About Burson
Burson Audio is challenging the conventional and pushing the boundaries of audio excellence through innovation. A decade ago, we argued against using IC opamps on the audio signal path. Today, our discrete audio opamps are industry benchmarks. [+] Learn More
In 2017, we had a breakthrough in power supply research. It led to the development of our proprietary Max Current Power Supply (MCPS). Superior to both transformer-based and conventional switching power supply designs, the MCPS is featured in all Burson products, winning awards and leaving competitors in the dust. [+] Learn More
We don’t advertise, buy reviews, nor attend trade-shows, and we certainly don’t markup prices to cover such costs. Instead, we build products that speak for themselves and build relationships directly with fellow audiophiles. We also work with selective, like-minded audio stores around the world which contributes to their local audio community.
Intro
Some DAC/Amps claim to give you the front row experience in exchange for less soundstage. Others promise a 3D soundstage in trade for fewer details. The Conductor simply gives you everything in the recording, without sugar-coating, the good and sometimes the ugly. You can locate a tapping foot on the stage while enjoying that lingering vibration of air after a keystroke.
Advanced Digital
The Conductor uses the SABRE32/ESS9038Q2M DAC and XMOS USB receiver chips, the most advanced and expensive in the industry. Its Customised USB driver by Thesycon Germany ensures low latency bit-perfect audio playback. The result is incredible processing power, accurately playing back DSD512 and 32bit/768khz audio.
It also features a Qualcomm/CSR8675 [+] Learn More Bluetooth 5.0 receiver. Playing back at 24bit/96khz with aptX HD audio codec. , it pushes sound quality and ease of use to the highest level.
Max Current Power Supply
The Conductor Performance features the same Max Current Power Supply (MCPS) that has made the Conductor Reference legendary.
A technology developed, owned and used exclusively by Burson Audio, the MCPS raises voltage frequency from 50Hz to 170kHz, pushing noise beyond human hearing. It completely overcomings the disadvantages of both linear power supplies and conventional switching power supplies, resulting in incredible dynamic and micro-details. [+] Learn More
The Cool Case
We like to turn Class-A amplifiers from monsters with heat-fins into elegant, desktop-friendly machines, and we do it through the Cool Case. Made from high-density aluminium and electroplated to space-grey, the Cool Case is a unified heat-sink keeping the Class-A Conductor cool and optimised. Critics such as Headfonics called it “the new standard” in the audio industry.
Having a footprint that is 30% less than the Conductor Reference and a volume similar to a lunch box, it is beautiful but unobstructive. Take it to work, and no one will raise an eyebrow. [+] Learn More
Opamp Rolling Fun
The Conductor Performance comes with Burson V6 Vivid discrete opamps. But don’t let us or anyone dictate your listening experience. The Conductor encourages opamp rolling with gold plated DIP8 sockets along its signal path. With hundreds of audio opamps out there, you have the freedom to tailor your listening experience to your preference. [+] Learn More
The Sound
While our Conductor Reference is like Huge Jackman in Kate and Leopold, the completed package, the Conductor Performance is the shredded Wolverine. It’s still him but stripped down! Power and total control of that power will be the overwhelming first impression. It energises every note and space in between, bringing accuracy and micro-details. The C3 performance is for the perfectionist who works hard and plays harder.
Which Conductor is for you?
Suppose you have a DAC with balanced outputs or any headphones with balanced cables, or a power amp with balanced inputs. Suppose you are considering such upgrades in the future. Then the Conductor 3X future proofs your audio journey.
Otherwise, our Conductor 3 is a timeless addition to any single-ended audio system.
Go to your Roon!
Roon is the most popular streaming and HD music management platform for audiophiles. Burson is part of this fantastic ecosystem.
Our DACs are Roon Tested, and they seamlessly connect with any 3rd party Roon Ready audio streamers.
| A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Measurement | Package Content | ||
| Input impedance: | 39 KOhms | Conductor 3XP (M-180X) ｜Conductor 3P (M-180) | USB Cable |
| Frequency response: | ± 1 dB 0 – 58Khz | Remote Control | OTG Adoptor |
| THD: | <0.0015% | Power Cable | 24V Power Unit |
| Output impedance (Headphone Amp): | 0.5 Ohm | IC opamps for warranty trouble-shooting | fuse and headphone adaptor |
| Output impedance (Pre Out / DAC Out): | 1 Ohm / 25 Ohm | ||
| Conductor 3XP General Info | |||
| Inputs: | USB, Optical Toslink, BlueTooth 5.0, microphone | Weight: | app. 3 kg |
| Outputs: | 1 x XLR Preamp/DAC1 x RCA Preamp/DAC1 x 6.3mm Headphone1 x XLR Headphone | Dimensions: | 200 X 250 X 60mm |
| Conductor 3P General Info | |||
| Inputs: | USB, Optical Toslink, BlueTooth 5.0, microphone | Weight: | app. 3 kg |
| Outputs: | 1 x RCA Pre Amp1 X RCA Line Level DAC1 x 6.3mm Headphone | Dimensions: | 200 X 250 X 60(mm) |
| DAC Spec | Asynchronous Isochronous USB Spec | ||
| Channel Separation: | 142 dB @ 1KHz, 135 dB @ 20KHz | Desktop OS: | Windows XP, 7, 8, 10 Mac OSX |
| THD+N: | 0.0005% @ 1KHz, 0dBFS | Desktop OS: | iOS* , Android (OTG support) |
| COAX & Toslink / SPDIF : | up to 24bit 192K | PCM Support: | PCM ≤ 768kHz @ 16, 24 or 32bits |
| Native DSD: | Native DSD 64 / 128 / 256 / 512 | ||
| Bluetooth Input | Bluetooth 5.0 aptX HD (Qualcomm CSR8675) | DSD over PCM: | DoP64 / DoP128 / DoP256/Dop512 |
| Impedance (Headphone Jack) | Power XLR / SE | Signal to Noise Ratio | Separation |
| 16 Ohm | 3XP 6 / 3W | 3P 6W | 96db | 99% |
| 32 Ohm | 3XP 3 / 1.5W | 3P 3W | 98db | 99% |
| 100 Ohm | 3XP 1 / 0.5W | 3P 1W | 95db | 99% |
| 150 Ohm | 3XP 660 / 330mW | 3P 660mW | 96db | 99% |
| 300 Ohm | 3XP 330 / 115mW | 3P 330mW | 96db | 99.50% |
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Retail Price | Dimensions (mm) | Digital | Head Amp | Power Supply | Others |
| Conductor 3XR | 2,199USD | 255 x 270 x 70 | ESS9038Q2M DAC X 2 | 7.5W XLR / 3.5W SE PC | MCPS X 5 | Analogue Inputs X 2 |
| Conductor 3R | 1,799USD | 255 x 270 x 70 | ESS9038Q2M DAC X 2 | 7.5W SE PC | MCPS X 5 | Analogue Inputs X 2 |
| Conductor 3XP | 1,399USD | 200 X 250 X 60 | ESS9038Q2M DAC X 1 | 6W XLR / 3W SE PC | MCPS X 3 | N/A |
| Conductor 3P | 1,099USD | 200 X 250 X 60 | ESS9038Q2M DAC X 1 | 6W SE PC | MCPS X 3 | N/A |
