New release: Burson Playmate 2 (3W @16Ω, ESS9038 DAC, Pre amp, DSD512, USB-C, toslink)

[escalibur]

Burson Audio has released a new Playmate model 'Playmate 2'. It's a DAC & AMP combo featuring Sabre 3098 DAC, 3,5W @ 16Ω amp, toslink input, USB-C support, DSD512 etc.. https://www.bursonaudio.com/products/playmate-2/

It seems that the pricing is $435 for pre-orders until 10th of December and $544 after that.

I wanted to share this because this is one of the best looking DAC AMP combos in a while. Especially at this price range.

Spoiler: Specs

 

[Veri]

I had a burson Swing dac/pre-amp and it sounded really good to my ears. The only recent ASR reviewed burson amp also did surprisingly well:
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/burson-fun-headphone-amp-review.12799/

the question that remains for me, does the 9038 ESS implementation by Burson suffer from big 'ol IMD hump, or not

 

[escalibur]

@amirm Any chance of you receiving another Burson device?

 

[escalibur]

Cool Stand is out as a separate product: https://www.bursonaudio.com/product/cool-stand/

They seem to have 20% Off Pre-Chrismas Sale in case someone is interested. I've tested and the code '20OFF' seens to apply to Cool Stand as well.

 

[raif71]

I would love to get a playmate but this would never pass the WAF

 

[raistlin65]

I would love to get a playmate but this would never pass the WAF

Show her it's not very big
https://www.bursonaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Playmate2-S4-1080-810-800x600.jpg

And at the same time, offer a bribe of something she would like that would raise the aesthetics of the same room

 

[raif71]

Show her it's not very big
https://www.bursonaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Playmate2-S4-1080-810-800x600.jpg

And at the same time, offer a bribe of something she would like that would raise the aesthetics of the same room

No amount of coaxing would be enough because the playmate does not have coax as she loves coax

 

[escalibur]

I would love to get a playmate but this would never pass the WAF

Try harder.

 

[jrampoldi]

20% off ($435.20) with code NBT20OFF (code expires in about 9 days)
includes "Cool Stand" ($100 value)
FYI, shipping $55 to New Jersey, USA

details:
(102) Affordable Quality HiFi Class A ! Burson Audio Playmate 2 Review - YouTube

 

[Lupin]

20% off ($435.20) with code NBT20OFF (code expires in about 9 days)
includes "Cool Stand" ($100 value)
FYI, shipping $55 to New Jersey, USA

details:
(102) Affordable Quality HiFi Class A ! Burson Audio Playmate 2 Review - YouTube

Would've considered it for the price of 435.
544 is a bit too steep for me as it will also come with high shipping costs and import taxes/customs fees.

 

[Bow_Wazoo]

I have the playmate 2 here.
At the 15 Ohm LCD-5, I hear no distortion even at volume 75 of 100 (high gain).
And the LCD-5 is really relentless.
Merciless.

It's scary how much more details are audible, even compared to a Utopia, so I think the Playmate 2 plays cleanly, even at low impedance, and high power.
Nevertheless, I would like to see measurements.

 

[nholm]

I’m thinking of using it for my Edition XS. 3.5W / 16 ohm should be more than enough I hope. Do you think output impedance of 2 ohm will be an issue with an 18 ohm HP?

 

[Veri]

I’m thinking of using it for my Edition XS. 3.5W / 16 ohm should be more than enough I hope. Do you think output impedance of 2 ohm will be an issue with an 18 ohm HP?

For planars that's fine, the output impedance. Not a problem.