WHAT?! Crazy Design - HIGH CURRENT FLAGSHIP Monoblock Amplifier For Home Speaker Systems!

[@Jayiyagi]

Purchase links: Burson Time Keeper 3x GT: www.bursonaudio.com/product/timekeeper-grand-tourer/ *Burson limited DISCOUNT offer: If you watched my video and bought the burson monoblocks; email them @ **www.bursonaudio.com/contact/** and receive 10% off + FREE $600 Mothership stand (**www.bursonaudio.com/products/mothership/)* - DISCLAIMER: this is a LIMITED holiday offer I negotiated with Burson to get my subscribers a deal. Burson has the right to discontinue the deal at any point Related videos: Arendal 1723 THX Floor standing Speakers: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZSVY6CcqKp3ndU Buchardt S400 mkii Speakers: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnu1c4B5dph5sKs Kef ls50 Meta Speakers: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nomuimuse8mki9U Support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/jayiyagi follow on Instagram: instagram.com/jays_iyagi/ follow on Facebook: facebook.com/jayiyagiofficial Follow soundstage take 2 reviews: kzbin.info/aero/PLPOzvlhtSqn5xdc__ftuSt4Rxy_wm5Af0 Speaker stands: amzn.to/3ssRhI3 Better speaker stands: solidsteel.it/my-product/ss-7-vintage-hi-fi-speaker-stands/ acoustic panels I use: ua-acoustics.com/ acoustic curtain: amzn.to/31d1zAM BDI Cabinet I use: bit.ly/2OJRwQQ amzn.to/3chBuFZ other BDI Cabinets: bit.ly/3ctxXV1 amzn.to/30bsUCH my fav hifi tweaks: (Isoacoustics devices) amzn.to/3j5FGvM 0:00 Burson Monoblock Amplifier Build Quality 3:49 TRUE CLASS A Amplifiers? 5:37 How Powerful is it? 6:35 Burson Monoblock Amplifier Sound Quality 9:47 Speaker MATCHING 11:37 Pre-Amp/DAC MATCHING 13:05 Most Transparent Amplifier for speakers? #hifi #audiophile #technology

[@HiFinca]

please review a T+A HV 3100 amp

[@jwiggins1229]

These sound very similar to the Van Alstine DVA M225 monoblocks... 25 watts of class A, 225 @ 8ohms, over 300 @4ohms. Retail for about $3400. Honestly they give my Pass XA60's a run for there money. Imaging is excellent, they are smooth top to bottom don't seem to be rolled off anywhere, pretty neutral presentation, bass is tighter than my Pass. Only thing they lack over the XA60's is that sweetness in the mids/highs but otherwise they are excellent. I'm so surprised they don't have any reviews other than PTA and Stereophile. Oh and excellent review as I want to try these now!

[@StrangerInParadise58]

Great review, Jay - thank you! I hooked up my Timekeepers to my Magnepan LRS+ - paired with dual SVS SB3000 subwoofers - and I am shocked at how good they sound!

[@CharlesHoop]

Jay, you are churning out a lot of great content!

[@aiCorner]

This is your best demonstration, Jay. Really enjoyed your wording and seamless presentation.

[@roccobruno8027]

30 watts in Class A is all you need with a average sensitivity speaker. This Mono configuration should be a really nice setup.

[@daviddarmanin2188]

Hi Jay, I have Dynaudio Heritage Specials, would you recommend these Bursons as an end game amplifier for these speakers? Or would you recommend the bigger Hegel intergraded’s. Your advise would be hugely appreciated.

[@lh6135]

Thank you, need a power amp to replace my Naim 300, will look out Burson

[@DrSinisster]

Awesome Video as always. I enjoy your comtent, and always learn something. Its funny because most audio channels I watch I have similar tastes for gear. I usually don’t share your tastes, but I always watch every Video. Same with Steve Guttenbergs videos. I am excited for the new direction. You keep making your channel better, when it is already so good. Cheers from the Hammer across the Lake 👍

[@pinkyfloydyfan1]

I can't wait to see your products of the year 2021! Which of the speakers? Arendal 1723 THX? Which of the amps? Which of the dacs? What else?

[@johngeloso6224]

Thanks for this great review. How would these mono blocks pair with the Totem Tribe Towers that you have reviewed? Thanks

[@siegfried898]

Does it not matter anymore in case of Burson to have a good power cable at the power supply? Jay, i saw, you connected power cables to the power supplies. Are these some special cables?

