Burmester 911 mk3

[sujay]

The Extremas do look stunning, don't they, Sujay?
Thanks, Bob, for your compliments. The system is still work in progress.

Indeed, they do. In fact the SF build quality is second to none. I especially like their aesthetic qualities. By the way, did you get your set up from music by design? I wonder who the new dealer in Singapore is? My friend used to run it in partnership with music by design.

By the way, has anyone in this forum encountered a hum from the amp? I suddenly started experiencing a very slight hum from one of the 911s when I changed my outlet receptacle to Oyaide R1. I am not sure whether it's to do with grounding issues. While its imperceptible most of the times, I know it's there and it's irritating the hell out of me! Help pls....

Cheers
Sujay

 

[AudioExplorations]

Do you have a 948? The 911 is extremely sensitive to DC current in the mains (which will cause the toroidal transformer to hum), although I am not sure how a new outlet receptacle could alter the amount of DC getting into the amp.

 

[Thf99]

Indeed, they do. In fact the SF build quality is second to none. I especially like their aesthetic qualities. By the way, did you get your set up from music by design? I wonder who the new dealer in Singapore is? My friend used to run it in partnership with music by design.

By the way, has anyone in this forum encountered a hum from the amp? I suddenly started experiencing a very slight hum from one of the 911s when I changed my outlet receptacle to Oyaide R1. I am not sure whether it's to do with grounding issues. While its imperceptible most of the times, I know it's there and it's irritating the hell out of me! Help pls....

Cheers
Sujay[/QUOTE

Sujay,
No, not from Music By Design. They have lost the dealership. I got the amps from Audio Image of KL. Audio Image in collaboration with Sound Concepts will also carry the line for Singapore.

My 911s are dead quite. Maybe you need a transformer like mine (a bigger one according to Gary). The 948 may work as well.

 

[Rocco I.]

Sujay,

with 948's everything will work perfectly without hum. With 948 active DC compensation (patented) eliminates low-frequency line noise which normally causes the transformer hum.

The 948 is considered the most important component in a Burmester chain.

 

[garylkoh]

Sujay,

with 948's everything will work perfectly without hum. With 948 active DC compensation (patented) eliminates low-frequency line noise which normally causes the transformer hum.

The 948 is considered the most important component in a Burmester chain.

I suggested a large isolation transformer to Thf99 because he was already using one, and it seemed to work for him. I've never liked what isolation transformers do to the sound, but then again, everyone has different ears.

The 948 indeed would be one of the most important components in an all-Burmester system, and it helps components from other brands as well. Unfortunately, they are expensive, and unlike Burmester who would recommend that a single 948 would be adequate for the system, I think that the 948 still restricts dynamics in the power amp. I would recommend one 948 for the front end, and one for each 911.

In many countries where power is not as clean as we would like, a power conditioner IMHO is an essential component to high-end performance.

 

[AudioExplorations]

I suggested a large isolation transformer to Thf99 because he was already using one, and it seemed to work for him. I've never liked what isolation transformers do to the sound, but then again, everyone has different ears.

The 948 indeed would be one of the most important components in an all-Burmester system, and it helps components from other brands as well. Unfortunately, they are expensive, and unlike Burmester who would recommend that a single 948 would be adequate for the system, I think that the 948 still restricts dynamics in the power amp. I would recommend one 948 for the front end, and one for each 911.

In many countries where power is not as clean as we would like, a power conditioner IMHO is an essential component to high-end performance.

One 948 per 911... WOW!!

The 948 corrects for HF and DC on it's built in outlets but also corrects for DC on any neighboring outlets one the same circuit to which it is plugged into at the wall. If there any issues with dynamics I would first try plugging the 911's into these neighboring wall outlets before going mental and ordering multiple 948's...

FWIW I plug my 911 into the 948 and a lack of dynamics is certainly not an issue with my system!

 

[Thf99]

I suggested a large isolation transformer to Thf99 because he was already using one, and it seemed to work for him. I've never liked what isolation transformers do to the sound, but then again, everyone has different ears.

The 948 indeed would be one of the most important components in an all-Burmester system, and it helps components from other brands as well. Unfortunately, they are expensive, and unlike Burmester who would recommend that a single 948 would be adequate for the system, I think that the 948 still restricts dynamics in the power amp. I would recommend one 948 for the front end, and one for each 911.

In many countries where power is not as clean as we would like, a power conditioner IMHO is an essential component to high-end performance.

Gary is right. One 948 does restrict dynamics and it's quite obvious if one is using two 911s. If a stereo 911 were to be used, I found that a single 948 is sufficient. Gary's recommendation to use 3 948s is spot on if one were to go that route. My transformer works very well for me even though Gary thought it was underpowered. I checked with my dealer and he said the results will be even better if 3 were employed.

 

[AudioExplorations]

Thf99, Gary, with restricting dynamics are you referring to macro dynamics or also micro dynamics i.e. the resolving of the fine steps/details within the dynamic range?

 

[Thf99]

Thf99, Gary, with restricting dynamics are you referring to macro dynamics or also micro dynamics i.e. the resolving of the fine steps/details within the dynamic range?

I find that both macro and micro dynamics are compromised to quite a noticeable degree.

 

[garylkoh]

I find that both macro and micro dynamics are compromised to quite a noticeable degree.

I agree too. It is strange that micro dynamics should be compromised, but it is.

I am unfortunately blessed with Burmester North America storing their demo gear in my warehouse, so I have unrestricted access to almost unrestricted amounts of Burmester gear. Once you've heard three 948's in your system, you'll never go back

The other power conditioner that sounded exceptional on the 911 is the IsoTek Titan. That was what we used in Newport Beach for the 909. Macro dynamics on the 909/911 is better using the Titan, but micro dynamics is better using the 948.

