Australian-based head-fi manufacturer, Burson Audio, has introduced its new Stellar Series of compact Class-A desktop components.
Composed of the Conductor Stellar, a high resolution, DAC, Class-A headphone and desktop preamp in one and the Soloist Stellar (that focuses purely on headphone amplification and preamp duties), this duo is designed to maximise the sonic potential of high-end In-ear monitors (IEMs).
Coming to the UK (Standard Edition) and sitting between the company’s entry-level Party Playmate 3 and the Grand Tourer range, the Stellar duo embodies the essence of the flagship Voyager Series: Class-A, discrete circuitry and Burson sound – in more compact, more accessible designs.
A growing area of today’s high-end headphone market is made up of IEM users. The Stellar Series is designed to let listeners finally hear the full potential of their favourite IEMs, delivering high-levels of detail and dynamics.
Although built to power any type of headphone – from delicate IEMs to demanding planar magnetic models – the Stellar pair feature a dedicated ultra-low-noise IEM amplification stage to provide pure, hiss-free background, even with high-sensitivity IEMs.
Headphone connection options include an 8W balanced and 3W single-ended, alongside a 1W IEM balanced and 5000mW IEM single-ended. Both models pack 8 Watts of full-discreet Class-A architecture and power and at its core, each channel is powered by four Onsemi MJE15032 transistors.
The Stellar reportedly maintains perfect control across all headphones and boasts zero background noise, ensuring playback at any volume.
A spacecraft-inspired enclosure features precision-shaped fins and vents to optimise heat dissipation. This efficient design ensures reliable and stable Class-A operation to minimise noise, heat stress and distortion at all power levels, even during long listening sessions at high bias.
The Conductor Stellar features the flagship ESS9039PRO DAC. While it offers 24 filters and path settings, each one has been carefully selected to match the brand’s analogue output stage.
The Conductor Stellar is built to connect with everything in a user’s audio chain. The USB-C XMOS Input streams native DSD512 and 32-bit/768kHz PCM with clarity and precision.
Wireless connectivity comes via Bluetooth 5.0 with Qualcomm CSR8675, with support for LDAC, aptX HD and AAC, streaming high-res audio wirelessly at up to 24-bit/96kHz. It also integrates into any Roon Ready setup for bit-perfect playback.
The Soloist model features independent channel-balance controls for headphones and speakers, while also correcting for room asymmetry and natural hearing differences.
The Burson Audio Conductor Stellar Standard Edition is available now from Peter Tyson and select independent UK retailers, priced £2,000.
The Burson Audio Soloist Stellar Standard Edition is available now from Peter Tyson and select independent UK retailers, priced £1,700.
International SRP pricing is as follows:
Conductor Stellar (Standard edition): €1900 / $1800 USD / $2800 AUS.
Soloist Stellar (Standard edition): €1600 / $1500 USD / $2600 AUS.
Upgraded versions are available through special order.