Burson Soloist GT4 Skeeb23 Video Review: The Amp That Can Do It All

In “This Headphone AMP Can Do It ALL!!”, Skeeb23 shares several months with the Burson Soloist GT4 Deluxe. He presents it as an account of his own experience rather than a formal review. He also compares it with the much cheaper Schiit Midgard he owns, to show what the extra money buys.

Soloist GT4 Editions: Standard, Deluxe and Max

Skeeb explains the three editions. The Standard edition uses V6 Vivid op-amps, SP01 Silent Power modules and a 24V 5A power supply. The Deluxe edition adds V7 Vivid op-amps, SP02 modules and the Super Charger power supply. The Max edition adds the Fusion Core power supply. He quotes $2,499 for the Standard and $2,999 for the Deluxe, and calls the Deluxe “that sweet spot”.

Features: Dual Class A, Crossfeed and Headphone + Subwoofer Mode

• Two pure Class A amps, one per channel. Skeeb notes this lowers the risk of crosstalk and improves channel balance.
• Volume in 0.5dB steps, plus a slim, sturdy remote
• Three gain levels, three crossfeed levels, and a headphone + subwoofer mode
• Two XLR and two RCA inputs, XLR and RCA preamp outputs, a subwoofer output, 12V trigger in and out, and a mic bypass input
• Swappable op-amps and Silent Power modules
• The Cool Case: Skeeb says it gets warm but not extremely hot, given how much power it has

One tip from his setup: the two inputs of each pair are split across the rear panel, with the left channel on one side and the right on the other. Read the labels before you connect a DAC.

Soloist GT4 Sound: Wide, Transparent and Holographic

Skeeb used a Geshelli J3 Pro and a Holo Cyan 2 as sources, with headphones including the Sennheiser HD600, ZMF headphones, the Meze Strata, the HIFIMAN Dalia and the new Audio-Technica ADX7000. He describes a wide stage that is not overly exaggerated, “very, very transparent and holographic”, with excellent detail.

He also hears warmth, enough weight and good control in the low end, and plenty of attack in the midrange. Compared with the Midgard, the GT4 added detail, depth and layering. The biggest jump came with the 490-ohm ADX7000, which he called a beautiful pairing.

Drawbacks

• Ultra-sensitive IEMs: the Campfire Audio Alien Brain picked up noise even on low gain. The Flip Ears Arion was quiet on low gain but not on medium or higher.
• The volume knob is a little loose and can briefly step the wrong way. The remote is the easy alternative.
• The balance adjustment applies to the preamp output only.
• Diminishing returns: it is not ten times better than a $250 amp, and Skeeb suggests newcomers start smaller.

Verdict

If you have this kind of budget, Skeeb would “absolutely recommend this amplifier”, and he recommends the Deluxe edition as the sweet spot.

Watch the full video on YouTube.

Discover the full features and specifications on the Burson Soloist GT4 product page.