Burmester 216 power amplifier Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Bridgeable, dual-channel power amplifier. Power output (stereo, IEC 62368-1): 100Wpc into 8 ohms (20dBW), 165Wpc into 4 ohms (19.2dBW), 245Wpc into 2 ohms (17.9dBW). Power outputs double when bridged for mono; maximum power output as a monoblock, 490W continuous. Power consumption in standby: 0.46W.
Dimensions: 19.5" (496mm) W × 7.5" (191mm) H × 18.8" (479mm) D. Weight: 77.2lb (35kg).
Finish: Brushed aluminum and mirrored glass.
Serial numbers of units reviewed: 9216060, 9216061.
Price: $35,000 (each unit). Approximate number of US dealers: 15. Warranty: 2 years.
Manufacturer: Burmester Audiosysteme GmbH, Wilhelm-Kabus-Strasse 47, 10829 Berlin, Germany. Tel: +49 307879 68 0 Email: mail.burmester.de. Web: burmester.de.

COMPANY INFO
Burmester Audiosysteme GmbH
Wilhelm-Kabus-Strasse 47
10829 Berlin
Germany
mail.burmester.de
+49 307879 68 0
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
georgehifi's picture

"I didn't examine the clipping power into 2 ohms, as Jim Austin hadn't finished his auditioning and this sample had to be returned to him. (Amplifiers sometimes break when driving their maximum power into 2 ohms, which is why I usually leave this test to last.)"

I love class-A/B reviews because they are representative of what's coming out of the speaker terminal to go to the speakers, there's no concealment of some of the measurements/tests in them, but looking at those figures and graphs JA, I doubt very much the 2ohm test if you did do them, they wouldn't have been something to write home about for those kind of big $'s.

As far as doing any good (like other similar price amps can) into very low impedances say like the Wilson Alexia's .9ohm EPDR bass loading, I'd say most probably nah, there's far better for that spec and cheaper! Unless!!! those specs you measured were in bridged mode?, then those figures are to be expected.

Cheers George

Bonsai's picture

This unfortunately is the problem with this industry:-

‘Getting noticed by a critic for a well-known hi-fi magazine is, as we all know, the key to success in this industry.’

JohnnyThunder2.0's picture

what products are being criminally overlooked by "well known hi-fi magazines? Please elaborate instead of making cynical vague comments.

JRT's picture

"(W)hat products are being ... overlooked by "well known hi-fi magazines?" - JohnnyThunder2.0

Buckeye Amplifiers seem to be providing very good performance/price in their direct marketed class D amplifiers. Their existance has not likely escaped notice of those paying much attention to that market segment. Have you seen any review of their products in any print magazine?

For example:

Hypex NCx500 monoblock amplifier ($750/each).
https://www.buckeyeamp.com/shop/p/hypex-ncx500-amplifier-monoblock

Purifi 1ET7040SA v2 monoblock amplifier ($950/each)
https://www.buckeyeamp.com/shop/p/purifi-1et7040sa-mono-channel-amplifier

Purifi 1ET400A monoblock amplifier ($750/each)
https://www.buckeyeamp.com/shop/p/purifi-1et400a-amplifier-mono-channel

As always, this is not SPAM, as I have no affiliation with the sellers, and have no financial interest in it.

Glotz's picture

Burmester has been marketing for a very long time, hence our awareness.

georgehifi's picture

"Getting noticed by a critic for a well-known hi-fi magazine is, as we all know, the key to success in this industry."

Yes it comes 2 ways, and comes on it's own merits/reputation by word of mouth also.

