Now that's a pure Class-A! Burson Soloist GT4: Dual Mono. Outputs 10W with 80W Idle Power!

[raoultrifan]

Burson has upgraded the Soloist GT3 to the GT4, addressing customer feedback to enhance key features of the already impressive GT3. The bold red accents are now replaced with a classy copper and space grey finish. Best of all, prices remain consistent despite recent inflation.

Their "shorts" promo video for the GT4 series


Their promo video for the Grand Tourer 4 family​

The official website product details and specs: https://www.bursonaudio.com/products/soloist-gt4/.

Burson Soloist Grand Tourer 4 with Cool Stand

​

The same neat and high-end design with cool-case laser trimmed aluminum


Key Highlights

• Three Versions to Suit Different Budgets:
  • Standard: V6 Vivid opamps, Silent Power Level 1, standard power supply – $2,500USD
  • Deluxe: V7 Vivid opamps, Silent Power Level 2, Super Charger 5A – $3,000USD
  • Max: V7 Vivid opamps, Silent Power Level 2, Fusion Core – $3,600USD
• Twin Pure Class-A Amps Under One Roof:
  • Built with two independent, mirror-symmetrical amplifiers, each with its own power supply. This approach eliminates cross-channel interference.
• Opamp Rolling:
  • Voiced with Burson's own opamps, but owners are encouraged to roll opamps for a customizable sound experience.
• Silent Power for Crystal-Clear Sound:
  • Features Silent Power Modules for effective voltage regulation.
  • Eliminates AC noise and voltage ripples, ensuring a noise-free listening experience.
• Pure Class-A with 80W idling power.
  • Delivers high output current for linear response across music frequencies.
  • Offers a more powerful and accurate 10W performance than competitors.
• Dual Best-in-Class Volume Control:
  • Utilizes MUSES72320 + discrete buffer volume control per channel.
  • Eliminates channel cross-talk, enabling stereo crossfeed and balance adjustments.
• Fusion Core Power Supply Upgrade:
  • GaN transistors operate at 10x the frequency of silicon MOSFETs, improving noise filtering and current delivery.
  • Here is my review of the Burson Fusion Core: https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/bu...nsistor-technology.27588/reviews#review-35693.

Soloist GT4 includes the new low-noise MCPS modules and a couple of MUSES 72320 pre-amp chips​

The Soloist GT4, like the Conductor GT4, makes a bold leap forward. It delivers a power of 10 Watts per channel, handling all your favourite tracks with speed, strength, and precise control.

Internally, Soloist GT4 looks pretty similar with the Conductor GT4 ​

Key Features:

• Dual Amplifiers: Two fully discrete, mirror-symmetrical amplifiers prevent cross-channel interference.
• Purest Class-A: 80W idling power ensures unmatched sound quality.
• Onsemi Power Transistors: American-made transistors offer dynamic detail and powerful current handling.
• Silent Power Filter Modules: Achieving unprecedented clean power.
• Fusion Power Upgrade: Optional Fusion Core upgrade takes performance to the final frontier.

Experience audio perfection with the Soloist GT4!

 

[DMITRIY R]

Apparently we'll need an explanatory team.
I looked through the GT4 materials and found no difference with GT3, except for the copper tint on the face.

 

[Dramlin]

I've got the same question. Aside from the copper color, screen, and maybe fan changes, were there any other updates for the Soloist?

 

[raoultrifan]

We'll probably see this soon, but meanwhile let's have a look to a compare between the Conductor GT3 and GT4 here: https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/dac-headphones-amplifier-burson-conductor-grand-tourer-4.27577/. Worth mentioning that in my recent Conductor GT4 review I was able to spot six completely new and redesigned MCPS power regulator modules that are supposed to lower amplifier self-noise even further, so I would expect from the new Soloist GT4 to have darker background noise than the Soloist GT3 model.

Also, Conductor GT4 fans are completely silent, while some folks returned or sold their Soloist GT3 because of the Noctua fan. Now, of course, YMMV and I'm not one that complains about Soloist GT3's fan, but reading some thoughts and reviews about Soloist GT3 mad me to conclude that fan noise could be one strong point of the Soloist GT4.

 

[jlemaster1957]

We'll probably see this soon, but meanwhile let's have a look to a compare between the Conductor GT3 and GT4 here: https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/dac-headphones-amplifier-burson-conductor-grand-tourer-4.27577/. Worth mentioning that in my recent Conductor GT4 review I was able to spot six completely new and redesigned MCPS power regulator modules that are supposed to lower amplifier self-noise even further, so I would expect from the new Soloist GT4 to have darker background noise than the Soloist GT3 model.

Also, Conductor GT4 fans are completely silent, while some folks returned or sold their Soloist GT3 because of the Noctua fan. Now, of course, YMMV and I'm not one that complains about Soloist GT3's fan, but reading some thoughts and reviews about Soloist GT3 mad me to conclude that fan noise could be one strong point of the Soloist GT4.

