Audio Research vs Burmester Audio

I have a Burmester 911 Mk 3 amp. While the Burmester 011 pre is perfect for it, I chose not to use that pre because it lacks a balance control. After trying an MBL 5011, I ended up with a Krell Evo 202, which has a 50 ohm output impedance (the Burmester amp likes a pre with a low output impedance). After some experimentation with interconnects, I purchased a Kimber Select 1136 (with wires to the XLR pins inverted at the factory, to accomodate an American pre to a German amp), and I am now very happy with the results. The Burmester is a fully balanced amp, and it needs careful matching if it is to sound its best. So if you decide to get the 911 Mk 3, your choice of preamps and cables is limited if you want to get the amp to sound its best. It would not be a good idea, for instance, to drive a Burmester amp with an ARC preamp. You are probably best off with either all ARC electronics or a Burmester amp with either a Burmester or Krell preamp.

Brauser what is the Burmester sonic signature? What are the significant differences between ARC and Burmester?

I have never had the opportunity to hear Burmester and would have to either buy or fly so any thoughts would be welcomed. I have been currently looking at the ARC 210's and considered but ideally I would prefer their 610T's but then I got to personally experience first hand the heat they produce, sorry but just way too much for me. Which ever amps I go with I would be using in a mono block configuration so if I went with Burmester that would mean two 911 MKIII's set up in mono block configuration and/or I would even consider the 909's but obviously they would have to offer substantial improvement due to to the extra cost. I tried another German manufacturer, MBL 9008's and did not like them, too mechanical sounding.

Speakers MBL 101E's, pre-amp currently ARC REF3 but would be willing to change. Redbook CD's played only on this set-up. Most recent amps CAT JL3 Sig. MKII mono's.

Kusina, your post came up after I had already sent mine. Could you have a read and reply back to it thanks

You mentioned you had the "XLR pins inverted at the factory, to accommodate an American pre to a German amp"

Could you have not just reversed the speaker connections or if your pre offered an "INVERT" button like my REF3 pre has just used that?

Do you know if the MBL 9008 is built the same way.

Dev, reversing the speaker cables in my case seemed an inelegant and possibly misleading process. First, my speakers are bi-wired, so I'd have to take care in reversing lest I make a mistake. Second, each of my speakers has a built in powered subwoofer, and each subwoofer amplifier has a phase switch which should be set to 180 degrees for a non-inverted main amp and 0 degrees for an inverted one -- and I'm not sure how to adjust for wiring the speaker cables with reverse phasing. It was much simpler to ask Kimber to invert the pins (which they did for no additional charge). All other connections then became a breeze, and the sound is glorious. My Krell preamp does have a phase reversal switch, but on asking people if reversing phase is sufficient I've gotten different replies. So again, from the standpoint of my cognitive uncertainty, having the cable manufacturer take care of the problem seemed the easiest and less confusing route. Of course, if I eventually sell the interconnect, I or the new buyer might want to have the cable altered to normal. But that, I'm told, can easily be done (for a nominal price). Finally, I believe that MBL is wired the same as Burmester (they are both manufactured in Berlin), so if you want to use either in balanced mode, you have to check to see if the preamp matches. My Krell has pin 2 non-inverted (i.e., plus); my Burmester has pin 2 inverted (i.e., minus). The interconnect is wired 2 to 3 and 3 to 2 for correct phasing.

Hi!

Thanks for lots of advise.

I will try to get hold of some Audio Research equipment to listen to back home. Normally its very hard to achive this since the shops in Norway seldom have this service, especially high end.

I have listened to Burmester 911mk3, 011, 077, 069, etc (plus the equipment I have), and the sound signature is just great. Burmester sound signature has also changed during the years. The sound is now more neutral, but still live like. Maybe not so much glow. So I more or less sure Burmester will fit the Sophias 2 well.

Speak soon!

Cheeers, Toffen G