Full Disclosure: I was contacted by another member here with an opportunity to review the Burson Audio Fun and Bang. Initially it was an opportunity to keep a review unit after giving it a review. I wasn't looking for another desktop amp in this price range but for the price of free and an honest review I figured why not? In the end there was a miscommunication with Burson that did not allow both reviewers to keep both units. I decided to keep the Fun instead of the Bang since I listen primarily to headphones or my Dali Helicon 800's for two channel.
Here's a link to my original Burson Audio Fun review https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/burson-audio-fun.23238/reviews#review-20998
Also, I was unable to review the Bang in conjunction with the Fun as i'm sure the designer had intended since I did not have access to both at the same time. As a result I used my Schiit Ragnarok as a preamp.
Equipment Used:
Before I did this review I had planned on reviewing this unit with my Dali Helicon 800s. However, after the issues my review partner had with this unit in regards to pops and screeches I decided to pull out my Orb Audio Mod2 speakers rather than risk damaging my Dali speakers.
Speakers: Orb Audio Mod2 Satellites 4 ohms
Ampifiers: Schiit Ragnarok used as a preamp. Compared to Schiit Vidar
Source: Microsoft Surface Pro 4 with Roon connected to a Schiit Bifrost Dac with multibit
Song lists:
Paul Mc Gowan's dirty dozen from PS Audio
https://www.psaudio.com/pauls-posts/pauls-picks/
Zeos's song list for testing headphones that i compiled from his you tube videos
https://tidal.com/playlist/a0d3509b-d8c2-4116-b9f1-83909b34d105
Cecilia Bartoli St Petersburg
https://tidal.com/playlist/7c327507-dc9a-44de-8a58-d61ed71f3ff7
Pure-Maria Callas
https://tidal.com/playlist/c2fd08bc-9eee-4453-a4cf-9e98568608cf
and other songs from my playlists.
Review
Burson Audio's line of products are made with solid metal construction that feel solid and feel like quality. The Bang feels well made and I wouldn't hesitate to stack other components on top of this unit. This unit comes with two RCA cables, a tool to remove the top to Opamp roll and a power brick. Connection wise it has two RCA inputs and a set of stereo speaker inputs. It also comes with a 4-pin Molex connector which would allow you to use it inside an open bay in your desktop.
In my listening tests I used the Schiit Bifrost multibit and Schiit Ragnarok as a preamp. Upon first turning the unit on with my speakers attached I did hear the "pop" that my review partner warned me about but after that I heard no additional questionable sounds. The sound from my speakers were well controlled within the speakers reproducible range. I did not hear any distortions at low or reference levels. In comparison to the Schiit Vidar the transients weren't as quick and the sound wasn't as full. At lower listening volumes the Vidar was able to produce a wider range of sound than the Bang at volume adjusted levels. However, even though the price of the Vidar is comparable to the Bang, the Vidar is about 5 times the size of the Bang and has more power output. If the footprint of your amp is a concern then the Bang is definitely a great option. I also noted the unit got very warm during the review. I don't see how this would be good inside a PC case.
Overall, I would say this is a good unit if staying inside the Burson Audio line. If it wasn't for the quality control issues that have plagued the Fun and the Bang that I have reviewed, I would whole heartedly recommend this line.
Pros
1. Solid metal exterior construction.
2. Sound after the initial "pop" or "screech" is full and detailed.
3. Enough power to drive my 4ohm Orb Audio Mod 2.1 speakers without much effort
4. Option to insert into an open bay on your desktop with a 4-pin Molex connector. (not really practical due to heat issues though. See list of cons)
Cons
1. This is the second Burson Audio product I have reviewed and both units have had issues with odd pops or sounds when operating the unit. Also, based on my review partner's experience with the same unit I don't feel confident in their quality control and am hesitant to trust my expensive speakers with their products.
2. The unit gets very warm with prolonged use. This would be fine as a desktop solution but I don't see how this would work well inside a computer.
