UPDATED ON February 23, 2019
Carlos (Burson Audio representative) has kindly offered me a free trial of the Burson V5i op-amp in return to my honest feedback.
Burson Audio is famous for its discrete V4 and V5 op-amps, but many applications cannot accommodate them due to their larger size. Thus, they made the V5i which is smaller comparatively. I would still prefer an even smaller size, i.e. to use it in Zishan DSD.
The V5i can be used to substitute for many op-amps of different models. A nice bonus provided by Burson Audio, an Australian company, is the lifetime warranty for the V5i.
The two op-amps came in a plastic container secured with strong scotch tape. This eliminated the chance of damage during shipment.
I used the V5i in Zizhan Z3. The song I listened to was “So Far Away” from “Brothers in Arms” by Dire Straits in DSD format. I picked that song as it has all the ranges of frequencies with good air between instruments.
Of course, any review of this kind is subjective as reviewer’s taste in music varies. Thus, it is very subjective.
With this in mind, I will outline the changes in the sound quality compared to the LM4562NA op-amp.
The soundstage appeared wider to me. It sounded enhanced.
Zishan Z3 with LM4562NA op-amp had recessed bass and highs. I look for headphones which are V-shaped to satisfy my liking. The V5i is more flexible in that I can use a wider range of phones. With the V5i I can use studio headphones as these ranges are quite good. The bass with the V5i is more emphasized, sounds deeper and thus, the general tone is warmer. The lower frequencies become more layered and the instrument separation (bass guitar and drums) is more defined. The bass and sub-bass rumble, but they do not bleed to other frequencies and do not suppress them. They are controlled and textured quite well.
The mid-range is almost the same. It is more focused as compared to the LM4562NA. The vocals are more vivid and defined. On the other hand, they are forwarded a bit (which may not appeal to some). Due to this, the vocals sound more emotional and engage a listener.
The high frequencies are less accentuated, but they are still present at a good level. They have the right balance and are sparkly with a transparency tone. They are not piercing and quite airy. The treble is smooth. It sounds more open and dynamic.
I've tried 10 different op-amps (OPA 1642, JRC 4580, TLE 2082CP, LME 49860NA, OPA 2604AP, NE5532AP, NJM2068M, NE5532P, LME49720, NJM4556AD) but V5i is by far much better than these as far as SQ is concerned.
There are some cons for the V5i as well. The sound is a bit distorted at high volumes and it is slightly noisier.
To conclude the review I can say that in general the sound is less analytical as compared to the LM4562NA , but more musical which is more to my preference.
I am so grateful to Carlos for the possibility to open a new world of op-amps.
P.S.
Carlos was kind enough to send me two more op-amps and I will extend my review here with Walnut V2 and Zishan Z1.
Here you go.
Now let’s see how V5i installed in Walnut V2 changes the SQ. Let’s not get into details about the pricing as everybody knows that just the opamp (V5i) costs more than the whole player itself. For me it is justified and I will try to explain why.
The Walnut stock opamp (RC5532A) sounds a bit rough to me (especially in the treble part) and lacks the depth as far as the lows are concerned. I’d say that the player makes a good match with warm and dark headphones which manages or compensates for the annoying and aggressive treble. The presentation is rather edgy.
With the V5i installed, the Walnut ends up having a more organic presentation. Besides, there’s a distinct improvement in the sound stage width, as well as in the instrument separation and layering.
I was so much impressed how V5i was able to give a richer output with more robust bass presentation. It also smoothed out the treble range, and enlarged the sound stage (I have already written about that above). With V5i you can pair almost any kind of earphones, including treble prominent ones.
Now about Zishan Z1 paired with V5i.
The stock op-amp is NE5532P. I was told that modding Z1 is a mug’s game. But fortunately it was the other way about.
V5i gives Z1 more well-rounded sound as compared with the stock op-amp. The sound is clearer, fuller and more dynamic. The highs are sweet and more refined. The mid-range is much thicker. But what is improved the most is the bass. It is really robust and powerful. The soundstage is wider and deeper. At least the way I perceive it. It sounds natural and not super exaggerated, though. It’s just amazing to me. The instrument separation is very pleasing. You can feel physically where the musicians are. I can immerse into music with Burson op-amp.
I know that it’s hardly possible to get all the benefits the Burson V5i can offer in budget gears but definitely you can hear and feel the difference in the sound as compared with stock op-amps. Who knows, there can be another step to SQ improvement after trying Burson V5i op-amps.
