The last headphone amp you'll ever need to buy! Burson Soloist Voyager

[@musicalarmchairs]

Yes, the Voyager is a great preamp, been using it for about 6 weeks with Audeze LCD-X and Klipsch Cornwall IV paired with some 300b Monobblocks and alternating with Burson TimeKeeper GT. I also just received my Burson Silent Power Module SP2 and v7 Vivid Op amps today for my Burson Timekeeper Monoblocks (replacing the SP1 module and V6 vivid op amps). WOW, the detail and lushness but also micro detail. Previously I favoured the 300b monoblocks over the Timekeepers now I need to go back and A/B test again. Exciting times

[@PassionforSound]

It makes for a very impressive setup, didn't it!?

[@robertreynolds2212]

The review I’ve been waiting for! I’ve had my Voyager for a month now & it’s been brilliant. What a detail monster.

[@PassionforSound]

It's quite spectacular, isn't it?

[@kevintj604]

Great thorough and informative review and exactly what this video should be for those looking to see if it’s worth the upgrade.

[@PassionforSound]

So glad it was helpful!

[@CrackaSlapYa]

You should try out the new Flux Mentor dual-mono amp or a stack of them for balanced 33w @ 32ohm . These amps are amazing. I only have the 1 and it is blowing my mind compared to my old Fiio K9, Jotenheim2, and Mjolnir3. I sold the 2 schiits and gifted the k9 to my son bc this is an endgame class A amp.

[@PassionforSound]

I'm actually expecting to review some Flux Labs gear in the near future so stay tuned! 🙂🙂

[@lastcall9998]

I hope you get well soon Passion. Thanks for everything.

[@PassionforSound]

Thank you! 🙏♥️

[@Nephilim-81]

Incredible work, Lachlan. You’ve weighed and considered so many of the upgrade variables available from Burson. This is an excellent comparative video. I would say it is the definitive video for anyone curious about both the Voyager and the 3XGt. ❤

[@PassionforSound]

So glad you think so and so glad I could help! ♥️♥️

[@sjqideez6626]

Thank you for this, it’s much appreciated. I’ve been put off Burson as last year they released 2 flagship amp variants, they’ll probably release a Voyager GTX tomorrow or something.

[@nlewe1981]

yeah i have the original gt not the 2023 gt or voyager so feel the same way

[@sjqideez6626]

@@JTB-- I get what you’re saying but which other audio company apart from Burson released 2 flagship products in 1 year? That is my point.

[@PassionforSound]

I do tend to agree and it's why I tried to emphasise that the GT isn't chopped liver, but I definitely understand the concern. I don't know the story behind the GT and Voyager development processes.

[@Sergey-u1z]

Hi, man! Thanks for the content. Can you recommend someone to watch to choose a portable speaker?

[@PassionforSound]

My pleasure! I'm glad you like it. Unfortunately, I'm not into portable speakers so I don't know anyone to recommend. Sorry!

[@TheIpadfanatic]

Your self described "not as sharp as usual" is still miles ahead of most of the other KZbin personalities in our hobby. An excellent video as always.

[@PassionforSound]

Thank you! I'm glad you like my videos so much. 🙂🙂

[@Dom.S21]

I have the upgraded Voyager with the V7 classics on the way. If I wanted to incorporate a slight bit of classic sound, would you replace the input buffer, voltage gain or volume buffer op amps? Thanks man!

[@PassionforSound]

I'd personally replace the volume stage for a small dash. The good thing is that you can easily roll through each option if you still want even more 🙂

[@Dom.S21]

Thanks man much appreciated!!@@PassionforSound

[@AsreiMurasame]

I actually wrote Burson Today and asked them if the next gen Conductor could feature a AKM chip or at least see a AKM variant. I think a lot of people would like it. Imagine a AKM based Conductor with the classic op-amps. It would have a lot of body to the sound if implemented properly.