3. Dang that blue light is bright!
4. Not a fan of power bricks but since I don't see it after it's plugged in I can live with it
Here's a link to my original Burson Audio Fun review https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/burson-audio-fun.23238/reviews#review-20998
Also, I was unable to review the Bang in conjunction with the Fun as i'm sure the designer had intended since I did not have access to both at the same time. As a result I used my Schiit Ragnarok as a preamp.
Equipment Used:
Before I did this review I had planned on reviewing this unit with my Dali Helicon 800s. However, after the issues my review partner had with this unit in regards to pops and screeches I decided to pull out my Orb Audio Mod2 speakers rather than risk damaging my Dali speakers.
Speakers: Orb Audio Mod2 Satellites 4 ohms
Ampifiers: Schiit Ragnarok used as a preamp. Compared to Schiit Vidar
Source: Microsoft Surface Pro 4 with Roon connected to a Schiit Bifrost Dac with multibit
Song lists:
Paul Mc Gowan's dirty dozen from PS Audio
https://www.psaudio.com/pauls-posts/pauls-picks/
Zeos's song list for testing headphones that i compiled from his you tube videos
https://tidal.com/playlist/a0d3509b-d8c2-4116-b9f1-83909b34d105
Cecilia Bartoli St Petersburg
https://tidal.com/playlist/7c327507-dc9a-44de-8a58-d61ed71f3ff7
Pure-Maria Callas
https://tidal.com/playlist/c2fd08bc-9eee-4453-a4cf-9e98568608cf
and other songs from my playlists.
Review
Burson Audio's line of products are made with solid metal construction that feel solid and feel like quality. The Bang feels well made and I wouldn't hesitate to stack other components on top of this unit. This unit comes with two RCA cables, a tool to remove the top to Opamp roll and a power brick. Connection wise it has two RCA inputs and a set of stereo speaker inputs. It also comes with a 4-pin Molex connector which would allow you to use it inside an open bay in your desktop.
In my listening tests I used the Schiit Bifrost multibit and Schiit Ragnarok as a preamp. Upon first turning the unit on with my speakers attached I did hear the "pop" that my review partner warned me about but after that I heard no additional questionable sounds. The sound from my speakers were well controlled within the speakers reproducible range. I did not hear any distortions at low or reference levels. In comparison to the Schiit Vidar the transients weren't as quick and the sound wasn't as full. At lower listening volumes the Vidar was able to produce a wider range of sound than the Bang at volume adjusted levels. However, even though the price of the Vidar is comparable to the Bang, the Vidar is about 5 times the size of the Bang and has more power output. If the footprint of your amp is a concern then the Bang is definitely a great option. I also noted the unit got very warm during the review. I don't see how this would be good inside a PC case.
Overall, I would say this is a good unit if staying inside the Burson Audio line. If it wasn't for the quality control issues that have plagued the Fun and the Bang that I have reviewed, I would whole heartedly recommend this line.
Pros
1. Solid metal exterior construction.
2. Sound after the initial "pop" or "screech" is full and detailed.
3. Enough power to drive my 4ohm Orb Audio Mod 2.1 speakers without much effort
4. Option to insert into an open bay on your desktop with a 4-pin Molex connector. (not really practical due to heat issues though. See list of cons)
Cons
1. This is the second Burson Audio product I have reviewed and both units have had issues with odd pops or sounds when operating the unit. Also, based on my review partner's experience with the same unit I don't feel confident in their quality control and am hesitant to trust my expensive speakers with their products.
2. The unit gets very warm with prolonged use. This would be fine as a desktop solution but I don't see how this would work well inside a computer.
3. Dang that blue light is bright!
4. Not a fan of power bricks but since I don't see it after it's plugged in I can live with it
BTW, I got 45C with BANG on my desk and 27C with BANG inside a very well positive-ventilated computer case: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/bur...-stereo-power-amplifier.884594/#post-14404059. Indeed, without a big and well-ventilated (positive air pressure) temps might get worse.