Burson Audio has unveiled a new Stellar Series of desktop audio gear aimed at serious headphone listeners.
The lineup consists of two compact Class-A components — the Conductor Stellar, which combines a DAC, headphone amp and pre-amp in one unit, as well as the Soloist Stellar, which is a dedicated headphone amplifier and pre-amp.
Positioned between Burson’s entry-level Playmate range and its flagship Grand Tourer lineup, the Stellar models aim to bring the brand’s high-end design approach to a more compact and accessible format.
Both units use fully discrete Class-A circuitry. They deliver up to 8W of output power, which Burson says is enough to comfortably drive everything from sensitive in-ear monitors to power-hungry planar headphones.
One of the key focuses here is IEM performance. The Stellar Series includes a dedicated ultra-low-noise amplification stage designed to eliminate background hiss when paired with high-sensitivity earphones, which should help reveal finer details in recordings. This is something many high-power headphone amps struggle with when used with IEMs.
Despite the IEM focus, the hardware is built for flexibility. Balanced and single-ended outputs are available, with up to 8W balanced or 3W single-ended for full-size headphones. Additionally, there are lower-power outputs tailored specifically for in-ears.
The Conductor Stellar adds a high-resolution digital front end built around the ESS9039PRO DAC, supporting 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 via USB-C. Wireless playback is also supported through Bluetooth 5.0, with codecs including LDAC, aptX HD, and AAC. Meanwhile, Roon Ready compatibility allows it to slot easily into high-end streaming setups.
Meanwhile, the Soloist Stellar keeps things simpler by focusing purely on amplification duties. One notable feature is its independent channel-balance controls. These are designed to compensate for room asymmetry or even differences in hearing between your left and right ear.
Both units use a distinctive finned aluminium chassis designed to dissipate heat efficiently operation. Burson says the enclosure’s venting system helps keep temperatures stable while minimising noise and distortion during long listening sessions.
The Burson Conductor Stellar Standard Edition is available now from select retailers for £2,000, while the Soloist Stellar Standard Edition is priced at £1,700. Upgraded versions are available via special order.
