BURSON Soloist 3X Performance - Class A Headphone/Pre Amplifier

Haha, it got derailed by my Jot 2 issues, because I wanted to compare the two amps. After I got my replacement Jot 2, I did another comparison last weekend. Now I just have to type it up…

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No worries, no rush! Haha

Glad everything worked out with the Jot!

I am getting a humming noise when I connect IEMs to my Conductor 3XR. When I touch the Burson or connected computer, it goes away.
So that seems to be an issue with grounding, right?

Anyone else experienced this?

Thanks :+1:

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I don’t get any hum on the Soloist 3XP using my 64 Audio Nio. I was plugged into the 3.5mm output.

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Could it be a cable or adapter issue? You’re using a 2.5mm - XLR adapter for your IEMs, aren’t you? Do you have a 3.5mm or 1/4 inch cable you can try instead?

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I have 2 different adapters and several different cables. Tried that already to no avail. When I get Soloist + Composer to test, I will see if it’s an issue with the Burson.

But thank you very much for your suggestions! :slightly_smiling_face:

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If the equipment is plugged into different power outlets then grounding comes into play.

It can happen when all is plugged into the same outlet but not as common.

True. For that I used to have a power filter for my home system. Though tbh, I believe this should be solved inside the components.

Maybe it’s just with sensitive IEMs as with my Focal Clear it does not happen.

Thanks for the hint :+1::wink:

Have you tried different IEM’s?

I did but I only noticed it on one IEM. Have to try others. But how can this be the IEM’s issue? The grounding should be an issue of the connected amp, no?

I would think so. But the fact that it only happens with that IEM is strange. Does the problem only occur when the volume pot is at a specific position? I had a similar problem and it turned out that the volume pot wiring was bad.

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No. It’s independent from the volume. When I touch the Amp or the computer, the humming stops. I tried to wear different clothing too. You know, no wool etc. but that didn’t help either…

I will see when I get the Soloist. Also, I might ask Burson. After all they did not intend their devices to be used with IEMs, hence the headphone-only connections.

Thank you too for your help. It’s great how people support each other in this forum. :blush:

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I am preparing a comparison of Burson Playmate 2, Conductor 3XR and Soloist & Composer 3X Performance Combo.

Finally all devices have arrived for testing, unfortunately I forgot that Soloist & Composer will need a cable to connect them. :roll_eyes:

(left to right: Playmate 2, Soloist & Composer 3XP Combo, Conductor 3XR)

Using Conductor 3XR for a while as my review workhorse, I can say that this is an amazing device.
Versatility, power & sound are top-notch. I did a quick comparison with Playmate 2 and sound signature is (unsurprisingly) pretty much the same. I am surprised what the little device can do for the price in comparison to the Conductor 3XR. Conductor has many more input and output options and is more powerful of course.

When connecting single ended, both devices are actually not too far apart soundwise. Balanced out on the Conductor 3XR is another story though. When I switched from single ended on the Conductor 3XR to balanced with my Focal Clears, the difference was like night and day. A lot bigger than the difference between the two devices using single ended output on both. Of course there ARE differences in the (sound) details and I still have to do some more critical listening.

Anyways, I just wanted to give a quick update as I promised a comparison earlier.

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I can’t wait to read your thoughts. I’ve been promising to write something up for several weeks, and I fear you’re going to beat me to it, LOL!

Regarding balanced vs SE, Burson told me that the Soloist would sound better using the balanced outputs because it was designed as a balanced amp first and foremost, and I’d have access to all the available power using XLR out. They said that technically (i.e. according to measurements), XLR input should sound a little better than SE because there’s no conversion of the signal, but that the audible difference was minimal, and certainly nowhere close to the differences I would hear using balanced out.

That’s what I’ve experienced too. I think the Soloist sounds wonderful through both SE and balanced outputs, but the latter does seem to provide a little more control and clarity. I’m not sure if I could tell the difference between SE and balanced inputs, other than volume, but I ended up using balanced since that was the manufacturer’s recommendation.

I’m assuming the Conductor’s amp stage would be similar.

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Excited to read more from @PaisleyUnderground and @Tom_Ato on the soloist. No pressure.

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I will need some time with all 3 options. And I will not be able to compare them with another DAC /Amp from any other company since I don’t have other desktop devices, only DAPs. Also I only have one headphone option to test with, the Focal Clear and several IEMs.

So what I will be able to do is just give my honest opinion and do a simple comparison. Also I won’t go into technical details as they can be found on the manufacturers home page. I will rather focus on sound quality, price/performance and usability.

I can’t wait d to see if the Soloist /Composer combo makes a difference. Hopefully UPS gets my XLR cables here quick so I can actually use them. :sweat_smile: Somehow I was counting on Burson to include at least a pair of simple RCA cables with either one to get you going. They usually do give you quite a lot of cables and accessories.

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He probably will! :joy:

Just a tip…when you get your xlr cables, make sure to connect them properly since the L/R are not labeled on the soloist. I posted the right configuration on this thread somewhere.

Your soloist didn’t come with any rca cables? Mine did…

Try to experiment with low and high gain via balanced on the clears. I have the clears as well and there is a slight difference in sound (prefer med gain but both are great).

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Thanks for the tipps!

The one thing Burson really needs to improve is documentation! Manuals are only online and you have to look for them. Also, they are pretty much the same for each device and, to put it mildly, are very incomplete and full of errors. For instance the Bluetooth antenna is called Wi-Fi antenna etc. That’s usability /user experience and it’s very important.

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Thanks for that picture. I guess having right on the left and left on the right totally makes sense. :rofl:
Burson need to get their s*** together with labeling AND manuals. How did you find out which is which?

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Well to be fair I got it right the first time without knowing cause I was facing the unit’s front.

Ha, I asked them directly. As frustrating as it might be to a user, I found it kind of hilarious that they didn’t label them. :joy:

Btw, are you enjoying your clears so far?

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