I just received some V6 Classics from Carlos at Burson/Supreme Sound. I reached out after seeing a thread on DiyAudio about offering samples and wanting to step my Music Hall 25.2 DAC up a notch or two. Big Thank You!
My Music Hall 25.2 DAC and ph25.2 Headphone Amp have been my daily companions while I work from home during the pandemic so they have been getting 6-8 hours of use daily and I feel I've become very accustomed to how they sound. Everything is stock aside from replacing the stock Electro-Harmonix tube on the 25.2 DAC with a Gold Lion.
Tube swapping was a great cheap and easy inexpensive upgrade for this DAC. The Electro-Harmoni stock tube is what I consider to be on the neutral and dry side. The Gold Lion adds a touch more warmth and romance and an additional sense of spaciousness.
So far I have about +- 20 hours of listening to the V6 Classics which replaced 2 X OPA2134 and 1X OPA2604.
One of the criticisms of this DAC is that it can sound a little rolled off and isn't the most revealing. For me, it's one of the reasons I like it. Prior to the Pandemic, I was mostly a vinyl/analog listener and really only used digital to search out new music on streaming services or on my daily commute to work. Since buying this DAC, I've pulled my CD collection out of mothballs and picked up a decent transport.
While this isn't a review of the DAC, the description of its character it is important because the biggest change I noticed right off the bat is the V6 Classic opamps brought so much more detail retrieval and openness to the sound that I was very surprised what I had been missing all along. I've been mostly listening with AudioQuest NightHawks and NightOwls and I find them to be a great example of the differences between the stock opamps and the Bursons. The V6 Classic is similar to the NightHawks in the sense that it's more open sounding with a bigger soundstage and a bit more even bass response, where the stock opamps are more like the NightOwls being more intimate and more bass-heavy.
Overall, I would easily recommend this upgrade for users of the 25.2 or 25.3 DAC. While it may seem like a steep investment for a $599 piece of equipment, it really takes what is already an overachieving product up to a new level. You can spend allot more and get allot less as they say!
Since swapping is so easy with this equipment, I'm going to give the V6 Classics some more listening time and then reinstall the stock opamps and report back.
My Music Hall 25.2 DAC and ph25.2 Headphone Amp have been my daily companions while I work from home during the pandemic so they have been getting 6-8 hours of use daily and I feel I've become very accustomed to how they sound. Everything is stock aside from replacing the stock Electro-Harmonix tube on the 25.2 DAC with a Gold Lion.
Tube swapping was a great cheap and easy inexpensive upgrade for this DAC. The Electro-Harmoni stock tube is what I consider to be on the neutral and dry side. The Gold Lion adds a touch more warmth and romance and an additional sense of spaciousness.
So far I have about +- 20 hours of listening to the V6 Classics which replaced 2 X OPA2134 and 1X OPA2604.
One of the criticisms of this DAC is that it can sound a little rolled off and isn't the most revealing. For me, it's one of the reasons I like it. Prior to the Pandemic, I was mostly a vinyl/analog listener and really only used digital to search out new music on streaming services or on my daily commute to work. Since buying this DAC, I've pulled my CD collection out of mothballs and picked up a decent transport.
While this isn't a review of the DAC, the description of its character it is important because the biggest change I noticed right off the bat is the V6 Classic opamps brought so much more detail retrieval and openness to the sound that I was very surprised what I had been missing all along. I've been mostly listening with AudioQuest NightHawks and NightOwls and I find them to be a great example of the differences between the stock opamps and the Bursons. The V6 Classic is similar to the NightHawks in the sense that it's more open sounding with a bigger soundstage and a bit more even bass response, where the stock opamps are more like the NightOwls being more intimate and more bass-heavy.
Overall, I would easily recommend this upgrade for users of the 25.2 or 25.3 DAC. While it may seem like a steep investment for a $599 piece of equipment, it really takes what is already an overachieving product up to a new level. You can spend allot more and get allot less as they say!
Since swapping is so easy with this equipment, I'm going to give the V6 Classics some more listening time and then reinstall the stock opamps and report back.
Hi guys,
We have a few opamps available for the next month (V5i) , if you have a good project please pm me.
Supreme Sound Opamp V5i – Burson Audio
Happy listening!
We have a few opamps available for the next month (V5i) , if you have a good project please pm me.
Supreme Sound Opamp V5i – Burson Audio
Happy listening!
Part Two of my Burson Review:
Thanks to Burson, a set of V6 Vivids have arrived to compare the V6 Classics I've been listening to now for a couple of months.
First off, they do sound remarkably different than the V6 Classics, it's not subtle.
Right off the bat, the bass is more impactful and they treble is more extended. So many comparisons come to mind, HD6xx vs HE4xx, Sonus Faber vs Klipsch, and on and on.
