Стримеры — Burmester 151 MK2

The 151 MK2 is a Musiccenter from Burmester's Top Line, combining a music server, a CD ripper, a streaming client and a DAC with a variable output in one chassis. It is a more compact relative of the Reference Line 111 Musiccenter and is priced at GBP 18,400 in the UK. Production is by hand at Burmester's Berlin works.

Key specs that matter

Storage is provided by two mirrored 2 TB solid-state drives, and the integrated CD drive rips discs with error correction, so the library can be built without a computer. The balanced DAC works with 24-bit processing and clock regeneration, with upsampling switchable between 96 and 192 kHz. The output can be fixed or variable, so the 151 MK2 can drive power amplifiers directly. Inputs are a mini-XLR analogue input with an adapter supplied, and RCA and optical digital inputs, while outputs are XLR and RCA analogue plus a digital output. The unit measures 482 x 96 x 367 mm and weighs 7.9 kg.

Engineering and use context

Mirroring the two drives means every file is stored twice, so a single drive failure does not lose the library. Error correction during ripping allows CDs to be stored as copies of the original data. The DAC regenerates the clock before conversion to reduce jitter, and the upsampling settings are applied to the incoming data. Networking is by WLAN with two antennas, and the 151 MK2 can also act as a wireless access point. Internet radio and USB playback are available, and control is through an iPad app, a web interface or the infrared remote, with BurLink for integration with other Burmester components. The variable output makes it possible to build a system of only the 151 MK2, a power amplifier and loudspeakers, without a separate preamplifier. The analogue input also lets another source, such as a phono stage, pass through the unit to the same outputs.

Pairing

With the variable output, the 151 MK2 connects directly to Burmester power amplifiers such as the 956 MK2 over XLR, or to an integrated amplifier using the fixed setting. A CD collection can be ripped to the internal drives and played alongside internet radio. Its front panel size matches the 035 preamplifier of the Classic Line, and it is light enough to sit on a standard equipment shelf.

Alternatives

The Burmester 111 Musiccenter is the larger Reference Line model, combining a server, CD ripper, DAC and analogue preamplifier.