After 1 week burn in, here my impression...
Source:
Asus Laptop , Windows 10, Foobar2000
DAC: ESS9018 connected to Maverick D1 through analog input RCA with custom silver cable (made by amplifiersurgery.com)
Headphone: Sennheiser HD600
File: FLAC
Selected songs for this test:
- What a day different make, Ingram Washington
- Don’t know why Norah Jones
- All I am, Heatwave
- 101 Eastbound, Fourplay
- Diana Krall (Album Live in Paris)
This review base on listening (subjective) ,comparison with OPA627 , nothing changed in other parts
Burson V5i vs OPA627
Sound stage:
Compare to OPA627, V5i give slightly wider sound stage (not too much), this one make me happy due to HD600 don't have wide sound stage.
Imaging is spot on and while the soundstage isn't huge it still allows the listener to get a sense of space in the recording.
Just right in my opinion and very pleasant
Bass – Compare to OPA627 , V5i give good extension and more weight on my HD600 . Which is this very good improvement for people who want more bass in HD600.
I enjoyed bass in song 101 Eastbound by Fourplay, depth and quantity perfect for my taste. Fyi, I’m not basshead
Mids - Everything in the mid sounds very linear to my ears. I don't find the mid to be lush or clinical.
The vocal not forwarded, which is good for me who don’t like forward mid or vocal .
Vocal in What a day different make by Ingram Washington, weight and timbre clearly exposed (in good way)
Treble - The treble reproduced is very clear, present, and smooth. V5i delivered not much different when compare to OPA627.
Overall a very well balanced sound with regard to frequency range with a slight smoothness to the sound.
When I see V5i in first time, I little bit worry with small casing regarding heat issue
I did some test in 1 week by run my D1 almost 4-5 hours/ day, not heat issue found in V51 opamp .
I have couple headamps, the modified D1 is one of my favorite
Serviced me for almost 5 years, freedom to modify easily; opamp and tube make this amp always make me smile.
Good to know that opamp rolling has big impact to the sound, beside tube and caps.
The summary, Burson V5i raised the D1 to next level. This will give you another fun and pleasant listening your music collection.
Pro : From SQ result, absolutely I recommend you to try in D1 or other amp.
Cons : The price little bit high for opamp
~ron~