CD/SACD-проигрыватели и транспорты — Burmester 061

The 061 is a top-loading CD player from the Classic Line of Burmester, the Berlin company founded in 1977. It plays CD only, uses a direct-drive mechanism and includes a converter that can also be used with external digital sources. It was priced at USD 11,995 in 2013, and the current US price is about USD 18,000.

Key specs that matter

The drive is based on CD-Pro2 technology. Upsampling can be switched between 96 kHz and 192 kHz. Frequency response extends from 2 Hz to 48 kHz, signal to noise ratio is 104 dB and THD is 0.001%. The balanced XLR output delivers 4 V, and two pairs of RCA outputs deliver 2 V. Digital outputs are coaxial and optical, and a BurLink connection is provided for system control. Digital inputs comprise two coaxial and one optical, feeding the internal converter from other sources. The player measures 482 x 112 x 340 mm and weighs 10 kg.

Engineering and use context

In a top-loading design the disc is placed directly on the spindle and held by a puck clamp, and a heavy sliding lid running on guide rails covers the drive. There is no motorised tray, and the drive does not need an opening in the front panel. The CD-Pro2 based mechanism is driven directly by its motor. The housing is made from solid rolled aluminium. The D/A converters sit on a separate module, which can be retrofitted or upgraded as the technology develops, and an MMI slot is also provided. The same converter serves the digital inputs, so a television, streamer or other digital source can use it. The balanced output has twice the level of the RCA outputs, which suits balanced preamplifiers and integrated amplifiers. The second pair of RCA outputs lets two components receive the signal in parallel, for example an amplifier and a recording device or a second system. Burmester subjects each unit to about 300 computer-aided measurements, carried out before and after a seven-day burn-in period, before it leaves the factory. BurLink links Burmester components for coordinated control. The 061 is assembled by hand in Berlin.

Pairing

The balanced output connects to Burmester preamplifiers and integrated amplifiers from the Classic and Top Lines, and BurLink ties the player into their control system. The digital inputs let the 061 serve as the converter for a network streamer or television in the same system.

Alternatives

The Burmester 102 is the front-loading Classic Line player with a converter derived from the 061.