DISCLAIMER
Burson sent me the Fun for review weeks ago (I apologize for the late review). That said, as always, I'll try my best to provide an honest feedback.


ABOUT ME
I’ve been in this hobby for about 3 years and still feel like I’ve just started with so much to learn and explore. No, I'm not the type that can pick out every little detail, nor am I able to discern between 320kbs, 256kbs, etc. However, I am pretty sensitive to EQ and have developed a preferred sound signature over the years. I tend to gravitate toward audio gear that provides clean sub bass extension (little to no mid bass bump), relatively forward mids, and highs that are on the smoother side. I also appreciate a large soundstage with great imaging capabilities. I do prefer depth (out of your head) over width when it comes to soundstage.




SETUP
iMac (Tidal HIFI) > USB > Schiit Eitr > digital coax w. BNC adapter > Neutrik impedance converter > AES/EBU2 > SFD1 > coax > Burson Fun > various headphones

*Mainly used the HD800 (SDR) to get a better idea of the relative differences between amps
*The focus of my review is how the FUN sounds relative to other amps as I find that most useful.
*FYI, the FUN worked well with most of my headphones (HD800 SDR, LCD3, HD650), and powered them all with ease.



HOW DOES IT SOUND?
IMO the Fun is Burson's jab/comeback at the increasing number of quality sub $500 gear. With Schiit gaining significant grounds and Massdrop churning out one great collaboration after another, it has never been better for budget headphone lovers to get a good taste at what hifi really sounds like. Add the Fun to the bunch with a bit of added flavor ("Fun") and you basically got the gist of what this amp is all about.

/Stock Opamp (Single x2)/
At first, coming from the Master 9, EC BW2 and ZDS as my main amps, I was expecting noticeable grain and a lack of transparency/detail. Well, it was noticeable, but to a much lesser degree than expected. I was also immediately struck with the weight behind the notes. The name of the Fun had me expecting some V shape sound signature with hollowed out mids. Yes, the bass and treble emphasis was there but the mids and vocals also have good heft behind them. The slight emphasis in the mid bass does give the FUN a warmish sound. The soundstage isn't particularly wide nor deep. But it does present a believable sound stage, nothing too closed in or walled. No problems here. The FUN does present a more intimate soundstage, giving you the feeling of being closer to the source of the sound. As for power, there's plenty to spare. I had no problem with any of my headphones nor should you!

Occasionally the Fun did get hot in the treble on certain tracks and the bass at times did ever so slightly bloom relative to my preference. But, if Burson was after a Fun sounding quality affordable amp, they certainly succeeded.

/V6 Vivid/
With the stock opamp, it wasn't too hard to point out the relative deficiencies of the FUN compared to the higher priced/tier amps. That does change a bit with the Vivid opamps. The Vivid adds extra air and clarity to the FUN. With improvements in those areas the FUN's imaging does improve. You do have to pay an extra $70-100 for the Vivids, but personally I find it makes the FUN that much more convincing among the array of quality low to mid range budget amps despite the additional cost. I'd highly recommend going for the Vivid or perhaps the Classics if you're set on getting the FUN.

/Amp Comparisons/
Vs LCX
Both are technically capable in terms of detail and transparency (happy times for sub $500 gear!). The LCX does have that tubish sense of sound in terms of soundstage depth despite being a SS amp. Also, the LXC is the more neutral between the two. Both are similarly priced (the SDAC of the LCX makes up for the extra $79). If you want a more FUN sounding amp that doesn't lack in relative transparency and detail the FUN is for you. If you want an all in one hassle free option and want to get a hint of the Cavalli sound the LCX is for you.
*With the Vivid, the difference in soundstage lessens in terms of size. Both still have their own way of presenting music but sheer size becomes nearly identical.

Vs ZDT Jr.
The ZDT excels in transparency, but lacks heft in the lower end. However, I do prefer the relative bloom free bass of the ZDT. The FUN does sound more engaging for tracks calling for more bass. However, the ZDT is overall more netural while being ever so slightly tubish sounding (there's more treble emphasis with the FUN). Between the two, its really comes down to personal preferences. Both are capable (details, mids) amps that are fairly similarly priced ($300 vs $400). Also, both do have the potential extra cost of tube or opamp rolling.
Perhaps the biggest downside of the ZDT is it's accessibility and issue with hum on many of the units (supposedly Massdrop is in the works for a fix).
*Even with the Vivid, the soundstage is still larger and convincing (sounding real) with the ZDT. FYI, the FUN is no slouch.

Vs Master 9
Ok, from here the price difference becomes quite big. That said I'll compare the two to give a relative idea on how the FUN sounds/spars against amps in this tier. Both are unabashedly powerful and is also where the similarity ends. The Master 9 has a noticeably wider soundstage. The sound is more laid back and neutral with the Master 9. Also the Master 9 is more organic sounding. I hate to use that term, but "organic,” “effortless” and "warm" are terms I would associate with the Master 9 relative to the FUN. The FUN is clearly the more exciting in your face type of amp. As for detail and transparency, you do have to struggle a bit to find the Master 9 eventually stumble out on top even with the Vivid.

