Burmester 100 Phono Preamplifier

Complimentary White Glove Delivery • Travel Reimbursement*

The Burmester 100 Phono Preamplifier is a reference-grade analog front end designed for serious vinyl playback, extensive cartridge optimization and, when equipped with the optional A/D converter, high-resolution archiving of a record collection. Developed as the modern successor to Burmester's legendary 838 phono stage, the 100 combines fully adjustable MM and MC amplification with two independently configurable phono inputs, balanced analog outputs and unusually sophisticated monitoring capabilities.

Rather than designing the phono stage around a narrow range of cartridges, Burmester gives the 100 extensive control over gain, impedance and capacitance, allowing the preamplifier to be matched precisely to the cartridge and turntable connected to each input.

The optional A/D converter adds another dimension. Vinyl playback can be converted directly to high-resolution digital audio, allowing the 100 to serve simultaneously as a world-class phono preamplifier and an archival interface for a serious record collection.

Two Independently Configurable Phono Inputs

The Burmester 100 provides two phono inputs, allowing two turntables, tonearms or cartridges to remain connected simultaneously.

Each input can be configured independently, making the 100 particularly well suited to sophisticated analog systems using different cartridges for different records or multiple tonearm configurations.

Moving-coil and moving-magnet cartridges are supported, with extensive adjustment available from the front panel rather than requiring the owner to open the chassis or change internal components.

Precision MC Cartridge Loading

For moving-coil cartridges, the 100 provides multiple impedance settings to optimize the electrical relationship between cartridge and phono stage.

Available MC loading values include:

33 Ω • 75 Ω • 220 Ω • 390 Ω • 1 kΩ • 47 kΩ

This range allows the 100 to accommodate everything from low-impedance moving-coil cartridges to designs requiring substantially lighter electrical loading.

Cartridge loading can have a significant effect on frequency balance, transient behavior and perceived openness, making this adjustability an important system-tuning tool rather than simply an additional feature.

Adjustable MM Capacitance

Moving-magnet cartridges require a different approach to electrical loading. The Burmester 100 therefore provides selectable capacitance values for MM operation.

Available settings include:

68 pF • 120 pF • 180 pF • 220 pF • 300 pF • 400 pF

This allows the phono stage to be optimized around the cartridge manufacturer's recommended capacitive load while accounting for the capacitance contributed by the tonearm and phono cable.

Adjustable Gain

The 100 provides multiple gain settings to accommodate cartridges with substantially different output voltages.

Gain can be selected across:

57 dB • 60 dB • 63 dB • 66 dB • 69 dB • 72 dB

This allows the output of the phono stage to be properly matched to the cartridge and downstream preamplifier rather than relying on a single fixed amplification level.

The combination of adjustable gain, MC impedance and MM capacitance gives the 100 the flexibility required to optimize a wide range of high-performance cartridges.

Analog VU Meter

The prominent analog meter at the center of the 100's chrome front panel is functional rather than decorative.

The meter can display the amplitude of the left channel, right channel or mono sum, allowing the listener to monitor signal levels and quickly identify channel imbalance.

This becomes particularly valuable when setting up a cartridge or evaluating record playback, providing a direct visual reference for the relationship between the two channels.

Optional High-Resolution A/D Converter

One of the most distinctive capabilities of the Burmester 100 is its optional analog-to-digital converter module.

With the module installed, the analog signal from a record can be converted to digital audio directly within the phono preamplifier, allowing a carefully configured turntable and cartridge to become the source for high-quality digital archiving.

The coaxial S/PDIF output supports conversion at up to 24-bit/192 kHz, while the optical digital output supports up to 96 kHz. USB output provides direct connection to a compatible computer for recording and archival applications.

This makes it possible to preserve rare pressings, valuable records and entire vinyl collections digitally while using the same analog front end employed for critical listening.

Separate Power Supply Chamber

Inside the substantial aluminum chassis, Burmester divides the 100 into two physically separated internal chambers.

One chamber is dedicated to the sophisticated power-supply circuitry, physically separating it from the sensitive low-level phono amplification electronics.

That separation is particularly important in a phono preamplifier because a cartridge produces an extremely small electrical signal that must be amplified dramatically before reaching normal line level. Preventing power-supply interference from contaminating that signal is therefore fundamental to the design.

Handcrafted in Berlin

Each Burmester 100 is assembled by hand at the company's Berlin facility.

Following assembly, the phono preamplifier undergoes a multi-stage quality and listening test covering its switching functions, operating features and sonic performance.

That level of testing is particularly relevant to a product offering this degree of analog adjustment, where switching accuracy, channel consistency and extremely low-noise amplification are essential.

Technical Details

The 100's extensive front-panel controls are central to its design. Burmester documentation confirms selectable MC loads from 33 ohms through 47 kΩ, MM capacitance settings from 68 to 400 pF, and gain settings from 57 to 72 dB. With the optional A/D converter installed, coaxial S/PDIF supports digital conversion up to 24-bit/192 kHz, while optical and USB have their respective lower limits.

Burmester 100 at The Grid HiFi

The Grid HiFi in Houston specializes in Burmester high-end audio, reference turntables and complete analog systems. With a phono stage as configurable as the 100, cartridge selection and setup are just as important as the electronics themselves.

We can build and optimize the complete analog front end around the Burmester 100, including the turntable, tonearm, MM or MC cartridge, phono cable, preamplification, amplification and loudspeakers. For customers maintaining more than one cartridge or tonearm, we can configure each of the 100's inputs around the specific electrical requirements of that cartridge.

Complimentary White Glove Delivery • Travel Reimbursement*
Qualifying purchasers may receive airfare reimbursement for your private audition.
Considering the Burmester 100? Let’s build your dream analog system around it. Call (713) 218-8120.
*Restrictions apply. Contact us for details.