{"product_id":"259-amplifier","title":"259 Amplifier","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"pa-d5\" style=\"color:#080808;line-height:1.6;font-size:15px\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 6px;font-size:11.5px;letter-spacing:.14em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#8d1935;font-weight:600\"\u003eBurmester · Reference Line\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 14px;font-size:18px;line-height:1.45;font-weight:600\"\u003eThe 259 is the stereo power amplifier of Burmester's renewed Reference Line and the successor to the 909: a 450 mm cube of Class A\/B amplification with a damping factor above 5,000, cooled without a fan, and built in Berlin as a stereo amplifier or a dedicated mono.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"display:inline-block;margin:0 0 18px;padding:4px 10px;border:1px solid #d8d5ce;border-radius:2px;font-size:13px;color:#55524c\"\u003ePrice is per stereo amplifier. A dedicated mono version is configured at the Burmester factory, on order or later.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(2,minmax(0,1fr));gap:1px;background:#d8d5ce;border:1px solid #d8d5ce;margin:0 0 22px\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f7f6f2;padding:12px 14px\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:20px;font-weight:600;line-height:1.2\"\u003e465 W\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:12.5px;color:#55524c;line-height:1.35;margin-top:3px\"\u003eper channel into 4 Ω, stereo (IEC 62368-1, 240 V)\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f7f6f2;padding:12px 14px\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:20px;font-weight:600;line-height:1.2\"\u003e\u0026gt; 5,000\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:12.5px;color:#55524c;line-height:1.35;margin-top:3px\"\u003edamping factor (100 Hz, 4 Ω)\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f7f6f2;padding:12px 14px\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:20px;font-weight:600;line-height:1.2\"\u003e125 dB\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:12.5px;color:#55524c;line-height:1.35;margin-top:3px\"\u003esignal-to-noise ratio, unweighted, at rated power\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f7f6f2;padding:12px 14px\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:20px;font-weight:600;line-height:1.2\"\u003e183 lb\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:12.5px;color:#55524c;line-height:1.35;margin-top:3px\"\u003eweight (83 kg); 17.7 in cube\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px\"\u003eFor forty-five years the Reference Line was anchored by one amplifier. The 909 appeared in 1980 and reached its MK5 form in the 2010s, and for most of that time it was the amplifier Burmester used to define what the rest of the range should aim at. The 259 replaces it. It was shown at High End Munich in May 2025 alongside the 249 preamplifier and the 257 turntable as the first all-new Reference Line in a generation, and Burmester North America introduced it in June 2026. The brief was not more power than the 909 but more control: lower noise, higher linearity under any load, and a thermal design that holds the output stage at one temperature for as long as it is switched on. Like the 909 it is a stereo amplifier that was designed for mono operation from the outset; unlike the 909, the mono version is a factory configuration with its own optimized ground wiring rather than an adapter, and Burmester quotes roughly 3.6 dB lower distortion for it than for an adapter-bridged stereo unit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px\"\u003eThe circuit is Class A\/B, fully balanced, with Burmester's X-Amp gain stages. The output transistors are mounted on a solid copper base, current is carried on massive copper rails to a large capacitor bank, and internal wiring is kept short by a layout that places each stage where the signal needs it. The 450 mm cube is itself the heat sink: Burmester's fully passive thermal concept uses the mass of the enclosure and vents in the chassis floor to dissipate heat with no fans or moving parts, so the amplifier reaches a stable operating temperature and stays there, and the same thick-walled enclosure shields the circuits from electromagnetic interference. The chrome front, the functional heat sinks and the pressure-sensitive power switch carry the Reference Line's design language forward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px\"\u003eBurmester's production specification rates the 259 at 465 W per channel into 4 Ω under IEC 62368-1 at 240 V, with 600 W of impulse power per channel (CEA), and the mono configuration at 950 W into 8 Ω with 1,200 W impulse. The damping factor is specified above 5,000 at 100 Hz into 4 Ω, THD+N at 0.0006 percent (1 kHz, 50 W, 4 Ω) and the unweighted signal-to-noise ratio at 125 dB at rated power; gain is 34 dB and the balanced XLR input presents 28 kΩ. Burmester's 2025 preview material quoted the round figures of 500 W per channel and 1,500 W bridged, and a weight of about 100 kg; the figures above are from the shipping product. Either way the numbers describe an amplifier whose output impedance is low enough that loudspeaker impedance swings have almost no effect on frequency response, which is what the damping-factor figure actually buys you with a difficult speaker.