[bluestorm1992]

@bluestorm1992 I considering taking some money out of my system and selling my Hugo 2 and getting a playmate. I am really only using the Hugo 2 as a desktop solution and think the playmate 2 is really all I need. What do you think is the biggest between the two? Thanks.

I think tonality wise, Hugo 2 wins. It is overall smoother, with better layering and imaging. However, the difference is not that big IMO. If you rate the SQ of Hugo 2 as 10, probably I will give the Playmate 2 a score of 7-8. This SQ rating is mostly based on IEM.

Power-wise, the Playmate 2 with stock Op-AMP wins by quite a lot. With my Diana V2 I only need to turn the volume to around 50 to get a good listening experience. However, after installing the Classic Op Amp, the output power seems to be lower - I have the same experience after installing the Classic Op Amp to other Burson devices as well. The Vivid Op Amp, on the other hand, seems to be doing a fine job.

 

[dosley01]

Where i can find the review of playmate 2

My non-professional review/impressions

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/burson-playmate-2-headphone-amp-pre-amp-dac.24934/

 

[bluestorm1992]

My non-professional review/impressions

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/burson-playmate-2-headphone-amp-pre-amp-dac.24934/

Excellent review!

 

[holden4th]

My non-professional review/impressions

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/burson-playmate-2-headphone-amp-pre-amp-dac.24934/

You swapped out the standard opamps so can you confirm a couple of things for me. Are the op amps 2xsingle and 2xdual? I have a PLAY which has died but has 2x single V6 vivids and 3x duals. Where do I place the singles and the duals? Do I need a tool to remove the standard op amps? At the moment I am impressed with the sound of the standards but from experience, the sound of my PLAY went up when I went for the Vivids. I am assuming that this will happen again.

 

[dosley01]

You swapped out the standard opamps so can you confirm a couple of things for me. Are the op amps 2xsingle and 2xdual? I have a PLAY which has died but has 2x single V6 vivids and 3x duals. Where do I place the singles and the duals? Do I need a tool to remove the standard op amps? At the moment I am impressed with the sound of the standards but from experience, the sound of my PLAY went up when I went for the Vivids. I am assuming that this will happen again.

Correct, it take Duals x 2 and Singles x 2. Location is on page 7 of the manual

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K8Mhx6NiHp5Clat3PkICSmm-XWuEh0lA/view?usp=drive_web

As long as you are careful you can remove the stock opamps either by hand or with a pair of pliers. IMHO the Vivids take it up a level.

 

[dosley01]

My non-professional review/impressions

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/burson-playmate-2-headphone-amp-pre-amp-dac.24934/

One more thing to add, after shipping the loaner off to the next reviewer, I found myself in a quandary. My Music Hall stack is more than competent and sounds great, but the Playmate just drove my LCD-2 Classics better. The biggest compliment I can give to the PM2 is I am purchasing one from Burson.

 

[bluestorm1992]

Has anyone tried to use a different usb c cable and, if so, will it work with the Playmate 2? I am asking because for the Burson Composer 3XP it only works with the stock cable but not a regular usb c cable.

 

[dosley01]

Has anyone tried to use a different usb c cable and, if so, will it work with the Playmate 2? I am asking because for the Burson Composer 3XP it only works with the stock cable but not a regular usb c cable.

Yes, I am using a USB-C to USB-A cable and have used other cables as well. The stock cable has actually never been used and is still in the box.

 

[bluestorm1992]

Yes, I am using a USB-C to USB-A cable and have used other cables as well. The stock cable has actually never been used and is still in the box.

Great, thanks so much!

 

[holden4th]

Bluestorm, that diagram in a prevous post of yours is very useful. If I'd just had to follow the written instructions I'd be lost by now. I'm one of those people who doesn't RTFM because manuals are confusing. This has given me the confidence to take the V6 Vivids out of my dead PLAY and install them in the Playmate 2. However, before I do I want to do a write up of the PM2 with standard Op Amps. That will follow soon

 

[gearocdguy]

Is anyone using the Playmate 2 as pre-amp as well, if yes does your unit emit two loud tones to the amp when you turn it off. It's just the pre-amp out and doesn't matter if it's set to headphone out or pre-amp out.

Thanks

 

[Mightygrey]

Is anyone using the Playmate 2 as pre-amp as well, if yes does your unit emit two loud tones to the amp when you turn it off. It's just the pre-amp out and doesn't matter if it's set to headphone out or pre-amp out.

Thanks

Yes, this happens to me with both headphones and as a pre-amp.

 

[Ultrainferno]

Today on Headfonia we review the Playmate 2, an article by @Mightygrey
https://www.headfonia.com/burson-playmate-2-review/

 

[gearocdguy]

Yes, this happens to me with both headphones and as a pre-amp.

I spoke with Burson and this is expected behavior. The two tones are the capacitors clearing their charges and expect us to turn off the amp before the pre-amp.

 

[punknotyet]

Hello!
Probably a stupid question, but anyway - will Playmate 2 work with Mackie CR5-X (active monitors) via its "pre-amp" RCA output?