Burson Composer 3X Performance (ESS9038, DSD512, Bluetooth, balanced output...)

[marcusd]

You're absolutely right.
What's very clear in your review is how hard it is to tell what's best in absolute terms when you're putting side by side such well made DACs.

DACs can be very hard to review because of the infinite amount of variables being a "middle man" component so to speak. Amps, opamps, sources, cans - all can change the experience.

Best thing to do is figure out what you want your experience to be first then figure out which one comes closest to what you personally want.

 

[DjBobby]

We just published our review of the new Composer 3X Performance with comparisons to Little Dot's DAC VII, Cayin iDAC-6 MK2, and Chord's Qutest.

https://headfonics.com/burson-composer-3x-performance-review/

Also includes reference to the use of the V6 Classic opamps.

Wonderfully detailed review and great read, indeed. It was a pleasure to read it, thank you. Especially appreciated the comparison with the V6 Classics, the Classics being also my preferred sound signature with all Burson's products.
I know Mike reviewed the Conductor C3 and you the Composer 3X, but it would be great if one of you (or both) could compare the dac sections of the Conductor 3R with the Composer 3X. Is the Composer 3X the stripped version of the Conductor 3(X)R minus the headphone amp, or is it completely new tuning?

 

[Sam Spade]

Wonderfully detailed review and great read, indeed. It was a pleasure to read it, thank you. Especially appreciated the comparison with the V6 Classics, the Classics being also my preferred sound signature with all Burson's products.
I know Mike reviewed the Conductor C3 and you the Composer 3X, but it would be great if one of you (or both) could compare the dac sections of the Conductor 3R with the Composer 3X. Is the Composer 3X the stripped version of the Conductor 3(X)R minus the headphone amp, or is it completely new tuning?

I'm interested in that too DjBobby. The Conductor 3 has dual dacs and the composer a single. but implementation is the key. I'd have to look at the specs/review again to tell you what the other differences are. Size too is a difference.

It is interesting that the conductor3X is reference, but new composer and soloist are both performance. It may be that Burson are positioning the conductor3X range as their premium line.

But reviews suggest that the that the new soloist is and composer pair will equal the new pair for SQ performance. I can ask Alex.

And there are some feature differences.

hey @raoultrifan the burson composer review is good. I'm wondering will you be sent one to review and if so can you 1) compare the dacs of Conductor3x and composer3X and 2) can you compare the soloist 3X /conductor 3X pair overall sound with the Composer3x?

Cheers
Sam

 

[raoultrifan]

Hi Sam,

Reference line is having more MCPS regulators on the motherboard and the dual-DAC design, indeed. This means that inside the case, Reference-series has dual-mono power rails, but also dual-mono DAC implementation. Performance-series, like Conductor 3XP and Soloist 3XP, have their analogue circuitry powered via two MCPS regulators (paralleled across the internal amplifiers), while the Conductor 3/3X Reference have the analogue circuitry powered via four MCPS regulators (dual-mono).

The above doesn't means that one is a better performer than another, but it's more about the internal design, nothing else, hence the higher price on the Reference series.

I don't think I can get a Composer to compare it with C3X Ref., but I don't think anyone will be able to spot any differences between the two, in a well-conducted A/B test, because they share the same DAC chip, the same internal topology and same output-stage design.

From a measurement perspective, Reference and Composer series are having pretty much the same specs, in regard with THD and channel separation, so I guess we should choose the right device for us based on size, look & feel and maybe based on the internal design too. After all, our speakers are having the 2nd harmonic somewhere in between 50 and 60 dB away from the fundamental, so that would be a THD worse than 0.1%, while the subwoofer has usually a THD worse than 1% when passing the 90 dB SPL. Also, some folks would prefer a single combo unit, some others will prefer dedicated DAC and separate headamp.

 

[Sam Spade]

Hi Sam,

Reference line is having more MCPS regulators on the motherboard and the dual-DAC design, indeed. This means that inside the case, Reference-series has dual-mono power rails, but also dual-mono DAC implementation. Performance-series, like Conductor 3XP and Soloist 3XP, have their analogue circuitry powered via two MCPS regulators (paralleled across the internal amplifiers), while the Conductor 3/3X Reference have the analogue circuitry powered via four MCPS regulators (dual-mono).

The above doesn't means that one is a better performer than another, but it's more about the internal design, nothing else, hence the higher price on the Reference series.

I don't think I can get a Composer to compare it with C3X Ref., but I don't think anyone will be able to spot any differences between the two, in a well-conducted A/B test, because they share the same DAC chip, the same internal topology and same output-stage design.

