Burmester 216 Power Amplifier

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The Burmester 216 Power Amplifier brings the engineering principles of Burmester’s flagship amplification into a more compact high-current design. Built around a completely symmetrical circuit architecture, Class A X-Amp input stages and a fully DC-coupled signal path, the 216 is engineered to maintain control as loudspeaker impedance falls and system demands increase.

Rated at 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms, 165 watts into 4 ohms and 245 watts into 2 ohms, the 216 demonstrates exactly what matters in a serious power amplifier: its available output rises substantially as the loudspeaker presents a more difficult load.

For systems requiring still greater channel separation and dynamic headroom, the 216 can also be configured for dedicated mono operation, allowing one amplifier to drive each loudspeaker with its own independent power supply and ground path.

Completely Symmetrical Architecture

The 216 uses a completely symmetrical circuit design intended to preserve the integrity of a balanced audio signal throughout the amplifier.

Its input stages employ Burmester’s proprietary X-Amp technology operating in Class A, bringing technology developed for the company’s upper-level amplification into the 216.

The signal path is also completely DC-coupled, eliminating coupling capacitors from the audio path.

Together, these design choices create an amplifier architecture focused on signal integrity, speed and control rather than simply maximizing rated wattage.

High-Current Power Delivery

The 216 is engineered around a generously dimensioned power supply capable of delivering substantial current when loudspeaker impedance becomes difficult.

Burmester rates the amplifier at:

100 W per channel into 8 Ω
165 W per channel into 4 Ω
245 W per channel into 2 Ω

That progression is particularly important. Loudspeakers do not present an amplifier with a fixed impedance while music is playing. Their electrical load changes continuously with frequency, and some high-performance designs can fall to very low impedance at particular frequencies.

The 216 is specifically designed to remain stable under these demanding conditions.

High Damping Factor and Loudspeaker Control

Burmester places particular emphasis on maintaining a high damping factor across the frequency range, including at higher frequencies.

High damping factor reflects low amplifier output impedance and contributes to the electrical control the amplifier maintains over the connected loudspeaker.

Combined with the 216’s current capability and low-impedance stability, this makes it particularly well suited to sophisticated floorstanding loudspeakers and complex crossover networks that can expose weaknesses in less capable amplification.

Class A X-Amp Input Stage

The 216 incorporates Burmester’s proprietary X-Amp input-stage technology operating in Class A.

This allows the sensitive input stage to operate independently of the high-power demands placed on the amplifier’s output section.

Rather than treating the 216 simply as a scaled-down high-output amplifier, Burmester applies technologies developed through its larger amplifier platforms to the signal handling that occurs before final power amplification.

Completely DC-Coupled Signal Path

The 216 uses a completely DC-coupled signal path without coupling capacitors in the audio path.

Coupling capacitors are commonly used to block DC between amplifier stages, but their electrical characteristics can also influence the signal passing through them.

Burmester instead engineers the 216 to operate without these capacitors in the signal path, maintaining direct electrical coupling between amplification stages.

Stereo or Dedicated Mono Operation

The 216 can form the foundation of either a conventional stereo system or a significantly more ambitious dual-mono system.

A single 216 operates as a dual-channel stereo power amplifier.

For systems requiring greater power reserves and complete separation between channels, Burmester now offers the 216 in a dedicated mono configuration. In this version, the output capability of both stereo stages is combined to drive a single loudspeaker channel.

Using two 216 amplifiers in dedicated mono configuration gives the left and right loudspeakers completely independent amplifier chassis, power supplies and grounding.

Native Bi-Wiring in Mono Configuration

The dedicated 216 Mono provides two pairs of loudspeaker terminals, allowing direct bi-wiring without external splitters or adapters.

Separate cable runs can therefore be connected directly from the amplifier to the high-frequency and low-frequency sections of compatible loudspeakers.

This creates a particularly clean installation for reference loudspeakers designed around separate input terminals.

