Introduction
Many have shown pictures of the Burson Playmate box, its packaging, and the cables, connectors, and technical specifications that come with the Basic version, so I won't go into that.
The structure
The Burson Playmate is a DA converter based on a SABRE32 / ES9038 chip (with microphone, optical and XMosUSB inputs), which contains a Class A headphone amplifier (6.3 Jack) and a digitally adjustable output level preamplifier (RCA). https://www.bursonaudio.com/products/playmate/
Burson built Playmate from top quality components (Elna audio grade capacitor, Dale military grade resistor, Toshiba transistors) to enjoy it in the long run.
Burson's self developed MCPS (Max Current Power Supply) power solution provides low-noise power to units quickly, which is a prerequisite for superb sound. https://www.bursonaudio.com/about-us/max-current-power-supply/
The Burson was not only meant for audiophile users, but also for gamers, as evidenced by the 4p MOLEX power connection (12V / 5A), microphone input and the fact that the Playmate can be housed in a PC ATX enclosure (5.25 ”drive bay).
Removing the XMOS USB card gives you the ability to connect an external device to the Playmate using an IIS interface.
On the small LCD display with the menu selector button (at the bottom right of the front of the Playmate, there is a small button) plus volume rotary potentiometer (big rotary button) you can scroll through the menu and select from many options:
Input: USB-B / USB-F / OPT
Output: Headphone / Preamp
Output Level: High / Low
FIR Filter: Brickwall / CMFR / Reserved / Ap Fast / etc.
DPLL (for DSD and PCM datastream): Off / Low / Mid / Hi
Emphasis: On / Off
Reset: No / Yess
The Basic version is built with 4 pcs NE5532 operation amplifiers - in DIP8 sockets - which provides plug & play capability - depending on taste, aural ideas / expectations and your wallet - easy to replace opas.
Burson also uses the upgrades of operational amplifiers (V6 Vivid & V6 Classic) to the higher-priced Playmate (V6 Vivid, Everest V6) itself, which is also reflected in the sound quality.
Let's see how the designers used the 4 operational amplifiers.
They split the LowPass Stage between two, so that one channel uses ½ of a dual opa in LPF and the other ½ in the booster phase. It means that two opas marked with I/V are used in the I/V section and the other two opas are used as LP / Headamp (½ for LPF and ½ for voltage amplification).
This solution allows the shortest possible signal path e.g. for I/V and LPF signal processing.
Crosstalk improves because two halves of the same opa work in different phases but share the same channel signal.
Generally, crosstalk improves by using a single opa in the same I/V or LPF section, instead of double, which is almost like using a single opa.
The use of a dual adapter (e.g. SOIC8 to DIP8) arises so you can choose which opa is used in LPF and in VAS.
Test & Sound
I started the audition with the Playmate RCA output connected to a power amplifier.
The volume can be adjusted gradually (between 99-0 in 100 steps). It can be adjusted according to our needs, taste and time of day.
However, the remote control is missing, which does not come with the Basic version.
At least a cheaper piece (e.g. in plastic case) could be included with the basic setup.
The source of the audio was Raspberry Pi 3 B+, the software is MoOde Audio player.
Raspberry immediately recognized the Playmate via USB, no further setup was needed.
The basic NE5532s also produced a surprisingly pleasant, audible sound when first turned on.
The sound is a bit veiled, as if it were from behind a curtain. The stage was a little blurry, but it provided a dynamic and long-lasting music experience.
The sound experience was further enhanced when the 4 pcs OPA1612s were connected.
The stage is wide, much more dynamic than the previous one, clear in height, with a slightly rumbling bass. I hear some roughness and rustling at the vocals and high tones.
Depending on the recording, brasses sometimes sound loud.
Operational amplifiers better than OPA1612 (eg Burson V5, V6) further improve the sound experience!
I could try them with LifePO4 batteries, and the stage and instrumentation got bigger after the switching power supply was replaced. However, the dynamics decreased but it could be well compensated by increasing the volume. The roughness and the rawness is gone. The change was most evident in the vocals, violin (strings) and brass.
The tone smoothed, it became more alive and subtle. It shines from a black background and is characterized by a huge atmosphere.
So Playmate produced long-listening, remarkably calm and even exciting music.
It is worth trying with a better quality linear power supply!
Test musics:
Jazz at the Pawnshop (FLAC)
Eva Cassidy - Live at Blues Alley (FLAC)
Dee Dee Bridgewater - Live at Yoshi’s (FLAC)
Filippa Giordano - Passioni (FLAC)
Rebecca Pidgeon - The Raven (FLAC)
The Doors - Riders on the Storm (FLAC)
James Carter - Chasin’ the Gypsy (FLAC)
Metallica - Nothing Else Matters (FLAC)
Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio - Midnight Sugar (FLAC)
Many have shown pictures of the Burson Playmate box, its packaging, and the cables, connectors, and technical specifications that come with the Basic version, so I won't go into that.
