Listening to music is a very personal and life long adventure. We know!
The HA-160 is an uncompromising reference class headphone amplifier packed with Burson technologies, Burson refinement and Burson passion. It will cleanse your soul from the daily racket of life and make you fall in love with your collections all over again.
No ICs.
Most headphone amps are built with ICs (integrated circuitry). Listening to an IC based head amp is like trying to listen to a grand concert through a key-hole! With ICs you are missing out on the micro detail that makes music musical and the macro dynamic that makes our hearts beat with excitement. There is only one reason for an IC to appear in audio gear, and that is cost saving at the expense of music!
The HA-160 has been designed with no ICs within its circuitry. Our discrete (IC free) approach allows us to optimise our design and tune our machines to achieve the best in audio reproduction. The elimination of ICs has made the HA-160 far more superior to its IC based competitors - on all fronts.
Low Noise Power Supply (LNPS)
Just like an athlete needs clean air to perform at an optimum standard – audio equipment needs clean power to reproduce transparent and natural music. Utilising the Burson Audio discrete (IC free) low noise regulator technology we have ensured that only the cleanest power is running through every component of our HA-160.
Resonance Free Aluminium (RFA) Enclosure
The HA-160 is housed in a 6mm case, constructed from high precision machined aluminium. This enclosure allows the AB-160, to achieve a very high mechanical damping factor, which reduces any microphonic effects, that may degrade the clarity of sonic performance.
The enclosure was also constructed to act as a giant heat-sink, which allows the Class-A headamp to run cooler, and remain optimised at all times.
High Definition
The function of Opamps at the output stage is as important as the lens on a cinema projector. Regardless of the analytical capability of the audio gear, an inferior opamp will halve a machine’s performance, and distort every dB of sonic imagery.
Just like our acclaimed P-160 amplifiers, the HA-160 features our Burson HD audio opamp. It enables the HA-160 to reproduce music in superior resolution and accuracy.
A performance focused volume control
At the time when an audio signal is passing through the volume control, it is still at its weakest. At this stage, the audio signal is very vulnerable to noise pollution and interference. A major source of such distortion is the commonly used remote volume control adopted by most manufactures.
Burson Audio recognized the drawbacks associated with remote volume controls and deemed them unacceptable. Instead, we developed a 24 stepped attenuator, constructed with the best quality components available. Our Burson stepped attenuator ensures preservation of even the weakest audio signal; The air between instruments, the decay after an attack and all micro details that makes music enjoyable.
Specifications
Input impedance: 47 KOhms
Frequency response: 5Hz (-0.3dB) to 35 kHz (-1dB)
Signal to noise ratio: >98dB at 0dB gain
THD: <0.001% at 6mW/300 Ohms
Channel separation: >70dB/10kHz
Output power: 650mW/300 Ohms, 800mW/60 Ohms
Output impedance: line out 60 Ohms, phones out 5 Ohms
Power dissipation: <10W, internal, regulated power supply
Dimensions: 180mm x 250mm x 80mm
Connectors (audio): 2 x phone jacks 6.35mm
2 x gold plated RCA connectors with Teflon isolation
Weight: app. 4.5 kg
Colour: silver anodized aluminium
Sonic Characteristics
Headphone amps are often criticised for their lack of sense of space. While most manufactures are keen to tell you that this is the norm for headphone amps, the truth of the matter is that it is an unpleasant form of distortion.
Once you have listened with the HA-160 you will be taken by the sense of space. In addition, the delicacy and transparency of the high-frequencies are beyond reproach. Teamed with a high end headphone, one can hear all the vibrations that have been recorded through the studio’s microphone. The good the bad and the ugly. When the last note falls you know that your soul has been cleansed once again.
Headphone Amp 160 Review by Srajan Ebaen (chief editor 6 Moons Magzine)
..."Team Burson is completely right. Solid-state done right does sound very good. While I've been around too long and too many blocks to believe their insistence on complete discrete is the only way to go, it clearly is one that leads to the goal. "
The Realization Award
Headphone Amp 160 Review by Munk (chief editor Overclockers HQ)
"Overall my opinion of the Burson Audio HA160 headphone amp is a surprising one, especially to myself. This is the first solid-state amp I have ever used that I truly loved equal to, or even more than my tube based amps. The clean power the unique philosophy and the discrete engineering of this amp make it more than just another Head Amp, this desktop amp is a thing of beauty and is easily the equivalent of amps that are twice its price. "
Editors Choice Award
Headphone Amp 160 Review by Cecil Lau, (chief editor Compudio)
"Whatever they did, they did it right. With exceptional build quality, superior components, and an amazing sound across the spectrum, the HA-160 is truly a first-class product with a second-class price. At Compudio Gadget Reviews, we know a bargain when we see one, and the HA-160 is definitely one. HOT Award well deserved...."
Editors HOT Award
Headamp HA160 First Impression by Morten Teinum
In a cold winter night Morten Teinum (Norway) unpacks his new toy...