From a measurement perspective, Reference and Composer series are having pretty much the same specs, in regard with THD and channel separation, so I guess we should choose the right device for us based on size, look & feel and maybe based on the internal design too. After all, our speakers are having the 2nd harmonic somewhere in between 50 and 60 dB away from the fundamental, so that would be a THD worse than 0.1%, while the subwoofer has usually a THD worse than 1% when passing the 90 dB SPL. Also, some folks would prefer a single combo unit, some others will prefer dedicated DAC and separate headamp.

interesting thanks.

I don't have 2 box envy I am happy with my pre release deal of conductor3xref and audeze LCD3.

I'd still love to listen to the 1 box and two boxes side by side though

The soloist3/composer3 package looks like an awesome combo.

 

[flitcroft]

Reference line is having more MCPS regulators on the motherboard and the dual-DAC design, indeed. This means that inside the case, Reference-series has dual-mono power rails, but also dual-mono DAC implementation. Performance-series, like Conductor 3XP and Soloist 3XP, have their analogue circuitry powered via two MCPS regulators (paralleled across the internal amplifiers), while the Conductor 3/3X Reference have the analogue circuitry powered via four MCPS regulators (dual-mono).

The above doesn't means that one is a better performer than another, but it's more about the internal design, nothing else, hence the higher price on the Reference series.

I asked Burson this very question being discussed and Charles replied with the message below. (This may be the same as what was written -- I'm not an amp expert by any means).


"You want to compare the Soloist + Composer combo to the Conductor 3XP.
From a pure performance perspective, the Composer + Soloist combo is the very best in our current product offer because we are able to dedicate more space to each part of the signal path.

For example, the Composer is able to have 4 sets of power supplies just for the DAC and preamp stage. In the Soloist, there is another 3 set of MCPS power supplies. In the Conductor 3XP, we can only fit 5 sets of power supply. The Soloist is designed to work in Power Amp mode, which allows to team up with the Composer and customers only need to use one remote control, to control the whole setup.

The only downside to the Soloist + Composer combo is a two-box setup which means more cable and setup time But if you want the very best headphone amp setup, I think this is it."

I've also pre-ordered the Soloist + Composer 3 stack to pair with Audeze LCD-3's.

 

[ishmaelk]

I asked Burson this very question being discussed and Charles replied with the message below. (This may be the same as what was written -- I'm not an amp expert by any means).


"You want to compare the Soloist + Composer combo to the Conductor 3XP.
From a pure performance perspective, the Composer + Soloist combo is the very best in our current product offer because we are able to dedicate more space to each part of the signal path.

For example, the Composer is able to have 4 sets of power supplies just for the DAC and preamp stage. In the Soloist, there is another 3 set of MCPS power supplies. In the Conductor 3XP, we can only fit 5 sets of power supply. The Soloist is designed to work in Power Amp mode, which allows to team up with the Composer and customers only need to use one remote control, to control the whole setup.

The only downside to the Soloist + Composer combo is a two-box setup which means more cable and setup time But if you want the very best headphone amp setup, I think this is it."

I've also pre-ordered the Soloist + Composer 3 stack to pair with Audeze LCD-3's.

I think he meant the 3XR. The 3XP has 3 sets of power supply, and is also $1000 less than the combo. It's the 3XR that has 5 sets of MCPS.

 

[Sam Spade]

I asked Burson this very question being discussed and Charles replied with the message below. (This may be the same as what was written -- I'm not an amp expert by any means).


"You want to compare the Soloist + Composer combo to the Conductor 3XP.
From a pure performance perspective, the Composer + Soloist combo is the very best in our current product offer because we are able to dedicate more space to each part of the signal path.

For example, the Composer is able to have 4 sets of power supplies just for the DAC and preamp stage. In the Soloist, there is another 3 set of MCPS power supplies. In the Conductor 3XP, we can only fit 5 sets of power supply. The Soloist is designed to work in Power Amp mode, which allows to team up with the Composer and customers only need to use one remote control, to control the whole setup.

The only downside to the Soloist + Composer combo is a two-box setup which means more cable and setup time But if you want the very best headphone amp setup, I think this is it."

I've also pre-ordered the Soloist + Composer 3 stack to pair with Audeze LCD-3's.

My conductor 3XR drives my LCD3s exceptionally. And it's a great DAC and preamp in my main system. You should enjoy the combo.

 

[flitcroft]

I think he meant the 3XR. The 3XP has 3 sets of power supply, and is also $1000 less than the combo. It's the 3XR that has 5 sets of MCPS.

