I can appreciate a reluctance to recommend another manufacturer's power conditioner, even though I thought it worth asking, but given their statement that the Soloist already has "everything that is need[ed] already implemented into it," I went on to ask if this includes protection from only EMI and RFI noise, or also protection from power surges, brownouts, and sustained over-voltages.  

Two days hence, I've not received a response yet.

Meanwhile, with diligent (and tedious) testing, I've determined that the Furman AC-215A (10-Amp, 1200-Watt, two-outlet power conditioner) does not affect the sonics of the Soloist in any way that I can detect, when using either the Beyerdynamic T1, the LCD-2, or some IEMs that I've thrown at it.  So, I'm pleased with that, but the Furman AC-215A does not provide voltage regulation other than shutting everything off if and when the incoming voltage reaches 137-Volts.  It's specifications indicate that it performs noise filtering, which apparently is of little value at my location, because A) when I have power coming out of my outlets (in the absence of blackouts), I don't have a noise problem and B) the Soloist itself, apparently does a good job of filtering noise.  

So, really, the only thing the Furman AC-215A is doing for me is providing very good surge suppression.  It's doing nothing in the way of voltage regulation to deal with the brownouts this area suffers.

I thought about buying the APC voltage regulator you've recommended, but I'd rather look for another relatively "inexpensive," all-in-one solution that doesn't compromise sound quality, while providing noise filtering, voltage regulation, and surge suppression.  I'd rather not go all in on one of the many expensive power conditioners made for HiFi. 

Right now, I just want to know precisely what protections are "already implemented into" the Soloist.  A reasonable question, I should think

Stay tuned...

Mike

Quote:

Originally Posted by zilch0md 

I've replied, telling them that I can appreciate a reluctance to recommend another manufacturer's power conditioner, even though I thought it worth asking, but given their statement that the Soloist already has "everything that is need[ed] already implemented into it," I went on to ask if this includes protection from only EMI and RFI noise, or also protection from power surges, brownouts, and sustained over-voltages.  

 

Even if they have some protection built in, I would still have a surge protector behind it, especially if you are prone to service drops. I got the APC unit for like $30 awhile ago, which wasn't too much more than a surge protector for me. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by zilch0md 

Hi elwappo99,

 

 

I agree, but apparently, Burson support, does not.

 

After sending two e-mails, a few days apart, asking Burson if they can recommend a power conditioner for use with the Soloist, explaining that my area suffers from daily afternoon brownouts (especially during the summer months), as well as "hammering blackouts" averaging about once a month - where the power cycles off, then on, then off, then on, rapidly and repeatedly for as many as four or five cycles before either staying off or staying on, Burson has responded, as follows:

 

 

 

I've replied, telling them that I can appreciate a reluctance to recommend another manufacturer's power conditioner, even though I thought it worth asking, but given their statement that the Soloist already has "everything that is need[ed] already implemented into it," I went on to ask if this includes protection from only EMI and RFI noise, or also protection from power surges, brownouts, and sustained over-voltages.  

 

Two days hence, I've not received a response yet.

 

Meanwhile, with diligent (and tedious) testing, I've determined that the Furman AC-215A (10-Amp, 1200-Watt, two-outlet power conditioner) does not affect the sonics of the Soloist in any way that I can detect, when using either the Beyerdynamic T1, the LCD-2, or some IEMs that I've thrown at it.  So, I'm pleased with that, but the Furman AC-215A does not provide voltage regulation other than shutting everything off if and when the incoming voltage reaches 137-Volts.  It's specifications indicate that it performs noise filtering, which apparently is of little value at my location, because A) when I have power coming out of my outlets (in the absence of blackouts), I don't have a noise problem and B) the Soloist itself, apparently does a good job of filtering noise.  

 

So, really, the only thing the Furman AC-215A is doing for me is providing very good surge suppression.  It's doing nothing in the way of voltage regulation to deal with the brownouts this area suffers.

 

I thought about buying the APC voltage regulator you've recommended, but I'd rather look for another relatively "inexpensive," all-in-one solution that doesn't compromise sound quality, while providing noise filtering, voltage regulation, and surge suppression.  I'd rather not go all in on one of the many expensive power conditioners made for HiFi. 