My "Lightspeed Attenuator" passive pre (now sold off) no one knew about outside Australia. It was noticed back in 2009 by Sam Tellig, so I sent him one for evaluation, he loved it so much he bought it, (trade price naturally) and one for his son. It made it into 2010 April issue "Stereophile's Recommended Components"

Cheers George

hb72's picture

apologies..

kai's picture

“I didn't examine the clipping power into 2 ohms, as Jim Austin hadn't finished his auditioning and this sample had to be returned to him. (Amplifiers sometimes break when driving their maximum power into 2 ohms, which is why I usually leave this test to last.)“

Seems you did it, kind of, and the 216 didn‘t break:

500 W mono into 4 Ohm for the amp is the same stress as 2x250 W stereo into 2 Ohm.

The only difference, the power supply rails are loaded more evenly in mono, as each amp takes from the opposite rail at each given moment.

georgehifi's picture

Tested 165Wpc into 4 ohms, the "2ohm scenario of 2 x 250W stereo" into 2 ohm", is a far cry from (good current ability stereo amp) being able to almost doubling the 4ohm figure of 165w to 330w for 2ohm loading.
Still says it's not the best stereo amp (especially in bridged mono mode) for speakers like the Alexia which have an EPDR of .9ohm in the bass.
Means to me, it's current ability is limited into speakers with low impedance bass, compared to other amps in the $35k price bracket.

Cheers George

kai's picture

Continuous power into low Ohm might even be limited by the PSU’s power capability, not the output’s current limitations.

In this case short term peak power (not measured), more relevant for music, can be very significantly higher.

The manufacturer claims:
“The 216 helps even speakers with the lowest impedance values and complex loads achieve a spacious sound image with superior dynamics.”

“Stable at all loads over the entire frequency range.”
….
“Pulse Power in stereo (CEA) per channel, 2 Ohm: 360 W.”

This last figure tells, the amp is not current limiting.

German rules for manufacturers claims are quite strict, so I’d believe they are true.

Ortofan's picture

... a PSU that will allow it to produce about double its 4Ω peak power output into a 2Ω load?

Consider the $1,599 Rotel RB-1582 Mk II.
According to a Hi-Fi News test of the Mk I version, the peak output capability was 295W @ 8Ω, 555W @ 4Ω, 1005W @ 2Ω, and 1,630W @ 1Ω.

https://rotel.com/product/rb-1582-mkii

https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/533-rotel-rb-1582-mkii-stereo-power-amplifier

-OR-

For $1,199, on closeout, one could choose the NAD C 275BEE.
According to a Hi-Fi News test, the peak output capability was 300W @ 8Ω, 585W @ 4Ω, 1,060W @ 2Ω, and 1,555W @ 1Ω.

https://nadelectronics.com/product/c-275bee-stereo-power-amplifier/\

https://www.soundstageaccess.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/649-nad-c-275bee-stereo-mono-amplifier

Bonsai's picture

It is very easy to produce specs like this, in which there is perfect doubling of power with each halving of load impedance.

Step 1: measure the amp output into 2 Ohms and note it.
Step 2: double the load resistance and confirm the output power is precisely half that measured in Step 1. It almost always is.
Step 3: finally, double the load impedance to 8 Ohms, and confirm it is half that of the 4 ohm case and confirm it is 1/4 that of step 1.
Step 4: if you aren’t getting a doubling of power with each halving of load resistance, go back to step 1 and derate the lowest load resistance output power and repeat steps 1 - 4

You can now go to market saying you have a near perfect power supply + amplifier system.

David Harper's picture

..."that which is asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence" - Christopher Hitchens.

Laphr's picture

..."Prove all my assumptions for me or I'll throw a tantrum" - Troll

Ortofan's picture

... what is the length of the shortest peak level that it can hold and display?

Also. what is the maximum dynamic range of the music JA2 listens to?

In the following video, Harbeth Monitor 40.1 speakers are driven by CH Precision amplifiers. The test music used is Laptev Sea by Pan Sonic.
Note that the peak reading on the power meter often exceeds 500W and occasionally over 700W.
The 40.1 is less efficient than JA2's Wilson speakers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3WpRY-EtX8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhuJxdaU87I

georgehifi's picture

That's just a bit more wattage that's needed with those, and they are miles more easier to drive than the Alexia's, the impedance barley dips below 6ohms compared to the Alexia .9ohms!!!! and that's where you need big current, and not so much wattage.
https://tinyurl.com/yu696j3o

Cheers George

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