Burson Audio Conductor 3X Grand Tourer or RME ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition

[ragingspeed]

Ouchhh !!!! Topping today just released the A90 discrete ! bad timing ... baaaad timing for me !

 

[spartaman64]

i only had basic impressions at canjam chicago but i thought the burson GT and holo may stack sounded bad and according to other people that heard the burson at canjam NYC with a nagras dac it sounded as they described "dongle tier". so im guessing it's mostly the amp's fault. and i thought the rme adi-2 pro fs sounded the best out of all the stacks there

 

[Caliban]

Hi,

Thanks for welcoming me into this forum. This is my first post although been in the audio world for many years

I am looking into buying an all in one DAC+Headphone AMP and have narrowed down my options to the "Burson Audio Conductor 3X Grand Tourer" or the "RME ADI-2 Pro FS R Black Edition"

I want to use it, obviously, both as a DAC+Amp for my headphones and as a DAC for my Hifi system. While I know that the Burson costs twice as much as the RME, I still wish to ask you guys to give me your honest comments and feedback and suggestions which to go for between the two. Features-wise RME would win I highly suppose (especially the EQ tempts me big time) however audio quality is the first and foremost importance I would say.

Thanks in advance and looking forward for a very very long list of fruitful comments and guidance on this matter

Thanks,

Geoff
Malta, Europe

If you haven´t already - read this review and it´s comments to learn why you should avoid Burson.

Burson Soloist 3XP Review (Headphone Amp)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Burson Soloist 3X Performance balanced headphone amplifier. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $1,200. The overall package feels heavy and solid but I am not a fan of lack alignment of all the connectors, holes, etc. Volume control...

www.audiosciencereview.com

The RME is a more safe (for your headphones), better and cheaper way to go, it´s a way more competent design in all aspects. Don´t worry about the sound quality.
If you ever need more power, there are plenty of dedicated HP-amps you can choose from and add to it later on.

@amirm - the soloist 3xp review does not show up in the audio electronics review list for me, the latest I see is the "fun" unit?

 

[nerdiejack]

Even for difficult headphones I would add a Topping A90 to the RME ADI-2 DAC for +500 usd and have tons of power, cheaper than both the ADI-2 Pro and the Burson Conductor 3X GT, but yes no longer a combo DAC+amp unit. I would live with that.

Topping A90 Headphone Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements the Topping A90 Balanced and Unbalanced Headphone Amplifier. It was kindly sent to me by the company. The A90 is available for ordering and I am told ships by end of this month. It costs US $499. The A90 is one of the best executions of the Topping...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I had a similar setup A/D90 stack with Hifiman Arya. Changed the stack to qutest/soloist3xgt. It just trashes the topping stack. If your use case it neutral clear sound sure topping will beat every DAC/AMP on the planet. BUT if you want emotion and fun go to a dealer and tell him your budget, avoid price bias by not asking prices before listening and go with your ears not some numbers.