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Burmester 216
Power amplifier
For Top Line
The 216 can drive speakers with the lowest impedance values and complex loads easily, to achieve a transparent and spacious sound with superior dynamics – as Stereo or Mono version.
Power Amplifier
The 216 seamlessly joins the family of Burmester power amplifiers that have won many international awards. It combines powerful performance with great dynamics and excellent timing and shines sonically with an impressive spatial stage and musical warmth. The 216 helps speakers with the lowest impedance values and complex loads achieve a spacious sound image, performing even better when configured as a dedicated mono power amplifier.
With attention to detail.
Recognisable as a typical Burmester even from the very first glance, the 216 power amplifier makes use of characteristic design elements of the Top Line.
Design
As with 218, the 216’s design is derived from Burmester’s flagship 159 Mono Power Amplifier. The 159 passes on its clear lines and the pleasing aesthetics appearance to the more compact models. Especially the screwless processing of the lid and the renunciation of additional decorative elements underline this look.
Handmade
In the development and manufacturing process, only the best quality components are selected to meet our exacting tolerances. In addition, several days of test runs as well as further intensive quality controls culminating in detailed final listening tests under real conditions are added. Every single assembly receives a 100% inspection according to Burmester quality standards before installation. This elaborate manufacturing process ensures that in the end the customer receives a product that is exceptional in every respect.
Features
- Proven circuit principles with the latest high-end components and an innovative cooling concept
- Fully symmetrical design for maximum signal purity
- Input stages with Burmester X-Amp technology
- Completely DC-coupled signal path without sonically distorting capacitors
- Powerful power supply with high current reserve
- High damping factor for authoritative speaker control
- Can be used as a dedicated mono amplifier
- Optimised protection circuits outside the signal path
- Massive screw terminals for speaker cables
- Optional IR remote control for convenient power-on
Dealers selling Burmester near you
Burmester 216 — compact Top Line power
The Burmester 216 is a dual-channel power amplifier that combines muscular control with refined musicality. Built on the brand's DC-coupled, Class A X-Amp topology, it delivers a transparent, dynamic and three-dimensional presentation that reviewers found unexpectedly powerful for 100 Wpc. As Boris Fust reported, the 216 renders images with airy depth while revealing source detail; Alan Sircom praised its speed, slam and improved bass control versus earlier models. Listeners will notice exceptional build and finish — a 35 kg, chrome-clad chassis with hefty speaker terminals — and flexible connectivity including BurLink, bridge/mono and bi-amping options. Ideal for demanding systems where neutrality, timing and musical immediacy matter, the 216 is a flagship-level performer that merits close consideration for those seeking high-end transparency and control.
Pros
- Exceptional dynamics and transient speed — delivers more apparent power and slam than its 100 Wpc rating implies.
- Highly transparent, neutral and revealing — decodes complex recordings with tonal integrity and musical coherence.
- Build and finish are outstanding — heavy 35 kg chassis, meticulous machining and massive speaker terminals for secure connections.
- Airy, three-dimensional imaging and wide soundstage give recordings strong depth and placement.
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Cons
- Premium asking price can be prohibitive and affects relative value for some buyers.
- Very revealing nature can expose poor recordings or over-processed streaming remasters, making source quality more critical.
Sound Quality
90/100
Dynamics
90/100
Reviewers consistently praise the 216's transient speed, slam and apparent headroom — comments such as "every impulse is immediately present", "sheer forcefulness makes you think this is a more powerful amplifier" and "handles dynamics is deeply impressive" support a top-tier dynamics rating for a 100 W/channel stereo design. The amp uses Burmester's Class A 'X‑Amp' input stage and a robust power supply (2 x 100/165/245 W @8/4/2 Ω), and listeners report it sounding more powerful than its rated 100 W into 8 Ω, justifying a strong dynamics score for this power class.
Soundstage Imaging
90/100
Imaging and soundstage receive repeated high praise: "the whole world around you becomes music," "airy and completely three-dimensional," and "retains all the complexity of the original work." Reviewers report excellent channel separation and depth even at high dynamic demands, so the 216 clearly excels at spatial presentation for its class.
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Build Quality
93/100
The 216 is described as beautifully finished and robustly built: 35 kg chassis, "perfect workmanship", dazzling chrome, massive speaker terminals and carefully executed gaps and engraving. The DC‑coupled signal path, symmetrical design and heavy-duty mechanical execution (plus the quality of the speaker connectors) support a very high build-quality score; note this is a stereo dual-channel unit rather than monoblocks.
Value for Money
88/100
Reviewers frame the 216 as offering flagship-level sonics (references to the 159 and Burmester lineage) at a more "attainable" price; Audiophilepure calls it "damn near perfect" and hi‑fi+ says it "brings all the properties of the 159 down to more 'attainable' price levels." For context, the amp's published outputs are 2 x 100 W @8 Ω, 165 W @4 Ω and 245 W @2 Ω. Price reporting is inconsistent: Fidelity mentions €24,000 and Audiophilepure lists £23,800, while the provided product metadata shows a price_range of 35,000 (currency unspecified). If the effective market price is in the ~€24k/£23.8k band, reviewers judge the 216 a justified premium (hence this score). At a substantially higher list price (e.g., the 35,000 figure), its value would be less compelling; the score reflects reviewer sentiment that performance justifies a premium but acknowledges the high asking price.
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