The prototype of the collaboration between BOLDER, Bent Audio and Burson Audio has arrived in Colorado.
This fuzzy picture doesn't do the casework justice. It is very cleanly machined AND labeled.
John Chapman of Bent Audio spent quite a bit of time and money in designing a great "system" that can be used to switch inputs and control levels all without the more common mechanical switches. This unit is designed from the get-go to be used with a remote control. All the source selection is done through extremely high quality, sealed relays. These relays are rated to have a MINIMUM life of a BILLION cycles.
The volume control is also relay operated. This design is a "cleaner" method of attenuating a signal than a standard variable potentiometer. The resistors used in this version are the VERY accurate Naked Vishay 102s
So what does all this mean for someone who has a modded SB?
One of the "problems" with the modded SB is that the output level is about half that of an average DAC of CD player. The signal may be "cleaner" but it is lower in both amplitude and current. The Burson Buffer has been found to increase both the signal level by 6 db (roughly doubling the voltage to a more standard 2 volts) and the current. The Burson Buffer will allow the modded SB to work with just about any amp, regardless of input sensitivity, impedance or any length of cable.
I have found a few mods to improve the performance of the Burson Buffer. I have built a prototype of a BOLDER/Burson Buffer
This device will work for most systems with a single source, using the SB's internal volume control.
I wanted to provide a similar sort of unit for people who use more than one source. As I researched this project, I got in contact with John Chapman of Bent Audio. I have worked with John before and I have admired his products. His TAP system seemed like the perfect fit for the modded Buffer.
I sent him some modded Buffer modules, a modded power supply board and a transformer. He was able to interface the Buffer parts with his TAP system. I received it yesterday. I did do a little mod work to his layout and damped the chassis. The unit has been running for about 24 hours now and I am VERY impressed with the sound of it.
I am more than halfway convinced that the relay controlled stepped attenuator into the Burson Buffer sounds better than using the SB's internal volume control into a modded Burson Buffer. It is a little hard to do direct comparisons and I don't have a lot of time this week to spend on comparing.
I am getting together with other members of the DAM (Denver Audio Mafia) this weekend at TweekGeeks place. I hope to use their ears to do some listening tests. If it DOES turn out that running the SB at full output level into the Bent/Buffer sounds better than the Buffer alone, I will also offer a single input version of the BOLDER/Bent/Burson Buffer.
So what is all of this stuff going to cost?
The final pricing is not quite in. The BOLDER/Burson Buffer will be housed in a completely different case than the prototype. The final cost of that has not been determined. I am also having some "R" core transformers custom made for the BOLDER/Burson Buffer. I will say that the complete modded unit is looking like it will come in at around $1,000.00.
The BOLDER/Bent/Burson control center will easily be over $2000.00. How far over is yet to be determined. It may run as high as $3,000.00.
I am trying to offer the absolute best way of getting the signal from the modded SB to your amp. I am not willing to cut costs or make any compromises in this product.
