Paul’s Burson Soloist Voyager with Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000

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Post Info

  • Feedbacks - Soloist Prime | Voyager
  • AKG N5005, Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000, Audio-Technica ATH-M50, Benchmark AHB2, Benchmark AHB2 (in monobloc setup), Benchmark LA4, Burson Soloist Voyager, Final A5000, Focal Stellia, IsoAcoustics Gaia II, IsoAcoustics Orea, IsoTek EVO3 Elite, IsoTek EVO3 Optimum, Mytek Manhattan II, Sennheiser HD 600, Sennheiser IE 900, Wireworld Silver Eclipse 8, Yamaha NS-5000

This is my first experience with a Burson product, transitioning from the Violectric HPA V550 Pro.

The System

Listening with

Audio-Technica ATH-ADX5000 · Headphones: open-back, dynamic, circumaural
  • Impedance: 420 Ω
  • Sensitivity: 100 dB/mW ≈ 103.8 dB/V (calc.)
  • Frequency response: 5 Hz – 50 kHz
  • Plugs / cables supplied: detachable 3.0 m cable, A2DC; 6.3 mm plug
  • Other: 58 mm driver; max input 1,000 mW; 270 g

Matching notes: At 420 Ω and 100 dB/mW, the ATH-ADX5000 is a high-impedance load that needs voltage more than current: about 2 V (10 mW, 4.9 mA) for 110 dB SPL (calc.). Burson does not publish a 420 Ω rating for the Soloist Voyager; its nearest published rating is 0.64 W XLR / 0.32 W SE into 300 Ω. The Soloist Voyager’s 0.5 Ω headphone output impedance is 1/840 of the load. [1] [2] [3]

Audio-Technica ATH-M50 · Headphones: closed-back, dynamic, circumaural · discontinued
  • Impedance: 38 Ω
  • Sensitivity: 99 dB (reference not stated on page; A-T M-series)
  • Frequency response: 15 Hz – 28 kHz
  • Plugs / cables supplied: coiled cable 1.2-3.0 m; 3.5 mm plug + 6.3 mm adapter
  • Other: 45 mm driver; max input 1,600 mW @ 1 kHz

[4]

Focal Stellia · Headphones: closed-back, dynamic (40 mm beryllium M-dome), circumaural
  • Impedance: 35 Ω
  • Sensitivity: 106 dB SPL / 1 mW @ 1 kHz ≈ 120.6 dB/V (calc.)
  • Frequency response: 5 Hz – 40 kHz
  • Plugs / cables supplied: 3.5 mm cable (1.2 m); 4-pin XLR cable (3 m); 3.5 to 6.35 mm adapter

Matching notes: At 35 Ω and 106 dB/mW, the Focal Stellia is a low-impedance load, and an efficient one: about 0.3 V (2.5 mW, 8.5 mA) for 110 dB SPL (calc.). Burson does not publish a 35 Ω rating for the Soloist Voyager. Its 32 Ω and 100 Ω ratings (8 W XLR / 4 W SE; 3.8 W XLR / 1.9 W SE) fall either side of it. The Soloist Voyager’s 0.5 Ω headphone output impedance is 1/70 of the load. [5] [6] [2] [3]

Sennheiser HD 600 · Headphones: open-back, dynamic, circumaural
  • Impedance: 300 Ω
  • Sensitivity: 97 dB SPL @ 1 kHz, 1 V (as published) ≈ 91.8 dB/mW (calc.)
  • Frequency response: 12 Hz – 40.5 kHz
  • Plugs / cables supplied: 3.5 mm stereo jack plug with 6.3 mm adapter; 3 m cable
  • Other: THD <0.1% (1 kHz, 1 V)

Matching notes: At 300 Ω and 97 dB/V, the HD 600 is a high-impedance load that needs voltage more than current: about 4.5 V (67 mW, 15 mA) for 110 dB SPL (calc.). Burson rates the Soloist Voyager at 0.64 W (XLR) / 0.32 W (SE) into 300 Ω, which is about 13.9 V / 9.8 V RMS (calc.), roughly 10 dB / 7 dB more than that. The Soloist Voyager’s 0.5 Ω headphone output impedance is 1/600 of the load. [7] [8] [2] [3]

Sennheiser IE 900 · Headphones: in-ear (IEM), dynamic (7 mm XWB), closed
  • Impedance: 16 Ω
  • Sensitivity: 123 dB SPL @ 1 kHz, 1 V (as published) ≈ 105.0 dB/mW (calc.)
  • Frequency response: 5 Hz – 48 kHz
  • Plugs / cables supplied: MMCX; 2.5 / 3.5 / 4.4 mm cables
  • Other: THD <0.05% (1 kHz, 94 dB)

Matching notes: At 16 Ω and 123 dB/V, the IE 900 is a low-impedance load, and an efficient one: about 0.22 V (3.1 mW, 14 mA) for 110 dB SPL (calc.). Burson rates the Soloist Voyager at 10 W (XLR) / 5 W (SE) into 16 Ω, which is about 12.6 V / 8.9 V RMS (calc.), roughly 35 dB / 32 dB more than that. The Soloist Voyager’s 0.5 Ω headphone output impedance is 1/32 of the load. [9] [10] [2] [3]

Final A5000
AKG N5005

Burson

Burson Soloist Voyager · Headphone amplifier / preamp (Class-A)
  • Output power (XLR / SE): 16 Ω 10 W / 5 W · 32 Ω 8 W / 4 W · 100 Ω 3.8 W / 1.9 W · 150 Ω 1.3 W / 0.65 W · 300 Ω 0.64 W / 0.32 W
  • Output impedance: 0.5 Ω (headphone); 25 Ω (pre out)
  • Gain: 3 levels: High full power (XLR 10 W / SE 5 W), Medium 50%, Low 10% (IEM); dB not published
  • Inputs: 2x XLR; 2x RCA; mic bypass
  • Input impedance: 38 kΩ
  • Input sensitivity: RCA 2 V; XLR 4 V+ (line level)
  • Outputs: XLR + SE headphone; XLR + RCA pre out; RCA subwoofer out
  • Other: THD <0.0015%; FR ±1 dB 0-48 kHz; Standard/Deluxe: 24V5A PSU or Super Charger 5A, V6 Vivid or V7 Vivid Pro; SP02 installed

[2] [3]

Also in the system

Benchmark LA4
Benchmark AHB2 · Power amp: stereo / bridgeable power amp (THX AAA feed-forward)
  • Frequency response: 0.1 Hz – 200 kHz (+0 / -3 dB)
  • Power: 8 Ω: 100 W · 4 Ω: 190 W
  • Gain: 9.2 / 17.0 / 23 dB
  • Inputs: 1 pair balanced XLR (RCA via adapter; mid / high gain); 12 V trigger
  • Input impedance: 50 kΩ
  • Input sensitivity: 9.8 / 4 / 2 V (low / mid / high gain)
  • Outputs: binding posts; Neutrik NL4 (incl. bridged)
  • Other: <0.0003% THD+N at rated power; 130 W / 6 Ω, 240 W / 3 Ω; bridged 380 W / 8 Ω; S/N 132 dB (A); 5.7 kg

[11] [12]

IsoAcoustics Gaia II
IsoAcoustics Orea
IsoTek EVO3 Elite
IsoTek EVO3 Optimum
Mytek Manhattan II
Wireworld Silver Eclipse 8
Yamaha NS-5000