Mini Amp Rocks my Brain! Burson Audio Funk Review

[@cheapaudioman]

"Thanks to Established Titles for sponsoring this video! Get 10% off on any purchase with code CHEAPAUDIOMAN. Go to establishedtitles.com/cheapaudioman and help support the channel!" Burson Audio Funk bit.ly/3hNpDFZ Support the Channel by Shopping on Amazon amzn.to/3W8vsgK Cheap Audio Man Store Front shop.howl.me/cam Join the best hifi community out there! www.patreon.com/cheapaudioman TRY ROON roonlabs.com/r/RTmYWdCP9kitqouBa5pcIw Tidal Deal bit.ly/3siuqSF Amazon Unlimited Music Trial amzn.to/3DRAVj9 Crutchfield shop-links.co/cguPK8XEGmt Best Buy Deals shop-links.co/cf9yDZeYtUH amzn.to/3GkNaop CAM Store (New Products!) bit.ly/30Lgu4K apos.audio?sca_ref=552340.TY98BPcZ6P massdrop.7eer.net/qnOye5

[@dan-nutu]

This was simply too hilarious to pass! Initially I thought it was your usual "Sith Audio" kind of joke, but then I checked them out and it was(n't) a joke! :) As in, yes, they do have a web site and they do sell these "certificates" but they're obviously a joke. Ok, maybe not quite "buy a plot of land on the Moon" (or Mars) level, but still a joke. So I ordered a few for my friends, "just for the LOLZ". I can't wait to see their faces and witness the ensuing airs and graces :)

[@MakubexGB]

If it helps, these are the Funk speaker amp specs from Burson's website: 45W @ 4 Ohm 35W @ 8 Ohm SNR 92.5db

[@t0nyxgq]

I too did the same comparison with the Burson and Aiyma A07. Burson’s depth was the biggest difference. I listened to it in my small room having the speakers 6’ from my listening position. The depth was surprising noticeable. There’s a paper like flatness to the phantom instruments where as with the Burson, it’s like watching a 3D movie. The instruments have a roundness to the imaginary shape. Hard to describe.

[@andreashalim6694]

Exactly. Thats what i heard as well in my setup

[@TheBursonAudio]

Hi Randy, thank you for your support and honest review. We are currently running our Black Friday Sales for Nov, so the Funk has become more affordable.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Its official, I am now Lord James, the ABX Audiophile. Maybe someday we can meet near our trees and have a Bourbon... LOL Have a great day buddy

[@cheapaudioman]

Nice!

[@stevezeidman7224]

Nice job, Randy. Entertaining as usual. You could barely contain yourself with your sponsor. I gotta say for $549, I need more than one rca.

[@cheapaudioman]

yeah. I could go either way on this one. for a desk top I can see it. it sounds really good but it won't be right for everyone.

[@andreashalim6694]

I owned Burson Audio Funk Max special edition by jay lee, it is a great product! If you are interested in buying funk, i would suggest you to buy the special edition as it has all the upgrades and for a fairly reasonable price ($795 +$50 shipment). I use it to power my polk R200 and it has enough juice. Depth and detail is very good with this amp. It is certainly better than my Rega Brio R. I'm still yet to try aiyima A07 or A08 Pro, but i know how good Rega Brio is and to be able to be in the league of Rega Brio (even beat it by a margin) means this product is probably one of my best buys yet. The built quality of this Burson amp is excellent. It feels very well made and high end.

[@Leo-yn5fx]

Did you try the ayima yet?

[@andreashalim6694]

@@Leo-yn5fx no i haven't. I believe aiyima would sound good as well if that is the price you are comfortable with. Sometimes with audio, its mostly a matter of preferences and whether you believe in your choice of gear and your ears. I recently tried to put the cheapest setup of audio in my car using less than 10 dollar fullrange 3 inch on my dashboard and use 15 dollar woofer, i sound deaden the door of course and buy second hand class D amp that have DSP. In total i paid less than 200 dollar including instalation. Overall i was very happy with my setup (tuned the EQ, crossover and time delay by myself) and believe it even beat bose factory setup in my other car. Moral of the story is, its your audio setup, what matters is what you hear, the cost doesn't really matter. But i would note, i would be more confident in the burson long term (10 years lets say) than the aiyima which i think won't last as long before something went south.

