[jarza]

I have some high pitch noise on right channel in my Play. Is mains noise suppose to be in both channels? That wasnt there when I got the unit.

 

[DjBobby]

I have some high pitch noise on right channel in my Play. Is mains noise suppose to be in both channels? That wasnt there when I got the unit.

It is only on the right channel, because the right analog output is closer to the digital section which makes the interference. Probably the noise was always there, but you din't notice it earlier. Also if you swamped the op-amps, it is stronger noticeable with some op-amps then with the default.

 

[jarza]

It is only on the right channel, because the right analog output is closer to the digital section which makes the interference. Probably the noise was always there, but you din't notice it earlier. Also if you swamped the op-amps, it is stronger noticeable with some op-amps then with the default.

Got Vivid version Play from day one. Well I ordered that newest PCB from Burson so let see if there is any difference.

 

[Onik]

Is there any easy mod for Burson Play to lower the noise floor?

 

[raoultrifan]

@Onik, what PCB version? If it's about V1.6, then the easiest "mod" would be to order a V2.2 or V2.3 PCB from Burson, via email. However, I found that AD8599 opamps are a little bit less noisier and might help somehow when pairing the V1.6 PCB with sensitive cans.

Given the high power output of the PLAY (about 2x1.8 Watts) I would suggest to not pair it with sensitive cans, especially that it has no analogue volume control to lower the background noise of the inside stages (you'll get in your cans entire noise generated from the I/V + LPF + Gain stages), like all other DAC/combos with digital volume control.

 

[Onik]

@Onik, what PCB version? If it's about V1.6, then the easiest "mod" would be to order a V2.2 or V2.3 PCB from Burson, via email. However, I found that AD8599 opamps are a little bit less noisier and might help somehow when pairing the V1.6 PCB with sensitive cans.

Given the high power output of the PLAY (about 2x1.8 Watts) I would suggest to not pair it with sensitive cans, especially that it has no analogue volume control to lower the background noise of the inside stages (you'll get in your cans entire noise generated from the I/V + LPF + Gain stages), like all other DAC/combos with digital volume control.

I got V 2.1. I think I am now happy with this Play, I don't really use it with sensitive iems or low impedance cans.

 

[raoultrifan]

@Onik, seems that you already spent lot of money on solid-state opamps, so now the the easiest and cheapest mod you can do is to lower the distance between the transistors pairs to about zero mm by using a small plier to bend them to get closer. This will ensure an identical temperature between the transistors of each pair, meaning that bias current will be identical.

Of course, it's hard to hear or even measure any audible change, but this is really an easy to do mod and it costs nothing.

 

[Baten]

I got V 2.1. I think I am now happy with this Play, I don't really use it with sensitive iems or low impedance cans.

Are those all sparkos op-amps? Wow, the cost

 

[Onik]

Are those all sparkos op-amps? Wow, the cost

ye they are all. two SS3601 and three SS3602.

 

[Wiljen]

Ive got the SparkOS in my Fun/Swing combination and they are worth the cost for sure. They compete well against the V6 bursons. More detailed than the Vivids and more energetic than the Classics.

 

[imran27]

The PCB 2.3 has noticeably lower noise floor, darker background, cleaner transients and sounds a little faster perhaps due to cleaner power.

I use OPA209 in my gain stage, I also added the AudioNote Kaisei 220uF/100V Non-Polar caps on OPA209 rails. I believe PSU bypass on the gain stage will support the output stage too (though not as well as it would if I added it replacing an output stage PSU cap)

After side by side listening, my Play sounds better than Play 1.6 with SS2590.

Play 2.3 sounds better in my configuration than with V6C

Just as a comparison, V6C sounds better than SS3602 in NuHybrid DIY.

That is the est you can do without making any modifications to the board itself.

 

[raoultrifan]

I'm hoping someone here with the conductor v2+ can compare it with the play.

I don't remember if I ever replied here or not...is this still an outstanding question?

 

[newdoughboy]

I think it would be interesting to know.
I've been told the Fun is better than the Soloist, which I still need to verify.

 

[raoultrifan]

I just asked because I'm available for some A/B tests and re-measurements, if needed. Thanks for keeping me busy while being in vacation.

 

[raoultrifan]

First I'd like to upload some measurements for the RCA-out, so we can visually compare stuffs before getting into the subjective auditioning areas:

Conductor Virtuoso V2+ (THD of 0.0016%, THD+N of 0.0039%)

PLAYMATE Everest (THD of 0.0017%, THD+N of 0.015%)

PLAY Basic V2.2 (THD of 0.0012%, THD+N of 0.015%)
​

Regarding THD seems that PLAY 2.2 > CV2+ > PLAYMATE > , while in respect with THD+N there's CV2+ > PLAYMATE = PLAY, at least for the RCA-Out (RCA-Out=Headphones-Out on PLAY & PLAYMATE anyway).

L.E.: I've uploaded newer pics for PLAY V2.2 and PLAYMATE.

Not appears on the above pics, but with very sensitive IEM's there's sort of a high pitch noise on PLAY V.2.2 which doesn't exists on PLAYMATE, so I will give an advantage to PLAYMATE over PLAY for the subjective lower background noise, but also for the newer firmware and drivers, the front LCD, custom filters etc.