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px\"\u003eIn a system the 259 takes the position the 909 MK5 held. Its natural partners are the 808 MK5, the modular Reference Line preamplifier, or the new 249; the 111 Musiccenter can drive it directly from its balanced output for a two-box streaming system. It is specified for loudspeakers that need current and control, from Burmester's own BX100, BC150 and BC350 to the larger Magico S and M Series and Sonus faber's Reference models, and it is at its best in large rooms where a stereo pair of channels, or a pair of monos, is asked to hold low-impedance drivers steady at high level. We pair it with the 808 MK5 and the 111 Musiccenter, Burmester's B38 and BC150 loudspeakers and Nordost cabling, and we can set it up with the loudspeakers you are considering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 20px\"\u003eBurmester's power amplifiers run from the Classic Line 036 and 956 MK2 through the Top Line 216 and the Reference Line 218 to the 259 and, above it, the Signature Line 159 monoblocks. The 218 shares the line's circuit philosophy in a 92 lb chassis for medium and large rooms; the 259 is the step up in current delivery, damping and noise; the 159 pair is for the very largest systems. Two finishes are offered, silver with chrome elements or all-black anodized aluminum, at the same price.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:0 0 8px;font-size:16px\"\u003eKey technologies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 20px;padding-left:18px\"\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eX-Amp gain stages.\u003c\/strong\u003e Burmester's discrete, fully balanced amplifier modules, carried into the Reference Line's new generation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClass A\/B output stage on copper.\u003c\/strong\u003e Output transistors mounted on a solid copper base, fed by massive copper rails and a large capacitor bank, with short internal wiring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDamping factor above 5,000.\u003c\/strong\u003e Specified at 100 Hz into 4 Ω; the amplifier's output impedance is low enough that speaker impedance swings have almost no effect on response.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFully passive thermal concept.\u003c\/strong\u003e The 450 mm enclosure is the heat sink, with vents in the chassis floor; no fans, no moving parts, a constant operating temperature.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShielding enclosure.\u003c\/strong\u003e The thick-walled chassis also screens the circuits from electromagnetic interference.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStereo or dedicated mono.\u003c\/strong\u003e Designed for mono from the outset; the factory mono configuration optimizes the ground wiring and lowers distortion by about 3.6 dB compared with an adapter-bridged stereo unit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow noise and distortion.\u003c\/strong\u003e THD+N 0.0006 percent at 1 kHz and 50 W into 4 Ω; unweighted S\/N 125 dB at rated power.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:0 0 8px;font-size:16px\"\u003eFinishes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"list-style:none;margin:0 0 6px;padding:0\"\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;margin:0 0 6px\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"flex:0 0 18px;width:18px;height:18px;border-radius:50%;background:#c3c4c6;border:1px solid #d8d5ce\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSilver\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan style=\"color:#55524c\"\u003eclassic silver with chrome elements\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;margin:0 0 6px\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"flex:0 0 18px;width:18px;height:18px;border-radius:50%;background:#1d1d1f;border:1px solid #d8d5ce\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlack\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cspan style=\"color:#55524c\"\u003eall-black anodized aluminum\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 20px;font-size:13.5px;color:#55524c\"\u003eBoth finishes are the same price; specify the color and the stereo or mono configuration when ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdetails open style=\"border-top:1px solid #080808;margin:0 0 6px\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;padding:12px 0;font-size:16px;font-weight:600\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:14px;margin:0 0 14px\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eType\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eStereo power amplifier, Class A\/B, fully balanced; dedicated mono version configured at the factory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eOutput power, stereo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003e465 W per channel into 4 Ω (IEC 62368-1, 240 V); 8 Ω and 2 Ω ratings not published by Burmester\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eImpulse power, stereo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003e600 W per channel into 4 Ω (CEA, 240 V)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eOutput power, mono\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003e950 W into 8 Ω (IEC 62368-1, 240 V); impulse 1,200 W (CEA)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eDamping factor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003e\u0026gt; 5,000 (100 Hz, 4 Ω)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eTHD+N\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003e0.0006 % (1 kHz, 50 W, 4 Ω)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eSignal-to-noise ratio\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003e125 