[@Leo-yn5fx]

@@andreashalim6694 Probably because when it comes to car audio it doesn’t take much to setup a solid system with few hundred bucks. I myself am of the same camp ESPECIALLY if you dampen some things in there lol. I’m looking for a class A or AB amp since its more for high fidelity than something like class D like my topping pa5. I ordered the burson funk max and the value is ridiculous for what JAY did for us(TYSM) and i’m having HIGH EXPECTATIONS for this amp for my setup. It betters the Brio and some other 1000 dollar energy hogs that would take up all my desk. The thing even powers things like 5000k speakers like the B&W diamond 802s which are those heavy hitters with the horn tweeters. I’m so excited for real. Every genre sounds amazing with it? I’m using for nearfield purposes.

[@tommorrison9724]

Your opening reminded me of the old SNL bit: Shimmer Floor Wax - It's a floor wax and a dessert topping!

[@iancognito8047]

They don't seem to like their Aussie customers very much though. Unlike most other retailers whose goods are cheaper on home soil, Burson's are similarly priced online worldwide (some even cheaper) compared to retail in Australia. We call it the "Aussie Tax" when goods are built overseas and we get charged a lot more for being so far away (often WAY more). Not sure what we call it when it's cheaper to buy something when you live half way round the world even though their factory is about half an hour's drive from your house. We can buy when they're on sale, of course, but they still charge the "worldwide" standard postage of $55USD.

[@SqueamishPuppet]

The 3.5mm on the back is a microphone pass-through of a headset on the front. And both the 3.5mm and 6.5mm work the same just different connectors.

[@tommccarthy3385]

Toward the bottom of the product page on the Burson website, there are two tabby things, one for photos, one for specs. The specs you seek are there, padawan.

[@rickbrookes9491]

Just imagine if Schiit audio had a model called the “Funk”.

[@knobbshots]

Thanks for the review, morning coffee with Randy…check. Was excited you mentioned the Douke (sp?) switcher again, been trying to remember the name of that thing to put on Santa’s list. Thx again

[@jeronronnunkoffunk4691]

As always Randy , great review and comparisons. Appreciate the knowledge on what to expect, I can agree with you on the minor caveats with the Burson considering it’s retail . Enjoy the entertaining review as always , long live good sound on smart budgets👍🏾👍🏾🙏🏾💯💯🎙🔈

[@JohnScheppler]

Thanks for the review. The Burson looks good, and I like the all in one headphone and amplifier package idea for keeping a smaller footprint desktop system. Would be interesting how the Aiyima T5 or the Loxjie A30 all in ones would compete against it.

[@cheapaudioman]

the loxjie does not compete. I haven't tried the T5 though. I have a hard time thinking that another all in one would compete at a lower price. If you break out a couple of components I think that they maybe able to hang with the Burson but then it's not nearly as convenient

[@02honeydew]

I own one of these with all the upgrades driving a pair of rosewood Monitor Audio Silver 100 6G and it sounds so good even with the scrub DAC built into my Node N130.

[@t0nyxgq]

I have this and the Loxie A30. It’s no comparison, Burson hands down. More “organic” or effortless in the listen on both headphone and speakers. I do have the Vivid v6 opamp installed.

[@billahler7728]

+1 street cred for the "And Justice" poster on the wall.

[@francescotenti193]

$544.00 and only one set of RCA inputs just doesn't do it for me. The AXA 35 is $200.00 cheaper, has an headphone input, a phono preamp and 4, I believe, RCA inputs and, according to a lot of reviews, sounds really good. The remaining $200.00 can be used to get a decent DAC and for the same price you can have a full system.

