Burl Audio B22-Orca ELMA

The Burl Audio B22 Orca (Elma Version) is a mastering-grade control room monitor card designed for the B80 and B16 Mothership chassis. Turning a single chassis slot into a comprehensive monitor controller and D/A conversion section, the B22 Orca pairs Burl Audio’s NextGen Class-A BOPA14 discrete op-amps with a premium Elma 0.1% matched-resistor stepped attenuator. Engineered for mixing and mastering engineers who require flawless L/R stereo imaging and 100% repeatable level recall, it delivers wide dynamic range, tight low-end definition, and 3D spatial depth directly from your Mothership rack.

Channels 1 and 2 feature switchable BX5 nickel/iron-core output transformers for feeding mix/mastering chains, print setups, or external analog processors. Channels 3 and 4 feed the main monitoring circuit, driving two selectable stereo speaker outputs and a high-power headphone amplifier.

Upgraded over the standard continuous attenuator model, the Elma version features a stepped, matched resistor switch. Additionally, onboard jumpers allow users to toggle between Short Delay and Long Delay DAC reconstruction filters, alongside automatic hardware Avid delay matching for seamless integration within Pro Tools workflows.

Key Features

• 4-Channel Mastering-Grade D/A Converter: Split layout dedicated to mix print/outboard loops (Ch 1–2) and primary monitor feeds (Ch 3–4).

• Stepped Elma Attenuator: 0.1% precision matched-resistor rotary switch for absolute stereo channel tracking and exact gain recall.

• Class-A Discrete Signal Path: Direct-coupled, zero-capacitor topology powered by Burl NextGen BOPA14 / BOPA11 op-amps.

• Switchable BX5 Output Transformers: Engaging BX5 transformers on Channels 1–2 adds classic analog saturation, glue, and low-end punch.

• Dual Speaker & Headphone Outputs: Supports switching between two stereo speaker pairs and feeds a dedicated high-headroom headphone output.

• External Meter Output: Dedicated stereo line-level output pair to drive external visual hardware VU or LED metering systems.

• Pro Tools & Filter Controls: Built-in Avid delay matching and selectable DAC filter modes (Short/Long Delay).

Technical Specifications

• Form Factor: Single-Slot Daughter Card (B80 and B16 Mothership Compatible)

• Channel Count: 4 DAC Channels (Ch 1–2 Mix Out, Ch 3–4 Monitor Section)

• Analog Circuitry: All Discrete Class-A NextGen BOPA14 / BOPA11 Op-Amps

• Attenuator Type: Stepped 0.1% Matched-Resistor Elma Switch

• Transformers: Proprietary Burl Audio BX5 Nickel/Iron Transformers (Switchable on Ch 1–2)

• Dynamic Range: $115\text{ dB}$

• THD+N: $-96\text{ dB}$ (Full scale output $=+22\text{ dBu}$)

• Frequency Response:

  • $10\text{ Hz}-22\text{ kHz}(\pm 0.1\text{ dB}@48\text{ kHz})$

  • $10\text{ Hz}-30\text{ kHz}(\pm 0.1\text{ dB}@96\text{ kHz})$

  • $10\text{ Hz}-30\text{ kHz}(\pm 0.1\text{ dB}@192\text{ kHz})$

• Analog I/O: 1x DB25 Female (TASCAM Pinout — 8 Channels assigned for outputs/monitors/meters)

• Origin: Made in the USA