dB, unweighted (1 kHz, rated power into 4 Ω, 20 kHz bandwidth)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eGain\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003e34 dB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eInput\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eBalanced XLR (pin 3 hot), 28 kΩ; Burmester's 2025 specification listed 2 XLR\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eOutputs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eLoudspeaker terminals for spade or banana plugs; bi-amp operation via adapter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eFrequency response\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eNot published by Burmester\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003ePower consumption\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eNot published by Burmester\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eGain stages\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eX-Amp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eCooling\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eFully passive; no fans\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eDimensions (W × H × D)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003e17.7 × 17.7 × 17.7 in (450 × 450 × 450 mm), excluding protrusions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eWeight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003e183 lb (83 kg); Burmester's 2025 preview specification quoted about 100 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eFinish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eSilver with chrome elements, or black anodized aluminum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eWarranty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eNot published by Burmester on the product page; ask us for current North American terms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eSold as\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eSingle stereo amplifier (mono version priced per unit)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 14px;font-size:13px\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/brand.burmester.de\/document\/6\/en#\/power-amplifier\/259-power-amplifier\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eBurmester 259 product page and specifications (Burmester Home Audio)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-top:1px solid #080808;border-bottom:1px solid #080808;margin:0 0 22px\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;padding:12px 0;font-size:16px;font-weight:600\"\u003eWhere it sits in the range\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"padding:0 0 14px\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 8px\"\u003eBurmester's power amplifiers, from the Classic Line to the Signature Line, ordered by price.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0;padding-left:18px\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/036\"\u003eBurmester 036\u003c\/a\u003e: Classic Line stereo, 170 W per channel into 4 Ω\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/956-mk2\"\u003eBurmester 956 MK2\u003c\/a\u003e: Classic Line stereo, 240 W per channel into 4 Ω\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/216-amplifier\"\u003eBurmester 216\u003c\/a\u003e: Top Line stereo, 100 W per channel into 8 Ω\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/218-amplifier\"\u003eBurmester 218\u003c\/a\u003e: Reference Line stereo, 165 W per channel into 8 Ω\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBurmester 259\u003c\/strong\u003e (this model)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/159\"\u003eBurmester 159\u003c\/a\u003e: Signature Line monoblocks, sold as a pair\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:10px 0 0\"\u003eThe matching Reference Line preamplifier is the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/burmester-808-preamplifier\"\u003e808 MK5\u003c\/a\u003e; the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/111-musiccenter\"\u003e111 Musiccenter\u003c\/a\u003e drives the 259 directly from its balanced output. Choose the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/218-amplifier\"\u003e218\u003c\/a\u003e for medium rooms and moderate loads, the 259 where current and damping matter most, and a mono pair of 259s or the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/159\"\u003e159\u003c\/a\u003e for the largest systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding:16px 18px;background:#f7f6f2;border-left:3px solid #8d1935\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 4px;font-weight:600\"\u003ePlan your Burmester system with Pearl Audio\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:14px\"\u003ePearl Audio is an authorized Burmester dealer. Ask us to arrange an audition in our Portland showroom with the 808 MK5 and the loudspeakers you have in mind, or to discuss the mono configuration. Call \u003ca href=\"tel:+15032222599\"\u003e(503) 222-2599\u003c\/a\u003e or email \u003ca href=\"mailto:sales@pearlaudio.com?subject=Burmester%20259\"\u003esales@pearlaudio.com\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Burmester","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50786809577570,"sku":null,"price":100000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2475\/2780\/files\/pearl-burmester-259-tile.jpg?v=1793311576","url":"https:\/\/pearlaudio.com\/products\/259-amplifier","provider":"Pearl Audio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}