Предусилители — Burmester 088

The 088 is a stereo line preamplifier in the Burmester Top Line, one tier below the Reference Line, and it replaced the earlier 011. It carries over several technologies from the Reference Line 077 preamplifier, among them the dual-mono layout, the carbon fibre suspension and the capacitor-free coupling. The US list price was USD 28,995, a version with the DAC module was offered at USD 37,000, and the UK price was GBP 18,400.

Key specs that matter

Five balanced XLR inputs are fitted, and each can take an unbalanced source through an adapter. A surround pass-through terminal and one module slot complete the input side. The main XLR output has variable level, a second XLR tape output runs at fixed level, and a 6.3 mm headphone socket sits alongside. Frequency response spans 10 Hz to 150 kHz, with a 107 dB signal to noise rating. The unit draws 45 W in use and 2.5 W in standby. It is 482 mm wide, 96 mm high and 346 mm deep, and weighs 9 kg.

Engineering and use context

Gain comes from X-Amp 2 modules built from hand-matched discrete parts, and no operational amplifiers appear in the amplification chain. Because the path is DC-coupled throughout, no capacitors sit in the signal line. Input switching uses wear-free CMOS circuitry. A Line module fills the slot as standard, and it can be swapped for an MM2 or MC3 phono module or for a D/A converter taking S/P-DIF and USB, with 24-bit, 192 kHz upsampling from the same module used in the 077. Each input has its own sensitivity trim from -6 dB to +12 dB, absolute phase can be reversed, and output gain is set to LOW or HIGH. A setup menu stores volume presets and display brightness, and BurLink allows external control over RS-232 or USB. The chrome front carries two large rotary dials for source and volume, chromed toggle switches for operating modes and an engraved Burmester signature above the power switch. Carbon fibre feet isolate the chassis from vibration, and a remote handset is supplied.

Pairing

The 088 is aimed at systems wired with balanced cables, and Burmester's XLR pin layout treats pin two as negative, so adapters are needed for some other brands' power amplifiers. The surround pass-through lets it share speakers with a home cinema processor, while the fixed-level tape output suits a recording device or a secondary amplifier in another room.

Alternatives

The Burmester 077 is the Reference Line preamplifier whose technology the 088 inherits.