The 160D is open, honest and transparent, the very qualities that stand the test of time.

Be it Inger Marie Gundersen's intimate "Let it be me" or the apocalyptical thunderstorm from Beethoven's "Pastoral" music shines against a dark background and presents a realistic recorded ambience that holds not only the notes played and the air in between, but the moments of intense emotional expression that makes the love for music a universal human experience

The result is a high definition DAC, headphone amp, preamp 3 in 1 machine that is entirely uncompromised.

To better serve the growing popularity of PC based audio systems, the HA-160D also features a USB input function which is compatible with both Mac and PCs.

While most of the marketing spin centres on the DAC chip, the output stage is in fact one of the critical stage in any audio DAC design. It is not getting the air time that it deserves because a properly designed ouput stage is not simple, and the concept is harder to sell to a customer compared to a DAC chip model number.

After the digital signal (0s and 1s) is converted by the DAC chip into stereo signals, an important LP (low pass) stage is need to reconstruct the analog signal from the rectangular pulses from the DAC output Any distortion and signal loss during this conversion stage is irreversible. Unfortunately, due to the lack of customer awareness of the output stage, this is where most audio companies cut their costs, and it is common to see a output stage designed around a cheap IC opamp.

The HA-160D has a fully discrete output stage that is independently powered. It has a high slew rate and fast recovery time operate in pure Class A the HD Audio DAC ensures the highest level of signal preservation. The result is higher resolution audio playback, with a completely transparent sonic signature consistent with our ideals.

The function of Opamps at the output stage is as important as the lens on a cinema projector. Regardless of the analytical capability of the audio gear, an inferior opamp will halve a machine's performance, and distort every dB of sonic imagery.

Just like our acclaimed HA160, the 160D features our Burson HD audio opamp. It enables the 160D to reproduce music in superior resolution and accuracy.

At the time when an audio signal is passing through the volume control, it is still at its weakest. At this stage, the audio signal is very vulnerable to noise pollution and interference. A major source of such distortion is the commonly used remote volume control adopted by most manufactures.

Burson Audio recognized the drawbacks associated with remote volume controls and deemed them unacceptable. Instead, we developed a 24 stepped attenuator, constructed with the best quality components available. Our Burson stepped attenuator ensures preservation of even the weakest audio signal; The air between instruments, the decay after an attack and all micro details that makes music enjoyable.

Just like an athlete needs clean air to perform at an optimum standard ?audio equipment needs clean power to reproduce transparent and natural music.

Utilising the Burson Audio discrete (IC free) low noise regulator technology we have ensured that only the cleanest power is running through every component of our 160D.

The 160D is housed in a 6mm case, constructed from high precision machined aluminium. This enclosure allows the 160D, to achieve a very high mechanical damping factor, which reduces any microphonic effects, that may degrade the clarity of sonic performance.

The enclosure was also constructed to act as a giant heat-sink, which allows the Class-A headamp to run cooler, and remain optimised at all times.