[@AntoninPassemardPaintings]

Interesting but 2 Atoll am300 in monoblocks come to 4000$ ish too it is 500w 8ohm and first 50w in class A. If you get a chance try it!!!

[@siegfried898]

Thx, Jay, for very informative review! What do you think, for the deep soundstage, would it be better to pair Benchmark AHB2 (I have it) with the Doge8 or to buy this Burson amp to pair it with a solid state preamp like Musician Monoceros (I have it)? When do you plan to do the AHB2 review, as you mentioned in the video?

[@xspartacuspmaximus5247]

I'm currently using Devialet 400 monos which really gets hot running my Raidho. For class A output, those amps are interesting.

[@heinestr]

Strange, my 440 PRO does not get hot. They drive Vivid Audio Giya G2.

[@xspartacuspmaximus5247]

@@heinestr Great to hear that 440 PRO performs well with your Floorstander. Still trying to decide to get a new a amp or upgrade my 400 to 440 PRO.

[@B8THOV3N]

I wonder if opamp rolling could change the tonality or potentially warm it up.

[@Jayiyagi]

Good question. The totl op amp is included. Forgot to say that but they have been including it in most designs now. Have not tried other op amps but I may

[@josschreur6992]

How about comparing it with a m32 purifi poweramp?

[@tbullard3]

It would be cool to get a comparison of this and the Schiit Tyr.

[@mikemarinkovich4817]

Thanks for the review! Have you talked about those giant monoblocks you have? What kind of tubes are those??

[@TombstoneTube]

Any tube preamp you would recommend?

[@ericstefko4852]

Jay how do these compare to your Luxman Amp?

[@WardDorrity]

Great review, Jay. I'm curious as to how these would sound on my Magneplanar 3.7i speakers. Had to sell off my Bel Canto stack during some difficult times. I have to say that they never sounded better with the REF500S power amp and PRE-1. I would like a little warmth in the mix, but the Bursons sound like they'll get the job done. Especially with a good tube preamp.

[@Jayiyagi]

I don't have the 3.7is right now so I can't comment on how well it will drive it but based on the performances I have seen with other difficult to drive speakers - I'd say it will drive it just fine if you are after transparency and linearity. With that pairing; it may be slightly forward or too detailed up top depending on your preference. Keep in mind that Magnepans are trial and error and many instances where I thought it would be a good match - it was not and other instances where I thought it'd not even drive it... it was a fabulous match. Needless to say... my number one recommendations for magnepan speakers are still hegel integrated units or H20A(if you can wing it) to this day

[@WardDorrity]

@@Jayiyagi Thanks for the reply, Jay. Certainly gives me more to think about. The Hegel gear is pretty much out of my reach, so I may just have to keep a lookout for used Bel Canto amps and preamp. Again , thanks for a well thought out reply.

[@peterw2714]

@@WardDorrity check the used market you might get lucky

[@albanana683]

@@Jayiyagi My Sonus Faber Electas have given up on me. I'm contemplating Magneplaners as a replacement. Will I be able to drive them with my Vacuum Tube Logic MB300 monoblocs?

[@jaybowen2235]

You made some comparison to the Benchmark, but little to the mentioned Gato. I wonder the comparison to a McIntosh or Pass amp as the Burson "sounds" in this category??

[@Jayiyagi]

I would compare it naim as it is more similar to that. It is totally different from pass labs or mcintosh sound signature. Almost everything is different

[@jaybowen2235]

@@Jayiyagi Thanks

[@tonezou3918]

Is the KEF LS50 Meta nicely paired with Hegel H95 amp too? I'm considering buying this combo.

[@Skyouu]

No issue, H95 could drive them easily.

[@tonezou3918]

@@Skyouu Is this combination tiring/aggressive for the ears? I hope I can fall asleep on this combo, which means it has to be not fatiguing and it should be reasonably detailed so I can listen in low volumes.

[@Skyouu]

@@tonezou3918 Easy to hear, thats definitely a good matching. Hegel has some nice power supplies and they are very capable, have some nice abilities to drive some difficult speakers under low impedences. That's why your listening session will be very laid back and smooth with a nice dynamic in the sound even if the volume is low. Hegel amplifiers have juce, and it's very cool.

[@incanus21]

Hi, Jay. Have you tried pairing the Burson monoblocks with the Denafrips Athena preamplifier or any of the other Denafrips preamplifiers?

