Benjamin’s Burson Soloist Voyager with KEF Reference 1 Meta and SVS SB-3000

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Sales Burson
May 13, 2025

Post Info

Feedbacks - Soloist Prime | Voyager
Audeze LCD-3, Burson Soloist Voyager, Chord Hugo M Scaler, Chord Qutest, KEF Reference 1 Meta, SVS SB-3000

I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying Burson Audio equipment in my home for the better part of two decades, and it continues to impress me with every upgrade. The latest additions pictured here are the newest iterations of the Soloist and Timekeeper series, replacing earlier versions I’ve owned and loved.
Burson has consistently delivered outstanding audio performance, and in my experience, their gear offers unbeatable value for the money. The craftsmanship, clarity, and musicality of their components are truly exceptional. With this latest setup, the sound quality has reached a whole new level—it’s nothing short of breathtaking. The depth, detail, and presence make every listening session feel immersive and emotionally engaging.
In short, Burson Audio has set a standard that few others can match.

The System

Listening with

KEF Reference 1 Meta · Speakers: bookshelf, three-way bass reflex (Uni-Q)

Impedance: 4 Ω (minimum 3.2 Ω)
Sensitivity: 85 dB (2.83 V / 1 m)
Frequency response: 45 Hz – 35 kHz (±3 dB)
Recommended amplifier power: 50 – 200 W
Other: max SPL 111 dB

^[1]

SVS SB-3000

Audeze LCD-3 · Headphones: open-back, planar magnetic, circumaural

Impedance: 110 Ω
Sensitivity: 101 dB/1mW (at Drum Reference Point) ≈ 110.6 dB/V (calc.)
Frequency response: 10 Hz – 50 kHz
Plugs / cables supplied: 4-pin XLR cable; 4-pin XLR to 6.35 mm adapter cable; 6.35 to 3.5 mm adapter
Other: recommended power >250 mW;

Matching notes: At 110 Ω and 101 dB/mW, the LCD-3 is a low-impedance load, and an efficient one: about 0.93 V (7.9 mW, 8.5 mA) for 110 dB SPL (calc.). Burson does not publish a 110 Ω rating for the Soloist Voyager. Its 100 Ω and 150 Ω ratings (3.8 W XLR / 1.9 W SE; 1.3 W XLR / 0.65 W SE) fall either side of it. The Soloist Voyager’s 0.5 Ω headphone output impedance is 1/220 of the load. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

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

^{[3] [4]}

Also in the system

Chord Hugo M Scaler · Upscaler: digital upscaler (1,015,808-tap WTA filter) for Chord DACs

Inputs: galvanically isolated USB-B; 2x coax BNC; 2x optical
Outputs: dual BNC (to 768 kHz); BNC S/PDIF; optical
Other: PCM 44.1-768 kHz, 16-32 bit; 15 V 4 A PSU; 2.55 kg

^{[5] [6]}

Chord Qutest · DAC

Output impedance: not published (Stereophile measured 0.4 @ 1 kHz)
Output voltage: RCA 1 / 2 / 3 V (selectable)
Inputs: USB-B 768 kHz/32-bit DSD512; 2x BNC coax 384 kHz (768 kHz dual-data); optical
Outputs: RCA

Matching notes: Burson lists the Soloist Voyager’s analogue inputs as RCA 2 V; XLR 4 V+ (line level) (38 kΩ input impedance). The Chord Qutest is rated at 1 / 2 / 3 V (selectable) (RCA) output. ^{[7] [8] [9] [3] [4]}

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.