Csaba’s Burson Soloist GT4 with HiFiMAN HE1000se and ZMF Eikon

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Post Info

The GT4 is definitely a noticeable upgrade from the GT3, and I’m thoroughly impressed with the improvements. One of the standout changes is the significantly reduced fan noise, which makes for a much quieter and more enjoyable experience. The overall performance feels smoother, and it’s clear that the GT4 has been fine-tuned for a more refined user experience. I’m really pleased with how much of a difference these enhancements make!

The System

Listening with

HiFiMAN HE1000se · Headphones: open-back, planar magnetic, circumaural
  • Impedance: 35 Ω
  • Sensitivity: 96 dB (reference not stated by HiFiMAN)
  • Frequency response: 8 Hz – 65 kHz
  • Plugs / cables supplied: not published (HiFiMAN spec page lists no connector)
  • Other: weight 440 g

[1]

ZMF Eikon · Headphones: closed-back, dynamic (biocellulose), circumaural
  • Impedance: 300 Ω
  • Sensitivity: ~98 dB/mW (approx., “~” as published)
  • Frequency response: not published
  • Plugs / cables supplied: not published (ZMF lists no connector type)
  • Other: 24 dB passive isolation (ZMF)

[2] [3]

Burson

Burson Soloist GT4 · Headphone amplifier / preamp (Class-A)
  • Output power (XLR / SE): 32 Ω 10 W / 5 W · 100 Ω 8 W / 4 W · 150 Ω 3.8 W / 1.9 W · 300 Ω 1.3 W / 0.65 W
  • Output impedance: 0.5 Ω (headphone); 25 Ω (pre out)
  • Gain: 3 levels: High full power, Medium 50%, Low 10% (IEM); dB not published
  • Inputs: 2x XLR; 2x RCA
  • 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; versions: Standard / Deluxe (V7 Vivid opamps, SP02, Super Charger 5A) / Max

[4] [5]

Also in the system

Denafrips Pontus II 12th-1 · DAC: balanced discrete R2R + DSD ladder DAC (NOS / OS, 12th anniversary revision)
  • Frequency response: 20 Hz – 70 kHz (-3 dB)
  • Output impedance: 625 Ω (RCA); 1.25 kΩ (XLR)
  • Output voltage: RCA 2 V (625 Ω) · XLR 4 V (1250 Ω)
  • Inputs: USB-B + I2S/HDMI (PCM 1536 kHz, DSD1024); optical; 2x AES/EBU; coaxial BNC + RCA (192 kHz, DoP64)
  • Outputs: XLR; RCA
  • DAC / chipset: discrete 24-bit R2R + 6-bit DSD ladder; FPGA per channel
  • Other: THD+N 0.0025%; SNR 120 dB; DR >121 dB; crosstalk -110 dB; <=20 W; 8.5 kg

Matching notes: Burson lists the Soloist GT4’s analogue inputs as RCA 2 V; XLR 4 V+ (line level) (38 kΩ input impedance). The Pontus II 12th-1 is rated at 2 V (625 Ω) (RCA) / 4 V (1250 Ω) (XLR) output. [6] [4] [5]

Specs from manufacturer data unless a source below says otherwise. “calc.” values are worked out from those figures (V = √(P × R); 110 dB SPL used as a loud reference level). Gear listed without specs is not in our spec library yet.

  1. HiFiMAN HE1000se: hifiman.com
  2. ZMF Eikon: archived page (web.archive.org)
  3. ZMF Eikon: zmfheadphones.com
  4. Burson Soloist GT4 product page
  5. Burson Soloist GT4 User Manual V1 (Burson downloads)
  6. Denafrips Pontus II 12th-1: audiophonics.fr (retailer)