[@TriAmpMyFi]

Hey Jay................. May I recommend you sell those uber expensive DAC's while their still worth a buck before they become obsolete. The Burson's are instant heirlooms.🔊

[@Jayiyagi]

Hey! It is true that all Dacs can get outdated rather quicker than other components and I’ve been saying that. Are you referring to the Audio Note Dac in this video? If so, they are not mine, they are borrowed from Vincent Belanger. Not sure if you saw my video of it but I don’t think DACs like this will become outdated. Tube Dacs designed for sound rather than having the goal of playing uber high resolution doesn’t get outdated as fast as even Burson Dacs imho. I love Burson products but it is the truth.

[@TriAmpMyFi]

@@Jayiyagi Word 😁, thanks. P.S., I meant those Burson monoblocks not their DACs.

[@ANGEL90004]

I currently own the Burson Timekeeper 3i and am wanting to upgrade to separates. For the amp I have narrowed down the choices to the Timekeeper 3x gt and the benchmark AHB2. My concern is that the AHB2 has better SINAD and SNR measurements, would you say that the Timekeeper 3x gt is just as resolving when it comes to detail retrieval when compared to the benchmark AHB2?

[@HudyGamer14]

How do these compare to the Kinki Studios mono blocks?

[@Jayiyagi]

good question. The Kinki b7 monoblocks are not as highly biased for Class A but has more power and headroom. So if you don't care about Class A and want more power - the Kinki will do that BUT the Burson is a high current design just like the b7 and will practically drive anything at high gain settings. sound wise; They are not ALL that different but has enough differences to segregate. The kinki b7 are lighter in tone, leaner in the midranges and sounds very extended and airy in the highs. Transparency level and dynamics are about the same but I'd say the mid bass hits harder on the burson (it sounds like it has more balls and thicker midrange but only in comparison to the kinki). I'd give soundstaging and imaging to the burson but Kinkis are not far behind. Brightness level is about the same but at different ranges - the kinkis are a little forward at the highest extremes while the burson is slightly forward on the upper midrange at high gain setting. - What it truly comes down to is speaker and gear matching. I'd pair kinkis to less sensitive speakers that can use the power to bring out the dynamics and definitely not sensitive speakers that is already brilliant in the highs. I'd pair the Burson with sensitive speakers but also a pretty good match with hard to drive speakers that are a bit warmer/neutral sounding and can use a little bit of finesse.

[@pchlars5666]

@@Jayiyagi this answer is gold! :)

[@44AudioLab]

@@pchlars5666 It is ! Exactly the question I wanted to ask, and the amps I'm hesitating in between... Thanks for this excellent and detailed answer Jay !!

[@markconner5569]

Should I assume that the purchase must be direct from Burson to receive the Stand & 10% off deal? Thank you, BTW!!

[@MartinHAndersen]

Are you using the GR Research speaker cables?

[@paultezuma864]

Hi Jay, notice very nice Hi-Res Wood Console-What type of wood is that??? Zebrano???

[@dommyap7763]

Any chance the vincent 237 review be released this month? :D

[@LiorKogan]

Hi Jay, thanks for the great review. Did you test the Sonus Faber Electa Amator III with the Burson? I wonder how it would compare with a Hegel.

[@MrBoomtheroom]

these vs ahb2? opinion?

[@sawwas4677]

compared to AGD?

[@affreuxgalopin]

The price is also very damned crazy!😂🙃

[@chippee]

Hi Jay, thanks for the great review. May I know how do you compare this to kinki studio ex-b7? I'm planning to get a pair of sonus faber olympica nova iii, but can't test both in my country unless I buy it.

[@eyeshezzy]

That Jay's Iyagi look 😁

[@Mr.Robert1]

Guess I will never understand how 30 watts in any class is going to be enough compared to what I'm accustom to. My power supply is 73 pounds. I know this because I had to replace it. Capacitors are massive I have no idea how heavy they are. Wattage is 120 Rms X 2 frequency range is 5-100,000 I forget the signal to noise ratio and distortion ratings. I had the amplifier dinowed some years back.

[@stuart302]

Please do a JC1 + review

[@philmu1983]

Hi Jay, thanks for the informative description as always. Personally I don't find your review with Burson any useful. Your description seems so much hype that it appears Timekeeper mono are few league above other power amplifiers. Unless you provide few more comparison with i.e Atoll, Apollo, Vincent, the extent of difference on bass to treble, we won't know how much similar or different if we are planning to buy it assuming price is not a big factor, we just searching for value proposition. Sometimes we like to keep cheap alternatives power amp beside our primary amplifier for different sonics. Thank you for hearing my gripes. Best wishes -phil

[@dougg1075]

Wouldn’t the fans make it a pretty dang good space heater? Love the look of them

[@Jayiyagi]

Don’t heat up my space much even when I had em turned on playing music almost 36 hours straight and was only warm to the touch and not boiling hot

[@dougg1075]

@@Jayiyagi cool, thanks

[@richardgrant418]

@@Jayiyagi then they might well NOT be 30 watts of class A. If a * real class a amplifier is running for a day and a half - you will definitely feel the heat

[@gme10955]

Can we travel back in time to April 1st?

