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RME ADI-2 DAC vs. D90+A90 vs. Burson Conductor 3

Celty

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Which would you go with? The D90+A90 are of course separates, while the RME ADI-2 DAC and Burson Conductor 3 are combo Amp/DAC with pre-amp capability options.

RME ADI-2 DAC - $1149
Topping D90 MQA - $799.99 and Topping A90 - $499.99 = $1299.98
Burson Conductor 3 - $1744 (Conductor 3X Reference - $2144 - XLR fully balanced version)

There are reviews of the RME ADI-2 DAC and Topping units on this site, I'm hoping at some point a Burson Conductor 3 makes it to ASR for review. Until that here are at least a couple of impressions from elsewhere:



https://headfonics.com/burson-conductor-3-review/

https://www.headfonia.com/burson-conductor-3x-review/
 

LTig

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Which would you go with? The D90+A90 are of course separates, while the RME ADI-2 DAC and Burson Conductor 3 are combo Amp/DAC with pre-amp capability options.

RME ADI-2 DAC - $1149
Topping D90 MQA - $799.99 and Topping A90 - $499.99 = $1299.98
Burson Conductor 3 - $1744 (Conductor 3X Reference - $2144 - XLR fully balanced version)

There are reviews of the RME ADI-2 DAC and Topping units on this site, I'm hoping at some point a Burson Conductor 3 makes it to ASR for review. Until that here are at least a couple of impressions from elsewhere:



https://headfonics.com/burson-conductor-3-review/

https://www.headfonia.com/burson-conductor-3x-review/
RME - best relation of performance, features and build quality vs. price.
 
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Celty

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RME - best relation of performance, features and build quality vs. price.
That makes sense, I do wish there was an XLR headphone jack. I do also like the high quality microphone input on the Burson Conductor 3 - surprising that others have not done this as well.
 

JohnYang1997

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The conductor 3 will measure poorly compare to the other two. RME has the best balance between everything also having the most amount of features (except MQA). If you care about the eq, the interface, the simplicity, get ADI-2 DAC. D90+A90 gives you the best performance and and power.
 
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Celty

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The conductor 3 will measure poorly compare to the other two. RME has the best balance between everything also having the most amount of features (except MQA). If you care about the eq, the interface, the simplicity, get ADI-2 DAC. D90+A90 gives you the best performance and and power.
Curious, why do you think the Burson will measure poorly?
 

Jimbob54

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Curious, why do you think the Burson will measure poorly?

Experience. But past performance isnt always a guide to future. See new Schitt!
 
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Celty

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Experience. But past performance isnt always a guide to future. See new Schitt!
Exactly, that's why we measure. Or as they say in football, "That's why we play the game".
 

Matias

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Curious, why do you think the Burson will measure poorly?
Images are now broken but their opamps measured here were not particularly great. Having said that I had a Conductor V2+ and used V5 opamps before and liked them very much.
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/vendor-s-bazaar/281361-hypex-ncore-nc500-build-post4737441.html

Their Conductor 3 DAC specs are quite good though, as well as their massive power levels.
DAC Spec
Channel Separation: 142 dB @ 1KHz, 135 dB @ 20KHz
THD+N: 0.0005% @ 1KHz, 0dBFS
https://www.bursonaudio.com/products/conductor-3/

I really wish someone could send their flagship DAC for Amir to measure.

Having said that, I just bought an RME ADI-2 DAC FS. :)
 

ReaderZ

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RME if you only want one box or want the EQ, while don't mind no balanced headphone out.

Otherwise D90+A90
 

LTig

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RME if you only want one box or want the EQ, while don't mind no balanced headphone out.

Otherwise D90+A90
Or RME ADI-2 PRO fs: the two unbalanced headphone outputs can be configured as one balanced headphone output. Pricy though, but you get an excellent ADC as well. May join the ASR measurement community then ... :)
 

Rja4000

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Or RME ADI-2 PRO fs: the two unbalanced headphone outputs can be configured as one balanced headphone output. Pricy though, but you get an excellent ADC as well. May join the ASR measurement community then ... :)
Well, the new ADI-2 Pro fs R then.
R for Remote... Same remote than the DAC. Very handy.
And you have indeed a balanced phone mode by using the 2 front Jack's (No XLR for balanced phone though).
 

escalibur

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Experience. But past performance isnt always a guide to future. See new Schitt!
Or see pretty much any other brand as well. Including Topping. :)
 

Racheski

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Well, the new ADI-2 Pro fs R then.
R for Remote... Same remote than the DAC. Very handy.
And you have indeed a balanced phone mode by using the 2 front Jack's (No XLR for balanced phone though).
Or the RME ADI-2 Pro FS R BE ;)

@Celty - You can get the ADI-2 DAC for about $950 on this website if you live in the US:
https://www.rme-shop.com/index.html
 
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Celty

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Racheski

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Hmm, looked at that link - it is priced at €988,00 or $1112.03 USD
Get the friends of RME log in, go back to the site and when you check out the VAT is taken off after you put in your US shipping address.
 
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Celty

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Get the friends of RME log in, go back to the site and when you check out the VAT is taken off after you put in your US shipping address.
ah ok :)
 
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