Brise Audio TSURANAGI-V2

Using my new Tsuranagi V2, purchased with the help of Andrew and his excellent Customer Service Sales team, I was expecting a superior-than-normal sound quality. However, what surprised me was that the sound delivered by the Tsuranagi V2 not only matched my expectations, but also exceeded them!

Having only used DAC/AMP dongles, DAC/AMP desktop units, standalone DAPs, and a portable headphone amplifier in the Astell & Kern PA10, I did not have a significant amount of experience using dedicated standalone portable headphone amplifiers.

I have a few DAPs but tried first with the Brise Audio-approved Fiio M11 Plus ESS, a fairly old DAP with an above-average DAC implementation.

Listening through quad-Dyanamic Driver IEMs (Oriolus Monachaa), the feeling I got, listening through the Tsu V2, was nothing short of phenomenal! My previous A&K PA10 has a black background. But that was about it. There was nothing outstanding about its delivery.

The Tsu V2 took that further and added a slightly coloured (though not particularly warm or cold) tonality, uplifting the richness of sound across, what I would simplistically ascertain as, all frequencies.

There are no remnants of harshness in the, usually unpredictable nature, high frequencies and there are no hints of bass bleed into the mid-range. The sound is delivered in a lush, rich, slightly thick presentation; with clean transients and a slightly warm-neutral tonality.

It feels like every note is carved unto itself as a piece of inimitable art. It has an effortless sense of refinement - not found in your everyday headphone amplifier, portable or not; tube or solid-state.

Then there is always the subject of price that needs to be discussed.

For my personal experience, I would say the Tsuranagi V2 is worth every penny. However, of course, that experience would change according to what specific gear you plan on using with this.

I would recommend using it with your most technically cable and resolving gear (source, DAC, IC cable, IEMs, IEM cables, ear tips, ears) in order to make the most use out of this behemoth of sonic glory.

Makes a great stack with Sp3000, opens up the sound of the 4.4mm balanced output, expanding the sound stage and enhancing the dynamics with more power. Works well even in PO setup with LO disabled on the DAP.