BursonAudio PI-100 Integrated Amplifier Plus Audio Buffer

[Κώστας Φ.]

Ο ενισχυτής στα 525 Ευρώ χωρίς συναρμολόγηση και στα 630Ε έτοιμος. Το buffer στα 200Ε.


"Burson hail from Australia, they have a strong background in high performance voltage regulators and discrete component OpAmps. More recently Burson have produced their PI-100, a 75 watts into 8 Ohms (150 watts in 4 Ohms) integrated amplifier. My interest was roused by the Burson claims about their competing with the sound of tubes but without compromised tube-amplifier loudspeaker drive capabilities.

Burson don't claim revolutionary design features but they do claim to combine sensible design practices that result in excellent sonics and technical capabilities. The PI-100 does not use coupling capacitors so the signal path is not "voiced" by potentially coloring capacitors. Great fun can be had tweaking amplifiers by substituting different coupling capacitors but the inescapable fact is that the best coupling capacitor is no coupling capacitor. The power supplies are regulated and of course they are implemented with Burson's own super-regulators. All components are discrete; there are no integrated circuits in the amplifier. There are three inputs, a pair of which feed the volume control; the third input is cleverly configured as a power amplifier input.

...

My conclusion is that the BursonAudio PI-100 when operated as a power amplifier outperforms the KaT34 tube amplifier whether equipped with EL34 or KT88 tubes. Bear in mind my preference for tubes and that the KaT34 cost me around double the purchase price of the Burson. You may now appreciate that my conclusion took me somewhat by surprise. Clearly BursonAudio have achieved their goals.

...

BursonAudio designed their Audio buffer to offer an easy load to source components and to be able to drive amplifiers with ease. Burson's discrete power supply regulators are used and the circuit is fully discrete, there being no ICs in use. Unlike the X10D the Audio Buffer delivers gain of two times (6dB). There is a power button on the front panel while the rear panel has an IEC power socket and RCA phono sockets for input/output.

...

Conclusion

As an integrated amplifier the PI-100 offers little in the way of frills, the focus being on sound quality. Sound quality is above what I would have expected for the price, I would simplistically describe the sound as smooth and powerful. The clever PI-100 input arrangements mean it's a doodle to turn it into a power amplifier or you can use it with the Audio Buffer in front of it. My advice would be to consider purchasing a PI-100 as the first step, you really should consider using the Audio Buffer or a quality preamplifier with the PI-100. I should add that the buffer is not expensive and is worth trying in most systems to check if its effect is beneficial.

BursonAudio have recently introduced their preamplifier that matches the PI-100, this is based on the Audio Buffer but with more gain. I fully expect this to be the perfect partner to the PI-100. Take the PI-100 to the max with a good preamplifier as you may be well rewarded."

Full Review: enjoythemusic.com


Specifications

PI-100
Type: Stereo integrated amplifier
Frequency Response 10Hz to 120kHz (+/- 3dB)
Output Power: 75 wpc @ 8 Ohms (150 wpc @ 4 Ohms)
Operation: Class AB
S/N Ratio 96dB (CD, Line)
Input Sensitivity: 240mV
Input Impedance: 20kOhms
Dimensions: 430 x 100 x 360 (WxHxD in mm)
Weight: 13 kg
Price: $840 for barebones, $1010 complete (price in Australian dollars)


Audio Buffer
Frequency Response: 0Hz to 220kHz (-3dB)
Output Noise Level: 0.015MV (nil input)
Maximum Output Voltage: 12VRMS
Maximum Input Voltage: 6VRMS
SNR: 118dB
Gain: 6dB
Net Weight: 2 kg
Dimensions: 210 x 145 x 60 (W x H x D in mm)
Price: $325 (price in Australian dollars)

 

[Κώστας Φ.]

Απάντηση: BursonAudio PI-100 Integrated Amplifier Plus Audio Buffer

Άλλο ένα θετικό review για τον ολοκληρωμένο της Burson Audio, αυτή τη φορά απο το hometheaterhifi.com:

"Conclusions

With all the characteristics taken into account, I can safely state that the PI-100 is an excellent integrated amplifier, equaling and besting amplifiers costing 3-5 times more. It has essentially no sonic shortcomings. The description I give above reveals some details of the presentation that I might prefer to be otherwise, but there are no clear flaws of any kind.

The real question is if the minimalist design of the PI-100 meets your needs in a system context. For me, it does not. There just aren't enough inputs, or any line level outputs to properly drive my subwoofer amplifier. There is also the issue that the PI-100 cannot really be auditioned in advance, nor can it be easily returned.

