Burmester Audiosysteme was founded in 1977 and has since been producing top-range high end products in their Berlin manufacture. Their claim from the very beginning was to create the perfect combination between substantial sound, technological innovation and timeless design. Numerous awards from international experts have affirmed the company in its course. The legendary preamp 777 is the foundation of the Burmester story. It was named after its originating date – the year 1977 and the 7th month (July). This style of classification has been maintained up to the present day.

Burmester Audiosysteme operates in the field of creative tension between traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. In research and development as well as quality control we use the latest technologies and most advanced measuring techniques.

In the final assembly by hand and in our demand for highest reliability and absolute musical fidelity of our products, however, we are deliberately old-fashioned.

The in-house research and development division is constantly striving not only to keep pace with the progress, but to set standards themselves. Every product originating from the Burmester manufacture is a proprietary development – from the first draft to the completed appliance. Numerous legendary components, like the 808, have had pioneering impact in the field of technological innovations.

Burmester Audiosysteme obtains almost all their parts from German producers. All Burmester appliances are hand-fabricated by our high-qualified staff in Berlin. Our modules, the centrepieces of the Burmester electronics, emerge entirely from our in-house production.

Our electronic components are purchased from the most prestigious suppliers worldwide. Selected parts are measured according to very tight tolerances even before they are installed into our equipment. The assembly is followed by an extended burn-in phase. Before shipment, every piece of equipment has to pass a stringent final quality control,

including up to 300 measurements. After passing all technical requirements there is one ultimate testing instrument left: the skilled ears of our employees. For us, traditional craftsmanship and striving for perfection are timeless values. Every single product from the Burmester manufacture is developed with the use of cutting-edge technology and is tested with utmost care, because in the final analysis, our products represent the soul of our company.

Burmester Audiosysteme has never rested on the success of their developments, but has continually put new ideas into practice in order to maintain the highest possible standard for their products. Burmester has earned much praise and numerous awards from audio magazines both in Germany and abroad, among other things for highest musicality and manufacturing quality. Deciding factor for these honours has always been the fact that Burmester sets standards for the whole industry rather than copying others.

To name just a few examples:

• When designing the landmark preamplifier 808 in 1980 Burmester was the first to use plug-in modules that can be adapted extraordinary well to various signal courses.
• Burmester was the first (1983) to design balanced signal paths into home audio gear, up until then only used in professional studio equipment.
• Burmester was the first to offer DC-coupled signal paths from the cartridge to the speakers (1987).
• Burmester developed the first remote volume control using relay circuit (1987).
• Invention of the belt-driven CD transport (1990) and first belt-drive CD player (1991)
• Burmester developed and patented the first regulated power conditioner (948) which actively suppresses distorting DC components in the power lines (1994).
• In 1995 Burmester invented the first loudspeaker system with an easy choice between active and passive crossover.
• Horn-loaded AMT-Loudspeaker technology in the B100 (2007)
• High purity silver interconnecting cables with electronic and magnetic shield
• Self-calibrating phono stages in the 077 Preamp (2007)

Furthermore, Burmester Audiosysteme has been the first audio manufacturer to use chrome front panels and attractive aluminium housing design, a worldwide trend ever since. Apart from designing aspects, chrome is regarded as a material, which retains its value almost unboundedly.

The claim to fulfill the most stringent demands with respect to quality of sound, functionality, reliability and attractive design is something all Burmester components have in common. Differences between the model series Rondo Line, Classic Line, Top Line and Reference Line derive merely from their differing amenities and the varying levels of manufacturing expenditures.

Burmester customers are music lovers who value our high sound quality and the visual aesthetics. Therefore, it is evident that their sound system stays on the leading edge of technology, ease of function and maintenance of value for many years.

Even the most advanced technology is subject to constant improvement due to new research and developments or the availability of better component parts.

The possibility of future upgrades is element of our long-term concept. Our customers are able to profit from future technological advances by factory-set upgrades. For several customers, Burmester Modification has been a crucial argument for the purchase, as it grants listening pleasure on the highest level for decades.

Upgrades and even repairs are subject to the identical battery of measuring and listening tests as new electronics. The test protocols of every delivered piece of equipment are kept in our files for future reference. Therefore, the original condition can always be restored.

We design electronics with self-explanatory controlling. They are supposed to work for the customer instead of causing frustration. Even if technologies become more and more efficient, we believe that logical controlling of the device has to be ensured at any time. Complicated or illogical controls are a nuisance that can seriously distract from enjoying the music. Burmester components are fun to use. Nothing detains your unimpaired listening pleasure.

Burmester Audiosysteme does not only rely on the interaction of traditional craftsmanship and technological progress. Maintaining highest flexibility regarding custom manufacturing is another important criteria of our high-end products. Speakers in Ferrari-red? Front panels in 24 karat gold? No problem! We'll be glad to oblige.

The sound of a high-end audio system is determined by a multitude of technical parameters. The higher the ability to understand and to control the sound implications of these parameters the less it becomes likely that the sonic soul of a stereo system is the result of coincidence.

As former professional musician Dieter Burmester is still driven by his passion for music which he lets run free in his home studio as often as possible. He is convinced that musicality cannot be described adequately with the means of measuring data.

Measurements are able to make a statement about the technical and mechanic quality of the piece of equipment. They cannot, however, predict the actual sound. Proof is given by the fact that it is possible to build two devices, which have exactly the same technical data but a completely different sound.

The musicality Dieter Burmester is demanding from his components is that they process the unaltered signal from the source to the speakers. This results in the unequalled reproduction, which is characteristic for all Burmester appliances.

In order to achieve the extraordinary Burmester sound, we use the latest technologies and finest electronic components in combination with the results of longstanding research and developments added by our uncompromising quality requirements.

Finally, apart from technological perfection, the human ear is still the most crucial criteria. Only when a newly developed device has passed the last authority – the skilled ears of our staff – the undiluted listening pleasure is guaranteed.