Burmester wants to eliminate competition at End Munich 2025 with $200,000 Reference Line

The Berlin-based hi-fi icon unleashes the 249 preamp, 259 power amp, and 257 turntable — a trio of ultra-engineered masterpieces aiming to redefine analog and digital perfection.

At High End Munich 2025, where the world’s most luxurious audio brands showcase their latest flagships, Burmester has once again cemented its position at the apex of ultra-high-end hi-fi. Under the confident banner of “Redefining Outstanding,” the Berlin manufacturer introduced a bold new Reference Line, a trio of meticulously engineered components designed to push the boundaries of analog and digital playback.

The new series includes:

• 249 Preamplifier

• 259 Power Amplifier

• 257 Turntable

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Each represents the pinnacle of Burmester’s engineering, offering exacting German build quality, modular design, and uncompromising sound — all wrapped in stunning brushed aluminum or black chassis options. And yes, prices start at around $200,000 for a full stack.

249 Preamplifier: Pure Control, Custom-Built

The Burmester 249 is not your average preamplifier — it’s a modular, precision-crafted control center built for digital and analog dominance. At its core is an extremely low-noise, fully balanced design with optional DAC and phono modules, allowing for a highly customizable audio chain.

• Optional DAC Module ($10,000): Based on a high-performance chip with ultra-low jitter and wide dynamic range.

• Optional Phono Module ($10,000): MC stage designed to preserve the signal purity from the most delicate cartridges.

• External Power Supply: Provides clean, isolated energy to minimize electrical interference and noise.

  
  

And the design? Polished mirrored facades that look more like luxury jewelry than audio gear — because your rack should look as impressive as it sounds.

259 Power Amplifier: Authority Without Apology

If the 249 preamp is the brain, the 259 Power Amplifier is pure muscle. Delivering 500W per channel into 4 ohms in stereo, and a staggering 1500W in monoblock mode, this amp isn’t about brute force alone — it’s about surgical precision.

• Fully Balanced Circuitry: Designed for maximum control and minimal signal degradation.

• Passive Cooling: Keeps it whisper-quiet even during high-output sessions — no fans, no noise.

• Invisible Power Button: The minimalist design continues with an automatic power management system that boots the amp into optimal performance mode as soon as it’s powered.

  
  

Expect effortless control, huge headroom, and a soundstage expansive enough to lose yourself in.

257 Turntable: Mechanical Art Meets Sonic Purity

For analog devotees, the 257 Turntable is Burmester’s most serious commitment to vinyl yet — a stunning blend of traditional analog craftsmanship and smart engineering.

• Belt-Drive with Dual Motors: Twin 12V motors and Optical Speed Control (OSC) keep platter rotation dead-accurate at 33 and 45 RPM.

• Innovative Motor Suspension (IMS): Minimizes mechanical vibration while maintaining torque stability.

• Inverted Magnetic Bearing: Ceramic shaft and sintered bronze liner reduce friction and resonance, improving overall clarity and dynamics.

• 50mm Layered Platter: Made from technical plastic and stainless steel for maximum rotational inertia and acoustic neutrality.

• Modular Phono Stage Option ($10,000): Balanced-output module lets you connect directly to amps without needing a separate preamp.

  
  

A matching tonearm and separate power supply complete the package, turning the 257 into a full reference-grade analog rig.

Pricing: The Cost of Sonic Obsession

Burmester has never catered to casual listeners, and the Reference Line is no exception. Built to order in Germany with surgical attention to detail, this system commands ultra-premium prices:

Component	Price (USD)
249 Preamplifier	$55,000 (base)
249 DAC Module	$10,000
249 Phono Module	$10,000
259 Power Amplifier	$90,000
257 Turntable	$55,000 (base)
257 Phono Module	$10,000

Total cost for a fully loaded system? $200,000+ — enough to buy a small home, or redefine what silence between notes really costs.

Final Word: A Statement of Sonic Superiority

With the new Reference Line, Burmester isn’t just making products — it’s making a declaration. These aren’t components for the merely curious. They’re for connoisseurs of absolute precision, where form, function, and fidelity are pushed to their extremes.

If you believe that engineering excellence should be as obsessive as your playlist, and you’re prepared to invest in audio gear that blurs the line between art and machine — this is your next destination.