I love the Burson sound. I recently sold my Chord Hugo TT2 and M-Scaler because I prefer the Burson sound a bit more.The Burson Opamps add a little warmth that I prefer over the Chord more neutral sound. l also just sold my Burson Soloist 3XP because I have the Burson Flagship "Burson Conductor 3X GT" Pre ordered which comes out in June. I wanted an all in one DAC/Amp combo with big time power that can drive any headphone. I already have the HE6se V2 which is power hungry and I'm hoping to hopefully at some point be able to afford a Susvara which is also very power hungry. Great review 👍
Bought Burson Play in 2019. Its the one before the playmate 1 and 2. Awesome DAC. Previously used high end sound cards for my computer, I will never go back. Today I upgraded to the playmate 2 and will transfer v6 and v5 op amps from the play. The play gets very hot but never had a problem. I do like the outer case ridges in the playmate 2. brilliant design of function and looks
I mainly use my Beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro 250 ohm headphones on my MacBook Air M2 (this Macbook of 2022 - bought in 2023 - has a headphone output compatible with high impedance headphones). I previously owned the DT-900 Pro X but found them to be noticeably harsher and narrower sounding than the DT 990 Pro, and also felt way too tight on the head. The DT 990-Pro is more spacious and immediately more captivating. Do you think that the definition quality, openness and width of sound are superior to that of the iFi Audio Zen DAC/CAN tandem ? I already have the iFi Zen Dac and iFi Zen Can, it's why I ask this question.
Hi Gavin, thanks for your informative review. I’m considering upgrading my Dragonfly Cobalt. Reason: i miss some bass. I noticed the Playmate 2 has the same DAC chip, would it be worth the upgrade soundwise or does it sound the same as the DC? Greetings from NL!
Thanks Gavin for the review. Would you recommend pairing Playmate 2 with Hi-FiMan Sundara? Or should I be upgrading my headphones to utilise the full potential of Playmate 2?
The Playmate 2 works nicely with the Sundara. Obviously other headphones will work equally as well. If you already have the Sundara, use them first. The beauty of the Playmate 2 is being able to upgrade the opamps and use an upgraded external power supply to squeeze even more sound from it.
Hi Gavin, your reviews have always been very insightful and helpful. I purchased the Hip Dac after watching your review and the dac is a delight. On the Playmate 2, theres no balanced output, right?
Nice review, I got a playmate 2 yesterday for my Dan Clark Closed X. It's a very good pairing. Sounds exceptionally good! Very under-rated unit IMO; What other Amp/Dac combo for this price has: + Detailed, yet just enough softness and warmth (class A sound) while still staying mostly neutral and yet it's not boring whatsoever. + Amazing Build Quality + Doesn't get hot (even though it's a class A) + Looks awesome + Lot's of power Maybe the Schiit Asgard 3 and the Magic Dac 200m are close, but those don't have screens, and they are much bigger.
Nicely Done. I heard good things about the playmate 2. 2.5 W into 32ohms lots of power. I don't know if you plan on keeping this unit ? but would luv to see you roll some op amps. the V6 vivid & the Sparkos Pro SS2590 with adaptors that I heard very good things about :)
@@Elm8n i would not say it sounds better. it depends on the headphones you plan to use with . Mojo 2 measures extremely well. i have listen to both and mojo 2 is a bit more "neutral" . the plus side of the Playmate is that it is not battery powered and has more output power for a given impedance compared to Mojo.
I own both the mojo 2 and playmate 2. They’re sat on my desk I have used both for over 200 hours each and with the Sennheiser hd 600. Both are excellent but the playmate 2 is better and especially with the Sennheiser.
I have audeze lcd-x. Do you think it's a good idea to pair with playmate 2? I like a little bit warmer sound. Now I have ifi zen dac and I have an immpresion that vocals are a bit dry and not engaging enouth.
I love the Burson sound. I recently sold my Chord Hugo TT2 and M-Scaler because I prefer the Burson sound a bit more.The Burson Opamps add a little warmth that I prefer over the Chord more neutral sound. l also just sold my Burson Soloist 3XP because I have the Burson Flagship "Burson Conductor 3X GT" Pre ordered which comes out in June. I wanted an all in one DAC/Amp combo with big time power that can drive any headphone. I already have the HE6se V2 which is power hungry and I'm hoping to hopefully at some point be able to afford a Susvara which is also very power hungry. Great review 👍
That’s gonna be an awesome setup 👍
Bought Burson Play in 2019. Its the one before the playmate 1 and 2. Awesome DAC. Previously used high end sound cards for my computer, I will never go back. Today I upgraded to the playmate 2 and will transfer v6 and v5 op amps from the play. The play gets very hot but never had a problem. I do like the outer case ridges in the playmate 2. brilliant design of function and looks
Excellent review, Gav. Thanks!