Some might be bothered by the DIY image of the amp as well. But, for me, sound quality ALWAYS trumps appearance. If I had a simpler, two-channel-only system as I had in the past, the PI-100 would have been perfect. If you have the luxury to have a second two-channel-only system, or would like to build one at a reasonable cost, the PI-100 is a great, no frills component that can be the core of a fine system.

It would also be the perfect integrated for someone's first real Hi-Fi setup. A PI-100 combined with a quality universal disc player, and monitor-class speakers could make a fabulous $2000-$3000 stereo system. I eagerly await future components from Burson, like the new P-100 preamp. This hobby needs more performance for less cost, and Burson is helping to deliver."


Full Review: hometheaterhifi.com

 

[vasilis-t]

Ο ενισχυτής στα 525 Ευρώ χωρίς συναρμολόγηση και στα 630Ε έτοιμος. Το buffer στα 200Ε.


"Burson hail from Australia, they have a strong background in high performance voltage regulators and discrete component OpAmps. More recently Burson have produced their PI-100, a 75 watts into 8 Ohms (150 watts in 4 Ohms) integrated amplifier. My interest was roused by the Burson claims about their competing with the sound of tubes but without compromised tube-amplifier loudspeaker drive capabilities.

Burson don't claim revolutionary design features but they do claim to combine sensible design practices that result in excellent sonics and technical capabilities. The PI-100 does not use coupling capacitors so the signal path is not "voiced" by potentially coloring capacitors. Great fun can be had tweaking amplifiers by substituting different coupling capacitors but the inescapable fact is that the best coupling capacitor is no coupling capacitor. The power supplies are regulated and of course they are implemented with Burson's own super-regulators. All components are discrete; there are no integrated circuits in the amplifier. There are three inputs, a pair of which feed the volume control; the third input is cleverly configured as a power amplifier input.

...

My conclusion is that the BursonAudio PI-100 when operated as a power amplifier outperforms the KaT34 tube amplifier whether equipped with EL34 or KT88 tubes. Bear in mind my preference for tubes and that the KaT34 cost me around double the purchase price of the Burson. You may now appreciate that my conclusion took me somewhat by surprise. Clearly BursonAudio have achieved their goals.

...

BursonAudio designed their Audio buffer to offer an easy load to source components and to be able to drive amplifiers with ease. Burson's discrete power supply regulators are used and the circuit is fully discrete, there being no ICs in use. Unlike the X10D the Audio Buffer delivers gain of two times (6dB). There is a power button on the front panel while the rear panel has an IEC power socket and RCA phono sockets for input/output.

...

Conclusion

As an integrated amplifier the PI-100 offers little in the way of frills, the focus being on sound quality. Sound quality is above what I would have expected for the price, I would simplistically describe the sound as smooth and powerful. The clever PI-100 input arrangements mean it's a doodle to turn it into a power amplifier or you can use it with the Audio Buffer in front of it. My advice would be to consider purchasing a PI-100 as the first step, you really should consider using the Audio Buffer or a quality preamplifier with the PI-100. I should add that the buffer is not expensive and is worth trying in most systems to check if its effect is beneficial.

BursonAudio have recently introduced their preamplifier that matches the PI-100, this is based on the Audio Buffer but with more gain. I fully expect this to be the perfect partner to the PI-100. Take the PI-100 to the max with a good preamplifier as you may be well rewarded."

Full Review: enjoythemusic.com


Specifications

PI-100
Type: Stereo integrated amplifier
Frequency Response 10Hz to 120kHz (+/- 3dB)
Output Power: 75 wpc @ 8 Ohms (150 wpc @ 4 Ohms)
Operation: Class AB
S/N Ratio 96dB (CD, Line)
Input Sensitivity: 240mV
Input Impedance: 20kOhms
Dimensions: 430 x 100 x 360 (WxHxD in mm)
Weight: 13 kg
Price: $840 for barebones, $1010 complete (price in Australian dollars)


Audio Buffer
Frequency Response: 0Hz to 220kHz (-3dB)
Output Noise Level: 0.015MV (nil input)
Maximum Output Voltage: 12VRMS
Maximum Input Voltage: 6VRMS
SNR: 118dB
Gain: 6dB
Net Weight: 2 kg
Dimensions: 210 x 145 x 60 (W x H x D in mm)
Price: $325 (price in Australian dollars)

ΤΟ τρίτο κοματι που εφτιαξε είναι στα χέρια μου
ΑΠΛΑ ΑΓΟΡΑΣΤΕ ΤΟΝ !!!!

 

[Κώστας Φ.]

