Burmester based system build

[Jeugene]

I'm relatively new to building systems. In the past I've had a Devore set up with Leban tube amp. I've now decided to make a system based on the Burmester 911 MK3 working in a mono pair with burmester preamp. I currently have an 035 preamp by Burmester on order. Does anyone have ideas for synergy with other components that they would recommend. Maybe someone could provide some pit falls they've expereinced with Burmaster. Do I need to really spend the extra 15k for a Burmester 088 pre? I'm thinking Wilson speakers and starting with Watt/Puppy and trying to work up to an Alexia V. I noticed a few people ssem to use Rockport Audio speakers with Burmester. Can someone explain the difference in sound between Rockport and Wilson?

 

[PaulB]

Based on the speakers you mention, you should really try to audition the Burmester speaker line. Our reference system uses 088 pre with 216 amp and B28 speakers. Outstanding match. Another great match is the TAD EV1TX speakers. Burmester texture with a soundstage a mile deep.

***DEALER***

 

[A-Line]

Burmester sounds best with Burmester, in my opinion..
Audition a few components and find your flavor of excellence.

 

[Kippyy]

I had a Burmester 911 single stereo amp and 035 pre-amp with a series of Wilson speakers. Over many years. Sounded great! I'd suggest you get the best speakers you can budget for, and stick with the 035 pre.

 

[sujay]

I have had my 911 mk3 monos/088 pre for over 15 years now. I agree that the Burmester pre/ power combination works best because of the low input impedance of the 911. I have had Vienna acoustics Beethoven grand, Burmester 051, Rockport Aviors and now Marten Parker Trios. I also had briefly the Devore O96 as well. They sound the best with the Marten and surprisingly sounded great with the Devore contrary to my expectations. I loved the Rockport aviors as well and had them for 10 years. I am told that the newer 216/218 amps are even better at handling low impedances. I don’t particularly liked the older Burmester speakers.

 

[Jeugene]

I had a Burmester 911 single stereo amp and 035 pre-amp with a series of Wilson speakers. Over many years. Sounded great! I'd suggest you get the best speakers you can budget for, and stick with the 035 pre.

Thanks for the insight! Nice to hear you had success. Any ideas on source? Did you play around with DACs or Vinyl you particularly liked?

 

[Jeugene]

I have had my 911 mk3 monos/088 pre for over 15 years now. I agree that the Burmester pre/ power combination works best because of the low input impedance of the 911. I have had Vienna acoustics Beethoven grand, Burmester 051, Rockport Aviors and now Marten Parker Trios. I also had briefly the Devore O96 as well. They sound the best with the Marten and surprisingly sounded great with the Devore contrary to my expectations. I loved the Rockport aviors as well and had them for 10 years. I am told that the newer 216/218 amps are even better at handling low impedances. I don’t particularly liked the older Burmester speakers.

Very interesting! It looks like you have a tube dac? Any insight on why you prefer that over solid state? I need to take a look at Marten speakers.

 

[sujay]

Very interesting! It looks like you have a tube dac? Any insight on why you prefer that over solid state? I need to take a look at Marten speakers.

Yes I have the Lampi big 7 in its current 3rd generation iteration. The Lampi has shove that some of the other solid state dac don’t have. I must admit I haven’t experimented much but I have had a Burmester 061 cdp, Bryson bda3 and MSB premier and I have tested the chord Dave. The Lampi has more bloom, better bass, dynamics and soundstage. I haven’t tested some of the more recent ones like mola mola, rockna or playback design

 

[RutherfordAudio]

We have brand new and demo 035's in stock, no idea why you would have to wait for one, we always stocked them. As the previous distributor of Burmester for almost 15 years in North America we have lots of inventory and will be blowing out all our Burmester stock early in 2025 incase you are looking for a good value.

 

[alexatpos]

You should try to put together a system from the same (Burmester) 'class'. Your 911mk3 is 'reference' line, while 035 is from 'classic' series. Preamp from the so called reference line is 088, but its quite pricey, even in sh. For almost a decade there was now discontinued 011 preamp in reference class, often paired with 911mk3, until 088 came. My advice would be to find used 011 as it is better than 035 and probably not more expensive than new 035. As for speakers, from what I have tried, Burmester sounds great with Sonus Faber and Franco Serblin. As for the cables, unless you have funds for all Nordost Valhalla or Odin, I would stick to the original Burmester silver cables for Ic's and power cables. I have tried some silevr AQ (wby and fire and some older series like Amazon and Diamond x3 as well as ww gold eclipse 6) and did not find them good as Burmester cabling that I use now. I do not know what speakers are you planing to use, but two 911mk3 are overkill for most of the speakers. I would use one and for the money saved, buy a best preamp I could find. With that money you are looking at 077 or 808mk5 which are state of the art preamps. There is member here named @Rocco I. who has all Burmester Reference system, best I have seen, who could provide you more information about differences between those preamps and the difference between one or two 911mk3

 

[Solartiger]

I had the 911mk3 with the 88 and the 089 for over 10 years. The 911 088 combi works very well!

