A versatile DAC/amp with outstanding specs, the Burson Play boasts 32-bit/384-kHz PCM, DXD, and DSD256 playback capability. It’s built around a SABRE32 ESS9018 DAC chip and an XMOS USB receiver, and features a super-powerful Class-A headphone amp whose 70-watt power supply can output 2 watts at 16 ohms. It’s also easily moddable: just open the unit and swap in different op-amps for a customized sound. Uniquely, this DAC/amp can fit inside a computer case using the drive bay for optical drives. In addition to the standard wall AC power, it can be powered by a 12V DC 5A power plug inside a PC when inserted in a drive bay—providing a significantly higher sound quality than standard PC sound cards. Another perk for PC gamers: the Burson Play includes a mic input.
Note: This drop is for a Massdrop-exclusive version with three V6Vivid-Dual opamps and two V6Classic-Single opamps, made by Burson Audio and widely regarded as some of the best audio opamps in the world. The opamps alone have a retail value of $265. With this combination, the Play sounds dynamic, transparent, and fast, with added warmth and texture in the vocals and higher-frequency range.
Of the amp, Headphonia’s reviewer says, “This thing is insanely powerful. It will shake Susvara. It rumbles up Dekoni Blue. And as far as I’ve tested, at no volume setting, under any load stress, it is clean and free of IMD."
Impedance (Headphone Jack)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
DAC
USB
Estimated ship date is Dec 21, 2018 PT.
Payment will be collected at checkout. After this product run ends, orders will be submitted to the vendor up front, making all orders final.