Upgrade Path for Existing 216 Owners

The 216 offers an unusually attractive upgrade path because an existing stereo amplifier can be retrofitted to dedicated mono configuration.

An owner can begin with a single 216 operating in stereo and later convert that amplifier to mono operation while adding a second 216.

The original amplifier therefore remains part of the upgraded system rather than being replaced when moving to a higher-level amplification configuration.

Protection Outside the Signal Path

Burmester incorporates protection circuitry designed to safeguard the amplifier and connected loudspeakers while keeping those circuits outside the primary audio signal path.

This approach allows the 216 to maintain the operational protection expected from a high-current amplifier without unnecessarily inserting additional circuitry directly into the music signal.

BurLink and System Integration

The 216 provides BurLink connectivity along with DC remote input and output for coordinated power control.

Compatible Burmester components can remotely switch the amplifier using a 10V DC trigger, while the control architecture also allows the 216 to be incorporated into sophisticated smart-home installations.

This makes the amplifier equally appropriate for a dedicated two-channel listening room or a fully integrated luxury audio system.

Handcrafted in Berlin

The 216 is manufactured according to Burmester’s extensive component-selection and testing procedures.

Individual assemblies undergo inspection before installation, followed by extended test operation, quality control and final listening evaluation under real operating conditions.

Its exterior design draws directly from Burmester’s flagship 159, with clean surfaces, characteristic heatsink architecture and a screwless upper enclosure creating a more contemporary interpretation of the traditional Burmester aesthetic.

Technical Details

Specification	Burmester 216
Product Type	Dual-Channel Power Amplifier
Circuit Architecture	Completely symmetrical
Input Stage	Burmester X-Amp, Class A
Signal Path	Completely DC-coupled
Stereo Output at 8 Ω	2 × 100 W
Stereo Output at 4 Ω	2 × 165 W
Stereo Output at 2 Ω	2 × 245 W
Low-Impedance Operation	Stable across the frequency range
Damping	High damping factor across the frequency range
Stereo Operation	Yes
Dedicated Mono Configuration	Yes
Mono Input	1 × balanced XLR
Mono Bi-Wiring	2 pairs of loudspeaker terminals
Existing Stereo-to-Mono Retrofit	Yes
Balanced Input	XLR
Unbalanced Input	Via adapter
Loudspeaker Outputs	Solid screw terminals
DC Remote Input / Output	Yes
Remote Switching Voltage	10V DC
BurLink	Yes
Smart Home Integration	Yes
Protection Circuits	Outside primary signal path
Standby Consumption at 230V	0.46 W
120V Version	110–120 V, 50/60 Hz
240V Version	230–240 V, 50/60 Hz
100V Version	100 V, 50/60 Hz
Width	496 mm / 19.5 in
Height	191 mm / 7.5 in
Depth	479 mm / 18.9 in
Weight	35 kg / 77.2 lb
Manufacturing	Berlin, Germany

Burmester specifies the stereo 216 at 100W into 8 ohms, 165W into 4 ohms and 245W into 2 ohms, with a completely symmetrical architecture, Class A X-Amp input stage, DC-coupled signal path and high-current power supply. The current dedicated mono version adds independent power and grounding for each channel when a pair is used, plus direct bi-wiring capability.

Burmester 216 at The Grid HiFi

The Grid HiFi in Houston specializes in Burmester high-end audio and complete reference two-channel systems. The 216 is particularly compelling because it provides a natural path from a high-performance stereo amplifier to a dedicated mono amplification system.

We can match a single 216 to the appropriate loudspeakers, preamplifier, sources, cabling and power infrastructure, or design a system around a matched pair of 216 amplifiers in dedicated mono configuration.

For an existing 216 owner, we can also help determine whether moving to dual-mono amplification makes sense for the loudspeakers, room and rest of the system.

Complimentary White Glove Delivery • Travel Reimbursement*
Qualifying purchasers may receive airfare reimbursement for your private audition.
Considering the 216? Let’s build your dream system around it. Call (713) 218-8120.
*Restrictions apply. Contact us for details.