Burson vs Lehmann for HD 800
Jan 11, 2011 at 12:25 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 49

BingCrosby1903

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I'm a bit confused about what amp to get for my new HD 800s.  At the moment I can get the HD 800s with a free Rhinelander or a discounted BCL as follows,
 
(1) HD 800 + Rhinelander  for $2000 AU
(2) HD 800 + BCL for $2800 AU.
 
Unfortunately the store with the deal doesn't sell Burson, but I could go for option (1) and maybe sell the Rhinelander and buy a Burson HA-160D for $1000 AU, call this option (3).
 
I could certainly here a slight left right imbalance with the BCL (edit: I didn't here this on second audition).  I didn't here this with the Rhinelander.  The Rhinelander seemed to have better soundstage, but there was not a lot of body to HD 800s sound like there was with the BCL.  The HD 650 actually seemed closer in sound quality to the HD 800 with the BCL, than with the Rhinelander!
 
From looking at online photos of the HA-160D, it looks to me that the Burson has slightly better parts and more build quality.  I also like the idea of the stepped attenuator.  However, some people have complained that the Burson sounds shrill with the HD 800 and without much bass control, and that the Lehmann has faster transients and more details.  Some people also say the Burson is warm or tube like, which I don't really like.
 
I don't want the preamp/DAC to be part of the decision making, because, although I would use these features, I want to determine which is the best headamp of the lot.
 
I won't have a chance to audition the HD 800s with the HA-160D before my purchase, but I can audition it with the HD 650s.
 
So, what would you do in my situation to get the best headphone amp for the HD 800s, (1), (2) or (3)???
 
Thanks very much for your advice!
 
Jan 11, 2011 at 7:35 PM Post #2 of 49
Well, everyone have different ears/tastes. 
 
The HA-160D have a nice synergy with sennheisers, and if you have the chance to audition first with the 650's it would be nice. 
 
Depending on that, you make your choice. 
 
Jan 11, 2011 at 10:22 PM Post #3 of 49
Are you sure it's a discount?
 
To me it seems you are paying the MRSP for it, ie $ 1400+1400 in the case of the BCL.
In fact it seems to me that the BCL can be found at $1100.
 
If it's not US$ that you're speaking of, forgive my mistake and add the currency in your opening post.

That said, you may also want to take a look at the SPL Auditor, excellent reputation across the boards and fairly in you price range, and very nice looking IMHO.
 
Has been reviewed with an HD 800 by Dreadhead and MRSP at $999 I think.
 

 
Jan 12, 2011 at 1:14 PM Post #5 of 49
I went to the new Audio Technica store in Sydney, but all the Bursons were inside cabinets, and had had their volume pot removed and where extremely hot to touch.  I hence didn't bother to listen.  The unit looked fine, but I don't like the screws on the top.
 
My only problem is that if I just get the HD 800 and Rhinelander deal (option (1)) and then get the Burson and don't like it, I will regret that I didn't get the BCL option (2).
 
Any wisdom available?
 
Jan 12, 2011 at 11:30 PM Post #6 of 49
using the HD800 with the burson HA-160 (not DAC version) my review is here - hope it helps
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/532467/review-burson-audio-ha-160-with-listening-impressions#post_7195496
 
Jan 13, 2011 at 3:21 AM Post #8 of 49
Bcl is faster, i mean even faster than the beta 22 is how fast it is but i sometimes find it sterile with the hd800. Some may call it dead neutral bit i dunno, its my opinion. Its impressive when you first hear it but after some time you end up preferring other amps. B22 and burson have more tonality, more personality as you would say. The b22 soundstage and the burson warmth for example are what distinguishes them from the ss world. The bcl is just the embodiment of all the ss virtues in one amp without many of the downsides of ss
 
Jan 13, 2011 at 7:03 AM Post #9 of 49
I'm interested in the better speed of the BCL.  How would you compare the soundstage of the BCL to the Burson?  In my very brief listen to the BCL + HD 800 the soundstage seemed less than with the Rhinelander, but the sound was much fuller and bass didn't seem lean.  The gain settings may have been different.  Like I said, with the BCL the HD 650 sounded closer in sound quality to the HD 800 than with the Rhinelander.  Did you hear the channel imbalance on the BCL (edit: I didn't hear this on the second audition)?
 
If it means anything, I have an MF X can v3 and I don't like its sound, so if the Burson warmth is like this I won't like it - if its like the natural warmth of the HD 650s I will probably like the Burson.  I actually prefer the sound of the Xonar STX (not for use with the HD 800s - only perhaps as a very temporary DAC but I also have a MF A3.5 CDP I could use), except I don't like its comparitively hard treble and lack of ompph/ body, but in terms of detail and soundstage, it kills the X can with the HD 650s.
 
Thanks for your help.
 
Jan 13, 2011 at 7:15 AM Post #10 of 49
If you're going to spend over the 1k, then you would be better suited to the beta22 2 channel. The 4 channel fully balanced one has the best hd800 soundstage period. In my review i stated that i liked the burson ss more because it sounded more intergrated but for the best separation and imaging, there is no beating the b22 4ch. The bcl has that more enclosed and intergrated soundstage. Its only main selling point is its incredible speed (b22 isnt far off at all likewise with the burson) but if you were to go for technically the best ss headamp, go b22. Its normally diy but there are companies that build em. The 4ch one i heard was amazing and cost 1800 all in all to build. Far outstrips the 2ch one imo. B22 is ss at its finest. Burson is warmer and has the most 'oomph'. Bcl is just bloody fast and is best for fast genres like rock imo.
 
Jan 13, 2011 at 7:46 AM Post #11 of 49
Where would I find the B22 in Sydney, and if it's balanced don't I have to change the HD 800 stock cable?
 
How much more enclosed or less wide is the BCL than the Burson?  And you didn't hear the BCL channel imbalance (edit: I didn't hear this on second audition)?
 
Did you see the pricing I wrote in my first post?  Effectively I can get a BCL for $850.
 
I listen to mainly classical music (piano, orchestra, opera) and old crooners.
 
Jan 13, 2011 at 8:26 AM Post #14 of 49
Bcl makes hd800 kinda sound like a 'stat. If that was your intention then go for it. The crazy resolution and transient speed is great if that was your goal. The b22 4ch is superior in all other areas. If imaging is your thing then the b22 will not disappoint. The soundstage of the bcl was slightly smaller than burson. Very slight. There was no channel imbalance when i used it (2months) could be your dac. The discrete parts i think hold true in respects to 1.5k - amps but as seen with the concerto, IC's can also sometimes be better. In theory discrete parts are better and are certainly used in very high end speaker amps so imo it runs very true in some applications. The b22 is diy so dont try it if you arent comfortable with an iron and a multimeter, otherwise as said above, you can comission someone to build it for you.
 
Jan 13, 2011 at 8:44 AM Post #15 of 49
Yes, I would like it have speed and resolution like a stat.
 
I don't think I'll go B22.
 
So what would you do, buy HD 800 + Rhinelander for $2000 AU, sell Rhinelander, and buy HA-160D for $1000 AU
 
OR
 
HD 800 + BCL for $2850 AU and find another USB DAC that can do async. USB at at least 24 bit/ 96 kHz (a recommendation would be good).
 
Thanks for you help, it's much appreciated, and I can't believe more haven't commented on BCL vs Burson.
 

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