Burson Audio, manufacturer of USB DAC/Headphone Amplifier/Preamplifiers, Headphone Amplifiers and stereo amplifiers, introduces the new Conductor Virtuoso at this year’s CES in Venetian suite 31-322. The new Virtuoso supersedes all previous Conductor models.

The Conductor Virtuoso
The Conductor Virtuoso is a “highly-engineered yet modestly-priced component” with up to 4 watts of power to drive any headphone. Users can use the Conductor Virtuoso’s preamp functions to make it the center of a headphone and speaker-based desktop system, or a larger speaker system.

Burson say it has significantly upgraded and refined previous generations of the Conductor. Besides big power, the new Conductor Virtuoso includes a new 100-step volume control with an easy-to-read display. When the Virtuoso is turned on the volume indicators appear on the face of the thick, antiresonant aluminum front plate.

Consumers can choose from two interchangeable DAC boards with different sonic characteristics, and the modular design makes for no-fuss upgrades. Another important consideration is Burson doesn’t use densely-packed op-amps but instead all discrete circuitry. The remote control is carved from solid aluminum with no visible screws.

The Conductor Virtuoso is shipping now with the ESS9018 Sabre DAC at $1,995USD / €1,850 Euros. The Burr Brown PCM1793 version is priced at $1,495USD / €1,451 Euros.

The suite at the Venetian wille is divided into two sections, one dedicated to headphone listening, the other for two-channel audio. The headphone room features two Conductor Virtuosos with the Sabre 9018 DAC and one Conductor Virtuoso with the Burr Brown PCM 1793 DAC. Plus a Soloist and a Soloist SL. The two-channel room features a Burr Brown PCM 1793 DAC and Burson’s new Timekeeper Virtuoso amplifier driving a pair of SVS Ultra Bookshelf speakers. Burson is demonstrating their products on pairs of Audeze LCD-3, LCD-XC, and Audeze’s new EL-8. Audeze are also demoing with a pair of Conductor Virtuosos at South Hall 1, Booth 22018. You can also audition the Timekeeper Virtuoso amplifier at M&K Sound, Venetian Suite 30-330.