Απάντηση: Re: BursonAudio PI-100 Integrated Amplifier Plus Audio Buffer

ΤΟ τρίτο κοματι που εφτιαξε είναι στα χέρια μου
ΑΠΛΑ ΑΓΟΡΑΣΤΕ ΤΟΝ !!!!

Βασίλη, ενθουσιασμένο σε διαβάζω... :happy_9:
Πες κάτι παραπάνω, όταν βρεις χρόνο. :cool_4:

 

[Κώστας Φ.]

Απάντηση: BursonAudio PI-100 Integrated Amplifier Plus Audio Buffer

Να ρε παιδιά κι άλλο buffer.... Αλλά ένα μυαλό χειμώνα-καλοκαίρι, δεν το θυμήθηκα όταν κάναμε τη σχετική κουβέντα...

 

[vasilis-t]

Re: Απάντηση: Re: BursonAudio PI-100 Integrated Amplifier Plus Audio Buffer

Βασίλη, ενθουσιασμένο σε διαβάζω... :happy_9:
Πες κάτι παραπάνω, όταν βρεις χρόνο. :cool_4:

εξεφτέλισε σε χροιές και λεπτομέρεια λαμπατο πουσπουλατο με 4.5κ αξία
δέυτερον απλα πέταξα ενα diy μοσφετ με 180 βατάκια μετρημένη ισχη με εξωτικα υλικά και τροφοδοτικο που σκοτωνε βοιδι , και ακουγα μεχρι τωρα ,
τρίτον είναι σαφως πιο ατακατος γρηγορος και ουδετερος με κοντρα se 845
αξίας 6.5κ
τεταρτον και καλυτερον ΞΕΚΟΥΡΑΣΤΑ ΑΚΟΥΣΜΑΤΑ , σε πραγματικα εξευτελιστικη τιμη ,
ΤΑ αυστραλα είναι ευγενεστατα και τίμια και μην κολωσεται για αγορα !
εαν ακουσεται και τους τελεστικους που φτιαχνουν θα πάθεται πλακα !!
εγω απο εκει ορμηξα και πηρα τον ενισχιτη ,
on the road είναι kai το bufer αναμείνατε εντυπωσεις !!!

 

[Κώστας Φ.]

Απάντηση: BursonAudio PI-100 Integrated Amplifier Plus Audio Buffer

Ωραίος Βασίλη. :happy_6:
Πέρασε απο τελωνείο? Τελικό κόστος?

 

[vasilis-t]

Re: Απάντηση: BursonAudio PI-100 Integrated Amplifier Plus Audio Buffer

Ωραίος Βασίλη. :happy_6:
Πέρασε απο τελωνείο? Τελικό κόστος?

ΟΧΙ του είπα να μην στείλει τιμολογιο , παρα μονο ενα χαρτι απο το αυστραλο ταχυδρομείο που γράφει radio parts χωρις κανενα κοστος γραμενο πουθενα ,
οπότε δεν περασε τελωνείο!
650 ευρα ανεφ Μ/Τ ΑΛΛΑ ΕΑΝ ΔΕΝ ΕΧΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΊΡΑ ΜΕ DIY ΠΑΡΤΕΤΟΝ ΕΤΟΙΜΟ ΔΕΝ ΕΊΝΑΙ ΤΟΣΟ ΑΠΛΟ ΓΙΑ ΚΑΠΟΙΟΝ ΠΟΥ ΔΕΝ ΞΕΡΕΙ !!!

 

[g.kar]

Βασίλη, όντως έτσι έχουν τα πράγματα. Στην ακρόαση που κάναμε σπίτι σου την κόρνα την έπαιζε περίφημα.
Ποιοί ήταν αυτοί που έλεγαν ότι οι τρανσιστοράτοι push-pull δεν παίζουν καλά με τις κόρνες ???

Χα χα χα !!! δεν έχουν λένε σωστό timings.

Any way, μετά τις εκλογές θα τους βαλουμε στην φυλακή :happy_5: ή ακόμα καλύτερα να τους στείλουμε σε κανένα ξερονήσι για αλλαγή ιδεολογίας .

 

[platon]

@Vasilis-t
μπορεις να μου πεις, αν θελεις με ποια ηχεια (κορνες) τον ακουσες?

 

[Μιχαλης Σπερτος]

Ο Εlektor που θα βγει οπου ναναι (στα περιπτερα, οχι στις εκλογες) θα εχει συγκριτικη δοκιμη απο καμμια 10αρια Power Amp modules διαφορων Τεχνολογιων. (Μεταφορα απο το Ολλανδικο περιοδικο).
Δεν γνωριζω εαν θα υπαρχουν ή οχι Ακουστικες εντυπωσεις.

 

[Κώστας Φ.]

