CD/SACD-проигрыватели и транспорты — Burmester 089

Burmester's 089 is a Top Line CD player loaded from above, first shown at CES 2010 at about USD 33,000. It plays CD only and uses a belt drive developed by Burmester itself. Beyond disc playback, it includes digital inputs and an analogue input with volume control, so it can also work as a preamplifier for a small system. Production takes place by hand in Berlin.

Key specs that matter

The converter applies sample rate conversion to 96 kHz and 24 bit or to 192 kHz and 24 bit, and the digital inputs accept PCM up to 192 kHz. The output stage uses X-Amp 2 modules. Signal to noise ratio exceeds 110 dB, and THD is 0.001%. Analogue outputs are XLR and RCA, with an additional tape output, and digital outputs are coaxial and optical. Inputs comprise two digital connections, coaxial and optical, and an analogue XLR input. Volume can be set in 20 steps or the output fixed. BurLink control runs over RS-232 and USB. Power consumption is 44 W in operation and 2.4 W in standby. Burmester lists the dimensions as 482 x 111.7 x 329 mm and the weight as 13 kg.

Engineering and use context

In the 089 the disc is turned by a belt, which separates the motor from the platter carrying the disc, so motor vibration does not reach the laser pickup directly. The drive assembly sits in a massive low-resonance chamber that further damps vibration. The X-Amp 2 modules used in the output stage had previously appeared only in Burmester's Reference Line, and here they drive the analogue outputs. The same converter processes signals from the digital inputs, so an external streamer or television can use it. With its analogue XLR input and variable output, the 089 can feed a power amplifier at a set level on its own, making a separate preamplifier optional in a system with a limited number of sources. The feet absorb vibration with carbon damping elements. Fifty tracks can be programmed, and an infrared remote control is supplied. BurLink connects the player to other Burmester components for coordinated operation from one control point.

Pairing

The 089 fits alongside Burmester Top Line preamplifiers and power amplifiers through its balanced outputs. Used with its own volume control, it drives a Burmester power amplifier directly, with one analogue source connected to the XLR input and a streamer to one of the digital inputs.

Alternatives

The Burmester 061 is a lower-priced Classic Line top-loader that replaces the belt with direct drive.