Burson V6 Classic review
We recently reviewed the excellent Burson V6 Vivid opamps, which we liked so much that we added them to the “Our Choice” section. Now it’s time to check out the Classic version – Burson V6 Classic.
Let’s start with a small experiment, we installed the Burson V6 Classic in a cheap headphone amplifier FX-AUDIO TUBE-03 MKII which uses a pair of one-cent NE5532P opamps.
FX-AUDIO TUBE-03 MKII amplifier now costs about $60 on Aliexpress, while a pair of Burson V6 Classic will cost you $145. However, the effect that you will get simply exceeds all expectations. In combination with FX-AUDIO TUBE, a truly unique, rich and detailed sound is obtained from which it is simply impossible to tear yourself away. For example, the SMSL SH-9 headphone amplifier, which now costs $280, will give a much more sterile and uninteresting sound compared to our setting based on the Burson V6 Classic. However, it should be noted that we used a linear power supply unit Topping P50, since the native FX-AUDIO power supply unit is useless. In any case, we were simply amazed at the results with Burson V6 Classic.
Burson V6 Classic and Burson V6 Vivid comparison
Now let’s move on to the main comparison of Burson V6 Classic and Burson V6 Vivid. In this test, we also used the already familiar Topping A50 amplifier and Topping P50 linear power supply together with the Meze 99 classics headphones.
Burson V6 Classic, unlike the V6 Vivid, has a calmer character and a slightly warmer feed. High frequencies as in V6 Vivid, clear and well-developed, perfectly work out the full range of high frequencies. However, the high range is presented slightly smoother and softer. The detail is at a high level, all the small nuances of the recording are clearly audible, but not as emphasized as in V6 Vivid. However, the Burson V6 Classic has its own sound signature, which is expressed in a slight emphasis on the midrange area. This is reflected in a small accent of keyboard and acoustic instruments, as well as the vocal area. The performer, as it were, approaches the listener, while not losing the scale of the scene.
As for the low frequencies, everything here is very similar to the V6 Vivid. Both models have a dense, not bloated but moderately deep bass. In the V6 Classic, you can notice a slight clipping in the sub-bass area, that is, the lowest registers of the low frequencies are transmitted more smoothly. But nevertheless, they have more than enough elaboration of their working range. Apparently, Burson decided to focus on the high-speed characteristics of low frequencies and not their some massiveness as in V6 Vivid. Due to the well-developed midbass, the beats of the bass drum and drums in general are perfectly worked out. It can be noted that V6 Vivid midbass is a little more pronounced, while in Classic this range goes even lower.
Conclusions
Burson V6 Classic has a slightly warm, comfortable and very detailed sound, with a light selection of the vocal zone and an excellent stereo panorama. According to musical genres, it is well suited for instrumental music, classical rock, jazz, light and atmospheric electronic genres. This opamp is most likely not suitable for fans of deep bass and heavy musical genres. In general, V6 Classic is the same supreme operational amplifier as the Burson V6 Vivid, only with its unique classic sound signature. A must-have in the arsenal of any audiophile.
Specifications
- Op-amp model: V6 Classic
- Design: fully discrete
- Min voltage: ±3.5V/ 7 VDC
- Max voltage: ± 16.5V / 33VDC
- Current consumption: Single 7mA | Dual 14mA
- Unity gain stable: Yes
- Reverse-voltage protection: Yes
Burson Audio official website: www.bursonaudio.com
