Burmester 089
 

I just put in a order/deposit on the new Burmester 089 CDP/DAC/PRE. It will be replacing my MCD500. I chose the 089 because of my experience with the 069, which is out of my league for now. The 089 is also a belt drive transport and uses the same X-Amp2 output modules as Reference 069. I hope to report soon, when the shipment arrives from Germany. I am using the special editon (30 made world wide) Hegel H10 amplifier and Transparent Cables with ByBee PC's. I just sold my Focal Alto Be's and am borrowing some B&W XT speakers ( the little speaker that puts some bigger speakers to shame). I will be trying out the new Focal Scala's and B&W 800 Diamond very shortly.

Looking forward to your thoughts on the Scala... very interesting speaker.

Yes you are right. I do have alittle buyers remorse that I did not get the speakers first before my 089, but everytime I go over and listen to the Burmester 069, I just can't believe I am listening to digital. Burmester has captured the essence of musicality in a very profound way. I first heard the 069 right after it followed a very capable Naim 500 series system. It was a no brainer, and that obvious to all involved. Is Burmester the best? No, the older I get, and gain experience in the audio field, the more I realize there is no best. There are differences of quality on different levels.

Congratulations for the 089's . Truly a superb unit.

May I ask you in which sound system you plugged this unit? Seen that you listened for several months the reference unit 069, which difference "in sound quality" you ear with the 089?

Thanks and kind regards,
Rocco

To be honest, I have not listened to he 089 yet. I am basing my purchase on the 069 and the trickle-down engineering of Burmester. The 089 uses ths same X-amp2 modules as the Reference series and has the updated belt-drive transport with 96kHz/24bit or 192kHz/24bit. Seeing the price difference, as long I get "close" to the sound of the 069, I will be very happy. In other words, I am trusting my Burmester dealer and his recommendation.

Noted...I listened once the 089's and I could say that this cd player is an implementation (big upgrading) of 001's...

When I listened the 089 was linked with the preamplifier 088 and the 911 MK3 with the B50's...Very amazing system....

P.S.: In my honest experience I could say that with Burmester gears is a safe way ensured by reference performance and your dealer has perfectly right.

I decided to go with the B&W 802 Diamond. Alittle less transparent in the midrange, but alittle more punch in the mid to bass region.

I've listened to the 802 Diamonds briefly using Classe electronics. They sounded quite good. Why not go for the top? 800 Diamond?

If you are talking about going with the new Series Diamond rather than the last model the 802D, I think you are going to like the changes made to the mid-range. These are quite different in the mids. I think you will like it.
Jim