HA-160 hands on review by Compudio
HA-160 review by Mozio Audio
HA-160 review by Front End Audio
HA-160 Reviews & Feedbacks
Burson HA-160 review by Steve Guttenberg (CNET) Full review: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-20006079-47.html  Burson HA-160 Headamp review by Earerror - HeadFi.org  Full Review: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/457484/burson-ha-160-headphones-amp/195  Burson HA-160 shootout review by 6 Moons ? Featuring Head Room and AKG K702  Its key strengths are awesome dynamics and head-shaking bass. Timing, imaging, resolution and transients are also first rate. The stepped attenuator control is well designed and the volume increments are smooth all the way to 12 o?clock. The Burson mates well with the AKG K702 and does really good things to the AKG sound with zero side effects. - Trinanjan Bhanja Full Review: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/burson_akg/1.html  Burson HA-160 Headamp review by Covenant - HeadFi.org The Burson marketing slogan is, if anything, an understatement. The HA160 conveys a startling level of conviction for an amp at its price point, the overall impression being one of authority. Compared to truly world-class solid state amps like the Beta22, the HA160 keeps up in most ways. It portrays vocals, and particularly female vocals with palpable vividness, and handles complex passages of music admirably...Full Review: http://www.head-fi.org... Burson HA-160 Headamp video review by Team Moiz audio  Burson HA-160 Headamp review by MomijiTMO - HeadFi.org  Full Review: http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/497166/burson-audio-ha-160-review  Burson HA-160 Headphone amp shootout review by Daryl Hoffman - Head Phonista Featuring the Blue Circle Audio SBH, Decware C SP2, Sheer Audio HA-006 and Kingrex Headquarters."I could continue to describe just how much I adore the HA-160, but I will wrap things up by saying this. Of all of the components I have reviewed week in and week out, the HA-160 is only the second amplifier that I have decided to purchase out of all of them, which I would say translates into a pretty strong recommendation"Full Review: http://w... Burson Headphone Amplifier HA-160 - "Product of the Month" Awarded by PCTuner.NET Conclusion translated from Italian:The Burson Headphone Amp HA-160 is therefore essentially a device that would be worth all the money it costs even if the producer sells it at a price double or even triple its level... demonstrating that the quality does not have to be inaccessible.In conclusion then it is a headphone amplifier well made and well-sounding and very low cost compared to the quality offered. For its quality, excellent price a... Burson Headphone Amplifier HA-160 review - Munk, Chief Editor of Overclockers HQ We are humbled to have received the Editors Choice Award from Over Clockers HQ."Overall my opinion of the Burson Audio HA160 headphone amp is a surprising one, especially to myself. This is the first solid-state amp I have ever used that I truly loved equal to, or even more than my tube based amps. The clean power the unique philosophy and the discrete engineering of this amp make it more than just another Head Amp, this desktop amp is a thing o... Burson HA-160 received the Award of Realisation from Srajan Ebaen - Chief Editor, 6Moons The Realization Award from 6Moons is unapologetically concerned with extreme value. To be worthy of such recognition, uncompromised build quality and excellent performance have to coincide. The imagery is self-explanatory - Padma Sambhava, Tibet's patron saint and great realizer, surrounded by coins of antiquity. Realsization takes standards educated by exposure to the best of audio and investigates how much money can be saved while maintaining t... Headphone amps shoot out review - Burson HA-160, Red Wine Audio Isabellina HPA, KingRex HeadQuarters featuring Sennheiser HD800 and AKG K702 ? 6Moons I wrapped the above comparison with "... the general value equation heats up seriously when we consider the headphone application. With the latest precedent set by the Burson blokes, one doesn't just obtain the 'next-generation' Red Wine Audio sound already today. One gets it packaged in a fancier enclosure for a lot less less money and not from Vinnie Rossi. That's food for thought." Given that the far more similar Taiwanese two-chassis propos... Burson HA-160 Compudio Gadget Reviews by Cecil Lau The Busron HA-160 is sold as a "Reference Class Headphone Amplifier." After our test, we can confidently say that the HA-160 is truly a reference class equipment. In comparison to other reference amps boasting prices in the thousands, the Burson HA-160 offers a truly amazing package for a fraction of the cost. Burson states that in their design, they eliminated everything that would make someone dislike the solid state sound. Whatever they did,... |
