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Burl B2 Bomber DAC Review: Holy Sh**, This is Good

Discussion in 'Digital: DACs, USB converters, decrapifiers' started by purr1n, Jul 14, 2020.

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  1. gsanger

    gsanger Almost "Made"

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    +1 for TVC or AVC. I’m not a huge fan of resistor based passive attenuation, but love my Slagleformer. Will be more expensive, but used TVCs/AVCs show up occasionally on the used market with balanced connections under $1000. Or if you are open to an easy DIY project, two stereo Slagleformers from Intact Audio will run about $1500-$2000.
     
    gsanger, Aug 10, 2024
    #161
  2. Josh Schor

    Josh Schor Friend

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    The ICon passive autoformer preamp does not color the sound, one of the best I have heard. Look for an autoformer pre amp
     
    Josh Schor, Aug 10, 2024
    #162
  3. Clemmaster

    Clemmaster Friend

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    Rocking a Vinnie Rossi LIO w/ fancy silver AVC here. It is indeed excellent (even without tube)!
     
    Clemmaster, Aug 10, 2024
    #163
  4. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    One word of caution when using TVCs/AVCs with pro DACs with very hot output is to check with the TVC/AVC manufacturer, as to how high of a V the device can handle. I have seen some that are limited to 6 VRMS.

    A particular benefit with TVC (not AVC) is, it can be wired to do the Bal to SE conversion.
     
    EagleWings, Aug 11, 2024
    #164
  5. michelemilano

    michelemilano New

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    No one has tried Khozmo or other attenuator with the b2? Does one fits better because of the b2 spec?
     
    michelemilano, Aug 11, 2024
    #165
  6. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    Be careful, some can sound quite poor.
     
    • Agreed, ditto, +1 Agreed, ditto, +1 x 1
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    bixby, Aug 11, 2024
    #166
  7. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Khozmo is pretty good. It's just that people here have moved on to TVCs.
     
    purr1n, Aug 11, 2024
    #167
  8. michelemilano

    michelemilano New

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    I don’t know what TVCs is… do you have any products “ready to buy”? Brand/model? I prefer to avoid DIY kit and have something good ready to go
     
    michelemilano, Aug 11, 2024
    #168
  9. internethandle

    internethandle Almost "Made"

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    TVC = "transformer volume control." You'd just need to search for "autoformer"/"TVC preamp" on HiFiShark or eBay or similar, since there's not a lot of non-DIY stuff out there, so you'd be looking at buying someone's build. There's a HiFi Haven thread if you Google "TVC Preamp" with some manufacturer names for the components used in DIY -- Slagle is a popular one. An exception to the DIY market is icOn AVC's, which are pre-built commercial volume controls, but they're pricey. Members here have them, though, and seem to really like them.
     
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2024
    internethandle, Aug 11, 2024
    #169
  10. davenrk

    davenrk New

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    @purr1n did you write your thougths B2 vs Yggdrasil in page 2?
    thanks
     
    davenrk, Aug 30, 2024
    #170
  11. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Which Yggdrasil flavor? The fact is the B2 is just another flavor of DAC that I happen to like. The MIL is probably my go to and used most often. Yggdrasil A2/OG is used in my electrostatic headphone setup. B2 I am currently using for home theater right not but I like to throw it into the mix here and there. B2 is less resolving with less deep stage with less precise imaging, neutral with flair (vintage saturation sound at peaks - how I've set it up). By contrast A2 is organic, hard-hitting, and incisive (which I found to be great with the Koss ESP950). MIB is neutralish unlike the A2, and way more resolving with larger space and better imaging, nuanced than B2. The B2 is "limited" by that it uses a prior generation AKM 4399 D-A chip which I've always liked the sound.
     
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2024
    purr1n, Aug 30, 2024
    #171
  12. Josh Schor

    Josh Schor Friend

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    How would you rate the above for 2 channel only? Im curious about MIB I thought you said it sounded like ass? Is this the improved board?
     
    Josh Schor, Aug 30, 2024
    #172
  13. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Was that maybe the MIL? I always felt Marv rather enjoyed the MIB for what it was.
     
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    Lyander, Aug 30, 2024
    #173
  14. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I meant MIL. The MILF or Jason/Marv edition of it with the fixed chip from TI, not the one that sounded like ass with measured crappy ultrasonics.

    EDIT: dammit y'all confusing me.

    The MiL was the one that sucked. The MiB the current one available is the good one.
     
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2024
    purr1n, Aug 30, 2024
    #174
  15. Josh Schor

    Josh Schor Friend

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    Is that dac still available ? the MIL
     
    Josh Schor, Aug 30, 2024
    #175
  16. davenrk

    davenrk New

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    I was meaning the Yggdrasil generally speaking, I suppose that every flavor would in any case have some differences compared to the Burl B2.
    Do you think that MIB version was done only because the Analog Devices chips cost increase, or would Schiit did the modify anyway as an upgrade?
    I would prefer the MIB version, even if I have found a used A1 version.
    thanks
     
    davenrk, Aug 31, 2024
    #176
  17. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Can't really say Yggdrasil generally speaking because they all are very different DACs. For example MiB is as different from A2/OG as the MiB is as different from the B2.

    The MiB was done because the MiL sucked balls. The TI chip used in the MiL had great SINAD by traditional measures per ASR. However the MiL has distortion anomolies in the ultrasonics.

    https://superbestaudiofriends.org/i...b-was-jason-marv-pyrate-edition-11001b.13730/

    TI took a look at this and fixed the issues with the chip with a new version. Schiit for the heck of it decided to try this updated chip out. I was given a proto and liked it. Jason decided to release it.

    The MiL and MiB came about because TI approached Schiit with a new multibit chip that measured well. This was back during the height of SINAD or AmirNAD days.

    No one gives a shit about measurements in 2024. Everyone who wants 118db SINAD has already gotten theirs for $129. That being said, the MiB is what I would consider my primary DAC.
     
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    • Agreed, ditto, +1 Agreed, ditto, +1 x 1
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    Last edited: Sep 1, 2024
    purr1n, Sep 1, 2024
    #177
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