[@PassionforSound]

I'd love that too and have suggested the AK4499EX to them a couple of times. We'll see... (and no, that's not a hint - I have no clue what they're developing next)

[@psysword]

I'm powering 2 speaker amps and 2 headphone amps with the Voyager deluxe as a preamp. Fabulous preamp. Now as a headphone amp I'm still breaking it in so I'll hold my opinion for now. But it runs hot. Holy moly can't hear the fan but the heat is disturbingly hot. Requires ambient room temperature otherwise I can feel the heat boiling me. My timekeeper gt monoblocks are also loving this preamp. Yes the sound is weighty. I concur. But I'm hearing it for 2 days so I think I'll have a better opinion next week. Great review love it. Thanks.

[@PassionforSound]

So glad you're loving it and yes, it's a warm beast

[@mikehoward4583]

So you like the sound of the soloist with the v7 classics better than the v7 vivids?

[@PassionforSound]

I did, but that's a very personal preference because the sound was much richer and warmer so it won't necessarily be for everyone.

[@mikehoward4583]

@@PassionforSoundDo the v7 vivids help tame the highs.

[@PassionforSound]

Yes

[@mikehoward4583]

@@PassionforSound I just got my v7 vidids and classics. I found the sound I like with my soloist 3x gt is with 2classics in the volume stage and the vivids in the gain stage. Tried them the other way around and found it to rich in the upper bass. Very pleased over all.

[@PassionforSound]

So glad you're enjoying the V7s! Thanks for letting us know how they sounded in the different combinations!!

[@radiofreealbemuth]

14:02 again, as a newbie, i appreciate that you elaborate what you mean when you use audio lingo like "transparency." I thought it had something to do with clarity, which i assume means how clearly you can hear all the sound elements in audio. But the word "transparency" always confused me when reviewers used it, because people prefer richness and thickness in the audio, as opposed to something that sounds thin to the point of being see-through (transparent). But then strangely i got the impression from reviewers that use this term "transparency", that they consider it a positive. And now youve explained that it means for the equipment to disappear and become transparent, so you're just hearing the pure audio recording. As a newbie, I'm far from being able to detect "transparency" in audio - i can definitely tell when i hear a noise floor from the equipment, but i'm not at a level where i can tell if the music itself is being portrayed accurately or artificially enhanced, but at least i appreciate what the term means now 😊

[@pavelexpertov]

Hi, interesting review! What dac would you advise to pair the voyager and the soloist 3gt with? I was considering to get schiit bifrost 2/64 with them, but I don't know whether pairing an 800 dac with over 3000 amp is a good decision.

[@PassionforSound]

The Bifrost 2 is a great start and sounds brilliant, but this level of amp will reward you for using higher level DACs like the Yggdrasil, Chord Qutest or TT2, Holo May or Cen.Grand DSDAC 1.0

[@pavelexpertov]

@@PassionforSound Ok, what are the differences between chord qutest and TT2? Do they utilise the same dac tech?

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, same tech but taken to a higher level with the TT2. I've done a comparison of the TT2 and Qutest in my TT2 review, if I remember correctly.

[@Cestmoi50]

Nice review as always. I myself have not listened to the the soloist 3xgt with supercharger that much, since the moment I owned the tt2+mscaler, the mscaler is detailed and smooth. How does the voyager compared to that? (I always thought the soloist had more power/authority, which you notice with certain tracks, but never wins on smoothness and space from the tt2+MM). All of them are great, and the voyager no expetion. Just curious how the tt2+mscaler compare to it. Knowing you own them, curious to your opinion

[@PassionforSound]

I do think the Voyager is even better than the TT2. It's very refined and smooth, but massively detailed.

