Burson Audio DA-160

Budget priced Dac constructed with superior discreet components and power supplies

SixMoons Review

The Burson DA-160 is completely free of integrated circuits, which focus on cost savings, not performance. Instead Burson Audio of Melbourne has constructed the entire DAC 160 with top quality discrete components that greatly enhance the musical flow and really draw you into the music. How they do all of that at this price point is astounding. Seriously.

Improvement over the HA-160D
Although the DA-160 is based on the DAC section of the HA-160D, being a stand alone DAC Burson Audio had more freedom to further optimise its performance. They tweaked the power supply network into a constant current source power supply and use two power transformers to lower the noise. The result is a more refined sound with even richer micro dynamics and substance.

Connectivity
The DA-160 has an ample supply of connections, making it easy to integrate into any audio system. There are two sets of USB inputs to make sharing the DAC between 2 PCs or wireless player easy. Apart from the standard RCA S/PDIF, an additional Optical Toslink was also added. Furthermore there are two sets of RCA outputs running parallel to make sharing the outputs of DA-160 between the two systems possible (eg, headphone amplifier and intergraded amplifier).

Discreet opamps
The function of Opamps at the output stage is as important as the lens on a cinema projector. Regardless of the analytical capability of the audio gear, an inferior opamp will halve a machine’s performance, and distort every dB of sonic imagery.

Just like Burson's acclaimed HA-160D, the DA-160 features the discreet Burson HD audio opamp. It enables the DA-160 to reproduce music in superior resolution and accuracy.

The output stage
While most of the marketing focus centers on the DAC chip, it is the output stages that are in fact the most critical aspect of any high quality audio DAC design. Output stages are not getting the air time that they deserve because properly designed output stages are complex and expensive. The concept is harder to sell to a customer compared to a DAC chip model number.

After the digital signals (0s and 1s) are converted by the DAC chip into stereo signals, A chain of output stages are needed to reconstruct, preserve and amplify the very weak analog signals. Any distortion and signal loss during these stages is irreversible. Unfortunately, due to the lack of customer awareness of the output stags, that is where most audio companies cut their costs, and it is common to see an output stage designed around a $20 IC opamp.

The DA-160 has fully discrete output stages that are independently powered. Operating in Class-A, they ensure the highest level of signal preservation. The result is higher resolution audio playback, with a completely transparent sonic signature consistent with our ideals. Something else occurs as well, musical flow and realism are improved as well. The sound is less sterile and electronic when compared to other designs.

Superior power supplies
Audio equipment needs clean power to reproduce music as it was meant to be heard. After all, audio equipment is simply modulating the AC waveform it is fed and turning it into the music we hear. If there is garbage in that waveform to begin with, that garbage will be heard as harshness and edginess and induce listener fatigue.

Utilising the Burson Audio discrete (IC free) low noise regulator technology Burson has ensured that only the cleanest power is running through every component of their DA-160.

Component matching
Burson Audio gets how critical it is for a DAC to match well with different down stream components That is why thye have incorporated their AB-160 audio buffer to resolve this precise issue. In the DA-160 Burson designed a Variable Output Buffer stage to allow better matching with all down stream equipment. It ensures optimal performance of their DA-160 with any audio component.

Specifications

• Input impedance: 52 KOhms
• Frequency response: 5Hz (-0.3dB) to 35 kHz (-1dB)
• Signal to noise ratio: >101 dB at 0dB gain
• THD:
• Channel separation: >95dB/10kHz
• Output impedance: line out 25 Ohms 45 Ohms (selectable)
• Power dissipation:
• Dimensions: (180mm X 250mm X 80mm)
• Inputs:
  • 2 x USB Connection (Support up to 24bit @ 96Khz with 10ppm low jitter clock)
  • 1 x Coaxial RCA (Support up to 24bit @ 192Khz)
  • 1 x Toslink / SPDIF (Support up to 24bit @ 192Khz)
• Outputs
  • 2 x RCA output (line level output with + 6dB gain selection)
• Weight: app. 5 kg
• Color: silver anodized aluminium