If you don't need a balanced amp then the non balanced version of the Conductor 3 series is all you will ever need. Their performance is virtually identical. But by going with a truly balanced designed amp, it will net you some the sonic improvements Burson is describing. To be honest, you really need to have some top rated headphones to properly distinguish the two. Headphones that don't have the resolving ability of something like a Focal Utopia or an Abyss Diana for example, you would be hard press to even hear those differences.
On my review I found out that 10% of THD is achieved pretty close to 15W, while 1% of THD is achieved somewhere between 13.5-14W, so like always Burson is extremely conservative on declaring the output power. Probably the 7.5W is the nominal output power, while the absolute max. power is pretty close to double.
It is very impressive for a headphone amp indeed. What’s more impressive is it does that while also being very musical. I’ve gone through a lot of amps searching for the right combination of power, musicality, the ability to handle huge dynamic swings and maintain compose at high volumes. It also had to be versatile enough to work with a wide variety of headphones. I’m finally happy say I’m a proud owner of the Conductor 3XR.
Yes, connecting your Roon Nucleus to the Conductor 3XR via USB will give you all the benefits of the amp. Secondly, if you go with the non balanced version of the Conductor 3 you will need to get an balanced to singled ended adapter. That way you won’t have to replace your current cables.So if I use the 3XR with my Roon Nucleus it will be connected with the usb cable . Will this give me a fully balanced headphone amp ?
Trying to understand all of this
PS I have balanced cables for both of my headphone so if I go for the 3R model I will have the added expense of new cables so the cost d of the models is similar
Anyway I have ordered my 3XR today
Great, I hope you enjoy it. Mine is still burning in, but I’m liking what I’m hearing.
Yes, it can become an endless cycle. Especially if you're chasing the ultimate in sound. I've gone through some many different amps and headphones trying to find a sound that I like. In my search, I've learned that there are no perfect headphones. The Hifiman Susvara's and the Abyss Phi TC's come the closest to sonic perfection that I've heard.Yes I am looking forward to getting it. I intend to use it with my Roon Nucleus initially . Then i have a house move planned and it may be moved to just be used with Tidal from my Phone , IPad or Desktop.
It will be interesting to compare it with the Taurus as its a fantastic amp, but you know this hobby ......always looking for that step up
After reading this thread this does seem to be an issue
The USB cable that comes with the unit does not work. I had to use a different USB-C cable in order to get my computer to work with the 3XR. So be prepared to change out the cable unless Burson has supplied a newer version.This will only be the third HP amp I have owned since I started my headphone journey some 15 years ago so I tend not to change a lot of components. Once i get a piece of kit I tend to keep it if I am happy. For some reason I am enjoying headphone listening more and more so in this lockdown I am spending little cash.......so I thought upgrading was a good option
You mention two of the headphones that I would love to own one day, but they are a little daer for me. I have the HEK and the HD800S and I am particularly keen to pair it with the HEK.
I have it on a 30 day trial but I am sure it will be a keeper
PS If my unit arrives with a USB cable that does not work I will literally scream
@grizzlybeast I think a lot of us would love to see you back in the game. Your reviews are missed! I was all set to get the iFi Pro stack but I got tired of waiting on the Pro iDSD. So I sold the energizer and the Pro iCan. I did hear the Pro iDSD and thought it was awesome. It's not as detailed or insightful as Chord's offerings but it's a little bit more musical and warmer sounding. I think it works better with the Pro iCan than on its own. I didn't feel the amp section was as transparent and the Pro iCan's. The 3XR is a much better all in one unit in my opinion.