Bass: I'm not going to saw there is more bass but it seems to hit a little harder, but not quite as low/deep as the Classics with more mid-bass presence and kick.
Midrange: It actually seems pretty darn neutral compared to the Classics. It's not shouty or pronounced but just not as inviting and rich. Really no complaints, it's Goldilocks.
Treble: I was expecting these to sound bright in my setup but they really don't, they sounded extended compared to the Classics but not aggressive or harsh at all. Similar to the Midrange, probably closer to the neutral line. I think the Classics might sound a bit rolled off in comparison.
Soundstage: Even using closed headphones, I felt the Vivids offer a wider and deeper soundstage presentation. I felt the Classics offer a more intimate performance. For anyone who's owned the HD58x and the He4xx, this is about the same difference I find with the comparison.
In the end, I have my own personal favorite but I have to say they both offer a substantial improvement over the stock opamps in my DAC.
For certain genres especially Rock and specifically the Grateful Dead, I prefered the Vivids. But as my overall preference, I really enjoy the presentation of the Classics.
Looking at my listening notes, they really align with what Burson has in the comparison chart on their website.
Stay tuned for part three, when I mix and match the Classics and Vivids for what could be the best configuration.
Thanks to Burson, a set of V6 Vivids have arrived to compare the V6 Classics I've been listening to now for a couple of months.
First off, they do sound remarkably different than the V6 Classics, it's not subtle.
Right off the bat, the bass is more impactful and they treble is more extended. So many comparisons come to mind, HD6xx vs HE4xx, Sonus Faber vs Klipsch, and on and on.
Bass: I'm not going to saw there is more bass but it seems to hit a little harder, but not quite as low/deep as the Classics with more mid-bass presence and kick.
Midrange: It actually seems pretty darn neutral compared to the Classics. It's not shouty or pronounced but just not as inviting and rich. Really no complaints, it's Goldilocks.
Treble: I was expecting these to sound bright in my setup but they really don't, they sounded extended compared to the Classics but not aggressive or harsh at all. Similar to the Midrange, probably closer to the neutral line. I think the Classics might sound a bit rolled off in comparison.
Soundstage: Even using closed headphones, I felt the Vivids offer a wider and deeper soundstage presentation. I felt the Classics offer a more intimate performance. For anyone who's owned the HD58x and the He4xx, this is about the same difference I find with the comparison.
In the end, I have my own personal favorite but I have to say they both offer a substantial improvement over the stock opamps in my DAC.
For certain genres especially Rock and specifically the Grateful Dead, I prefered the Vivids. But as my overall preference, I really enjoy the presentation of the Classics.
Looking at my listening notes, they really align with what Burson has in the comparison chart on their website.
Stay tuned for part three, when I mix and match the Classics and Vivids for what could be the best configuration.
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Last update, I put the stock opamps back in today. The difference is pretty remarkable. It's not that the stock opamps sound bad, they actually sound really nice, nice and smooth, nice and rolled off, nice and round. Veil is so overused in audio but the difference is like putting stuffing cotton in your ears. That being said, I could see some people preferring the stock sound signature if they had really V shaped headphones. It's really pleasant, but really gives up body and resolution compared to discrete opamps.
In the end, I think I will settle on the Classics for my favorite but it's a pretty tough call.
In the end, I think I will settle on the Classics for my favorite but it's a pretty tough call.
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It's been almost 5 years now, and I have one more update to this review:
At the end of that comparison, I had preferred the V6 Classic model and they had remained in my DAC ever since.
I was also able to compare the V6 Classic and Vivid in a Burson Playmate 2 headphone amp/DAC using Audeze LCD-2 Classics. In the setup, I preferred the V6 Vivid due to the laid-back signature of the LCD-2.
For my V7 comparison listening I decided to create a playlist of 10 tracks that I know extremely well on my 2 Channel system consisting of:
Speakers – Martin Logan Motion 60 XTI
Amplifier – Audio Research VSI60
Streaming Device – WIIM Pro
DAC – Music Hall 25.2
I first listened to all ten tracks with the V6 Classic op-amps in place and then switched to the V7 Vivid with just about 15 minutes in between to warm up the new op-amps.
Bonnie Bishop - Mercy
Jennifer Hartswick - Do I move you
Smooth Hound Smith - Dog if a manger
Rachael and Vilray - I love the way you’re breaking my heart
Billie Eilish - Strange Addiction
Yes - Owner of a lonely heart
Scott Mulvahill - Begin Againers
Jacqui Naylor - Long Game
ZG Smith - Hooks
The best compliment I can give Burson is to purchase more V7 Vivid op-amps for the rest of my devices that benefit from op-amp upgrades. Look out for my Sony DVP-S7000 upgrade project coming soon.