Cheers Paul 👍
Superb review, honest and informative. I now own a BURSON PLAYMATE 2, it's a fantastic experience to listen to music of any kind. Thank you. 💜💚
Thanks for the feedback 👍 enjoy yours 👍
I mainly use my Beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro 250 ohm headphones on my MacBook Air M2 (this Macbook of 2022 - bought in 2023 - has a headphone output compatible with high impedance headphones). I previously owned the DT-900 Pro X but found them to be noticeably harsher and narrower sounding than the DT 990 Pro, and also felt way too tight on the head. The DT 990-Pro is more spacious and immediately more captivating. Do you think that the definition quality, openness and width of sound are superior to that of the iFi Audio Zen DAC/CAN tandem ? I already have the iFi Zen Dac and iFi Zen Can, it's why I ask this question.
Hi Gavin, thanks for your informative review. I’m considering upgrading my Dragonfly Cobalt. Reason: i miss some bass. I noticed the Playmate 2 has the same DAC chip, would it be worth the upgrade soundwise or does it sound the same as the DC? Greetings from NL!
Hi Max, thanks for your feedback 👍, I think so. You'll lose the portability aspect but your gain a great device with oodles of power and quality.
Thanks Gavin for the review. Would you recommend pairing Playmate 2 with Hi-FiMan Sundara? Or should I be upgrading my headphones to utilise the full potential of Playmate 2?
The Playmate 2 works nicely with the Sundara. Obviously other headphones will work equally as well. If you already have the Sundara, use them first. The beauty of the Playmate 2 is being able to upgrade the opamps and use an upgraded external power supply to squeeze even more sound from it.
Hi Gavin, your reviews have always been very insightful and helpful. I purchased the Hip Dac after watching your review and the dac is a delight. On the Playmate 2, theres no balanced output, right?
Thanks for your feedback, appreciated. You’re correct on the Playmate 2.
@@GavinsGadgets please could you recommend any good headphone dac and amp with balanced output in the same price range as Playmate 2?
Nice review, I got a playmate 2 yesterday for my Dan Clark Closed X. It's a very good pairing. Sounds exceptionally good!
Very under-rated unit IMO; What other Amp/Dac combo for this price has:
+ Detailed, yet just enough softness and warmth (class A sound) while still staying mostly neutral and yet it's not boring whatsoever.
+ Amazing Build Quality
+ Doesn't get hot (even though it's a class A)
+ Looks awesome
+ Lot's of power
Maybe the Schiit Asgard 3 and the Magic Dac 200m are close, but those don't have screens, and they are much bigger.
Thanks David for your feedback 👍and I do agree with your comments as well !! Enjoy yours with your Dan Clark headphones.
Nicely Done.
I heard good things about the playmate 2. 2.5 W into 32ohms lots of power.
I don't know if you plan on keeping this unit ?
but would luv to see you roll some op amps.
the V6 vivid & the Sparkos Pro SS2590 with adaptors that I heard very good things about :)
Thanks 😀 I am going to look at some op amps. Thanks for the recommendations 👍
Hello, is this worth the upgrade over the IFI Zen Dac v2 and zen can? I'm using HIFIMAN ananda nano
Probably not a large enough upgrade, but you can get the Burson and upgrade it later on.
Chord Mojo 2 vs this? Thanks!
This sounds better than the Mojo 2.
@@GavinsGadgets Thanks! Keep up with the video. You're doing an awesome job with them.
@@Elm8n i would not say it sounds better. it depends on the headphones you plan to use with . Mojo 2 measures extremely well. i have listen to both and mojo 2 is a bit more "neutral" . the plus side of the Playmate is that it is not battery powered and has more output power for a given impedance compared to Mojo.
@@zetareticulans4142 i use the hd600 and ier-z1r off the Sony wm1a. I think the hd600 would benefit off more power a la playmate?
I own both the mojo 2 and playmate 2. They’re sat on my desk I have used both for over 200 hours each and with the Sennheiser hd 600. Both are excellent but the playmate 2 is better and especially with the Sennheiser.
I have audeze lcd-x. Do you think it's a good idea to pair with playmate 2? I like a little bit warmer sound. Now I have ifi zen dac and I have an immpresion that vocals are a bit dry and not engaging enouth.
It should be a good combo Tomasz.
@@GavinsGadgets Thanks a lot. I'll try to listen in the store how it sounds before buy.
That's a good idea 👍