Vs BW2
The BW2 is also a somewhat colored amp. Both quite have some meat behind the mids and to a lesser degree the bass. However, the clear difference is in the highs. The highs are shy of neutral with the BW2 leaning towards smoother treble. In contrast the FUN does better with hi-hats, cymbals etc. There's a better sense of "clash" and a natural decay with the FUN. However, overall I side with the BW2 (less so with the Vivid) for its somewhat holographic soundstage (surprising deep for a SS amp) and detail. Despite the overall warmness and relatively shelved highs the BW2 just edges out in detail as well. With the Vivid opamp in the FUN the gap does narrow. The price difference now makes the FUN a lot more attractive.
*Like the ZDT the BW2 is far less accessible than the FUN.

Vs ZDS
Yes, this isn't a fair match up. The ZDS excels in detail, imaging, soundstage size. But is it worth x8 the Fun? That'll depend on your priorities and willingness to spend the extra money to achieve "better" sound. If on a budget, you wouldn't miss out too much with the FUN. Perhaps you do miss out on a few scuffs in the background, coughs in the audience, better sense of space/air, and noticeably better imaging capabilities. Ok, maybe that's more than just a few, but I hope you get the idea.


SUMMARY
With so many great low to mid range budget options out there, the introduction of the FUN certainly doesn't make it any easier to choose one. But if you don't mind a bit of flavor/FUN, while still being technically capable, the Burson Fun should be up there in your list of must try amps.

4.5 stars with stock opamps and 5 stars with the V6 Vivids

ABOUT ME
Relatively new to the headphone scene, I'm not great at picking out detail or being able to discern between 320kbs, 256kbs, FLAC, etc. However, I am pretty sensitive to EQ and have developed a preferred sound signature over the months/years. I tend to gravitate toward audio gear that provides clean sub bass extension (little to no mid bass bump), relatively forward mids, and highs that aren't emphasized. On the other hand I also appreciate a large soundstage with great imaging capabilities. I do prefer depth (out of your head) over width when it comes to soundstage.

FYI, I listen for long hours while I work, which probably has an effect on the type of sound I prefer.


EQUIPMENT
Audeze LCD3
Sennheiser HD800 (SDR mod)
Audio-gd NFB28
Schiit Valhalla 2
Schiit Bifrost Multibit
Rusty late 2008 Mac Book Pro (Tidal HIFI)


DISCLAIMER
Burson sent me the Cable+ Pro for review a few weeks ago. That said, I'll try my best to provide an honest feedback.


SETUP
So, I received a somewhat underwhelming non sturdy plastic case with cables that just seemed to be thrown in as an after thought. However, the cable itself looks high quality. The connectors and the main body (polished aluminum or steel?) definitely feels high end. I have to admit, I'd sacrifice packaging quality to drive costs down and up the quality of the actual product like Burson did here.



All that setup required was connecting the Cable+ Pro between my DAC (Bimby) and Amps (Valhalla 2, NFB28). That said the lack of instructions can make the process confusing. Like a few others I had the cable in backwards. The direction ("output" with a triangle indicating direction) on the cable didn't make it clear if it was indicating the direction of signals being output or if it was pointing towards the output end of the DAC from which signals are being entered from. In hindsight, it seems fairly clear that its indicating the direction of signals. However, just in case, remember that the shorter end of the cables go to the amplifier.




HOW DOES IT SOUND?
Great! I'm absolutely loving what I hear through these cables. Like many others, I was extremely skeptical over cables making any noticeable sonic differences. However, the change was pretty clear instantly. Yes, I probably should have known that the opamp in the main body of the cable serves somewhat as a preamplifier. So its not honest to say that I am now a believer in cables that costs more than my headphones. But I do believe in whatever Burson has created here.

Again, referring back above to my listening capabilities and preferences, I perhaps won't be able to tell if it's effectively dealing with impedance mismatches between the audio gear, or if it's some change in EQ due to the V5 being in between my DAC and AMP. Regardless of all that, I definitely do enjoy the change in sound I am hearing. And that's what ultimately matters - how it sounds to your ears.

There is little to no harshness in the highs. The mids are more forward and perhaps there's an ever so slight bump in the bass. Overall, I'm hearing a much fuller/richer sound. Everything sounds effortless emanating from a clear dark space. Almost analogue I'd say. Although the perceived soundstage appear to have changed to something that is much more intimate, the actual physical size of the soundstage seem to be the same, which is amazing considering there's, what I believe, less treble/air (or is it the harshness that's been removed as claimed by Burson?).

