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actually the 6600K is higher wattage than the 4790K - but surprisingly runs significantly cooler

Hello all CA readers First of all this is my first post in a long time, I rarely post. However, on this occasion I am keen to share my recent experience with my PC based 2 channel system/music server. The PC that I was using for playback was well over 'speced' for its current use - 4790K cpu, z87 higher end mobo, 16gb ram etc. I decided to sell those components on Gumtree (a popular Aussie buy/sell site) along with a high end GPU - they sold quickly for a decent price. I then updated to a higher end Z170 mobo, Skylake 6600K CPU and 16gb ddr4 ram @3200mhz. (I won't go into brands as that is not the point here) The Z170 had some nice connectivity features I was looking for namely, M.2, USB 3.1 etc. Obviously I built this system for flexibility so again its way over speced for its primary use as a music source/ server via JRiver (looking at trying Roon shortly as I've read some good things) So, post upgrade I then connect my Cambridge 851D dac via USB 2.0 async from PC then balanced out to amps/speakers I did not do this component upgrade with any thought or intention of attaining a SQ improvement but to my surprise that's exactly what happened and the improvement was not subtle! In the past I realised worthwhile improvements by upgrading my PSU to one of the better high units currently available and from moving from HDD to SSD - both changes netted a nice SQ improvement by lowering the noise floor. Now these latest component upgrades have given me yet another improvement - again to my utter surprise. This has been the most appreciable step up in SQ of any other changes I have made over the past 5 years of computer based audio. Why have these components made such a positive impact on my system?? now that's the 64 million dollar question. The short answer is I don't know for sure (I'm not a PC expert or an electrical engineer) but I'm prepared to have a considered guess: Cleaner power?! Is it the fact the Z170 mobo has robust 22 phase digital power control? Is the Skylake 6600K more 'quite' as compared with 4790K? (doubtful) Is it the DDR4 ram making the difference? (highly unlikely) Or is it somehow a synergy of all components coupled with the AX860i PSU that the older components just couldn't achieve? And yes I know that audio fed from PC via USB 2.0 to async external DAC shouldn't mater but in my instance it has and its been a really pleasant surprise!! So before you spend big bucks on that lovely new DAC upgrade - maybe consider some better (and often much cheaper) components for your source first? Just a thought.. Cheers Richard

Well, I said I would report back on my thoughts regarding the 160D after a couple of weeks breakin. Had the unit 2 days and I dont need to wait two weeks to say how impressed I am! Straight out of the box cold, the 160D impressed. Did show my highly regarded and expensive YPC-1 passive/pre and clean pair of heels in almost every meaningful performance parameter (the exception being transparency, but this I fully expected as there isnt a lot of gear that will touch the YPC-1 in that regard). I could bang on all day long with audiophile clich'e mumbo jumbo and possibly even sound intelligent while doing so. However, suffice it to say this unit is an outstanding bargain at its price point! Both in musical performance and build qaulity which is boutique/bespoke qaulity - extraordinary for Aus$1100. I would be very surprised if anyone could buy a better value (including features and build qaulity) for under $2K, even 3K would be doing very well! My 'moto' in this wonderful, life affirming hobby of ours and been for many years "Listen with your ears NOT your wallet" With the Burson that is exactly what you will doing, at the same time as enjoying dozens of new titles with all the money you have saved. Highly recommended!!

Hi Bill Thanks for sharing your experiance with the Burson. Did you by any chance try it as a straight pre/amp? If so, what were your impressions and what other equipment was it partnered with? Also, if you used the Burson as a HP amp - would you like to share your experiance in that regard? Thanks again for your input Richard

Thanks for your feedback Tim I'll actually be setting up the Burson as a pre/amp primarily, with the HP amp for secondary duties. My cans of choose at this point are the Beyerdynamic DT 990pro. These cans are not the last word in transparency but boy their fun with electronica and rock - they kick hard but remain well balanced. I use my 880's for Jazz, R&B and classical. Back to the 160D...acording to the 6moons review (one of dwindling few reviewers I still have respect for)the Burson does all three of its disiplines superbly well, particually at this price point! I'll be replacing my YPC-1 passive/pre with the Burson so it should be interesting to hear the differance. Will report back in a week or two with my findings Regards Richard

Hey Tim, good to hear your enjoying the 160D. What other gear is it paired with? And whats your overall impression of the 160D compared to other dacs you may have used? My unit should arrive today, fingers crossed Cheers Richard

Hi David Thankyou for your helpful and informative post of the 160D. Im hopeing to receive mine prior to the weekend. It will replace my passive/pre the YPC-1 (a wonderfully transparent set up) but I cant help wondering if Im sacrificing some dynamics and drive. Anyhow, will know soon enough. It will also serve as a headphone amp of course, it will be interesting to see how it pairs with my current favourite the Beyerdynamic DT990pro. These cans are not the last word in ultimate transperancy but for certain genres of music they are a hell of alot of fun! Think rock and electronica - I use my 880's for more 'respectable' listening. I will report back next week on the 160D pairing with the Asus STX and MX-D1 500W (around 570w rms into 6 ohm load) power amp. BTW. Did you notice if the 160D benefitted from a break in period? If so, how many hours? Thanks again Richard Perth WA

Does anybody own or at least heard the usd$1200 Burson Audio HA -160D. It received an excellant review over at 6Moons! This small Aussie company is beggining to make a real name for it self and the value propersition seems to be off the charts

Radiohead In Rainows (doulble album) This band can hardly put a foot wrong!

Using Asus xonar STX straight to passive/pre with matching power amp via RCA outs. Digital volume control thru MC16. Set up HTPC (all decent componants including PS) with Asus STX Ypc-1 and matching Mx-d1 class D power amp - 500RMS per side into 8ohms High qaultiy silver interconnects (1m) and high qaulity 12 gauge silver speaker cable (3m) bi-wired JBL LS 80 front mains (European speaker of the year award 2008) Seperate system for home Theatre Q1. Has anybody had experiance using STX with a passive pre amp Q2. Did you find the 'straight wire' set up preferable to adding a line stage active pre amp Q3. Is the STX outputing enough volts to 'drive' the passive attenuator (Ypc-1)and interconnects (4 all up) do you think? I have tried unsucessfully to find this answer. Q4. Do you think my approach makes sense? Given my goal is to build a system that is as transparent as possible. I had a reasonable qaulity outbaord dac in the system but I prefer this set up. Using MC16 produced a significant step up in SQ also. Q5. In your experiance will spending another AUS$1100 on a Burson dac (HA160D) significantly improve my SQ performance? I don' want to spend the money just to potentially add coloration - I want my system as pure as possible! Excerpt of the quite remarkable 6 moons review below Burson HA160D "Common math and cynicism hit a—very happy but nonetheless—snag in that this extra DAC/preamp functionality adds only $400 over the HA160. This seems an insufficient financial leap to parlay any proper seriousness of purpose and execution. Be honest. Just how much do you expect a $400 DAC can do (while remembering that this one piggybacks on the $700 HA160's output stage)? Snobs and cynics are destined to overlook the Burson for that simple but very silly reason. Someone for whom $1.100 represent a real stretch meanwhile to save up for over many long months might apply the same snobbery albeit stood on its head. While enjoying the Burson after finally buying it, he might secretly dream about just how much better a $3.000 big-name DAC would be. That person would miss the point twice over. But since you've read this far, you already know that. My final math on the subject is simple. With a Realsization award for Burson's HA160 headphone-only amp, the HA160D as a DAC/preamp/headphone amp has a Blue Moon award written all over it. I actually think of it as the new benchmark in this component and price class". Sragan Ebaen