[@cheapaudioman]

I liked the AXA25 quite a bit. if you have the space the Cambridge is a great option.

[@francescotenti193]

@@cheapaudioman The AXA 25 is not on sale at this time, so, IMO, the AXA 35 is the bargain at $349.00 and, in addition to all the RCA inputs, has an USB input in the back, an aux input in the front and tone controls and a remote! If I wasn't obsessed with vintage gear, that would be my choice, unless, of course, I find some more space somewhere else in my house, mmm....just a thought!

[@alfaholic3]

Videos a little old now but it should be said that in the testing I've seen it's closer to 45 watts for both channels not per channel so around 20-22.5 watts each. Just look at the power supply, even at 100% efficiency the most it could do is 36wpc and being a class AB that efficiency is closer to 60%.

[@kato2395]

Oh I thought today's sponsor is going to be sith audio. Nice to see some variations once in a while.

[@welderfixer]

Hi Randy, If your load test resistors get hot too quick, let me know and I'll send you a heat sink and paste. You've got my number. All the very best, Kevin

[@Durkhead]

Sith audio should make a mini amp flask

[@sourdoughhome2571]

The lack of bluetooth and tone controls are a deal breaker for me. I'll stick with my Aiyima for now.

[@TroppoAlto]

Now I'm going to have to crank some Styx tonight when I get home. My wife thanks you for the inspiration. lol

[@EricCampbellUAV]

hard rock rulez

[@abxaudiophiles]

Great Review!!! PS- Best Sponsor Ever!! I will be claiming Sir Lord Audiophile... hahahaa

[@cheapaudioman]

thanks, man!

[@t0nyxgq]

I’m curious if you’re sparkos opamps will further improve the Burson. Please do a video on that. Thanks!

[@willobst2772]

Just wanted to ask if you got the info that there is a Wiim Mini Pro coming soon … can’t wait for your review

[@barrygalvin8631]

Lord Randy, lol like the sound of that. Some Taco Bell’s are combined with Long John Slivers. Fish taco anyone. Great review!

[@ThePittsburghToddy]

CAM will be a firm but fair Lord in the land of hi-fi.🖖🏼

[@cheapaudioman]

ha

[@MJ-ge6jz]

Let's see if this thing gets on a sale? With my Tiny budget I'm placing emphases on my speaker selection, then a nice matching Amp.

[@MadMoxxiFavGun]

might wanna consider an emotiva a2m

[@greganderson1681]

Hmmm, my desktop setup is powered by the Aiyima A07, which is fantastic and a great bargain. It’s got a Douk Audio P1 pre/headphone amp feeding it. The P1 has a USB input (along with everything else) and tone controls - and awesome leds which light up the tubes! How cool is that?! This combo is super versatile and sounds amazing. Yeah, it’s wide but flat. I don’t care, the combo was way cheaper than the Funk.

[@greganderson1681]

Btw, I am now Lord Gregory, the Art of Code. Thou may kisseth my ring.

[@mhzsurx]

Funk vs SVS pro. Which one?

[@tycheesey]

I only beat you to "that's what she said", by milliseconds. LOL. This is certainly tempting to try the Kentucky Fried Pizza Bell Silvers of the audio world.

[@jeronronnunkoffunk4691]

Thanks!

[@cheapaudioman]

you are so welcome!

[@gregoaks4413]

on sale are ELAC DEBUT 2.0 B6.2 239.98 or vs KLIPSCH RP600-M FOR 367.00 which would U buy ? Rock n roll speakers ???

[@ryans1129]

I wish they'd make these without a volume knob so I could merry these with my preamps and not have two volume controls.

[@bluev2srt]

Randy do you have any plans for offering any more sets of RCA cables? I found a use for the first set I bought and was pleasently surprised at the quality to price ratio.

[@EvilTwinTT]

woohoo Australia FTW!

[@willie9537]

Thanks

[@michaellittle2995]

Have you listened to the version Jay Lee tweaked?

