Усилители мощности стерео — Burmester 218

The 218 is a dual-channel power amplifier from Burmester of Berlin, sitting above the 216 in output and physical size. Its appearance and much of its circuitry follow the 159 mono amplifier. The US list price was quoted at USD 50,000 per unit and later at USD 60,000.

Key specs that matter

Stereo output is rated at 165 W per channel into 8 ohm, 275 W into 4 ohm and 400 W into 2 ohm. Switched to mono, the 218 delivers 565 W into 8 ohm and 785 W into 4 ohm. The damping factor exceeds 1500, measured at 100 Hz into 4 ohm, THD+N is 0.0097% at 1 kHz and 50 W into 4 ohm, while noise sits more than 112 dB below the signal. Gain is 34.2 dB in stereo and 40.2 dB in mono. Input resistance measures 1.9 kohm via the XLR socket and 12 kohm through the single-ended route, which uses a supplied RCA adapter. The chassis measures 496 x 216 x 479 mm and weighs 42 kg.

Engineering and use context

Burmester built the 218 as a fully symmetrical dual-mono design with a DC-coupled path, so no capacitors interrupt the audio signal. The core is the in-house X-AMP, a three-stage, fully complementary amplifier using targeted compensation techniques and components held to very narrow tolerances, and the input stages operate in Class A. Protection circuits were optimised and moved outside the signal path. Power comes from an oversized linear supply built around an ultralow-noise toroidal transformer designed to Burmester's specification, and the reservoir capacitors on the amplifier boards were revised for faster impulse response. The base plate is derived from the one in the 159 but is lighter, and it forms a smooth transition to the side housing parts and the heat sinks. According to the maker, damping remains high even in the treble, and operation is stable with every load over the full frequency range. Long cooling fins run along the sides, the lid has no visible screws, and the rear panel is milled at a 45 degree angle that follows the line of the heat sinks. A switch selects stereo or mono mode. Other Burmester components can turn the amplifier on and off remotely, and it accepts smart home control. Mains versions exist for 230-240 V, 220 V, 110-120 V and 100 V, and standby draw is 0.46 W. A three-year warranty applies in the US market.

Pairing

The strong output into low impedances and the high damping factor make the 218 a candidate for loudspeakers whose impedance dips low or swings widely. Balanced output from the preamplifier avoids the RCA adapter and uses the lower-impedance input. Owners wanting more headroom can bridge two units, dedicating one chassis to each channel.

Alternatives

The Burmester 216 is the smaller stereo power amplifier in the range, weighing 35 kg.