 

Right now, I just want to know precisely what protections are "already implemented into" the Soloist.  A reasonable question, I should think

 

Stay tuned...

 

Mike

It is exactly what they said to me. I have sent them an email asking if the power conditioner affects the sound, as mine did, in a negative way, and I suspected Burson to have a power conditioner/filter inside (as i knew that more power filters in || is a bad idea)

Their response was just as I expected:

I have the whole scenario explained here in the "InToxicated Mind" story .

Not only that I found my PS Audio Duet power conditioner to have negative affects on dynamics, bass and treble, but Wireworld Aurora cable had a similar effect (and that cable has filtering). 

With my previous  Burson HA-160DS, both Wireworld Aurora and PS Audio duet had a positive effect on the sound.

I personally use a Belkin Power Surge protector (2700J) which does not affect the sound. 

I have a question for you guys. Will an AVR affect the sound in a bad way?

Thanks for sharing your story Dan.  I read the links you provided.

We've been on a similar journey, for sure.   

Mike

Quote:

Originally Posted by zilch0md 

Thanks for sharing your story Dan.  I read the links you provided.

 

We've been on a similar journey, for sure.   

 

Mike

Thanks Mike. 

I have just received a response from Burson:

What do you guys generally know about Automatic Voltage Regulators and audio ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan.gheorghe 

 

What do you guys generally know about Automatic Voltage Regulators and audio ?

I'm impressed they built one in. Voltage regulators aren't too much of a big deal for solid state, but they provide help for tube amps. Basically (I'll use myself as an example), my voltage can swing from 105V - 128V. Since audio gear has so many sensitive components, long term exposure to high voltage can damage them. Tubes will often get that higher voltage passed to them which causes them to run hotter, shortening their lifespan.

I have a voltage regulator that locks in the voltage at 110V, all the time.

About all I know is elwappo99's testimony that his APC voltage regulator doesn't affect his sonics.  

I'm going to test one of these when I get home tonight - to see if I can hear any changes whatsoever to the sonics when my Soloist is plugged into it (listening with T1, LCD-2, and/or Shure E4G IEMs):

The Tripp-Lite LC1200 Line Conditioner provides surge suppression (1200 Joules), voltage regulation, noise filtering, and isolation.

Here are some specs from this page at Provantage, who has the lowest price I could find, currently:

• • Maintains usable 120V (+10%/-12%) nominal output over an input range of 89V to 147V
  • Protects sensitive electronics, computer accessories and home theater equipment from power-related damage and performance problems
  • Extends the useful life of connected equipment by providing optimum voltage conditions for enhanced efficiency and cooler internal operating temperatures
  • Three levels of voltage stabilization offer targeted response to overvoltages, undervoltages and severe brownouts
  • Input voltages over 128V are reduced by 9.6% (+/- 3V)
  • Input voltages between 103 and 112V are boosted by 8.9% (+/- 3V)
  • Input voltages below 102V are boosted by 18.8% (+/- 3V)
  • 1200 watts output power rating supports 120V loads up to 10 amps
  • Network grade AC surge suppression
  • Premium EMI/RFI noise filtering prevents equipment interaction, system interference, lockups and other power-related audio and video artifacts
  • 7 diagnostic LEDs indicate input voltage levels, surge suppression status and line fault conditions
  • 4 protected NEMA5-15R outlets
  • 7 foot AC power cord with NEMA5-15P input plug
  • 2 year manufacturer's product warranty
  • $25,000 Ultimate Lifetime Insurance for connected equipment (USA & Canada Only)

I've used these both in my home and at work, but never for hi-end audio gear - just for computers and television.  I've never had a problem with them, across about three years of personal experience.

At $88.43, it's actually less expensive than the Furman AC-215A, for which I paid only $102, but it offers voltage regulation (including protection against brownouts) in addition to noise filtering and surge suppression.

If ever there was a poor man's full-featured power conditioner, this is it.  I'm going to be listening very intently for degradation of any kind.  If it's "noisy" or impacts the dynamics or anything else that's unsavory, I'll just use it elsewhere in the house.

More later...

Mike

From my knowledge, it shouldn't affect the sound too much. I can test later this weekend if I remember/have time. I believe most SS units aren't affected due to design and many of them implement some kind of power regulation within the power intake.