Burson Funk Deluxe Review
Main features and specs:
- Headphone impedance 3.5W @ 16Ω
- Headphone output impedance < 2Ω
- Speaker impedance 45W @ 4Ω
- Opamps: 2x NE5532 (Basic Package) or 2x V6 Vivid (Deluxe Package)
Pricing: $544 (Basic) - $744 (Deluxe)
Package and accessories
Funk Deluxe comes in a white box like what other Burson products are packed in. In addition to Funk, the package includes external 24V power supply, Burson Cool Stand, 2x NE5532 opamps, a hex L-tool, replacement fuse and the headset adapter.
Physical features and impressions
Funk has a bit more polished design compared to e.g., my
previously reviewed Conductor 3X Performance. Front panel is very minimalistic and very much to my likings. The At the very left is headphone output, TRRS headset output, large volume knob, gain switch, input selector and a power switch. Each control button has its own tiny blue LED light.
Funk is basically next generation of Fun and Bang combined into a single unit. It is an interesting approach by Burson because to my knowledge, there are not many A/B headphone amps in this size with features like microphone bypass and such. Personally,
Fun was one of my favorite amps at the time. Ever since I have been waiting for its new model with the features like gain switch. After about four years of waiting my wish finally became a reality thanks to Burson.
The rear panel is also very simplistic. At the very left are RCA line inputs, microphone input bypass, speaker outputs and 24V DC input.
Internally Funk looks like the typical Burson device. Funk’s red PCB is full of quality components like Japanese ELNA capacitors, Burson V6 Vivid opamps, ALPS 820G volume knob and such. If the Funk’s sound quality, external looks and feel does not justify its price, having a look at the internals it most certainly will. Choosing if not the best components on the market will rise the final price, but then again, the device with such quality will most likely last for years to come.
Regarding the design in general, Funk is one of the best-looking audio devices I have seen so far. It looks simplistic, the build quality feels like you could not damage it even by driving over it with your car. The volume knob is simply the best I have ever seen and used at any device. The knob is all metal, the size is right and the feel of adjusting it does not leave much to wish for. I really wish this knob becomes a standard for Burson’s devices in the future. Front panel’s LEDs are very small and not too bright, which is great. I am not a huge fan of extra bright LED lights used at some other devices.
Sound
I was a huge fan of Burson Fun. It wasn’t the best-looking devices by any means, but it’s sound really had an impact on me. To very this day I still feel that it is one of the most underrated audio devices I have seen so far.
I have tested Funk with headphones only since I do not use speakers at my desk. I do have a few 40W Canton MX.3 speakers at my Atmos setup, but them being an entry level models using them with Funk would not make much sense anyways.
For the DACs I’ve used
Burson Conductor 3X Performance (DAC OUT) and
Topping D10s.
Bass is probably where Funk shines the most. Bass is very well controlled, and it never gets bloomy or muddy, even with bass heavy headphones like Meze 99 Classics. The soundstage is very large, and Funk can produce some very ‘large’ bass. In some songs it sounds like the mountains were the speakers. This is something I wish many of you could have a chance to test for yourself.
The mids are clean with very good and natural separation between the vocals and instruments. Funk never goes too clinical which is a good thing, especially if you are sensitive to listening fatigue. In songs like ‘One More Light’ by Linkin Park, ‘Zoe Jane’ by Staind, ‘My Home Is In The Delta’ by Muddy Waters, ‘Survivor’ by Pop Evil, Funk produces exceptionally natural intimacy with your ears and singer’s voice. It sounds like you are at the private show.
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pros (with Dekoni Elite Velour pads) are known for their exceptional separation. Funk brought some very good synergy with them. Imaging and sound stage were so precise that occasionally it made me think, how is Burson gonna top this. It really left nothing to wish for. And if it did. I really was not able to hear it.
At the highs Funk had no issues. The sound was very well controlled, and I could not hear any harshness, no matter which song I try to listen.
After using Funk for about a month, each time I had a look at Funk I realized that Funk really needs a DAC with the same looks and stacking capability. How amazing that would be?
Conclusion
Funk is another example of Burson’s willingness to explore new areas. There aren’t many devices in this size offering such features and sound performance. That being said, no device is ever perfect. One of the very few cons I could say about Funk (I had to be very strict at this, believe me) is that Funk is not a balanced amp. Burson probably left such feature for other models, but I really do think that it wouldn’t hurt other models’ sales. Also having a DAC with the same design would be nice. It will allow Funk to shine even more.
Regardless of its cons Funk is one of the best amps I have ever tested and seen. It looks stylish, it has plenty of features being ‘just an A/B headphone amp’, it is very well built, and it has plenty of power to drive majority of the headphones, even at the low gain. Regarding the sound, it’s clean, neutral, it has large soundstage, and its bass capability will put a smile on your face. Give it a try and I am sure you will have a difficult time not to like it.
Thanks to everyone at Burson for producing such a great product. Especially in these strange times. Hope to hear from you soon!
Cheers!
Thank you! I have dreamed about quality speakers for my PC for ages. The thing is that I barely could use them at any point since I don't live alone, and our house is not big enough not to disturb my family. Let's see will that change sometimes in the future. You have to leave something for the days after you retire. 
