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I used optical and coaxial S/PDIF data to test the DAC/streamer module's digital inputs, as well as network data played with Roon and test tone files stored on a USB stick. The Roon app recognized the amplifier as "Burmester 232 Integrated Amplifier." When I connected the amplifier's USB-C port to my 2017 MacBook Pro, Apple's USB Prober app identified the 232 as "Burmester Amplifier" from "Burmester Audiosysteme GmbH" with the serial number "2320164," and indicated that the USB port operated in the optimal isochronous asynchronous mode. However, the…

I performed a full set of measurements on the Burmester 232 using my Audio Precision SYS2722 system. Before I started the testing, I preconditioned the amplifier by operating it at 1/8 the specified power into 8 ohms for 30 minutes. At the end of that time, the temperature of the side-mounted heatsinks was 117.5°F/47.5°C.

Looking first at the Burmester 232's balanced line inputs: The amplifier inverted absolute polarity at the speaker and headphone outputs but preserved polarity at the balanced Preamplifier output. (Polarity can be adjusted for each input…

Description: Modular class-AB, dual-mono integrated amplifier with remote control, optional MC phono and DAC streamer modules, the latter Roon Ready and equipped with internet radio. Analog inputs: two balanced (XLR). Digital inputs: two USB 2.0, Type A, one USB-C, microSD (SD1), HDMI ARC, S/PDIF (RCA), TosLink, AES3. Analog outputs: XLR pre-out (one fixed, one variable), 6.3mm headphone jack, multiway loudspeaker binding posts. Digital outputs: S/PDIF (RCA), TosLink. Power output: 95Wpc into 8 ohms (19.8dBW); 155Wpc into 4 ohms (18.9dBW; both rated at ~230V AC,…

Digital sources: dCS Varèse music system; Innuos Nazaré Music Server and PhoenixNET network switch; Small Green Computer Sonore opticalModule Deluxe (2); Broadcom/Avago AFBR-5718PZ 1GB SX-SFP, Gen 5 Fiber Optic modules (2); Nordost QSource linear power supply (2); Sonore Audiophile Linear Power Supply; Synology 5-bay 1019+ NAS with Ferrum Hypsos linear/switching hybrid power supply; ASUS AX6000 and RT-AX88U Pro mesh routers and Netgear Nighthawk modem; Apple 2023 iPad Pro and 2025 MacBook Air.
Power amplifiers: Dan D'Agostino Momentum M400 MxV…

It was hard to find focus in Victor Kung's room. Between the nearly invisible AER BD3B/650mm full-range open-baffle speakers ($9800/pair) and the various amps on static display—Sun Valley SV-1616D 300B integrated amp ($2450), or the Elekit TU-8900 ($3050) or Elekit TU-8850 ($1850) power amps—my palms felt sweaty, my head, dizzy. Is this SET-amp lover’s heaven?

Victor’s active setup included a VPI 40th Anniversary HW-40 Direct turntable ($22,000) with the fantastic Hana Umami Blue MC cartridge ($2000) allied to a Sun Valley EQ161D phono stage ($1585), Pre161D preamplifier ($1550),…

And yet. Sometimes the all-in-one…

These days, my worst weakness kicks in when I'm visiting my friend of over 45 years,…

As Jim Austin primarily auditioned the CH Precision L1 using its direct-coupled balanced inputs and outputs with the gain adjust set to "0dB," the input impedance set to High, and with the preamplifier powered by the auxiliary X1 supply, I performed a complete set of measurements in that condition. (The manual says not to stack the L1 and X1; the supplied umbilical cable was long enough for me to place the X1 on the floor, well away from the L1.) I then repeated some of the tests using the unbalanced inputs and outputs, then performed the balanced input's…

Twenty years ago, the Danish amplifier specialists at Pascal Audio hand-built their first prototypes in a small lakeside cabin near Copenhagen. From the start, the firm specialized in electronics for self-powered loudspeakers and amplifier systems. It now partners with audio brands in more than 70 countries.

If you're not familiar with Pascal amplification, you're not alone; it's probably the least well-known of the class-D amplification companies. It positioned itself as a behind-the-scenes supplier to PA loudspeaker…