The structure
The Burson Playmate is a DA converter based on a SABRE32 / ES9038 chip (with microphone, optical and XMosUSB inputs), which contains a Class A headphone amplifier (6.3 Jack) and a digitally adjustable output level preamplifier (RCA). https://www.bursonaudio.com/products/playmate/
Burson's self developed MCPS (Max Current Power Supply) power solution provides low-noise power to units quickly, which is a prerequisite for superb sound. https://www.bursonaudio.com/about-us/max-current-power-supply/
The Burson was not only meant for audiophile users, but also for gamers, as evidenced by the 4p MOLEX power connection (12V / 5A), microphone input and the fact that the Playmate can be housed in a PC ATX enclosure (5.25 ”drive bay).
On the small LCD display with the menu selector button (at the bottom right of the front of the Playmate, there is a small button) plus volume rotary potentiometer (big rotary button) you can scroll through the menu and select from many options:
Input: USB-B / USB-F / OPT
Output: Headphone / Preamp
Output Level: High / Low
FIR Filter: Brickwall / CMFR / Reserved / Ap Fast / etc.
DPLL (for DSD and PCM datastream): Off / Low / Mid / Hi
Emphasis: On / Off
Reset: No / Yess
The Basic version is built with 4 pcs NE5532 operation amplifiers - in DIP8 sockets - which provides plug & play capability - depending on taste, aural ideas / expectations and your wallet - easy to replace opas.
Burson also uses the upgrades of operational amplifiers (V6 Vivid & V6 Classic) to the higher-priced Playmate (V6 Vivid, Everest V6) itself, which is also reflected in the sound quality.
Let's see how the designers used the 4 operational amplifiers.
They split the LowPass Stage between two, so that one channel uses ½ of a dual opa in LPF and the other ½ in the booster phase. It means that two opas marked with I/V are used in the I/V section and the other two opas are used as LP / Headamp (½ for LPF and ½ for voltage amplification).
This solution allows the shortest possible signal path e.g. for I/V and LPF signal processing.
Crosstalk improves because two halves of the same opa work in different phases but share the same channel signal.
Generally, crosstalk improves by using a single opa in the same I/V or LPF section, instead of double, which is almost like using a single opa.
The use of a dual adapter (e.g. SOIC8 to DIP8) arises so you can choose which opa is used in LPF and in VAS.
Test & Sound
I started the audition with the Playmate RCA output connected to a power amplifier.
The volume can be adjusted gradually (between 99-0 in 100 steps). It can be adjusted according to our needs, taste and time of day.
However, the remote control is missing, which does not come with the Basic version.
At least a cheaper piece (e.g. in plastic case) could be included with the basic setup.
The source of the audio was Raspberry Pi 3 B+, the software is MoOde Audio player.
Raspberry immediately recognized the Playmate via USB, no further setup was needed.
The basic NE5532s also produced a surprisingly pleasant, audible sound when first turned on.
The sound is a bit veiled, as if it were from behind a curtain. The stage was a little blurry, but it provided a dynamic and long-lasting music experience.
The sound experience was further enhanced when the 4 pcs OPA1612s were connected.
The stage is wide, much more dynamic than the previous one, clear in height, with a slightly rumbling bass. I hear some roughness and rustling at the vocals and high tones.
Depending on the recording, brasses sometimes sound loud.
Operational amplifiers better than OPA1612 (eg Burson V5, V6) further improve the sound experience!
I could try them with LifePO4 batteries, and the stage and instrumentation got bigger after the switching power supply was replaced. However, the dynamics decreased but it could be well compensated by increasing the volume. The roughness and the rawness is gone. The change was most evident in the vocals, violin (strings) and brass.
The tone smoothed, it became more alive and subtle. It shines from a black background and is characterized by a huge atmosphere.
So Playmate produced long-listening, remarkably calm and even exciting music.
It is worth trying with a better quality linear power supply!
Test musics:
Jazz at the Pawnshop (FLAC)
Eva Cassidy - Live at Blues Alley (FLAC)
Dee Dee Bridgewater - Live at Yoshi’s (FLAC)
Filippa Giordano - Passioni (FLAC)
Rebecca Pidgeon - The Raven (FLAC)
The Doors - Riders on the Storm (FLAC)
James Carter - Chasin’ the Gypsy (FLAC)
Metallica - Nothing Else Matters (FLAC)
Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio - Midnight Sugar (FLAC)