[@radiofreealbemuth]

You explain very well as to why this Voyager requires a fan, but I'm cynical of fans in general. Even if they make no noise when the machine is new, they tend to get progressively louder as they get older (at least my experience with computer fans that are dead quiet when new and then grow considerably louder over time)

[@knorrissirronk8665]

@PassionforSound I bought the Goldenwave Prelude for my Susvaras based on your and other reviewers' findings. (It just arrived today.) So, let me say that I have always loved my Susvaras, HE-6 SE v2, and HEDDPHONEs since I graduated from the likes of SMSL Sp200 and Topping A90 (terrible sound qualities even though they get Susvara loud enough). I was using my Burson Soloist 3x GT on Medium gain, and loving life. Out of the box and Prelude on low gain, I am wondering what I've been listening to all this time. Not bass-lite before, but now there is HE-6 like PUNCH and authority in the Susvara's bass. So now, between the Voyager and Prelude, which did you like better specifically with Susvara (HE-6 SE v2 as well, if tou tried it.) My other headphones run fine on other amps, so I'm not worried about those. Susvara is a "different story" for amp-matching though.

[@PassionforSound]

That's great to hear that you're loving the Prelude. It's brilliant! The Voyager is a step better again so if you're liking the Susvaras now, going to the Voyager will have you smiling even wider, but don't feel that you HAVE to take that step as the Prelude is already amazingly good.

[@trun1979]

Did you compare the single ended version of the GT to the Voyager mate? Also mate, with IEMs, even at the lowest gain setting, there is still a VERY noticeable noise floor. The same IEMs on the Holo Bliss are dead silent.

[@PassionforSound]

You mean the 3GT vs the Voyager? No, I haven't done that comparison because the 3GT and 3X GT are almost identical (with a very slight shift in image focus and tonality). I haven't noticed the hiss on my IEMs, but I don't use many with this level amp. Which IEMs are you hearing hiss with?

[@trun1979]

@@PassionforSound I remember them being tonally very different instead. No one as actually coated apples with apples yet. Also, the noise floor was high with the x GT 23 with sp2 modules as much as the voyager: I use U12t, Mest MK 3 and others. All show the same hiss, totally absent on the Holo Bliss.

[@PassionforSound]

I don't have enough time to go back and compare them at the moment, but might be able to in the future.

[@philgalea]

Another great detailed review, Lachlan. Does the Voyager offer a sonic improvement over your Hugo TT2 alone however? I have read that pairing the TT2 with a separate head amp can result in an overall worse performance.

[@PassionforSound]

The TT2 output is marvelously transparent and was my primary headphone source for a long time, but I like the character of the sound from the Voyager a little more. The TT2 is so neutral that it can be a little dry from the HP out sometimes and the Voyager maintains excellent resolution and detail while bringing a dash of smoothness. This is of course is with a quality set of interconnects so you don't lose fidelity through the cables.

[@BillyKueekSG]

This is a review I was waiting for, so thank you for this. I was hoping to hear more about how this amp compares to the Prelude with both being Class A and output 10W maximum. This amp is a lot more expensive, costing almost 3 times the price of the Prelude 😅

[@PassionforSound]

I didn't spend too long on that direct comparison because there's not a lot to say. The prelude is on par with the 3X GT, but smoother and richer. The Voyager is a clear step beyond either. Tonally they are definitely similar, but the Prelude can't compete with the Voyager's performance.

[@BillyKueekSG]

@@PassionforSound thank you for taking time to reply and explain, Lachlan. Appreciate this

[@PassionforSound]

Anytime! 🙂🙂

[@Xerxesro1]

Where you able to play with V7 Vivids vs Classics on the Voyager?

[@PassionforSound]

No, I did the comparison of those here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqmvlWmbgtGMqK8si=FWo_xjftHMikpLTC

[@Suntadyis]

Nice review! ❤😊 Will it go well with Susvara? Or you have something else to recommend that would go a lot better with Susvara HP? Would be great if you'd rank HPAs that you think is a good pair for Susvara 😁 I heard from other reviewers that Hifiman Prelude is a great match for Sus.

[@PassionforSound]

The Prelude is amazing for Susvaras, but this will be even better thanks to its smooth, but detailed presentation. I don't normally specify pairing of amps and headphones (or any device pairings) because it's VERY personal so I prefer to describe the general tonality and character of each device in a way that I hope helps people choose based on their preferences.