[@SergeySedlovsky]

Wait it's 4k for the pair or 4k for each unit? And how does it pair with the Arendal's? (That would be my pairing) I mean for dynamics, detail, etc...?

[@Jayiyagi]

4k/pair. Sound amazing with the Arendals. Was my fav pairing. Check speaker pairing section of the video

[@cdbeen123]

New Record Day just reviewed these too , he absolutely raved about them also , how do you think they would pair with KLH Model 5's ? Cheers mate

[@Jayiyagi]

Yea! He and I were just talking about that. What are the chances we released at the same time haha. Ive been testing these out for over a year now even before they were released. They pair excellent with the klh model 5. Was rocking it last night actually.

[@cdbeen123]

@@Jayiyagi Awesome ,cheers

[@varislew584]

Crazy design too

[@EnpuerKT]

I like those GR-Research cables ;)

[@Jayiyagi]

I like them too !

[@scottwolf8633]

Is the Burson idling in Class A, as you stated you left it on overnight, and with a linear power supply normally that would be akin to a home furnace? So I'm very curious about the switching supply and the bias Current. Second, the wood you displayed the amps on and also the Benchmarks, is that Zebrawood?

[@Jayiyagi]

Hi. I had them playing music at low volume overnight and actually throughout the making of this video... so really... more or less, it has been left on for close to 36 hours straight (with intervals of no music aka when I'm filming my A roll/talking). It gets just warm thanks to casing and fan and I can tell that without the fan, it would be boiling my hand medium rare. You can ask Burson about the specifics of the design and they will tell you what they can. And yes! it is zebra wood :)

[@psysword]

Reeeeeellly reeeeeellly believe you. I'm buying it.

[@TWALBEVA]

Hi Jay, how can it work in 2 ohm status? For mono block, I saw lots of them claim big output (but 30W class A is still on top of Class A/B amp). I think most players who try to use mono block is not because of 200 or 300 W output in 4 Ohms. They are expecting to get a big output in 2 or even 1 ohms load. (Benchmark Amp also working well in 2 Ohms conditions)

[@Jayiyagi]

I am not sure as they don't specify a 2 ohm rating on these but I had no trouble running difficult loads that drop low in impedance.

[@TWALBEVA]

@@Jayiyagi TAD ME1 is the 4ohms with 85 dbs. Is such speaker works well with Time Keeper 3X GT? I bought Burson Funk MAX Current, and it is my first Burson. I truely believe what you said about the magic of Burson's power supplier. Just curious again about how Burson can work well with bigger speaker and bigger room. It is also very glad that you using Benchmark AHB2 as the benchmark of transparency......which I believe the most transparent power amplifier. Very good introduction and review that I true appreciate!!

[@simplereef4854]

What is the model number of these amp?

[@Jayiyagi]

Timekeeper 3x gt

[@mjjm6220]

What happened to your Pearl Audio video?

[@Jayiyagi]

I have never reviewed pearl audio

[@adambrown8867]

I would expect these amps to be a perfect match to the Burson flagship preamp. I could be wrong.

[@Jayiyagi]

If total transparency is what you are after. Yes ! But my choice was a bit warmer or tube-like pre amp to balance it

[@psysword]

@@Jayiyagiplanning to get the Pathos Auriumb as a preamp

[@klaverro]

In Darko terms, these Burson's seems to be very kallax-fi and future-fi proof... 👍🏻. Would be nice to know what kind of music you listened to in your reviews.

[@Jayiyagi]

Hi I have a full official playlist that I use posted on my patreon page :) but I will mention more music I used in my videos in the future.

[@mindhead1]

Great review. My question is how does this setup compare sound wise to a Schiit Bifrost/Freta+/Aegir Mono Block system? Is it 2x better?

[@conradchen2521]

How do these amp work with Magnepan 1.7I?