I’ve been living with 3XGT fan but not really loving it. Seems like Burson is getting the message (slowly). This looks more like an upgrade to the 3XGT than 3GT as it has balanced ins and outs- maybe there will just be 1 version.

Wish too that Burson would start quoting the impedance their “10W” output is into. 10W into 8 ohms is not impressive, but I’m guessing this is probably into 32 ohms which would be more so.

 

[idairyou]

I think it's a bit of a shame.

Looking at their online shop, they've abandoned the mid-tier.

The only things under 1k are a demo unit and the Playmate 3.

My 3XP and Musician Pegasus were my gateway into the Halo product quality of sound at a more reasonable price after years of being away from 2ch audio.

 

[raoultrifan]

Looking at their online shop, they've abandoned the mid-tier.

I do see your point, but I think that they did the same with previous generation of audio gear: high-end devices were lunched prior to the mid-tier ones. Let's lookup on their website, maybe they'll lunch something in the next few coming months...who knows...

Meanwhile, Black Friday 2024 is approaching, here's what I got in my e-mail this morning:

​

 

[jlemaster1957]

I do see your point, but I think that they did the same with previous generation of audio gear: high-end devices were lunched prior to the mid-tier ones. Let's lookup on their website, maybe they'll lunch something in the next few coming months...who knows...

Meanwhile, Black Friday 2024 is approaching, here's what I got in my e-mail this morning:

​

Unfortunately their new Fusion power supplies IIRC are not the correct voltage to use with the 3XP or 3XGT. So after any upgrades to power modules and op-amps and use of the 5A super-charger it seems that these units are ‘as good as it’s going to get’.

They are still VERY good amps AND very fine pre-amps. IF I was thinking to upgrade anything in the Burson line (not- I’m quite happy with my upgraded 2023 3XGT) I might go for a set of the Timekeeper Voyagers for power amp use with the Fusion power supplies and use the 3XGT as the pre-amp for that. In fact I added a set of Schiit Tyr mono blocks instead and am quite satisfied. Re this Burson sale- JOMO.

 

[sawindra]

Unfortunately their new Fusion power supplies IIRC are not the correct voltage to use with the 3XP or 3XGT. So after any upgrades to power modules and op-amps and use of the 5A super-charger it seems that these units are ‘as good as it’s going to get’.

I use Fusion Core power supply with Soloist 3XP. I don't recommend the Supercharger at all, if you are looking for best sound. The Fusion power supply, complements the vivid v7 sound in great optimal sonic way

 

[jlemaster1957]

I use Fusion Core power supply with Soloist 3XP. I don't recommend the Supercharger at all, if you are looking for best sound. The Fusion power supply, complements the vivid v7 sound in great optimal sonic way

Ok I see now - tbe 5A supercharger was 24V so one would get the 24V Fusion core, correct?

 

[sawindra]

Ok I see now - tbe 5A supercharger was 24V so one would get the 24V Fusion core, correct?

yes 24V is the voltage, having 15A in current available just means everything under 100hz will be reproduced with minimum distortion and highest possible damping factor

 

[raoultrifan]

Unfortunately their new Fusion power supplies IIRC are not the correct voltage to use with the 3XP or 3XGT.

See https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/burson-audio-soloist-3x-grand-tourer.25668/reviews#review-31286, the power adapter for 3X GT has 24V/5A. Also, the Conductor 3X has a 24V/3A power adapter and Soloist 3X Performance has also a 24V/3A adapter as well.

 

[jlemaster1957]

See https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/burson-audio-soloist-3x-grand-tourer.25668/reviews#review-31286, the power adapter for 3X GT has 24V/5A. Also, the Conductor 3X has a 24V/3A power adapter and Soloist 3X Performance has also a 24V/3A adapter as well.

Thanks
Given the low THD from the 2023 3XGT outputs (lower on the pre-outs than the 4-pin XLR outs) using the 5A supercharger, if one uses the 3XGT as a pre-amp into a power amp with greater THD (Schiit quotes the Tyr’s THD “<.01%”) I wonder if the extra fidelity one may gain from use of the Fusion power source will be discernible in such a chain. The Burson promo material and YT reviews suggest that use of the Fusion Core will improve the perception of stage and imaging. Tyr is already good at this in my current chain. My usual order of chain upgrade for boosting technicalities is hp > preamp > amp > dac > power supply > cabling. This is not to say that a power supply upgrade will not change stage and imaging perception, but it seems that this change could be limited by other elements in the chain.

 

[raoultrifan]

Looking at their online shop, they've abandoned the mid-tier.

The only things under 1k are a demo unit and the Playmate 3.

I've just started a thread with the new Playmate 3 that has fantastic specs on the paper and has a new improved look too. The Standard version costs a bit over 500 EUR, plus shipping, but the above Black Friday coupon still works these days, see the below pics.





So I get 85 EUR discount by using the Black Friday coupon which look reasonable to me.

BTW, what do you understand by Mid-Fi? Is the new Playmate 3 not what you are looking for? Thanks!

 

[gonzfi]

Any of these in the wild yet?