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Burson Audio Conductor 3 Reference Headphone Amplifier (with DAC) This listing is for a Burson Audio Conductor 3 Reference headphone amplifier with built in DAC. It is in excellent condition and performs flawlessly. I'm moving it on as I have found I'm using a smaller unit as my main desktop all-in-one these days. An excellent sounding unit (check out any online review) that can power any headphone you choose to use. It is also an outstanding pre-amplifier for a 2-channel system. Burson blurb: There are two ESS9038 DAC chips in our C3 Reference and its USB receiver comes with customised drive
The Burson Conductor 3 Reference is a celebrated Australian flagship known for its pure class-A amplifier engine and dual mono ESS9038 DAC, delivering 7.5W of power with exceptional dynamics. At A$890, this listing is a strong bargain, sitting well below the 25th percentile of A$1,188 and nearly A$350 under the median of A$1,241 derived from recent AUD comparables.
This price represents a genuine buying opportunity for a unit in excellent condition, offering the sonic weight and transparency that made the 3 Reference a desktop staple. The class-A design provides a warm, organic drive that pairs beautifully with difficult headphones, while the dual mono DAC ensures pristine digital conversion. With no red flags in the listing description and a price that defies the current market floor, this is a smart move for an enthusiast seeking flagship performance without the flagship cost.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Burson Audio emerged in 1996 in Melbourne, Australia, from a collective of passionate audiophiles united by a pursuit of audio perfection. What began as a labor of love—pooling expertise in engineering, technology, and music for personal enjoyment—evolved into a commercial venture by 2005 with the release of their debut products. This grassroots origin underscores their unwavering commitment to innovative, no-compromise designs unbound by mass-market constraints.
The brand specializes in high-performance categories like Class-A headphone amplifiers, DACs, pre- and power amplifiers, and discrete op-amps, alongside integrated solutions such as the Conductor and Soloist series. Signature innovations include custom-designed op-amps, fully IC-free Class-AB amplifiers like the Timekeeper with its linear power supply, and the proprietary Max Current Power Supply (MCPS) technology. Their minimalist circuits prioritize transparency and power, often featuring high-current mono blocks and discrete components for audiophile-grade reproduction.
Burson occupies a niche boutique position in the high-end hi-fi market, revered by head-fi enthusiasts and discerning listeners for meticulous craftsmanship and exceptional sound quality. Independent and innovative, they stand apart through engineering excellence that challenges conventions, earning a global reputation among those seeking authentic, boundary-pushing audio without corporate dilution.
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