LCD3
This cable was just what I need to make my LCD3 sound the way I expected them to be. The brighter 2016 drivers of the LCD3 was always bothering me, and almost felt like they took away the Audeze magical mids. Now I could hear the vocals breathing down my ears as if they're singing right next to me. The change in mids (more forward with body) can clearly be heard with the LCD3.

HD800
At this point, I am really excited about the changes/improvements I'd hear with the modded HD800. Again, the Cable+ Pro delivers. An HD800 with fuller mids and significantly less harshness on mid-fi gear? Yes, that is now a thing with something that just costs $199. The Valhalla already pumps out amazing soundstage, so the change in highs/air didn't effect that much. More importantly, I'm able to listen to the HD800 for much longer hours while I work.


SUMMARY
It is pretty obvious by now that I really appreciate the change/improvements? that the Cable+ Pro brought to my system. I was always of the camp that upgrading headphones makes the biggest improvement then the amp, DAC and so on with cables being at the end of the list. However, that changes with the Cable+ Pro. If you prefer intimate and fuller mids, and are sensitive to treble, then the $199 cable from Burson likely would be a wise investment over any other gear.

A few weeks back, Burson sent me a pair of V5i doubles and V5i singles. In return I was asked to provide an honest feedback. Here, I'll try my best to do just that.
Also note, this was my first opamp rolling experience, and I'm fairly new to the head-fi scene.
 
EQUIPMENT
Amp: V5i (pair of doubles and singles) installed in Gustard H10
Headphone: HE560
Dac: Bifromst MB
Source: TIDAL HIFI on a MBP

 
INSTALLATION
Installation was a breeze on the Gustard H10. Remove a few screws, slide the top half of the body off, replace the stock opamps with the V5i opamps, and there you have it in 3 easy steps.
Just know the singles replace the bottom two, and the doubles replace the two stock opamps to the right (alignment is important too).

 
 
 
SOUND
(Stock)
The Gustard H10 with stock opamp offers a relatively warm and dark sound despite being solid state. I did not mind the stock setup with the relatively bright HE560 or even the darker sounding HE500.
Also note, among what I have paired (not that I tried much) with for Hifiman headphones (HE400i, HE400, HE500, HE560) the Gustard H10 sounded best. 
 
Pros: Smooth warm mids, Good quantity and quality bass. Dark background. Decent imaging. Great overall for hours upon hours of easy listening.
On the fence: Soundstage could be wider. Might present an overall too intimate/up close soundstage, but these are purely a matter of preference.
 
(V5i)
Immediately I notice everything sound much more clear. It was like the moment when I paired the HD650 with the Valhalla 2 for the first time. However, even with the V5i the Gustard is still a solid state amp on the darker side of the spectrum. Overall, this combination perhaps provides the best of both worlds, or rather a happy medium. For those who find the stock Gustard H10 too dark sounding, and have a preference for brighter sound, then the V5i just might do the trick for you.
 
*The following is a summary of my listening notes. Unlike A/B'ing headphones or amps with a switch, A/B'ing opamps is a bit of a challenge. So take my impressions with a grain of salt. As always its best to hear for yourself.
 
Bass: Quicker, Improved Detail. Might have very slight bass slam.
Highs: Much more airy and seems to bring music in the upper frequency more to life.
Mids: Relatively dry and possibly recessed slightly compared to stock. Certain female vocal frequencies can be concerning (not sibilant).
Soundstage: Good 3D soundstage, and imaging. Instruments have more air and sense of space between them.
 
*Many of the differences were minor. But the overall effect of sounding more clear/open/less dark is pretty noticeable.
 
"Dave Brubeck - Castillian Drums"
My go to song for checking the drums.  
Good sense of space/soundstage/imaging. The drums are detailed, where I felt like being able to pick out more detail.
 
"Sara Bareilles -Come Round Soon"
The "ss sh" sound could be concerning for some. No, it is not sibilant. Relatively dry and recessed (possibly me just hearing things due to better imaging).
Here, I find myself missing the stock opamps.
 
"Winter Wonderland - Verve Remixed" & "Still Life - Oneohtrix Point Never"
Good bass detail and extends low. Truly does justice to the technical capabilities of the HE560.
 
 
IN THE END...
Overall, the V5i turns the Gustard H10 into a much more technical sounding amp. I enjoyed the added clarity/resolution and improved imaging capabilities.
However, the mids did sound more lush with the stock opamp.
 
The V5i is for,
People who want that extra bit of clarity and instrument separation. All the while, maintaining many of the amps stock characteristics.
 
Is not for,
People who place "dark" sound and listening fatigue at the top of their listening priority. Also not for those who absolutely loves the mids of the stock opamps.
 
Personally, I really enjoyed the improvements the V5i brought to the Gustard H10, however slight they may be. Burson truly has made something that many will be able to appreciate. It's an affordable upgrade to those who own the Gustard H10, and I assume it is the same for many other amps as well.