I had already been won over by the pair of Burmester 218 Top Line stereo power amplifiers ($50,000/each) I reviewed in the October 2024 issue. I wrote in my conclusion: "Their sound is so natural and complete that amidst the miracle of music, analytical thoughts inevitably cede to satisfaction, smiles, and wonder. ... Their sound ... was world-…
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My first response, upon being offered for review the new Burmester 232 Classic Line modular class-AB dual-mono integrated amplifier ($25,000), was apprehension—but not because of the product itself, and certainly not because of the Burmester brand.
The review unit arrived complete with optional DAC/streamer module—and the phono module I could not evaluate. As a Roon Ready device that offers multiple connection and playback options, including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth file playback, I tested it multiple ways:
As a pure integrated, with the vastly more expensive Innuos Nazaré server-streamer, the five-piece dCS Varèse music system doing the conversion (footnote 3). This setup enabled me to compare the same music at the same resolution sourced from the Nazaré's internal SSD and Qobuz.
As a pure integrated amplifier using…
Sidebar 4: More Measurements
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…
Sidebar 3: Measurements
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…
The inexpensive but versatile Eversolo Play CD Edition integrated amplifier ($799) that Rogier van Bakel reviewed in the January 2026 issue has optical and coaxial digital inputs, line and phono analog inputs, can play CDs, and can stream audio over its network connection, all for just $799! Although RvB doesn't have an LP player and was therefore unable to audition the Play's phono stage, I performed a complete set of measurements on the phono input with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system. As usual when I am measuring a phono stage, I connected the ground terminal on the amplifier's rear…
Sidebar 1: Specifications
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,…
Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment
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),…
There's something inherently suspicious about most all-in-one solutions. They promise convenience but whisper compromise. It's a bit like those Swiss Army knives with 14 attachments: The corkscrew is barely adequate, and the other tools are terrible at everything. And it isn't just quality. The audiophile brain, trained over decades of mix-and-match rituals, recoils instinctively. Where's the fun in a speaker that arrives with amplification baked in? Where's the journey of pairing, the thrill of synergy discovered at 2am after your sixth cable swap?
And yet. Sometimes the all-in-one…
I own a lot of records. Way too many if we're being honest. It's hard for me to come up with an accurate count, and I'm not even remotely organized enough to have a formal inventory, but if I had to make a guesstimate based on linear feet I figure I must have around 10,000. About 10 years ago, I started to recognize that I owned far more records than I could ever hope to listen to, even once, in my remaining time on the planet, and since that realization my record purchasing rate has slowed to a trickle.
These days, my worst weakness kicks in when I'm visiting my friend of over 45 years,…