Burmester 036 Power Amplifier

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The Burmester 036 Power Amplifier brings core Burmester amplifier technologies into the Classic Line, combining a fully balanced architecture, Class A X-Amp input stage, high-current power supply and exceptionally high damping factor in a substantial stereo power amplifier.

Rated at 171 watts per channel into 4 ohms, the 036 is designed for far more than its published wattage suggests. It delivers up to 30 amps of continuous peak current, offers a damping factor greater than 1,800 and remains stable across demanding loudspeaker loads. For systems requiring additional output, the 036 can be bridged for 300 watts into 4 ohms in mono operation.

Class A X-Amp Input Stage

The 036 uses Burmester's proprietary X-Amp technology operating in Class A for its input stage. The amplifier is balanced throughout, with low overall negative feedback and a completely DC-coupled signal path.

Eliminating coupling capacitors from the signal path is central to Burmester's amplifier architecture. Combined with the extremely wide bandwidth of the 036, this approach is designed to preserve transient information and maintain consistent phase behavior across the audible spectrum.

High-Current Power Supply

The 036 is built around an oversized 450VA toroidal transformer with 88,000 µF of main filter capacitance. An additional 12,000 µF of local filtering per channel is positioned close to the output stages.

That power supply supports a continuous peak-current capability of 30 amps, giving the amplifier substantial reserves when driving loudspeakers whose impedance and current demands change with frequency.

Damping Factor Greater Than 1,800

One of the most significant specifications of the 036 is its damping factor of greater than 1,800.

High damping factor gives an amplifier greater electrical control over loudspeaker driver movement, particularly with demanding low-frequency drivers. Burmester combines this with high-current delivery and load stability to give the 036 the control required for a wide range of high-performance loudspeakers.

Stereo, Mono or Bi-Amp Configuration

The 036 is considerably more flexible than a conventional stereo power amplifier.

In standard stereo operation it produces 2 × 171 watts into 4 ohms. Using Burmester's external mono adapter, or when internally configured at the factory as part of a mono pair, the amplifier can operate as a 300-watt mono amplifier into 4 ohms.

External bi-amping adapters also allow multiple 036 amplifiers to be used in a bi-amplified loudspeaker system.

Balanced System Integration

Balanced connections are provided for both stereo and mono operation. Unbalanced sources can also be connected in stereo mode using the supplied adapters.

A 10V DC remote input allows compatible Burmester preamplifiers and D/A converters with variable outputs to switch the 036 on and off remotely, making the amplifier part of a fully integrated Burmester system.

Loudspeaker connections use Burmester's substantial binding posts, which are designed for spade-terminated speaker cables.

Protection Outside the Signal Path

The 036 incorporates a protection system that continuously monitors the amplifier for overheating, DC offset and overdrive.

Importantly, Burmester places the protection circuitry outside the audio signal path, allowing the amplifier to protect itself and the connected loudspeakers without inserting the monitoring circuitry directly into the music signal.

Technical Details

Burmester's product sheet specifies 171 watts per channel at 4 ohms and a 0 to 200 kHz frequency response, while the owner's manual rounds output to 170 watts and provides additional 8-ohm and 2-ohm ratings of 100 and 280 watts per channel. The manual also specifies a 3 Hz to 150 kHz frequency response. I've retained both sets of published data rather than discarding the additional technical information.

Burmester 036 at The Grid HiFi

The Grid HiFi in Houston specializes in Burmester high-end audio and complete reference two-channel systems. The 036 is an especially interesting foundation for systems where amplifier control and current delivery matter as much as headline wattage, and its bridgeable architecture provides a clear path from a single stereo amplifier to a dedicated mono configuration.

We can build the complete system around the 036, matching it with the appropriate Burmester preamplifier and source components, loudspeakers, cabling and power infrastructure.

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Considering the 036? Let’s build your dream system around it. Call (713) 218-8120.
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