Carlos (Burson Audio representative) has kindly offered me a free trial of the Burson V5i op-amp in return to my honest feedback.
Burson Audio is famous for its discrete V4 and V5 op-amps, but many applications cannot accommodate them due to their larger size. Thus, they made the V5i which is smaller comparatively. I would still prefer an even smaller size, i.e. to use it in Zishan DSD.
The V5i can be used to substitute for many op-amps of different models. A nice bonus provided by Burson Audio, an Australian company, is the lifetime warranty for the V5i.
The two op-amps came in a plastic container secured with strong scotch tape. This eliminated the chance of damage during shipment.
I used the V5i in Zizhan Z3. The song I listened to was “So Far Away” from “Brothers in Arms” by Dire Straits in DSD format. I picked that song as it has all the ranges of frequencies with good air between instruments.
Of course, any review of this kind is subjective as reviewer’s taste in music varies. Thus, it is very subjective.
With this in mind, I will outline the changes in the sound quality compared to the LM4562NA op-amp.
The soundstage appeared wider to me. It sounded enhanced.
Zishan Z3 with LM4562NA op-amp had recessed bass and highs. I look for headphones which are V-shaped to satisfy my liking. The V5i is more flexible in that I can use a wider range of phones. With the V5i I can use studio headphones as these ranges are quite good. The bass with the V5i is more emphasized, sounds deeper and thus, the general tone is warmer. The lower frequencies become more layered and the instrument separation (bass guitar and drums) is more defined. The bass and sub-bass rumble, but they do not bleed to other frequencies and do not suppress them. They are controlled and textured quite well.
The mid-range is almost the same. It is more focused as compared to the LM4562NA. The vocals are more vivid and defined. On the other hand, they are forwarded a bit (which may not appeal to some). Due to this, the vocals sound more emotional and engage a listener.
The high frequencies are less accentuated, but they are still present at a good level. They have the right balance and are sparkly with a transparency tone. They are not piercing and quite airy. The treble is smooth. It sounds more open and dynamic.
I've tried 10 different op-amps (OPA 1642, JRC 4580, TLE 2082CP, LME 49860NA, OPA 2604AP, NE5532AP, NJM2068M, NE5532P, LME49720, NJM4556AD) but V5i is by far much better than these as far as SQ is concerned.
There are some cons for the V5i as well. The sound is a bit distorted at high volumes and it is slightly noisier.
To conclude the review I can say that in general the sound is less analytical as compared to the LM4562NA , but more musical which is more to my preference.
I am so grateful to Carlos for the possibility to open a new world of op-amps.
P.S.
Carlos was kind enough to send me two more op-amps and I will extend my review here with Walnut V2 and Zishan Z1.
Here you go.
Now let’s see how V5i installed in Walnut V2 changes the SQ. Let’s not get into details about the pricing as everybody knows that just the opamp (V5i) costs more than the whole player itself. For me it is justified and I will try to explain why.
The Walnut stock opamp (RC5532A) sounds a bit rough to me (especially in the treble part) and lacks the depth as far as the lows are concerned. I’d say that the player makes a good match with warm and dark headphones which manages or compensates for the annoying and aggressive treble. The presentation is rather edgy.
With the V5i installed, the Walnut ends up having a more organic presentation. Besides, there’s a distinct improvement in the sound stage width, as well as in the instrument separation and layering.
I was so much impressed how V5i was able to give a richer output with more robust bass presentation. It also smoothed out the treble range, and enlarged the sound stage (I have already written about that above). With V5i you can pair almost any kind of earphones, including treble prominent ones.
Now about Zishan Z1 paired with V5i.
The stock op-amp is NE5532P. I was told that modding Z1 is a mug’s game. But fortunately it was the other way about.
V5i gives Z1 more well-rounded sound as compared with the stock op-amp. The sound is clearer, fuller and more dynamic. The highs are sweet and more refined. The mid-range is much thicker. But what is improved the most is the bass. It is really robust and powerful. The soundstage is wider and deeper. At least the way I perceive it. It sounds natural and not super exaggerated, though. It’s just amazing to me. The instrument separation is very pleasing. You can feel physically where the musicians are. I can immerse into music with Burson op-amp.
I know that it’s hardly possible to get all the benefits the Burson V5i can offer in budget gears but definitely you can hear and feel the difference in the sound as compared with stock op-amps. Who knows, there can be another step to SQ improvement after trying Burson V5i op-amps.