[@Suntadyis]

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my question, I really appreciate it. Wish you all the best! 🙏❤️

[@andreasbogo2679]

Hello. I have voyager with H800S. Surprisingly i find that the singel endet outpout low gain sounds for me better than the balanced output. Singel endet is more analaog and warm sounding with better bass. Balanced is more clean but a bit analytical with HD800S. Have you tried balance out vs singel ended? What do you thinkl? Voyager is a full balanced Amp and balances out must sound better. But i dons know how the Voyager change from balanced cicuit to sngel ended headphone out.

[@PassionforSound]

I completely agree with what you're describing between the two outputs. Even though the circuit is identical for most of the way, the use of the unbalanced 6.3mm connection means that the ground connection is shared between the left and right channels. This introduces a change in the sound that's often beneficial for brighter headphones like the HD800S.

[@antonristo1096]

Awesome review as always! I'm planning on getting an endgame solid-state amp for my ZMF headphones (Caldera and Atrium) as well as for my HiFiMan HE1000se. Would you say that, with the new Fusion Core, the Voyager clearly pulls ahead of the AMP-23R?

[@PassionforSound]

Glad you liked the review! I don't think the Voyager clearly pulls ahead of the AMP-23R because they have different presentations where the AMP-23R is a little more raw and transparent while the Voyager is a more refined and smooth sound. Both are amazing amps with different strengths. I'd probably choose the Voyager for the HEKSE, but the AMP-23R would be my choice for the Atrium. I'm not sure about the Caldera.

[@antonristo1096]

@@PassionforSound Thanks for your reply! I was just wondering that if the Voyager and AMP-23R were pretty much on par before, just different flavors to the sound, would the Fusion Core elevate the Voyager past the AMP-23R, if the Fusion Core improves all aspects of the Voyager's sound.

[@PassionforSound]

@antonristo1096 it's a fair question and it gets a little hard to quantify. The reason I don't think it elevates the Voyager beyond the AMP-23R is that it's a bit like having a sports car and a grand tourer (let's say the Voyager is the Grand Tourer). Each of the amps/cars are already excellent but different. However, getting the grand tourer tuned/upgraded doesn't make it a better sports car, just a better GT. So, if you wanted a great GT you'd buy the Voyager, but if you wanted a more pure sports car, you'd still get the AMP-23R. That's probably over separating the amps a little, but it hopefully clarifies things a bit.

[@antonristo1096]

@@PassionforSound Thanks for the clarification! I think I now have a better picture of what to expect from each amp. I think I'll go for the Voyager!

[@david-qf7ko]

For those who want to know about the fan noise, I've just got the Voyager Deluxe edition and there's noticeable fan noise. It's the first thing I noticed right away when I turned it on. I can hear it even at 12ft away. This is jarring considering that I'm used to using daps and head amps with no fan noise. Even my MacBook Pro m1 is silent 95% the time. Using my my pixel with the Smart Tools Sound Meter, I measured 43db at the volume knob and 40 db where I normally sit 3 feet way with no music playing . I read a review on another website showing a picture that they measured the unit at 33db, so I'm not sure if there's something wrong with my unit or there's a way to turn down the fan. Using the Focal Clear OG at 3 ft away, turning the volume up to 20/99 (which is a decent listening level for me) using xlr output, low gain mode is when I don't notice the noise anymore. Using closed backs like the DCA E3, then it's not really an issue. I may get used to this noise but right now it does bother me a bit.

[@Dom.S21]

I have the fully upgraded unit also. Open back he1000se headphones. I sit relatively close to this amp and don’t hear a thing. For anyone worried about fan noise it’s going to be a flip of a coin. It’s non existent for me

[@musicalarmchairs]

I would get that checked, maybe drop a line to Burson, is should be silent unless you are in a room where the background noise is below 30dB. I cannot hear mine even hovering right over the top of the Voyager. My previous Burson Preamp, the Soloist 3X GT I could definitely hear the fan from 3 -5 feet away

[@musicalarmchairs]

@@Dom.S21 agree

[@PassionforSound]

Yep. Adding to the other comments here to confirm that the fan should definitely not be audible. My GT is definitely audible, but the Voyager isn't so I'd get in touch with Burson as suggested above.

