[mresseguie]

I’ve got an audiophile friend here in Taiwan who has a very nice system - Aesthetix pre, an older Burmester amp, a TT, and ProAc Carbon floor standing speakers. He primarily listens to classical music. He’s keen to upgrade the amp, but will only consider buying another Burmester amp. Because of the expense, he wants a used model, but they don’t come up for sale very often.

I’ve listened to his system once only, and another Burmester system at an audio show in Taipei. In neither instance did I experience the ‘wonder’ or ‘amazing magic’ that surrounds the name ‘Burmester’.

So what is it about Burmester amps that drives some people to spend tens of thousands of dollars on an amp?

[FullRangeMan]

Its beyond me understand why some people like monsters SolidState amps with lots of transístors but I suspect they believe in the press  hype reviews that amps receive from the commercial áudio press.

In the early 2000s I visited a rich dentist that had changed an Busmester amp for an BAT VK75 after the Germân amp blew an varistor due hi tension mains wall, according what he said his home had constant hi voltage from the power company as 135V.

[Early B.]

It's the same reason people buy luxury brands, in general. If I had the money, I'd definitely buy a luxury amp like Burmester. Looks fantastic, extremely well made, and will likely sound very good. But more importantly, they're works of art. It's just as satisfying to look at than to hear.

 

[jjss49]

like bentleys, opus one, hermes handbags etc etc - buyers are valuing much more than the function... it is a luxury good, a status symbol, an assurance of quality

[rollo]

I’ve got an audiophile friend here in Taiwan who has a very nice system - Aesthetix pre, an older Burmester amp, a TT, and ProAc Carbon floor standing speakers. He primarily listens to classical music. He’s keen to upgrade the amp, but will only consider buying another Burmester amp. Because of the expense, he wants a used model, but they don’t come up for sale very often.

I’ve listened to his system once only, and another Burmester system at an audio show in Taipei. In neither instance did I experience the ‘wonder’ or ‘amazing magic’ that surrounds the name ‘Burmester’.

So what is it about Burmester amps that drives some people to spend tens of thousands of dollars on an amp?

  Frankly not hearing enough Amps. Name recognition for some is what it is all about. Unfortunate for them.


charles

[Photon46]

No different from the many people who only will drive a Ford or a BMW (or whatever,) or only wear a Timex or a Rolex. For an awful lot of people, we tend to wrap our sense of self identity up in the brands we buy, wear, drive, drink, and live in.

[mresseguie]

 Thanks, everyone. I had forgotten about brand recognition, about brand obsession, or a need to have a status symbol.  I don’t know why my friend feels only Burmester can fill his need, and I won’t ask him. It doesn’t matter.

All his gear is famous big brand gear that is sold through dealers. He’s got deep pockets and doesn’t inhabit audio forums to find gear. I’m exactly the opposite in that nearly all my gear is made by boutique manufacturers who sell directly to their customers. I also prefer my audio system to most other systems I get to hear.

[rollo]

Thanks, everyone. I had forgotten about brand recognition, about brand obsession, or a need to have a status symbol.  I don’t know why my friend feels only Burmester can fill his need, and I won’t ask him. It doesn’t matter.

All his gear is famous big brand gear that is sold through dealers. He’s got deep pockets and doesn’t inhabit audio forums to find gear. I’m exactly the opposite in that nearly all my gear is made by boutique manufacturers who sell directly to their customers. I also prefer my audio system to most other systems I get to hear.

  Doing ones research and having a good ear helps. I know that I can make a VG challenge to a 100K system with a 10K system. Just need to know what goes with what. The 100K system done right would be better however not 10x better.

charles

[toocool4]

Its beyond me understand why some people like monsters SolidState amps with lots of transístors but I suspect they believe in the press  hype reviews that amps receive from the commercial áudio press.

Why does it always have to be they “believe in press hype”? Has it not occurred to you that they may actually like it?
I have to say I am instantly put off by people who are constantly whining because someone else can afford something more expensive than they can.

[toocool4]

He’s got deep pockets and doesn’t inhabit audio forums to find gear.

Not that deep as he is not willing to pay the going rate. 

[Early B.]

Thanks, everyone. I had forgotten about brand recognition, about brand obsession, or a need to have a status symbol.  I don’t know why my friend feels only Burmester can fill his need, and I won’t ask him. It doesn’t matter.

All his gear is famous big brand gear that is sold through dealers.

I'll bet his system sounds fantastic.

[FullRangeMan]

Seems this audiophile dont want follow the Japanese audio school of small tube amp and hi sensitivity speaker, in this case I think he would be very well served with a good brand of Class D amp as DAC Maraschino or other.

[twitch54]

Not that deep as he is not willing to pay the going rate. 

and that's why he has deep pockets !

in so far as the Op's experience in not 'feeling the magic' I'm willing to bet it was more a combination of the speakers/room.

[toocool4]

and that's why he has deep pockets !

In England we would call it deep pockets, short arms. 

[SET Man]

  Frankly not hearing enough Amps. Name recognition for some is what it is all about. Unfortunate for them.


charles

Hey!

     Yup, name recognition and status symbol are big for some, although it is pretty much everywhere but in Asian it is a thing. I'm Thai although I have been living here in NYC USA most of my life. I know one thing, in Thailand if you own stuffs like US made McIntosh and Bower & Wilkins speakers most people there would assumed that the system sound great! If I talk to most Thai audiophiles back in Thailand, my own system wouldn't be interested or even make a ripple there

    By the way, I've only heard Burmester stuffs at the shows and once at dealer. Nothing memorable to me. Good thing that I can't afford them

Buddy

[mresseguie]

in so far as the Op's experience in not 'feeling the magic' I'm willing to bet it was more a combination of the speakers/room.

Bingo! A big reason why his system didn’t sound amazing was that he and his wife didn’t/don’t agree on placement of speakers or acoustic treatment - and he was losing the argument. 

[Tyson]

Bingo! A big reason why his system didn’t sound amazing was that he and his wife didn’t/don’t agree on placement of speakers or acoustic treatment - and he was losing the argument. 

This is why a separate, dedicated audio room is a good idea.  Oh and never getting married, also a good idea.