You're spot on, that must be a typo. My email was about the Conductor 3XR vs the Soloist + Composer 3XP stack since the prices are so similar. I just want the best sound so I went with the combo but it seems like they should be nearly identical. I figured if they combo is slightly better (perhaps only the specs on paper) the 2-box setup allows me the flexibility to switch one out in the future. Both options seem like they produce phenomenal audio, based on reviews here and on YouTube.

 

[raoultrifan]

Theoretically, 3XR has no other chips between DAC and amplifier, while Soloist has a couple of opamps and the volume control chip. So, there might be a slight chance that Composer 3XP + Soloist to not be considered as being an upgrade over the 3XR.

However, for those not liking combo units, they might think to get the Composer 3XP + Soloist over the 3XR; also, Soloist is a more versatile amplifier with it's 3-gain switch, while 3XR having a digital attenuator instead (background noise remains the same) and an ADC chip at the XLR inputs, then the digital signal get passed to the DAC to have its volume adjusted and gets "injected" into the amplifier itself.

For those liking combo units, then 3XR might be an end-game for sure. For those being OK with a two-units stack, the Composer 3XP + Soloist could be a better match.

 

[Sam Spade]

I don't undertand why if the composer is their top end DAC why they didn't go for dual DACs like the Conductor 3.

I also don't understand why they called the Composer and soloist "performance" if it is their top products. Surely they should be "reference" like the conductor 3, not "performance".

 

[ishmaelk]

It's interesting, to say the least, that other than a couple of reviews, no one, not one person has posted a single opinion about the Composer in any website, as far as I know.
The Composer was supposed to have been sent to buyers a few weeks ago.

 

[bluestorm1992]

It's interesting, to say the least, that other than a couple of reviews, no one, not one person has posted a single opinion about the Composer in any website, as far as I know.
The Composer was supposed to have been sent to buyers a few weeks ago.

Just got my composer this morning. Anything you are particularly interested in?

 

[ishmaelk]

Just got my composer this morning. Anything you are particularly interested in?

Sure! Thanks for the reply.
I have a few questions:

• First, what is it replacing?
• Are you using it with the Soloist 3XP too, another head amp, or a speaker amp?
• And... first impression right out of the box, the first time you listened to it? I guess it came with the Vivid installed.

Cheers.

 

[bluestorm1992]

Sure! Thanks for the reply.
I have a few questions:

• First, what is it replacing?
• Are you using it with the Soloist 3XP too, another head amp, or a speaker amp?
• And... first impression right out of the box, the first time you listened to it? I guess it came with the Vivid installed.

Cheers.

I think it may be good to start with my setup:

• DAC: Composer
• AMP: Xiaudio Broadway
• Headphone: Diana V2 with the upgrade cable
• Interconnect: stock USB c cable between my laptop (MBP) and the composer; JPS labs superconductor V XLR interconnects between the dac and the amp.
• Source: some of my CD files and Tidal; feed to the DAC through Roon.

The composer replaces the SMSL M400. Nothing wrong with that DAC, just want to try something new. I think the composer has several features that clearly set it aside from the SMSL M400: (1) you can roll the opamp; (2) there is a usb-c input which fits with my preference of keeping all my digital cables and connections to be usbc.

I am also new to the world of desktop gears (I used to drive my diana with WA11) so the M400 and the composer are my first two DACs. Since I have already sold the M400, there is no way for me to do direct comparison, so all of the comparisons below are based on my recollections and could be affected by my personal preferences. For this afternoon I mostly listen to female vocals and some classics.

Let me begin with the commonality. Both DACs have done an excellent job in delivering the details. Meanwhile, both of them are not dry or sharp. My comparison point is with the Lotoo PAW Gold Touch (LPGT), which I used as the DAC with the Broadway AMP while waiting for the composer to arrive. It is certainly not a fair comparison since I am comparing a DAP with a desktop DAC, but I think the contrast gives me interesting results. The LPGT is known for being analytical, precise in delivering quality sound. However, in this semi-desktop setup, the sound can get dry and overly sharp for female vocals. I also feel that the two desktop DACs give me a better overall presentation of the music.

Between the M400 and the composer, I think the M400 is more on the clear and precise end of the sound, and as some reviewer puts it, more neutral and being truthful in delivering the recording. The composer seems richer, has more textures, and is even more enjoyable to listen to. However, I want to note that both are very good DACs, and I am not confident that I will be able to tell them apart if I do a blind test.