[@fatdoi003]

nice review..... still patiently waiting for delivery....

[@PassionforSound]

That sucks! I'm sorry to hear it.

[@radiofreealbemuth]

26:46 what's interesting is burson notes on their site that the Vivid has better dynamics, soundstage, and details than the Classic on their sonic quality comparison graph

[@PassionforSound]

Yes. I think soundstage is a tricky term. I don't disagree with them on the other ones, but soundstage can be used to mean the overall size of the stage, the focus of the sonic image, and/or the amount of separation between instruments. I think the Classics might win on overall stage size, but maybe not the other elements of staging.

[@radiofreealbemuth]

@@PassionforSound ah, thanks, i always thought that "soundstage" just referred to the general size, as in width/depth/verticality, but that's good to know that it also factors separation and imaging.

[@PassionforSound]

Yeah, it all depends on the person and how detailed they're being. 🙂

[@radiofreealbemuth]

10:06 as a newbie, i appreciate that you go out of your way to define what the term means. I had heard the word "bloomy" a couple times before, but i didnt what they meant. Usually i associate the word "bloom" as a positive, like a flower blooming, but i get how this can be a negative when describing bass, which you want tight and defined (from what i gather). The vast majority of reviewers don't do this. In another video of your new reference iem, you said "tactility" was the ability to sense how much energy/force was being applied to piano key strikes or guitar strums 😊 again, im a newbie, and the amount of audio lingo that's used in this hobby can be overwhelming. I remember one video by Gizaudio Timmy, where he kept saying he loved an iem, because of "microdetails." I think he emphasized that word a dozen times and just ended the video without elaboration. And then there's Resolve, who's the hardest to follow for me 😆

[@PassionforSound]

I'm so glad I can help!

[@danielhipwell3607]

Good stuff, way out of my price range but learned a lot sitting here listening on my lunch break at work. :)

[@PassionforSound]

So glad it was helpful!

[@imosolar]

Great KZbin channel and I'm thinking of buying GT or other

[@PassionforSound]

Glad you like the channel. The GT is great. The HiFiMan Prelude and Schiit Mjolnir 3 are also worth considering.

[@aceofspades6667]

Completely comprehensive review…. I really can’t think of anyone today that does KZbin reviews in a more thorough fashion. Well done on this one I know it was a ton of work!

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks Ace! Yes, I wanted to throw everything at this one. It's a big investment for people.

[@aceofspades6667]

@@PassionforSoundif you had the opportunity to buy a soloist 3xgt 2023 with sp2 module and fully upgraded v7 (4x v7 classics 2x v7 vivid) for 1500 USD used or a fully upgraded Voyager for $3k slightly used. Is the soloist gt close enough that the value discrepancy it makes sense to just to cheaper? If the voyager was 100s across the board would the gt be a 85 a 90 or like a 95?

[@PassionforSound]

@aceofspades6667 that's a tough one! I'd take the Voyager because it's clearly better and quieter too and you're unlikely to get the "what if" itch. As for ratings, it's probably 90s to the Soloist for 100s to the Voyager.

[@aceofspades6667]

@@PassionforSound thanks I was afraid that was gonna be your answer 🫣 thanks!

[@radiofreealbemuth]

29:33 as a newbie, who's more familiar with iems and dongles, i'm curious why this doesn't have a 4.4 jack, which seems to be the modern day standard. And so I'd expect a 4.4 jack for a new device of this caliber. The 6.3 could be converted into a 3.5 with an adapter, so it seems kind of redundant to feature an unbalanced 3.5 and 6.3, instead of balanced 4.4 and unbalanced 6.3. But again, im a newbie, so perhaps there's a reason why this makes sense 🤔

[@PassionforSound]

The 3.5mm socket is for use with headsets (there's a passthrough for the mic on the back to connect to the computer soundcard). As for 4.4mm, it's a good connector, but 4-pin XLR is superior in terms of reliability and will likely remain the best choice for desktop systems.

