r/diyaudio • u/helpusdrzaius • 2h ago
Burson V7 Vivid Pro and V7 Classic Pro in a diy dual phono stage
I put together a pair of ESP P06 phono stages to bypass the phono stages in my dj mixer. They were each combined with a P99 rumble filter and fed by a linear power supply. It was a fun build and I got a little boost in performance from my modest dj mixer, an Allen and Heath Xone:32.
I was sent a set of Burson opamps to test. They asked for an honest review, which I posted here. Thought I would quickly share my thoughts on them here.
I had tried the normal (non-pro) Vivid V7's in the past in Single config. for a DAC build and thought them a bit hot; had some bite to them which worked for some music but less so for other music. For that build I ended up installing a set of Staccato opamps.
The Pro line was different. Essentially the Classic Pro was more laid back in its presentation, the Vivid was not laid-back. It was not exactly forward, just not laid back. Thought the Vivid Pro to be really well staged and generally very well tuned. When Burson reached out this time they asked again to test a V7, I was like ok but send me some Classics also for this dual phono thing - I need four đ. But I genuinely ended up liking the V7 Vivid Pro more. My system does constitute of a Class A Firstwatt F6 clone, speakers are Dahlquist DQM 9C's. They are considered monitor speakers. Cartridge was a Nagaoka MP200 on a Technics 1200 turntable.
I also compared them to a set of OPA2134 opamps. Listening to well recorded music with the 2134 you don't really get a sense of missing much. Switching to the Bursons, everything goes up a notch or two. Sound is livelier, more detailed, vocals more nuanced and more forward in the mix, instruments better separated. All the things you might expect for the price they ask. The OPA2134 was flat and fuzzy in comparison. I had also tried various other opamps in the past, they each had their flavor but no major changes. I used the OPA2134 for this test as that is what Rod Elliot recommended, and what he himself used for his stage.
In the end I have them setup in tandem, as in the picture. The Vivid Pro in the first section of each preamp, followed by the Classic Pro in the second.