| AKG K-702S review by Srajan Ebaen, Chief Editor of 6Moons. featuring the Burson Audio headphone amp HA-160 AKG K-702S review by Srajan Ebaen, Chief Editor of 6Moons. featuring the Burson Audio headphone amp HA-160:"AKG K-702s demands top quality amplification with drive and painfully long break-in. Essentially a studio monitor spoon-fed on neutrality and resolution, not an editorializing home hifi design. Properly driven, it is not however a flat, dull, uninvolving sound at all. It simply needs muscular amplification of high caliber. The ?499 Burson ... Sennheiser HD800 with Burson Headphone Amplifier HA160 by Buzatu D. On all my albums I hear new details. I can hear singer?s breath, sounds produced by the hands movement on instruments, small noises in the audience. Reverberations of the sounds persist longer in time.(Burson Headphone Amplifier HA160 with Sennheiser HD800)It is more than a week since I received the Burson HA-160 Headphone Amplifier. Since then the HA-160 is powered on all the time. I listen at least 5 hours per day to a lot of jazz, rock and cla... HA-160 feedback by Luca featuring his Beyerdynamic DT880 Pro Second session of plays for Burson and my 3 headphones:I Immediately began saying that the combination of Audio Analogue Crescendo CDP, Burson HA-160 and Beyerdynamic DT880 Pro is nothing short of sublime! These 3 components succeed, even managed to exited me. A unique sound, sublime dynamic across all frequencies from low, that make you tremble, to medium high and are clear and detailed, the voices are clear, never distorted or too many even at ... Sennheiser HD650 with Burson Headphone Amplifier HA-160 by Chris K. I?ve just received my first toy in 12 months! It?s an Australian made Burson Audio HA-160 purchased from Partsconnexion.Sennheiser HD650 with Burson HA-160 I was very impressed with their integrated amp PI-160 previously so when PCX putted the HA-160 on sell, I just couldn?t resist. : )Built quality:Very elegant! Simply the best looking headphone amp I?ve ever seen. Silver rushed aluminium casing with the Burson Audio logo engraved on the front p... Burson HA-160 customer\'s feedback by Tim E  Tim E NM, USA  Burson HA-160 Headamp with Audio Technica ATH-W5000, Grado Labs GS-1000 - feedback by John B. I received my Burson HA-160 early last week but didn't get a chance to set it up until this weekend.I love my headless Mac mini delivering bits to my Weiss DAC2, but my wonderful front end would be all for nought if the HA-160 couldn't articulate both the extra resolution and the flow of the music. It does that and then some.I'm really impressed with the HA-160, it is powerful enough to drive most any headphone but nimble enough to capture and re... Burson HA-160 Headamp review by Team Moiz audio "Some hi-fi gear I like, some I admire and some I keep. The shipping box to the Burson HA-160s is already stored in my attic, because this little piece of magic will stay! "Full Text:Bringing life back to musicReview Setup:Modified Tascam DV-RA1000HDBurson HA-160 Headphone AmplifierAKG K701 HeadphoneThe best thing about head-fi is the fact that the music is feed directly into your ear. Nothing comes in its way. The worst thing is the feeling of... Burson HA-160 customer\'s feedback by Angle_Shooter So I've had my burson HA160 for exactly 1 week now and I'd just like to write my impressions down, as much for my own benefit as anyone else's.In a few weeks time I will revisit my impressions and see how they have changed, if at all.The first thing that I liked about the burson amp was that it had no frills. Just the volume knob and the two headphone outputs on the front, and on the back just 1 set of RCA inputs and the power source.I'm a big fa... HA-160 Feedback by Edward K with his Sennheiser HD-580 .jpg) - Amp sounded very powerful - Excessive fatique - Left jack has more gain than the one on left = opposite to what the User Manual stated Listening experience after 100+ hours of burn-in: - Amp remain powerful, very dynamic, and enjoyable overall - It sounds more refined and less fatique than out of the box Edward K Ontario, Canada  Burson HA-160 customer\'s feedback featuring Grado RS-1 I have my HA-160 for 2 weeks now and it has been burning in continuously since then. I have a brief listen with my RS-1 and I can say the RS-1 sound extremely impressive to me - probably amongst the best solid state amps I have ever heard (still, the RP010B MKII and my Blue Circle FLO are better but they cost many times that of a HA160). The HA160 preserves all the micro-details that the RS-1 can deliver, and there is no lack of bass. The RS-1 re... Headphone Amp 160 review by Joe Elliott (WHAS radio host) Several months ago, I began looking for a headphone amp. My reference system is an LSA Statement integrated amp, a heavily modified Shanling 3000 cd player from John Tucker at Exemplar Audio, and the wonderful LSA Statement speakers.Trying a headphone amp from a highly regarded British company was discouraging. It simply didn't have the power to make my AKG K701s come alive. An amp from another manufacturer gave me plenty of power, but to be k... Headamp 160 video by Morten Teinum Burson HA-160 from Morten Teinum on Vimeo.  Burson Headphone Amplifier HA-160 & Sennheiser HD650 by Pharatorn I have my HA-160 for 2 weeks now and it has been burning in continuously since then. I have a brief listen with my RS-1 and I can say the RS-1 sound extremely impressive to me - probably amongst the best solid state amps I have ever heard (still, the RP010B MKII and my Blue Circle FLO are better but they cost many times that of a HA160). The HA160 preserves all the micro-details that the RS-1 can deliver, and there is no lack of bass. The RS-1 re... Headphone Amp 160 review by Joe Cohen (The Lotus Group) Finally, I am underway listening. As a matter of fact, I have phones on as I type this. I was just able this afternoon to find the time to set up a small system. we have just started, but the results are very promising. Listening with just the head amp so far.The system consists of my trusty highly modified Teac VRDS 10. Power is being fed by An Acoustic Revive Power Reference Power cable into an AR RTP4ultimate Power distribution Bar. At ... |