Burson Audio HA-160D Headphones Amp & DAC unboxing video

[HiFiInsider]

Just got this yesterday from Burson Audio through their Loaner Program. I get to keep it for two weeks. Very nice of them to do this. The amp is HEAVY! Check out my unboxing video. Stay tuned for my impressions.

 

Chris please let me know how to embed the video.

 

 

 

 

 

[HiFiInsider]

Some pictures to start. I am testing this with many headphones in all price range from $79 - $1500. Stay tuned for more.

 

 

 

 

[HiFiInsider]

Teaser.... That is a rare MB Quart QP-400 headphones. More to come.

 

 

[HiFiInsider]

The HA-160D is a fantastic one box machine. It has everything one can ask for in a one box headphones amp & DAC.

 

Build quality & features:

DAC/Headphones Amp and a Preamp. The unit is very, very, very well made. I have never used a headphones amp that heavy and solid. Having two headphones outputs in different impedance is perfect. I have a few headphones in my collection and the Burson handled every one without a hiccup. The volume knob has a nice feel and the stepped attenuator gave a balance sound at all volume levels. I am have not been a fan of the stepped attenuator and that has not changed with the Burson. I did experienced a pop through the headphones with each click and that is what I don't like about it. Another dislike about stepped attenuator is not being able to find that sweet loudness spot.

The USB input worked on Mac OS X Lion, but I did experience some issues in the beginning. Burson Audio support cleared the set up process within hours of my email. I was very surprised how fast their support was. I did not mention I was on the Loaner Program so I didn't get any special treatment. The HA-160D worked each and every time after proper set up.

 

The Sound:

I find amp to be good with most headphones I threw at it. Some were better than the other. The sound signature is smooth and a bit forward. Bass is strong and effortless. The highs are smooth without any hint of harshness. I think the mids is the star of the show. It has a hint of warmth, but not tube warmth or lush. It's very smooth sounding. I used headphones from $80 - $1500 on the HA-160D and I found that it truly brings out the most of a budget headphones. To my ears, higher end headphones did not shine as much. I found the sound between my T1 & my HD800 was too similar and did not give me the refinement and excitement that I was used to with my Lehmann Audio BCL. The T1 & HD800 are fast headphones. I think the Burson is not snappy enough. Since the amp has power to spare, I paired it with my Sony MDR-XB1000 (70mm drivers) Ultimate Bass headphones. The Burson did not shine with this headphones. Bass and mids came together and the sound was a bit muffled. It did not have the dynamics and soundstage I am used to with my BCL. I suspect the forward sound signature killed some soundstage. The Burson sounded GREAT paired with my MB Quart QP400. It brought out 100% of that headphones and all my lower end ones. I think pairing is very important with the Burson.

 

Conclusion:

If you are seeking a GREAT sounding well built amp with a DAC and preamp, the Burson is hard to beat. It makes budget headphones sound 10x more expensive. Pairing is important so I recommend you to bring your headphones when auditioning. Something you should do with any headphones amp.

 

I thank Burson Audio for the opportunity to review the HA-160D. My review is my thoughts on the unit. Yours may be very different so I urge you to listen for yourself to see if it meets your expectations. If you can, take it for a spin for a few days. It takes a few days to allow your ears to settle in on the sound.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mozart]

I offer my Burson HA 160D on sale. I am located in Europe. More information and photos here: Burson Audio Ha 160d

 

http://www.myaudioshop.com/typo3temp/pics/c4649e1612.jpg

[brunk]

Yes! It is very nice! I spent 6 months demoing different Amp/DAC combos and have finally come to rest with this marvelous yet understated masterpiece of engineering. The price you pay is a steal, given that anything comparable will cost the same price with TONS of time demoing stuff, or spending 2x the price. I've used it with several top end headphones and found it works best with the Beyerdynamic T1 and HifiMan HE-6. The HD800 didnt fare to well.

[dalethorn]

Someone who I think is reliable suggested a Lehmann(?) Black Cube for the HD800. Myself I have this little Objective2 amp that I think sounded pretty good with my late HD800.

[brunk]

Someone who I think is reliable suggested a Lehmann(?) Black Cube for the HD800. Myself I have this little Objective2 amp that I think sounded pretty good with my late HD800.

 

Hmm, I may have to give that a shot. I'll admit though, I am always grabbing my T1's! They dont get the credit they deserve IMO. The T1's just respond to EVERYTHING so well, whether it be a DAC/Cable/Amp etc...

 

I can never sate the T1's appetite for "MORE" lol!

[dalethorn]

There's a good chance I'll be buying a Beyer T90 when they're available, presumably in June. I took a long look at the T70p, but just couldn't see it being what I needed. I have a DT-1350 and DT-48A now, but the 1350 is difficult to get the best sound from until they're on my head for awhile and the earpads settle in.

[brunk]

There's a good chance I'll be buying a Beyer T90 when they're available, presumably in June. I took a long look at the T70p, but just couldn't see it being what I needed. I have a DT-1350 and DT-48A now, but the 1350 is difficult to get the best sound from until they're on my head for awhile and the earpads settle in.

 

Ahh yes, I'm sure those will be delightful! I have to admit, I own 3 sets of Beyerdynamic headphones, and not because im a fanboy lol. I own the T1, T5p, and the MMX 300 for PC (best headphones for PC that are actually musical!). So I am definitely on the Beyer bandwagon, Sennheiser and HiFiman are close, but I ALWAYS reach for my T1's.

 

Oh, and it helps that they orders of magnitude more comfy than Sennheiser and especially against the HifiMan lol. HE-6 is like wearing a bicycle helmet!

[dalethorn]

The T5p is an excellent companion to the T1.

[WLVCA]

I have the Burson HA160 standalone headphone amp. Drives the Sennheiser HD650 and AKG K702 beautifully. The Hifiman HE-500 sounds great on the HA160. The Burson doesn't have enough oomph for the HE-6.

 

When I owned the T1 I used a Mapletree Super II tube amp with good results. Preferred the T1 with the Mapletree.

[brunk]

I have the Burson HA160 standalone headphone amp. Drives the Sennheiser HD650 and AKG K702 beautifully. The Hifiman HE-500 sounds great on the HA160. The Burson doesn't have enough oomph for the HE-6.

 

When I owned the T1 I used a Mapletree Super II tube amp with good results. Preferred the T1 with the Mapletree.

 

Hi!

 

I felt that the Burson had plenty of oomph for HE-6 to sing, just not at a very high SPL. I agree as well that the Burson is not the end-all for the T1 either and do find it responds to many tube amps extremely well. I have found the T1 responds to everything quite well really. With that said I am aspiring to acquire the Woo Audio WA-22 balanced headphone amp, and I have recently sold my HE-6. While the HE-6 sounds great, nothing bothers me more than a very uncomfortable experience wearing a pair of cans that really prevents me from entering "music zen". I really appreciate a headphone that disappears, and not one that clamps and weighs down my head telling me it's here.