[@danielstevenson-francis974]

Knurled knob. I’m a sucker for knurled knobs

[@9mmmike642]

Speaking of Funk, I scored a VG+ promo copy of Grace Jones - Nightclubbing a few weeks ago.

[@9mmmike642]

Nice!!!

[@gregorycollins3096]

Laird and Lady Collins at your service!

[@gsgleason]

Is there an auto-off function when there is no input for a time?

[@johnmorgan6724]

Thanks CAM for your videos as this has become my major hobby interest currently. Your videos in particular seem to be the area where I'm orienting my other inquiries (though I've learned from the others). This thing you've got going with the established titles is somewhat interesting. Have you seen that screen at the airport where like only you can see it? It's like that elephant that only the yellow bird can see you know. But it's got me like thinking . . . what if there was something really smart and only one or two people could understand that and no one else seemed to think it was important . . . You know that sound that the turn signals make in your like car? Like that clicking noise? it's a recreation of the original unintended noise that the electronic switches made in the original cars . . . like marble pillars you know . . .

[@hudo]

Depth makes all the difference for me. Selling my Aiyima!

[@b6s4shelter]

Burson Audio.... Ribbed for your listening Pleasure... looks cool.

[@GoodkatNW]

Thank you for your continued reviews! Because you've mentioned so many different mini amps over the past few weeks, I'm having some trouble deciding my next upgrade. I'm currently using a PhaseTech P3-35 to a pair of Martin Logan Motion 20s. I've been thinking of upgrading for a while now, but can't decide between something like the BASX-TA1, or the cheaper Fosi TB10D+Aiyima T8 (and save up for a midrange amp). Or, maybe just using the Aiyima T8 as a pre-amp for the P3-35, since it will give me APT-X and a slightly warmer output from the P3? Any thoughts would be appreciated!

[@m3n9111]

Now you should change the name of the channel to "lordcheapaudioman"!!

[@grumpyandstitch]

Lord & Lady Parker of Hougun Manor (Different group from established)

[@mikram5]

But can you buy the title of Sith Lord?

[@cheapaudioman]

probably. I think one can buy whatever they want.

[@joelcarson4602]

I'm not in an Audio Funk here lately, in fact, I'm pretty mellow soundwise.

[@java_cafe]

I love you so ,Much your vlog ~with or wirhout thank you!!!

[@madcrabber1113]

Strange that there is very little information on their website.

[@ccdccd8615]

I own the ungraded Jay version of this amp and wish I had not purchased it. Have nothing bad to say about the amp, just question the use case for me (and perhaps other people). I get that Burson was probably trying to offer an all-in-one desktop solution. However…people who can drop the money on this amp probably already have a separate headphone amp (I do) and the lack of a sub out given the size of the speakers that inhabit a desktop environment strikes me as a major miss.

[@eagleeatsmonkey3621]

hey love your videos ... have watch so many ... can you review the brand MISSION LX-2 MKII ... trying to decide on the mission or the Elac Debut B5.2 ... thanks

[@jb678901]

Hmmm. Would replacing ( with this type of new technology ) a vintage Yamaha CR-420 + Marantz EQ-20 be worth it? Especially considering the vintage combo only cost me $278 combined? Trying to understand what is the benefit of buying new considering the value offered by solid-state vintage equipment (in mint condition).

[@peterlarkin762]

Those dummy resistors need a heatsink for full output testing. Juz sayin:)

[@Bivs_setup]

Aussie 🇦🇺 brand well-known in Melbourne 😊

[@billymurphy3]

Sway WiiM my Lord! Sway them to release thine Pro device of streaming delight!

[@cheapaudioman]

Ha. I like it

[@Haydos]

Hello lord audio man

[@cheapaudioman]

Morning!

