Burson V7 Classic Pro Opamp Review – New Sensation
Two Burson Classic opamps were kindly provided by the company for our reviews – and we thank them for that. One of these went to Biodegraded in Vancouver for his opinion. You find the product page here.
Executive Summary
The Burson V7 Classic Pro opamp is technically much improved over the V6 Classic with better detail resolution and an overall leaner, more focused sound.
In this Article
Introduction
Burson Audio, a company known for its innovations, has been manufacturing high-quality DACs and amps since their inception over 20 years ago. Initially, they focused on producing audio components, including opamps and other parts, before venturing into the creation of complete audio devices.
I did an in-depth analysis of their most affordable amp, the Burson Funk, which, at the time, came bundled with a pair of their flagship V6 Vivid opamps. I also reviewed the V6 Classic and V7 Vivid. The V7 Classic, which is investigated here, represents the latest iteration of their Classic line, known for its analog sound characteristics.
Both V7 Classic and V7 Vivid retail at $128 per piece/$244 per pair at the time of this review. You can order them from Burson. Both models are based on >13 years of research and carry a life-long warranty. V7 stands for Version 7 (or 7th generation).
What are Opamps?
Operational amplifiers, commonly known as “opamps,” are fundamental components of analog electronics circuits. They play a crucial role in optimizing and customizing sound. Opamps fine tune the sound signature, enabling tailored audio experiences that cater to individual preferences, similar to the way tubes change the sound in tube amplifiers.
One of the advantages of opamps is their universal compatibility across amplifiers, regardless of the brand. They are easily removable and replaceable from an amplifier’s logic board, making very versatile. For more detailed information about opamps, please refer to the Wikipedia page.
Earning: “opamp rolling” can became addictive.
Physicals and Installation
You install the op-amps by opening the Funk’s enclosure (which includes Allen keys), aligning them according to the manual, and inserting them into the designated slots on the logic board. For instance, the Burson Funk has two such slots: one for speakers and the other for headphones.
Good to know that Burson’s unique “reverse voltage protection” ensures that the op-amps are not damaged if they are aligned incorrectly. You may notice that the V7 opamps have a corrugated surface (like all Burson DACs and amps). That’s because they run very hot, and increasing their surface area maximizes heat dissipation.
The Burson Funk features two op-amp slots, one for the headphone circuit and the other for the speaker circuit. You can choose a different op-amp for each signal path. Some users might prefer the V7 Classic for headphone applications and the V7 Vivid for speaker use, for example.
Sound
I ran the new Burson V7 Classic opamp against the V6 Classic in the Burson Funk amp, with the analog signal fed by the EarMen Tradutto DAC. The iPhone V7 served as music source. When replacing the V6 Classic (which was my go to) with the V7 Classic, there was a huge sonic difference – as if a curtain was lifted. The V6 Classic, in comparison, sounded muffled and little dynamic. The V7 Classic tightened the bass, shaped the vocals, added transparency, clarity, and resolution. The Funk was a totally new amplifier for my ears.
The V7 Classic plays leaner, more accurate, substantially more dynamic against the thicker, warmer, less refined V6 Classic. The vocals in the V7 Classic are more forward and better accentuated. The V7 Vivid, as the name implies, is way punchier and dynamic than the two Classics.
While the V6 Classic is less resolving than the V7 Classic and overall technically lagging, it still has its benefits as it plays more organic with a deeper stage.
V7 Classic: the right Choice for You?
Since Burson offer four recent competent opamps (V6/7 Classic and V6/7 Vivid), one may lose the overview when it comes to choices. The question is not which opamp is better, but which source and music fit better to which – and to you. This depends on the amp-DAC-source combination and personal preference. What is good for the goose, may not be good for the gander. Hence Burson came up with some graphics comparing these models.
But what I can say rather broadly is that the V6 Classic and V7 Classic have little in common, they add completely characters to your amp. Second, the V7 Classic is technically much better than the V6 Classic.
Concluding Remarks
The V7 Classic is an excellent opamp and a huge technical improvement over the V6 Classic (the same accounts for V7 Vivid over the V6 Vivid). Which one I personally prefer is irrelevant for you. You may consult other opinions and also Burson’s product page to make an informed choice. All I can say is that the 6th and 7th generation “Vivid” and “Classic” are superb opamps that you can use in any amplifier.
Ultimately, the choice of opamp ultimately depends on personal preference, and savvy enthusiasts collect them all. Opamp rolling is not any different from tip rolling (and cable rolling) with earphones or headphones; it’s simply another enjoyable addiction for audio enthusiasts.
Until next time…keep on listening!
Disclaimer
Get the Burson opamps HERE.
Our generic standard disclaimer.
You find an INDEX of our most relevant technical articles HERE.
