Major factor in Burmester sound

[Talk2me]

I am very curious and interested in what our members think. For those with Burmester experience, in what order to you think is the most important to get that beautiful Burmester house sound. More importantly the Reference or at least Top Line sound. Is it amp, preamp and then CDP or CDP w/pre? If you were to start a Burmester system within reason, would you start with a 911 MK3 first and then a say, 077 preamp and then 069/089 CDP? Or a 911 MK3 and then a 069 and use it's built in preamp section? Thanks and much appreciated.

[Masterlu]

I'm not qualified to answer yet, but I think I'll go...

[Talk2me]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

I'm not qualified to answer yet, but I think I'll go...

Are those $5K, $10K, and $20K chips?

[Masterlu]

How'd you Guess?

[cmalak]

Jim...My first exposure to Burmester was some 10 years ago at a friend's place. He had a Cary CD (303-300 I believe) mated to a Pathos Logos integrated amp, an Aesthetix Rhea phono, VPI scoutmaster, and JM Focal speakers (I forget the model...maybe 928Be). This was my first taste of high-end audio that launched me a few years later into my first system. In any case, he bought the Burmester 001 CD player and the sound took on a new sound, altogether natural/organic but at the same time dynamic and highly resolving. Ever since then, I have had great respect for Burmester digital front ends. Most recently I heard an all Burmester set-up at an electonics store in Munich (089 CD, 077 pre, 911 Mk 3 bridged in mono, and B-80s). It was just wonderful. Again highly resolving, dynamic, coherent sound cut from the same cloth across the frequency band. Spacious and 3D soundstage. I can't say that the B-80s were my favorite speakers, but all in all excellent sound. If I were doing it, I would definitely start with Burmester front end (again I am biased there because that was my initial introduction to the brand) and build out from there. I would still want a preamp but I would probably put some tubes in that stage of the playback chain, and then add on the 911 mk3s. But I don't have as much experiece as you and Joe have now with the Burmester brand.

[Tonepub]

I'd definitely say start with the amp that has enough power for your needs and build from there.

For all the Burmester gear I've had the chance to listen to, the tonality is similar throughout the range. What you get as you move up is more resolution, a bigger presentation, an even quieter background - all without being harsh.

Having used the 011/911 combination as a main reference for the last two years now, I've also been very pleased with the way these components will integrate with other mfrs. gear. Granted, there is a synergy with the Burmester amp and pre combination, they have both worked very well with other amplifiers and preamps.

I still couldn't be happier using the ARC REF Phono 2 with the 011/911 combination. Switching to the 100 for the review was more of a "different" than a "better" or "worse" as was the Boulder 1008 (also excellent)

But there's really no wrong way to do it. However, do keep in mind that some of the Burmester stuff does use a different pin out than some other balanced components, so you may need to set final phase with your speaker cables...

[joeinid]

Originally Posted by tonepub

I'd definitely say start with the amp that has enough power for your needs and build from there.


However, do keep in mind that some of the Burmester stuff does use a different pin out than some other balanced components, so you may need to set final phase with your speaker cables...

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for the comments and I appreciate the info on the phase. That always confuses me ad I may have a question in the future.

Joe

[Tonepub]

The newer preamps allow you to switch it.

Most instruction manuals tell you which of the three pins is hot. If the amp or preamp in question is not the same as the burmester, just reverse BOTH of your speaker wires so that the whole system stays in phase....

[Talk2me]

Originally Posted by tonepub

The newer preamps allow you to switch it.

Most instruction manuals tell you which of the three pins is hot. If the amp or preamp in question is not the same as the burmester, just reverse BOTH of your speaker wires so that the whole system stays in phase....

I will take a phase switch over tone controls or L/R switch any day. Like Joe said, thanks Jeff, for the heads up. I just sold my 089 (don't know why really) and am deciding on a 069 CDP or 077 and then later down the road, the external power supplies. I need to find out how important the belt drive system is in the 069. Maybe a 077 with a McIntosh MCD1100 as transport?

[Tonepub]

There's no real way of knowing "how important the belt drive is" in the 069, because you can't get one without it to compare.

The 069 is certainly a great CDP that you can use as a linestage as well. I was even quite fond of the O89 as a line stage...