Απάντηση: Re: BursonAudio PI-100 Integrated Amplifier Plus Audio Buffer

Ο Εlektor που θα βγει οπου ναναι (στα περιπτερα, οχι στις εκλογες) θα εχει συγκριτικη δοκιμη απο καμμια 10αρια Power Amp modules διαφορων Τεχνολογιων. (Μεταφορα απο το Ολλανδικο περιοδικο).
Δεν γνωριζω εαν θα υπαρχουν ή οχι Ακουστικες εντυπωσεις.

Mιχάλη δεν έχει ακουστικές εντυπώσεις. Μόνο κάποιες μετρήσεις.
Το άρθρο μπορείτε να το βρείτε εδώ. Ζητάει "10 Elektor Credits" για να το κατεβάσετε αλλά με την εγγραφή σας στο site σας δίνει ακριβώς τόσα ως δώρο. :cool_4:

 

[vasilis-t]

@Vasilis-t
μπορεις να μου πεις, αν θελεις με ποια ηχεια (κορνες) τον ακουσες?

FOSTEX 206E IN DIY BLH

 

[vasilis-t]

Βασίλη, όντως έτσι έχουν τα πράγματα. Στην ακρόαση που κάναμε σπίτι σου την κόρνα την έπαιζε περίφημα.
Ποιοί ήταν αυτοί που έλεγαν ότι οι τρανσιστοράτοι push-pull δεν παίζουν καλά με τις κόρνες ???

Χα χα χα !!! δεν έχουν λένε σωστό timings.

Any way, μετά τις εκλογές θα τους βαλουμε στην φυλακή :happy_5: ή ακόμα καλύτερα να τους στείλουμε σε κανένα ξερονήσι για αλλαγή ιδεολογίας .

Στην ΜΥΚΟΝΟ :cool_11: ???

 

[platon]

FOSTEX 206E IN DIY BLH

Thank you:happy_4:

 

[Κώστας Φ.]

Απάντηση: BursonAudio PI-100 Integrated Amplifier Plus Audio Buffer

Έχουμε και (σύντομο) review του προενισχυτή της Burson.
Πέρα από τα ενισχυτικά, αυτά τα HDAM modules τους (τα οποία, αν κατάλαβα καλά, είναι opamps υλοποιημένα με διακριτά εξαρτήματα) φαίνονται καλή περίπτωση.



Burson Audio Pre-100 amplifier
[Cost: 1320$ AUD (approx 1088 USD)]


I had already reviewed BursonAudio's integrated power amplifier when I was offered their Pre-100 pre amplifier to try with it. Burson have designed (and tuned) the P-100 specifically to go with the PI-100, although it will work well with a lot of other power amplifiers too!

The appearance of the Pre-100 is almost identical to the PI-100 so the two look good together on the rack. Once again, the case has a slightly DIY look to it as Burson's policy is to provide the best sound quality that they can while keeping their products as affordable as possible. You need to keep this in mind when buying the Pre-100 (or the PI-100). If you want a much better case, you will find yourself paying out a lot more than the Pre-100 comes for! The plain aluminium look is clean and doesn't offend. The controls on the front panel do nothing to break up the clean lines. The internal layout is also neat and tidy with the custom transformer 'tidied' away in its own housing.


What you get with the Pre-100 is Burson's proven philosophy. That is attention to detail, by way of a low-noise power supply using a custom transformer. The extensive use of discrete components with not a single opamp to be found anywhere. Matched transistors, and carefully selected components complete the recipe. Volume control is by way of an Alps Blue potentiometer, while input selection is achieved using relays adjacent to the input sockets as part of their philosophy of maintaining the shortest signal path. And there are two pairs of output RCA sockets although the labeling is a little confusing. I value these extra sockets as it allows me to easily connect both the power amplifier, and the second amplifier that powers the woofers.

Essentially what the Pre-100 is, is a more advanced version of the Burson Buffer using the HDAM modules, but with an added gain stage, source selection and volume control built in. As such, having reviewed the Burson Buffer, I wasn't surprised that adding the Pre-100 between my modified Philips CD723 and various amplifiers including some home-built Gainclones, Autocostruire and Charlize class-T amps, made quite an improvement due to the much better impedance matching that is achieved. The Pre-100 is quite neutral and transparent, qualities we should hope for from a pre amplifier.

Well, I raved about the Burson buffer, and nothing has happened to make me change my mind on that. I know there are many very satisfied BB owners out there, and Bolder Cables now recommend the Burson Buffer to go after their modified SB3. But the Pre-100 is much more than a Burson Buffer as the following diagram illustrates.