Link to my Spotify playlist used in the comparison:
Burson V7 Vivid to V6 Classic Comparison
Over the last 5 or so years I have been provide Burson op-amps to test and review and recently I was offered the chance to try out the new V7 Vivid op-amp. In the past I had used my Music Hall 25.2 DAC since it has DIP sockets for easy op-amp swapping. I had previously posted a comparison between the V6 Classic and V6 Vivid as well as how they compared to the stock op-amps here: https://www.diyaudio.com/community/...opamp-upgrade-for-music-hall-25-2-dac.357705/At the end of that comparison, I had preferred the V6 Classic model and they had remained in my DAC ever since.
I was also able to compare the V6 Classic and Vivid in a Burson Playmate 2 headphone amp/DAC using Audeze LCD-2 Classics. In the setup, I preferred the V6 Vivid due to the laid-back signature of the LCD-2.
For my V7 comparison listening I decided to create a playlist of 10 tracks that I know extremely well on my 2 Channel system consisting of:
Speakers – Martin Logan Motion 60 XTI
Amplifier – Audio Research VSI60
Streaming Device – WIIM Pro
DAC – Music Hall 25.2
I first listened to all ten tracks with the V6 Classic op-amps in place and then switched to the V7 Vivid with just about 15 minutes in between to warm up the new op-amps.
Here are my notes for each track for both the V6 and V7:
Orebolo - Turned Clouds:- V6 - Intimate, soundstage speaker with. Bass is full when called for. Strong but metallic mids.
- V7- A bit more dynamic, soundstage a few feet past speakers. A little more boogie 🙂 Better focus.
Bonnie Bishop - Mercy
- V6 - Bass not very strong, soundstage just outside of speakers, midrange in the sharper sounding side, not particularly bright or extended.
- V7 - Better ambiance sound stage depth, mids seem correct and smooth.
Jennifer Hartswick - Do I move you
- V6 - Intimate, would like a bit more bass, mids are good, not overly sharp, could use a little more air, trumpet is good, smooth not ear bleeding, dynamics seem a bit flat.
- V7 – Singer farther back in the mix, maybe a bit richer sounding? or smoother, a bit more bounce/boogie factor. Trumpet is perfect. Electric guitar more pronounced. Had to crank up it was sounding so good!
Smooth Hound Smith - Dog if a manger
- V6 - Great ambiance, bass is great. Soundstage way past speakers and deep. Midrange is very smooth and not metallic.
- V7 - Biggest improvement yet! Everything I said about the Classics but more. Soundstage from front to way back behind me. ZG sounding like the perfect smokey smooth scotch.
Rachael and Vilray - I love the way you’re breaking my heart
- V6 - Just a touch sharp in Rachael Price’s vocals. Trumpet sounds lifelike, not too bright and correctly muted. Soundstage is intimate and singer placement is as expected. Slight edge to vocals.
- V7 -Saxophone sounds more realistic. Less intimate but wider stage. Cymbal brushes sound more realistic and less like background noise. More open and less “honky”.
Billie Eilish - Strange Addiction
- V6 - Bass is good but could use a touch more impact and bounce. Soundstage is past speakers. Vocals are nice and smooth. Not much brightness, a bit rolled off.
- V7 - Bounce and impact improved substantially. Ticking thing, much more pronounced. Room enveloping.
Yes - Owner of a lonely heart
- V6 - Big soundstage in beginning. Good ambiance. Bass lacking. Touch harsh and bright but period correct.
- V7 - Easier on the ears, more extended but less harsh. Deep soundstage. Still has 80s sound.
Scott Mulvahill - Begin Againers
- V6 - Huge deep bass, soundstage depth and width, smooth mids but a bit rolled off?
- V7 - Intro game chills. Just awesome. Maybe a little mid bass heavy but nitpicking.
Jacqui Naylor - Long Game
- V6 - Great wide deep soundstage. Bass is good but not very dynamic. Mids are even and not sharp. Maybe a touch rolled off? Missing air?
- V7 - Vocals seem more natural. Not the big difference like the last song. Bongos? Farther back in the presentation? More extended. Touch more dynamic.
ZG Smith - Hooks
- V6 – Soundstage of a large room. Bass deep but a hair bloated. Mids great. Would like more air. Just a bit metallic
- V7 - Metallic edge gone. No bass bloat.
Conclusion
Out of the ten songs I used for my listening comparison, there was not one song that I preferred with the V6 Classic over the V7 Vivid. I felt there was an improvement in every case, and they really helped with the one issue I have with my speakers, they lessen the metallic edge that the aluminum cone drivers tend to impart on the midrange. I’m not sure why it seems more apparent with the V6 Classic given the way they are voiced, but at least in my system, the V7 is the clear winner.The best compliment I can give Burson is to purchase more V7 Vivid op-amps for the rest of my devices that benefit from op-amp upgrades. Look out for my Sony DVP-S7000 upgrade project coming soon.
Link to my Spotify playlist used in the comparison:
