- Powerful headphone amp/preamps with and without ESS DAC
- Dedicated IEM amplifier stage with low noise and up to 8W output
- From $1,500 / £1,700 / €1,600 / AU$2,600
Australian company Burson Audio has launched a new series of Class A desktop audio devices. The Stellar series includes two models: the Conductor Stellar, which is a high-resolution DAC, Class A headphone amp and desktop preamp, and the Soloist Stellar, which is a headphone amp and preamp.
Sitting between the entry-level Party Playmate 3 and the Grand Tourer products, the Stellar devices promise to bring the “essence” of Burson’s flagship Voyager series in a more compact and accessible form.
While both products are happy to drive all manner of headphones, one of the biggest selling points is aimed at IEM owners: the Stellar duo comes with a dedicated, ultra-low-noise IEM amplifier stage built around two TPA6120A2 amplifier chips. Burson says the result is a pure, hiss-free experience on very sensitive ears.
Article continues below
Burson Soloist Stellar and Conductor Stellar: main features and prices
Both devices deliver 8W of Class A power through four Onsemi MJE15032 transistors per channel, optimized for high Class A bias and powered by Burson’s Max Current power supply. The cases are inspired by spaceships and feature precision-machined fins and vents for optimal heat dissipation.
The Conductor Stellar is based on the ESS9039PRO DAC, whose filters and path parameters have been selected to match the analog output stage, and it has been designed to connect to almost anything. It features Bluetooth 5.0 with LDAC, aptX HD and AAC, supporting high-resolution wireless audio up to 24-bit/96kHz. It’s Roon Ready and its USB-C input supports native DSD512 and 32-bit/768kHz PCM.
The Soloist Stellar does without the DAC and focuses solely on amplification. It features independent channel balance controls for headphones and speakers, correcting for room asymmetry and natural hearing differences.
Both devices feature XLR and RCA inputs as well as a mic bypass for gaming headphones, and the outputs are an XLR pre-out, an RCA pre-out, and a mono RCA subwoofer output. Headphone outputs are XLR, 6.35mm and 3.5mm. The headphone output can reach 8 W at 16 ohms and 500 mW at 300 ohms.
Ready for pricing? Recommended retail prices for the Stellar Series are (deep breath):
- Stellar conductor (Standard Edition): $1,800 / £2,000 / €1,900 / AU$2,800
- Stellar Soloist (Standard Edition): $1,500 / £1,700 / €1,600 / AU$2,600
Follow TechRadar on Google News And add us as your favorite source to get our news, reviews and expert opinions in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
And of course you can also follow TechRadar on YouTube And TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form and receive regular updates from us on WhatsApp Also.
