Interconnect cable Burson Audio Cable+ Pro AUX-2RCA 1.2m

Burson Audio Cable+ Pro - active interconnect matching cable.

Burson Audio is known for its high-quality solid-state headphone amplifiers, preamplifiers, digital-to-analog converters, and "combination" devices that combine these functions. A couple of years ago, Burson Audio intrigued the public by developing an original interconnect cable design with an integrated active audio buffer designed to match the impedance of components.

An audio buffer is a matching device inserted between components (usually between a source and an amplifier). Typically, audio buffers act as additional signal amplifiers, taking advantage of very low output impedance and very high input impedance (relative to common audio components). Audio buffers aren't exactly widespread; perhaps this is an industry-wide incentive for audiophiles to stick to components of the same brand and series. However, finding an audio buffer isn't difficult if you're looking for one. For example, consider the Burson Audio AB-160 buffer, which, although discontinued, is still sold. With an output impedance of 15 ohms, an order of magnitude lower than the output impedance of the average source, and an input impedance of 500 kOhms, an order of magnitude higher than the amplifier standard, the AB-160 handles component matching perfectly.

But a few years ago, Burson Audio decided to look at the problem of matching audio components for impedance and signal power from a new perspective. An audio buffer as a separate device takes up unnecessary space and forces the owner of an audio system to invest in another interconnect cable. Couldn't we eliminate these additional devices by improving the interconnect cable itself?

First, Burson Audio released the Cable+ active interconnect cable, which consists of a stereo pair of conductors with a common electronic block housed in a small silver aluminum housing. The housing halves are machined on a CNC machine, and the outer surfaces are brushed, giving the device a premium look. As you might expect, the cable is directional, meaning it cannot be connected backwards. Not counting the connectors, the cable length from the source to the buffer unit is 1 meter, and from the electronics to the amplifier, another 20 cm. The integrated Cable+ buffer is powered by 5V via the USB bus or an adapter. The circuit is built around a proprietary Burson Audio V5i operational amplifier (a symbiosis of integrated circuits and discrete components).

In 2017, Burson Audio decided to improve the Cable+ by developing a premium version, the Cable+Pro. The design, dimensions, and configuration options are the same, but higher-quality components are used. Firstly, the Pro version uses cable and connectors from the Japanese company Canare, well-known for its work in the professional market. Secondly, the buffer circuit utilizes a fully discrete Burson Audio V5 op-amp assembly with matched transistors and TDK resistors, whose values ​​are adjusted to within 0.5%.

The Burson Audio Cable+ Pro active cable has an input impedance of 250 kOhms, an output impedance of 3 Ohms, a frequency range of 0-55 kHz (±1 dB), a gain of 6 dB, a signal-to-noise ratio of >118 dB, and a THD of <0.005%.

Given the characteristics and build quality of the Burson Audio Cable+ Pro, this cable offers great potential and will be of interest to owners of high-quality audio systems.