Csaba’s Burson Soloist 3X GT with HiFiMAN HE1000se

Published on

Sales Burson
November 11, 2024

Post Info

Feedbacks - Soloist GT3 | GT4
Denafrips Pontus II 12th-1, HiFiMAN HE1000se

Upgrading from the Soloist 3XP to the Soloist GT3 has been a truly transformative experience. The GT3 significantly surpasses its predecessor in both performance and sound quality. The clarity and resolution are noticeably enhanced, with greater definition in the mids and highs, while maintaining a full-bodied, rich low end. The GT3 offers a smoother, more refined presentation with improved instrument separation and depth, making every track feel more immersive. The power output is more robust, effortlessly driving even demanding headphones with authority. Overall, the Soloist GT3 takes the listening experience to new heights, offering a level of detail and musicality that makes the upgrade well worth it.

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]

Burson

Burson Soloist 3X GT · Headphone amplifier / preamp (Class-A) · discontinued

Output power (XLR / SE): 16 Ω 10 W / 5 W · 32 Ω 8 W / 4 W · 100 Ω 3.8 W / 1.9 W · 300 Ω 1.3 W / 0.65 W · 600 Ω 0.64 W / 0.32 W
Output impedance: 0.5 Ω (headphone); 25 Ω (pre out)
Gain: High / Medium / Low; dB not published
Inputs: 2x XLR; 2x RCA; mic bypass
Input impedance: 35 kΩ
Input sensitivity: line level
Outputs: XLR + RCA pre out; RCA subwoofer out; 4-pin XLR + SE headphone
Other: Model R-120X (“GT3”); THD <0.0015%; FR ±1 dB 0-48 kHz

^{[2] [3]}

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 3X GT’s analogue inputs as line level (35 kΩ input impedance). The Pontus II 12th-1 is rated at 2 V (625 Ω) (RCA) / 4 V (1250 Ω) (XLR) output. ^{[4] [2] [3]}

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.