Burson have taken things to another level with the Pre-100. For a start, it is a completely dual mono design including the power supplies. While the design of the Burson Buffer only permits a gain of 6 db, the Pre-100 has a separate voltage gain stage with 10 db of gain. Of course, both gain and buffer stages use discrete components instead of opamps. The voltage gain stage is even manually biased like a power amp. And of course, the Pre-100 allows you to connect three sources, and has the volume control.

The real test in this review was to pair the Pre-100 with the PI-100 which I did in my main system! To be honest, the PI-100 really needs either the Burson buffer, or the Pre-100 to bring out its full potential. Without them it can sound a bit on the thin side! The PI-100 has one input that bypasses the internal volume control and it was to that I connected the cable from the Pre-100. Together however, the PI-100 shows what it is capable of. For this review, I was using a Slim Devices Transporter and using the digital volume control. Being used to no other volume control, I did notice the signature of that Alps Blue pot when I used the Pre-100 instead of the Burson buffer (that doesn't have a volume control). But if you don't have a volume control on your source, you will need one of some sort, and the Alps Blue is certainly one of the better options. Apart from the signature of the volume control, it was hard to 'hear' that the Pre-100 was in the system! The only other 'negative' I noted was that the source selection is a bit noisy when switching between one input and another. This does nothing to degrade the sound quality while you are listening though.

Summing up the Pre-100 is another fine offering from BursonAudio. It compliments their PI-100 power amplifier perfectly, but will also work well with most, if not all, power amplifiers. As usual, most resources have gone into producing a high quality sound rather than an attractive appearance although that's not to say that the Pre-100 isn't attractive. And if you want this level of electronics, and a top-notch housing, you are looking to pay much more than the asking price of this product!

Πηγή: TNTAudio.com

 

[Κώστας Φ.]

Απάντηση: BursonAudio PI-100 Integrated Amplifier Plus Audio Buffer

Kι άλλο review για τους Αυστραλούς.. Αυτή τη φορά έχουμε δοκιμή του προενισχυτή P-100 από το 6moons. Για άλλη μία φορά, αφήνουν πολύ καλές εντυπώσεις. Καλή περίπτωση φαίνεται ο προ, με διακριτά εξαρτήματα, ενσωματωμένο το buffer της Burson στις εισόδους και με πολύ λογική τιμή (σε βάρος της εμφάνισης, ποιότητας του κουτιού και με περιορισμένες ευκολίες).

"The P-100 has a moderate high gain of 15dB, a very low and amplifier-friendly output impedance of 25 ohms and a source-friendly input impedance of 220K. THD plus noise is 0.005% from 20Hz to 20Khz. The specified frequency response is 20Hz to 20Khz +/- 0dB, with the lack of -3dB point disguising how wideband the circuit is. The unit weighs in at healthy 7kgs and measures 430 by 100 by 360mm WxHxD. And that is pure simplicity in specifications. Some other important design features are the use of custom-built low-noise shielded transformers, hand-picked and closely matched transistors, symmetrical layout with optimized signal paths and high-quality internal wiring.


Wanting more, I approached Burson designer Jack Thomas for a bit of additional information on the P-100's internal design and the company's goals: "First off, our preamp is true dual mono in design. That's ideal at this very fragile stage of signal amplification because only a dual mono design can completely separate two channels and eliminate related distortions. We have a tradition of and belief in building discrete circuitries (devices without IC op-amps). Our preamp continues that tradition. It is fully discrete in design, from the power supply to the amplification stages. We are very proud of this as very few manufactures in the market can produce discrete output stages and even fewer offer discrete power supplies. The complexity in design and its associated production cost puts most manufactures off.


"The discrete power supply of our Pre-100 is based on our discrete low noise regulator technology, which continues to be very popular among hard core DIY audiophiles. A super low noise power supply as combined with our class A discrete amplification stage allows the preservation of those finer details often masked by unclean power from the wall socket. Our Burson Audio Buffer has already demonstrated the importance of impedance matching in audio systems. Our Pre-100 employs an even more sophisticated buffer stage to ensure that it will synergize with any audio system."

...

The Burson Audio P-100 preamplifier is far from the last word on fit and finish and when one
inspects features, things are quite Spartan. But sonically, this is among the best preamplifiers I've had the pleasure of auditioning. When looking at the asking price, that alone makes it one of the best bargains this writer has come across in a long career in high-end audio. All manner of music as directed by the Burson P-100 -- yes, a preamp directs but the more skilful the director, the less obvious his personality -- retained its liveliness, transparency and detail and while being furnished with a subtle warmth, it made this director more Fellini, the NuForce P9 more De Sica."


Full Review: 6moons.com