 

[Jeugene]

You should try to put together a system from the same (Burmester) 'class'. Your 911mk3 is 'reference' line, while 035 is from 'classic' series. Preamp from the so called reference line is 088, but its quite pricey, even in sh. For almost a decade there was now discontinued 011 preamp in reference class, often paired with 911mk3, until 088 came. My advice would be to find used 011 as it is better than 035 and probably not more expensive than new 035. As for speakers, from what I have tried, Burmester sounds great with Sonus Faber and Franco Serblin. As for the cables, unless you have funds for all Nordost Valhalla or Odin, I would stick to the original Burmester silver cables for Ic's and power cables. I have tried some silevr AQ (wby and fire and some older series like Amazon and Diamond x3 as well as ww gold eclipse 6) and did not find them good as Burmester cabling that I use now. I do not know what speakers are you planing to use, but two 911mk3 are overkill for most of the speakers. I would use one and for the money saved, buy a best preamp I could find. With that money you are looking at 077 or 808mk5 which are state of the art preamps. There is member here named @Rocco I. who has all Burmester Reference system, best I have seen, who could provide you more information about differences between those preamps and the difference between one or two 911mk3

Thanks for the detailed response with what I consider important information. I did demo the 088 pre at the dealer and I can report that going to mono 911mk3 was a bigger jump that switching out the preamp in the system from o35 to the O88. But this could be a very limited example and you've helped me with some important questions I need to be asking.

 

[alexatpos]

Well, I guess that system has very demanding loudspeakers. Certainly you will decide what you like best, but if you have chance to try different things at your dealer, I would try some other (less demanding) speakers as well, if there are others that you like. By all means difference between those preamps should be obvious, but it is you who will finally have to decide which potential combination you prefer. If possible, try the 077 or 808 mk5 preamps as well, just out of curiosity, if nothing else. I am subjective, of course, but with any Burmester set up you cant go wrong. Best of luck in your search

 

[Jeugene]

Well, I guess that system has very demanding loudspeakers. Certainly you will decide what you like best, but if you have chance to try different things at your dealer, I would try some other (less demanding) speakers as well, if there are others that you like. By all means difference between those preamps should be obvious, but it is you who will finally have to decide which potential combination you prefer. If possible, try the 077 or 808 mk5 preamps as well, just out of curiosity, if nothing else. I am subjective, of course, but with any Burmester set up you cant go wrong. Best of luck in your search

 

[Jeugene]

The members of this forum have helped me focus my issues. I’ve decided forgo using mono 911s, and putting the extra money in a better preamp. I went to the dealer yesterday and I was looking at what the biggest bang for the buck would be in that regard. However, while at the dealer I decided to see what would happen if I put that money, and some extra, into the speaker. I had previously been set on the Watt Puppy to start. So we set up the 911mk3, 035 (more on this), and Wilson Alexia V. Suffice it to say that the Alexia V swept the floor with compared to the Watt Puppy on what I was looking for...Which is live music sound with all the dynamics, yet retains detail and some warmth and texture.

So, we then decided to see if the 088 replacing the 035 preamp would be worth the extra 15k. The answer for me was no, at this time. The 088 was better in a lot of ways that are hard to describe. But I think the main idea is that it was technically better, but not as fun. 088 layered the music better, detail was more apparent, relaxed a bit and didn't sound as loud. However, the 035 was like just putting the pedal to the floor and giving you it all in its wonderful glory at once. I think long term I'll upgrade, but maybe at that point go the something awesome like the 808 mk5. For now, this 035 gives me a lot of what I want and room to figure out nuances down the line with upgrade. Besides, I need to get a DAC upgrade going to match up to what the Alexia V, 911 are going to want to deliver.

 

[Kippyy]

Congratulations on your purchase of a great system! You've got some world class gear.
Enjoy the music!