[@radiofreealbemuth]

@@PassionforSound ah, i see, I'm a newbie, who's more familiar with iems and dongles, and so I was looking at it more from the perspective of how these ports apply to iems (3.5 and 4.4). I didn't take into consideration that the standard for headphones is XLR. by "passthrough for the mic on the back," is that catering to people who would be buying this amplifier to use their headset with a microphone for online videogames?

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, that's correct 🙂

[@DarkFire515]

End-game amp for me.

[@PassionforSound]

I think for most this would be a pinnacle. It's brilliant!

[@Joel-m777]

Great review. On the Burson website there is reference to a separate power supply. Does anybody know anything about this? It’s called Burson fusion power?

[@PassionforSound]

I haven't seen that reference. I'm only aware of the Super Charger.

[@kengentry3091]

does the Burson Audio Soloist Voyager not sound good unless you run it through $15000 worth of equipment?

[@PassionforSound]

No, it sounds great from any input. However, I wouldn't recommend pairing an amp of this level and price with a DAC below something like a Gustard A26/R26, Chord Qutest or Schiit Yggy as a minimum because you're bottlenecking the system.

[@kengentry3091]

@@PassionforSound I have a Schiit Audio Gungnir DAC. how do you think it would compare to the built in DAC of the SPL Phonitor XE?

[@PassionforSound]

I'd say it will have a slightly different presentation/character, but be technically very similar and possibly a touch better.

[@johenkay1129]

Your description sounds a lot like the silver fox.

[@PassionforSound]

It's got the maturity and richness of the Silver Fox, but the separation and reolsolution is a step above IMO.

[@johenkay1129]

@@PassionforSoundSo that weird hollow metallic tone is gone?

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, 100%

[@timothycheung2188]

Do anyone know burson audio xlr pin header assignment? Couldn’t find any information on the user manual :(

[@PassionforSound]

That would be a question for Burson, I expect.

[@dangerzone007]

Any amplifier should be able to produce good bass as long as it has enough power.

[@PassionforSound]

It will produce sufficient volume, yes. Quality is a whole other question at all frequencies.

[@dangerzone007]

@@PassionforSound as long as it has low distortion quality will be fine.

[@techmed-rainer]

Danke!

[@PassionforSound]

Thank you, Rainer!

[@techmed-rainer]

@@PassionforSound You're welcome!

[@Ruslan-zt9wx]

Everything this guy gets for review is good in some way) At least that's what he says)

[@invisiblekid99]

Yeah it’s always annoying when you have to choose crappy devices to say they are crappy and good devices to say they are good

[@guillermobrito4987]

of course, even a crappy amp can be a perfect paperweight.

[@PassionforSound]

This just tells me you don't watch many of my reviews: Abyss Diana MR, Abyss Diana TC, SMSL DA-1, Sivga Nightingale...

[@sharuraudio]

Why do you still act like you can hear the difference between these types of things, including cables, when you failed a cable blind test? You have still failed to pass a blind test.

[@mitchy5994]

Oof. You're every audio reviewers biggest fan.

[@asan1050]

I'm rich, no problem! Thanks for posting this video. NOPE!

[@ACM1000000PT]

i had a burson conductor under warranty and Burson never take my warranty seriously, i ended with a flagship without the USB card working and a 30% discount cupon, lmao. burson shit company.

[@PassionforSound]

I'm very sorry to hear that. What did they say that makes you feel that they didn't take it seriously?

[@dannybourne_]

*Any Amp with a fan is a big NO NO*

[@PassionforSound]

If you don't even know it's there, what's the issue?

[@masterazlan6999]

B4 i go on, nice T u've got there.. Hmm is it noisey for an iem?.. U said zahl, enleum hmm does ifi phantom too?..wait, wut bout all this vs mass kobo, which wons? a ha..Yup 465 IF u ever heard...ops gtg, i'll continue later.. N sum later comment.. Peace!

[@invisiblekid99]

What?!