[@pepelaster]

Hey Randy! Would an Onkyo TX-NR6050, Denon S760H or something similar be a better choice ? Its like $399 at Costco... and they give you a Home theater (7.2) possibility. They have Bluetooth, dac, phono in and the onkyo even has an EQ in it. Thoughts? Great channel BTW. No doubt one of my favorites!

[@bobhopfner3812]

What op amps are in it? Pop in the Sparkos in it!

[@cheapaudioman]

I've actually got a pair of Burson I bought last year on their Black Friday sale. These have the stock op amps in it.

[@PharaoRamsesII]

Damn Randy, I have been on the hunt for a Yamaha AS 301/501/701, but I don't wanna buy a used one for the new price from 2 years ago

[@billd9667]

Updated versions are def overdue. “New” new ones are hard to find. They could be classified as NOS. When you can’t even get them on Yamaha’s own site, either new versions are forthcoming or they just gave up. I would guess the former.

[@VISHAN5]

Hey, your videos are very detailed observations Thanks for the videos....appreciated.can you advise Nobsound NS-15G PRO and Aiyima A05, which one is good to buy.I'm from India suggest me a power adaptor.

[@craigosterberg5045]

Thanks

[@stonefree1911]

I almost got one of these, but the lack of outputs (and no balanced headphone output) put me off of it. Nice piece otherwise tho.

[@ramonbmovies]

If we click on your Amazon link and shop for misc items, would you still get a small %?

[@monteverdefarms5626]

Randy, my wife will not let me have stereo in our bedroom so I often listen to headphones in bed and I have the Soloist 3X Amp and the Composer 3X DAC and they are great sounding whether with headphones or IEMs. Unfortunately, I also have a Volumio streamer which I only keep because the sound is good but it’s a piece of junk because I have to turn off (unplug no buttons) and turn on and restart every time I go to use it. Real pain! But Burson is really cool!

[@gdwlaw5549]

my wife won't let me in the bedroom! :-)

[@monteverdefarms5626]

@@gdwlaw5549 LOL!

[@glennhealion5325]

Randy Enjoying your videos 👍 Could I ask your advice please. I need a reasonably cheap 2 channel amplifier to run my top rear speakers . Preferably compact in size. Around 50 watt rms into 8 ohms. But heres the thing,it needs a trigger input to fire it up automatically when my AVR starts and of course rca inputs to connect to my avr's pre amp outputs. Any suggestions greatly appreciated 🙏 Glenn H Aussie Expat Thailand

[@maxcyber12]

Awesome vídeo. Thanks .the golden question aiyima a07 or a08 pro. which is better ? I currently use a07 with gustard x18 dac and Martin Logan Montage bikes. Do you recommend the a08 pro to improve the sound?

[@akimkad]

Can this powered Wharfedale Evo 4.1?

[@montynorth3009]

Not the best case design for me. I would expect ventilation slots to be much more efficient than the ribbing.

[@gregoaks4413]

Or My JBL L-26 re coned ?

[@lanx0003]

I will assume, Randy, it will be more appropriate for the Funk to be compared against higher end competitor like PS-Sprout100, which is pricier but gets all input options, BT, DAC and built-in power supply. In fact, at their price points, other than being class D instead of more preferrable A/AB (to me), Sprout appears to be a much more valuable/attractive product than Funk. I am not associated with PS Audio at all but just wish to make a statement from a user perspective.

[@alfaholic3]

Once you have added all the features to the Funk that come standard on the Sprout the price would probably be pretty comparable but then you have a mass of mismatched and untidy looking components and about a quarter of the power output. The only advantage that the funk seems to have is the headphone stages power output is higher and its class A/AB if that matters to you.

[@morganbarrett4213]

HI, I have a work shop I would like to build a system to listen to music while I am working on projects. The main floor is 40' X 60' with 14" ceilings. I would like to spend $600 or so if possible. What do you suggest

[@JTB--]

I've had the Burson Soloist 3XP for a while and never tried swapping op amps. I've heard horror stories if you do it wrong.

