Integrated Amplifiers
Burmester 232 Integrated amplifier
Burmester 232 Integrated amplifier plus streaming and phono stage modules. A truly stunning new modular amplifier from Burmester.
232
Integrated Amplifier
The new Burmester 232 integrated amplifier from the Classic Line fulfills all the requirements of a modern amplifier and combines this functional flexibility with the extraordinary sound quality for which Burmester is known worldwide.
The new Classic Line integrated amplifier is characterized by its particularly broad compatibility. It supports a wide range of analog and digital input sources to allow seamless integration into existing audio setups.
Technical Highlights
- First product in the new Burmester aesthetic design
- New D/A converter
- New rotary encoder with haptic feedback (customizable) for volume, input selection, etc.
- Modular design (phono module, DAC)
- Supports current streaming providers
- New operation app
- New audio concept for preamplifier (incl. volume control) and headphones
- High quality operational amplifiers at the input for sound performance
- Extra short and low noise signal path for minimal signal interference
- New dedicated headphone amplifier designed for low distortion and low noise level
- New input transistors of the power amplifiers with almost perfect pair equality (NPN, PNP) for minimal distortion
Sound Quality
Despite the multitude of digital connection options and functions, the sound image is still determined by the analogue circuit technology. With its warm, full, yet exceptionally detailed and powerful sound, the 232 integrated amplifier realizes the sonic ideal of a Burmester amplifier.
The operational amplifiers used are of highest quality and allow the music signal to pass through unaffected in interaction with the intelligent volume control. Thus, an effect on the sound quality is almost eliminated.
As the heart of the system, the transformer ensures effortless sovereignty regardless of which speaker the 232’s Class A/B power amplifier is performing at. Because the two amplifiers in the power supply and transformer are dual mono , electrical and magnetic coupling between the channels is minimized. The separate amplifiers reduce the likelihood of crosstalk, i.e., one channel’s signal affecting the other. Each amplifier has its own independent power supply, which means that the supply voltage for each channel is kept stable and independent.
This results in a stable and sharply separated stereo image and precise pulses.
Modularity
The 232 can be operated as a pure integrated amplifier but is equally capable of processing digital and analog sources. Due to its modularity, it can be configured entirely according to customer preferences.
The new D/A converter module is very versatile in addition to its sonic sovereignty. It masters the conversion of internal audio streams, such as those from streaming services or from Burmester servers, as well as external digital sources at the highest level. The new converter generation naturally masters DSD and sampling rates up to 768 kHz in 32 bit.
The phono module for MC cartridge systems is based on the phono signal processing from the Burmester 077 Reference Preamplifier and the award winning 100 Phono Preamplifier, combining the processing of finest analogue signals with the world of digital music at the highest level.
Design
The new Burmester 232 integrated amplifier is the first product to feature the new Burmester design. This is characterized by elegant, timeless lines and a more harmonious handling of existing surfaces, such as the heat sink profile, or the lid surface, thus creating a sculptural appearance in the room.
Above all, the new base concept reinforces the effect of lightness and suggests a floating appearance. This design element is scaled from the Classic Line to the Signature Line but is an integral part of each product line in its respective design.
Extensive studies have been conducted to thermally optimize the heat sink profile. Scaled across the product lines and performance levels, it follows the approach of performance enhancement and is thus far more than just a design element. It extends radially from the center of the cabinet and represents the biggest break from the more traditional appearance of the previous Burmester generation of devices.
Combined with the organic looking lines of the base, the new shape creates an
interplay of technical, elegant and organic, room environment friendly forms. This is reinforced by the contrast of matte and glossy surfaces.
Control Concept
The aim of the new operating concept was to directly simplify the control of a versatile and thus also complex device.
The new operating concept combines the new Burmester control app with
operation on the device (HMI) or via remote control. The approach of reducing the number of operating steps was employed across all control options.
Placing the display behind mirrored spy glass allows the display to fade completely into the background when not in use. This integration further pays to the purist approach of the appearance. The full graphics display enables support for a wide range of characters, so Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Russian information can be displayed, for example.
The touch sensors on the front of the device are only visible when necessary. In this way, it has been possible to significantly calm the effect of the front and make it more restrained. In combination with the new monochrome display and a rotary encoder whose haptics can be adapted to the individual operating states, operation on the device, the Human Machine Interface, has been completely rethought: Minimalist use of controls with a significant increase in haptic feedback on the focus control.
New Rotary Encoder
In addition to the app and remote control, the new Burmester rotary encoder serves as the main control element of the 232 and equips the integrated amplifier with an innovative haptic feedback technology. The haptic feedback adapts to the respective functions. This includes features such as resistance to rotation, number and spacing of ticks. In addition to controlling classic functions such as input selection, volume adjustment or scrolling through playlists, it also replaces the power switch.
Due to the feedback in different haptics, it provides the user with an individual operating experience combined in one control element. Its functions range from fine to coarse and heavy detents, blocking list ends and beginnings, or a rotary feel with constant force. The haptic feel of the rotary encoder is always directly related to the contents of the display.
Streaming and SBC
The central communication interface of the 232 is the powerful Single Board Computer module (SBC). It establishes the connection between the network and the device. For this purpose it has a Gigabit Lan interface, WiFi and Bluetooth.
A slot within the SBC module guarantees the future proof use of the 232 via the possibility of implementing future standards, e.g. WiFi or Bluetooth.
If the optional D/A converter module is used, eARC capable devices can also be
played back via the 232 using the HDMI interface. The USB interfaces serve as audio interface for Windows, MacOS, Linux and Android OS or enable the playback of music from a USB storage medium.
The central Core Logic application on the Linux based operating system of the SBC
handles all commands, communication and event handling and thus also manages the control via the new Burmester Conduct App. In addition, the graphic display (UI layer) and audio processing are managed in multiple parallel threads. This ensures that the correct audio codecs, bit and sampling rates are processed for optimum sound quality and that a smooth display and operation is consistently possible.
“When the listener closes his
eyes, listens to the music and
nothing disturbs him, then we
have done a good job.”DIETER BURMESTER
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