Burson Audio presented a new headphone and speaker amplifier whose particularity is the fact that it can be inserted into an optical drive slot of a desktop computer. Called Burson Audio Play, it uses an ESS Saber DAC and a Class A discrete component amplifier (replaceable).
Inside the Burson Audio Play there is an ESS Saber ESS9018 DAC able to manage music in 32 bit / 384 kHz PCM or DSD256 format (through DSD on PCM). The power amplification stage is composed of a series of class A discrete components, which allow to obtain up to 2 W in output with headphones with 16 Ω impedance and 100 mW with headphones of 300 Ω. This means that any headphones up to 150 Ω should be easily managed by the amplifier.
Also not to be underestimated is the output impedance of the 6.3 mm jack connector, equal to 8 Ω. Such a high impedance can cause distortion with lower impedance headphones and less bass.
The use of an XMOS chip as a USB controller guarantees full compatibility with Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS and Android. The Burson Audio Play is start at $399 for the basic version with 3 NE5532 and 2 NE5543 as amplifiers; numerous options carry the price up to $549. In all versions, except the basic one, there is a remote control.