 

[garylkoh]

Thf99, one more thing to check - behind your 32A switch - where it is wired to the mainboard of the house, is it an ELCB? If it is, consider changing it out to an RCBO. (This is only applicable to 230V-land). You might find quite a large improvement in micro dynamics.

 

[AudioExplorations]

I find that both macro and micro dynamics are compromised to quite a noticeable degree.

Well, I am now running my 911 straight from the wall outlet next to where the 948 is plugged in, no hum in the 911 which I otherwise would have with my poor mains so the DC correction is still working. It is sounding absolutely magnificent but then it also was before, it's impossible with any degree of certainty to tell if it's an improvement.

I was under the impression that the 948 works parallel to the mains so it surprises me that it would be restrictive of current which I think would be the culprit of any dynamics issues?

 

[garylkoh]

Depending on the quality of the outlet, YMMV. I've found that plugging the 911 directly into the 948 was better than plugging into the socket next to the 948. But I just have not played with the 948 enough. Burmester keeps sending them out too fast for me to play around with one for any length of time unless I buy my own.....

 

[sujay]

I suggested a large isolation transformer to Thf99 because he was already using one, and it seemed to work for him. I've never liked what isolation transformers do to the sound, but then again, everyone has different ears.

The 948 indeed would be one of the most important components in an all-Burmester system, and it helps components from other brands as well. Unfortunately, they are expensive, and unlike Burmester who would recommend that a single 948 would be adequate for the system, I think that the 948 still restricts dynamics in the power amp. I would recommend one 948 for the front end, and one for each 911.

In many countries where power is not as clean as we would like, a power conditioner IMHO is an essential component to high-end performance.

All,

Many thanks for the advice from all of you. Actually I am not running it thro a 948 at the moment but thro an ORB passive conditioner. Interestingly, the problem occurred only after I changed the power outlet receptacle, which is why I suspect that that could be the source of the issue. Anyway, I am planning to get the outlet connections checked again. If the hum persists ( mind you it's very faint but it's present), I might have to try reverting to the old receptacle.....alas!

 

[Rocco I.]

One 948 per 911... WOW!!

The 948 corrects for HF and DC on it's built in outlets but also corrects for DC on any neighboring outlets one the same circuit to which it is plugged into at the wall. If there any issues with dynamics I would first try plugging the 911's into these neighboring wall outlets before going mental and ordering multiple 948's...

FWIW I plug my 911 into the 948 and a lack of dynamics is certainly not an issue with my system!

Also my experience with the 948's is absolutely positive and using it from long time the dynamic restriction was never an issue, but only sounds benefits. I tried many times the 911's monos directly to the wall sockets (an oyade for each wall socket and relative lines directly from the electricity meter) and sound result was always worse. So at my home the 948's is outstanding at all. Same positive situation at home of my friend that owns the 909's monos and after a lot of tests he prefers using them through the 948's.

 

[garylkoh]

Also my experience with the 948's is absolutely positive and using it from long time the dynamic restriction was never an issue, but only sounds benefits. I tried many times the 911's monos directly to the wall sockets (an oyade for each wall socket and relative lines directly from the electricity meter) and sound result was always worse. So at my home the 948's is outstanding at all. Same positive situation at home of my friend that owns the 909's monos and after a lot of tests he prefers using them through the 948's.

Both 909 mono's plus all his source components into the same 948?

 

[Rocco I.]

Both 909 mono's plus all his source components into the same 948?

yes, plus 808's and 069's with their reference power supply units. Plus a Verdier tt.

 

[Frank750]

Guys, if I could ask your opinion? I'm in the final stages of deciding on a Burmester purchase but I just don't have the opportunity to listen to any of the equipment.
To be honest, I'm kind of taking a leap of faith based on a lot of what I've read in this thread over the past 72 pages. I was going in the Pass Labs direction but you guys have really opened my eyes to Burmester.
I've been a tube guy for 30 years but I have had enough. Can't stand the constant down time any longer.
I'm looking at a pair of 911 mk3, 808 mk5 and my question is, should I get the internal MC module for the 808 or purchase the 100 phono amp? Dealer is telling me to get the 100. I listen to vinyl about 90% of the time. Turntable is SME 30/12 with a Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement. Speakers are The Sonus Faber (Fenice). I currently have the ARC Anniversary, ARC Ref 610 and ARC Ref 2.
Would appreciate any help you could offer.

 

[garylkoh]

If you listen to vinyl 90% of the time, I would go with the external Ph100. The additional flexibility of adjustable different loading and gain is very beneficial. I've found that different cartridges seem to operate optimally at different gain settings even at the same net output level at the loudspeaker.

 

[Rocco I.]

Guys, if I could ask your opinion? I'm in the final stages of deciding on a Burmester purchase but I just don't have the opportunity to listen to any of the equipment.
To be honest, I'm kind of taking a leap of faith based on a lot of what I've read in this thread over the past 72 pages. I was going in the Pass Labs direction but you guys have really opened my eyes to Burmester.
I've been a tube guy for 30 years but I have had enough. Can't stand the constant down time any longer.
I'm looking at a pair of 911 mk3, 808 mk5 and my question is, should I get the internal MC module for the 808 or purchase the 100 phono amp? Dealer is telling me to get the 100. I listen to vinyl about 90% of the time. Turntable is SME 30/12 with a Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement. Speakers are The Sonus Faber (Fenice). I currently have the ARC Anniversary, ARC Ref 610 and ARC Ref 2.
Would appreciate any help you could offer.

A mono-pair of 911's and the preamp 808 Mk5 is one of the best absolute combo!