Burson Audio, an Australian manufacturer, has recently unveiled two new desktop headphone amplifiers, the Soloist Stellar and the Conductor Stellar, adding to their Stellar lineup. These amplifiers are designed to cater to audiophiles seeking high-quality sound and versatility. The Soloist Stellar, a DAC-less amplifier, is a pure headphone amplifier and pre-amplifier that accepts analogue inputs only. Its Class-A discrete circuitry drives four ON Semiconductor MJE15032 transistors per channel, housed in a fin-and-vent enclosure that dissipates heat passively. The Soloist Stellar offers a dedicated IEM output stage alongside standard outputs, reducing the noise floor for high-sensitivity in-ear monitors. It also features XLR and RCA pre-amplifier outputs, making it suitable for driving power amplifiers or powered loudspeakers. The Conductor Stellar, on the other hand, shares the same amplifier architecture and chassis as the Soloist but folds in digital source capability. Its DAC section uses an ESS ES9039PRO chip fed by three digital inputs: USB-C via an XMOS receiver (and TOSLINK), handling PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD up to DSD512. Bluetooth 5.0 is enabled by a Qualcomm CSR8675 chip that supports LDAC, aptX HD, and AAC. Both units deliver 5 watts balanced and 2.5 watts single-ended into 32 ohms via the standard headphone outputs, dropping to 500 milliwatts balanced and 250 milliwatts single-ended at the same impedance via the IEM output. Interestingly, both units also put a mono subwoofer RCA output alongside their XLR and RCA pre-amplifier outputs. The Soloist Stellar is priced at €1600/US$1500, while the Conductor Stellar is priced at €1900/US$1800. Standard Edition units are available now, while upgraded versions are available to special order. In my opinion, Burson Audio's new Stellar amplifiers are a testament to the company's commitment to delivering high-quality sound and versatility. The Soloist Stellar, with its DAC-less design and analogue inputs, is a pure headphone amplifier that offers a dedicated IEM output stage and XLR and RCA pre-amplifier outputs. The Conductor Stellar, with its digital source capability and Bluetooth 5.0 support, is a versatile amplifier that can handle a wide range of digital inputs. Both units deliver impressive power and sound quality, making them a great choice for audiophiles seeking a high-quality listening experience. However, the pricing of the amplifiers may be a concern for some audiophiles. The Soloist Stellar is priced at €1600/US$1500, while the Conductor Stellar is priced at €1900/US$1800. While these prices may be considered reasonable for the quality of the amplifiers, they may be out of reach for some audiophiles. Overall, Burson Audio's new Stellar amplifiers are a great addition to the company's lineup and offer a high-quality listening experience for audiophiles seeking versatility and sound quality. Personally, I think that the inclusion of a mono subwoofer RCA output alongside the XLR and RCA pre-amplifier outputs is a unique and innovative feature that sets these amplifiers apart from their competitors. What makes this particularly fascinating is the attention to detail in the design and engineering of the amplifiers, which is evident in the fin-and-vent enclosure that dissipates heat passively and the dedicated IEM output stage. In my opinion, the Soloist Stellar and the Conductor Stellar are a testament to the company's commitment to delivering high-quality sound and versatility, and I would recommend them to audiophiles seeking a high-quality listening experience.
