Burmester 259 Power Amplifier

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The Burmester 259 Power Amplifier represents a new generation of Burmester reference amplification, carrying forward the engineering DNA of the legendary 909 while applying more than three decades of advances in circuit design, component precision and manufacturing. Sharing its Class AB topology and many core principles with the 909, the 259 is engineered for substantially lower noise, extreme current delivery and stable operation with some of the most demanding loudspeakers.

In stereo configuration, the 259 delivers 500 watts per channel of continuous power into 4 ohms, rising to 600 watts per channel under pulsed conditions. Configured for mono operation, continuous output increases to an extraordinary 1,500 watts into 4 ohms, with 2,100 watts of pulsed output power available for musical peaks.

This is not simply a high-wattage amplifier. Burmester engineered the 259 around extremely low noise, exceptional linearity, massive current reserves and a reactive power supply capable of responding dynamically to difficult loudspeaker loads.

The Evolution of the 909

The 259 shares its fundamental Class AB topology and many core components with the Burmester 909, but benefits from approximately 35 years of technical development since the architecture that established the 909.

Modern manufacturing techniques allow Burmester to achieve levels of component precision and circuit refinement that were not possible when the earlier amplifier platform was developed.

The result is an amplifier designed to preserve the effortless power and musical character associated with Burmester's large amplifiers while significantly advancing measured noise, linearity, current capability and thermal performance.

500 Watts Per Channel

In stereo operation, the 259 produces 500 watts per channel of continuous power into 4 ohms.

For short-duration musical demands, pulsed output increases to 600 watts per channel into 4 ohms.

Each channel employs 12 pairs of output transistors, providing the output-stage capacity required for sustained high-power operation while maintaining control over loudspeakers with difficult impedance characteristics.

The 259's loading capability is effectively limited by available output current rather than a conventional minimum loudspeaker impedance specification, with Burmester engineering the amplifier for stable and safe operation under demanding conditions.

Reactive Power Supply

One of the defining technologies of the 259 is its reactive power supply.

Rather than operating as a static power source, the architecture actively responds to the demands being placed on the output stage. Under difficult loads, Burmester states that the design can provide up to 100% more output current.

This additional current reserve becomes particularly important with large loudspeakers and complex crossover networks where impedance can fall substantially at certain frequencies.

The objective is straightforward: the loudspeaker should determine the musical demand, not the limitations of the amplifier.

1,500-Watt Mono Operation

The 259 can be configured as an extraordinarily powerful mono amplifier.

In mono operation it produces 1,500 watts of continuous output into 4 ohms, while pulsed output reaches 2,100 watts into 4 ohms.

A pair of 259 amplifiers therefore provides each loudspeaker with its own amplifier chassis, output stage and power resources, creating an amplification platform intended for the most demanding reference loudspeakers and large listening environments.

Exceptionally Low Noise

Burmester places considerable emphasis on reducing the 259's noise floor.

Published audible output noise is just 20 µV from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, unweighted. Burmester describes this as approximately 50 times less audible hiss and hum compared with its reference point.

The practical objective is greater separation between the quietest musical information and the amplifier's own residual noise.

The 259 also achieves a published SINAD of 105 dB at 5 watts output, providing substantial resolution even when the amplifier is operating far below its enormous maximum output capability.

Extreme Linearity

At 1 kHz, 50 watts and 4 ohms, Burmester specifies THD+N of just 0.0005%.

The amplifier is also designed to maintain its operating characteristics across changes in temperature. This temperature-invariant approach is intended to provide consistent performance from power-up rather than requiring an extended thermal stabilization period before reaching its intended operating state.

400 kHz Power Bandwidth

The 259 provides a remarkable 400 kHz power bandwidth into 4 ohms.

This bandwidth extends far beyond the audible spectrum and reflects the speed and stability of the amplifier architecture rather than an attempt to reproduce ultrasonic musical information.

Combined with the amplifier's low noise, high current delivery and exceptional linearity, the wide-bandwidth architecture is designed to preserve transient information while maintaining control over the connected loudspeaker.

Thermal Management and Reference Construction

The industrial design of the 259 follows the visual language of Burmester's newest Reference Line components while also serving an important engineering purpose.

Its chassis and heatsink structure provide the thermal management required by the amplifier's enormous output stage. Burmester combines traditional visual elements with a more contemporary minimalist architecture, integrating cooling requirements into the physical design rather than treating them as separate functional additions.

The result is unmistakably Burmester, but represents a new generation of the company's amplifier design language.

System Integration

The rear panel provides balanced analog inputs, substantial loudspeaker connections and system-control connectivity.

CAN control, DC remote input and DC Through connections allow the 259 to integrate with compatible Burmester electronics and sophisticated reference installations.

These control capabilities become particularly useful when configuring pairs of 259 amplifiers for mono operation or incorporating the amplifier into a larger Burmester system.

Technical Details

Burmester's published 259 data specifies 500W continuous and 600W pulsed output per channel in stereo, increasing to 1,500W continuous and 2,100W pulsed in mono, all measured into 4 ohms. The amplifier uses 12 output transistor pairs per channel and a reactive power supply designed to provide up to twice the output current when difficult loudspeaker loads demand it.

Burmester 259 at The Grid HiFi

The Grid HiFi in Houston specializes in Burmester reference audio and complete world-class two-channel systems. An amplifier with the capabilities of the 259 deserves to be matched with loudspeakers, preamplification, source components, cabling and power infrastructure capable of revealing what this level of amplification can deliver.

Whether you are considering a single 259 in stereo or a pair configured for 1,500-watt mono operation, The Grid can design the complete reference system around the amplifier, the loudspeakers and your listening environment.

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Considering the 259? Let’s build your dream system around it. Call (713) 218-8120.
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