CD/SACD-проигрыватели и транспорты — Burmester 102

Burmester built the 102, a drawer-loading Classic Line CD player, from about 2010 to 2016 and sold it at about USD 10,000. Its drive turns the disc directly from the motor, discs other than CD are not supported, and it carries over the key features of the converter developed for the top-loading 061. Burmester names the 101 integrated amplifier of the same line as its matching partner.

Key specs that matter

The converter includes sample rate conversion that can be set to 96 kHz or 192 kHz. The signal path is fully DC-coupled, with no coupling capacitors. For analogue connection there is one balanced XLR pair and one RCA pair. Digital inputs let external sources such as a television receiver or a Blu-ray player use the internal converter. Signal to noise ratio is above 104 dB and THD is 0.006%. The power supply is designed for low standby consumption of less than 1 W. The player measures 482 x 95.5 x 312 mm and weighs 8 kg.

Engineering and use context

Coupling capacitors are normally placed between stages to block DC, and removing them means the signal passes from the converter to the outputs without these components. Sample rate conversion raises the incoming 44.1 kHz data from the disc to the selected higher rate before conversion. Taking the converter design from the 061 brings technology from a more expensive top-loading player into a front-loading model with a conventional drawer. The digital inputs turn the 102 into a DAC for other equipment, which is useful in a system where a television box or disc player has only digital outputs. A setup menu gives access to the player's settings, and display brightness can be adjusted in four levels. The 102 has BurLink control over RS-232 and USB, which links it with other Burmester components. The front panel uses chrome buttons, a remote control is supplied, and assembly is done by hand at the Berlin factory.

Pairing

The Burmester 101 integrated amplifier is the intended partner, connected by XLR or RCA and controlled together through BurLink. A television box or Blu-ray player can be connected to the digital inputs so that its audio passes through the 102's converter to the amplifier.

Alternatives

The Burmester 061 is the top-loading Classic Line sibling whose converter design the 102 inherits.