[@joelcarson4602]

I wouldn't think that ALL opamp chips have the same pinout configuration or impedance loading and signal levels. Accidently putting a chip into the socket backwards is not advised either. Hopefully there's a list of compatible opamp chips that are safe to use.

[@JTB--]

@@joelcarson4602 Yeah I think all the problems were from people who put the op amps in backwards/wrong. I would suggest anyone doing this or something similar with electronics... is to take a picture of the default setup before proceeding to replace anything so you know exactly how the new stuff needs to go in. It's a good routine to be safe with any project that's switching out parts etc... or having to re-connect something you've taken apart

[@jimfarrell4635]

If you know the risk it's not a problem. Op amps will have either a notch or a circle which lets you know the correct orientation, and the sockets have a corresponding notch. I've changed op amps on my Burson Conductor 3X and my Kinki Studio integrated amp without issue. I think the problems arise when folks don't know there is a wrong way to do it.

[@arimicah2575]

Hey I’m getting a completely new vinyl and am gonna get a Schitt mani 2, u turn orbit custom with ortofom 2m blue or red, and Sony sscs5 speakers. Is this good

[@D1N02]

Vs Cambridge Audio axa25? and Fosi Audio TB10B?

[@adaboy4z]

Even the user manual gives no specs at all and says user has to install the Op Amps. 😬

[@kingspartacus2301]

I deleted my first comment Randy , it was a bit harsh , let's just say it's not that mini and @ $/£ 500 🤔 good video mate 👍

[@cheapaudioman]

hey, brother. I didn't see your first comment but speak your mind, my friend. Unless it's derogatory or doesn't add value I normally leave them up.

[@jaydoublebusy]

Yeah but will i be crowned King Nothing?🤔

[@ginom407]

But can it hang with the Emotiva A2 Mini...?

[@cheapaudioman]

I don't have one here and I had it in my notes to mention that but I forgot. from a power perspective, no. not even close. I wish I still had one to compare

[@larrygaines7462]

Can you get the title of peasant or troll?

[@dipanjanbiswas6580]

How does the Aiyima A07 with v5i op-amps compare with the Funk?

[@cheapaudioman]

I haven't run that combo. the Aiyima needs an additional riser to accommodate the larger size of the Burson Op amps. Would be an interesting comparison though

[@dipanjanbiswas6580]

@@cheapaudioman Not for the v5i. I have put v5i directly into the Aiyima A07 (I bought them after you showed how the op-amps can be rolled) - the effect is amazing - hence wanted to know 🙂

[@Brian_Romska]

Awesome job as usual Randy, but like I’ve said before, I’d watch you review pillow cases from Walmart so maybe that’s just like my opinion man… Although I haven’t seen any of your watch channel vids so I guess I’m just a big fat lying liar

[@cheapaudioman]

Great idea!

[@RobertGerman]

@CAM you should be Lord Sith. Can that happen?

[@cheapaudioman]

I think you can be Lord Mickey Mouse if one wants

[@MattH604]

Gotta be honest , I don’t know what “ roll the op amps,” means . Can one of you fine people give me a short version ?

[@cheapaudioman]

switch the op amps to a different ones.

[@MattH604]

@@cheapaudioman sorry I didn’t word that very well , i honestly don’t know what op amps are . Looking to get one of these smaller amps to power a couple Polk S20s in the garage

[@marclacasse1]

Word around KZbin is that your sponsor Established Titles is a scam, Randy.

[@danielstevenson-francis974]

One building, two ways to get diarrhea

[@TheStarflight41]

Any amp without bass and treble controls to compensate for your room is not a wise choice.

[@martinmiller7623]

It’s Lard and his lady. If it’s not Scottish it’s crap. SNL….

[@Karim-ik5ij]

Established titles is a scam. Look it up!

[@toddblack3957]

Why are you so scared of profanity? Did it hurt you growing up or something?

[@sergiymarchenko1002]

Poteito-Potato, Tomeito-Tomato. Sort of, Randy, sonically...😁