[@Jayiyagi]

I don't have the 1.7is right now so I can't comment on how well it will drive it but based on the performances I have seen with other difficult to drive speakers - I'd say it will drive it just fine if you are after transparency and linearity. With that pairing; it may be slightly forward or too detailed up top depending on your preference. Keep in mind that Magnepans are trial and error and many instances where I thought it would be a good match - it was not and other instances where I thought it'd not even drive it... it was a fabulous match. Needless to say... my number one recommendations for magnepan speakers are still hegel integrated units or H20A(if you can wing it) to this day

[@rachelnewyorktruth2564]

Great modern look. Getting tired of Air Conditioner on the floor , amp look. How others follow in this minimalist vibe. Four grand a pair is not too out of hand. They should do pretty well

[@chengo51]

I thought you were not a reviewer 😇😇🤣🤣

[@Jayiyagi]

the term isn't important. I am sharing my journey and gear that I come across that I like.

[@stephencosta6814]

@@Jayiyagi you are so right Jay I remember you from the very start you are Wells season now and I trust you just as much as I did from the very start keep up the fantastic work you do it is really a crucial thing you do for us audio files

[@The-Spotlight-Kid]

Interesting ...so there's more to soundstaging than a total lack of crosstalk in power amps it seems, as in dual mono amps. What are those power supplies, some new technogy of hi-current power supply ...I wonder. (Thought I reckognised a very old "Aleph" (?) class A amp under the frying egg, with their all-round heatsinks) I remember not being able to afford s/h Mark Levison ML25 amps. Huge & heavy 25W pure-A & all the s/h models in shops had heavily heat-tarnished paint on the outsides near where the heat sinks were, these Bursons with their (**30'Watts each in class A (if pure A) & their p.supplies are technically very interesting to somebody like me who only knows about pre-1990'ish pure class A jobs. **Pure class A is.. (or always was, far as i knew) ..only 25% max efficient & their transistors are constantly 'on' 'always fully conducting' so the Bursons would also be two 120'Watt heaters even at silent idle as well as any other vollume ...no difference in power draw in pure class A. P.S. & class A is most efficient at 75% throttle in vollume, (technically, running a tad cooler at 75% towards full whack before clipping because of signal tranfer reasons I didn't understand in a technical talk 20 years back. The description makes these sound 'just the job' ...i.e.with the right speakers

[@rikardekvall3433]

Jay, the great! You have heard GaNfet amps. Peechtree and Orchard. How are these compared to the Burson?

[@Pete.across.the.street]

Peachtree Gan 1 is awesome

[@mladendragojlovic447]

Jay, which mono blocks are on the ground? With those valves? Btw nice video! 😊

[@Jayiyagi]

NAT monoblocks!

[@mladendragojlovic447]

Yes, thought so. Thanks. It would be great to hear your opinion on them. And how they match with Maxima Amators.

[@velchuck]

They have “flux capacitors” in them. That’s it. I’m pretty sure.😆

[@Jayiyagi]

XD hahaha

[@adeadcrab]

thats f********* right

[@therevrockinrollin]

They look like Nintendo Wii Mono Blocks. I’m down:

[@Jayiyagi]

that could be a nice nickname hahaha

[@davidcross890]

For a low level playing set of monoblocks for a low price these may be good. Definitely not a end of road design. These would be way too low of a power level for my purposes as the ultra clean power levels cannot scale to live level dynamics in most listening rooms.

[@supercompooper]

It's just a switching supply

[@jon4715]

EI core > R-core > O-core > Torroid

[@richardgrant418]

Burton say “high” current - but do not give any specification 😂 Which means that claim has little credibility

[@Roof_Pizza]

Fan noise will always be more of an issue than crosstalk. My amps fan hasn't come on once in 20 years. PASS.

[@Jayiyagi]

Each to their own and I agree having a fan isn’t ideal but I see why they did it. I did go “uh oh” when I saw that it had a fan even if it was noctua fans. BUT I can confirm that it does not get loud like some vintage units or PA amplifiers. It is barely noticeable Also all fans obviously have a life span. Noctua fans last ridiculously long but it is something to consider. Fortunately the Noctua fans are easy to replace and aren’t terribly expensive

[@divertiti]

Jay, could you please do some higher end gear reviews, these low end equipment really gets old. Please no more Buchardt and Kef LS

[@Jayiyagi]

I share my experiences with high-end, budget and vintage gear (pretty equally in # of videos) that sounds great :)

[@CharlesHoop]

Didn’t like the Hagel H30A or Luxman reviews?

[@seankasabuske1986]

Why would an audiophile want to listen to music in mono? Just curious.

[@Jayiyagi]

These amps don’t play mono.(well I guess you could if wanted to) but It is meant to play stereo. Each unit plays left and right respectively.

[@jorgdietz7254]

😂😂😂😂😂 realy?!!!

[@psysword]

Can you spell "really"?