Burmester doesn’t whisper; it announces. And at High End Munich 2025, the Berlin-based brand didn’t just unveil its future—it practically carved it in brushed aluminum. Under the banner “Redefining Outstanding” (because merely being “excellent” is so last decade), Burmester has pulled back the curtain on its upcoming Reference Line—a trio of components engineered with such obsessive precision, it’s as if they were designed in a clean room somewhere deep under Berlin.
Anchored by the 249 preamplifier, 259 power amplifier, and the all-new 257 turntable, this lineup is equal parts heritage statement and precision-driven bravado—the kind only a German high-end manufacturer can deliver with a straight face, a symmetrically milled chassis, and the quiet confidence of someone who alphabetizes their tool chest.
New Reference Line
249 Preamplifier
Because why settle for “high-end” when you can have Burmester high-end? The new 249 Preamplifier marries obsessive precision with unapologetic flexibility. Wrapped in a visually striking mirrored façade—because yes, your preamp should reflect your good taste—it offers optional streaming and DAC capabilities for those who expect digital refinement without compromise.
The optional DAC module is anything but an afterthought—it’s built around a high-performance chip designed to deliver music with clarity, detail, and control that matches the rest of the system. Add-on phono and line modules let you tailor the 249 to your exacting needs, because Burmester knows better than to assume you’re done tweaking. Paired with its external power supply, this is German engineering with a sense of style—and superiority.
259 Power Amplifier
The 259 Power Amplifier isn’t here to play nice. With massive power reserves, surgical bass control, and a soundstage wide enough to get lost in, it’s built to drive even the most stubborn loudspeakers into obedient submission. Forget about noisy fans—the 259’s passive cooling keeps it whisper-quiet and ice-cold under pressure.
The 259 power amplifier is a fully balanced design built for serious control and headroom. It delivers 500 watts per channel into 4 ohms in stereo mode, and up to 1500 watts when configured as a monoblock. Burmester focused on low-noise circuitry, wide dynamic range, and clean, controlled power that can handle difficult speaker loads with ease. The goal here isn’t just brute force—it’s precision, speed, and grip, with tight bass and effortless authority, even at high volumes.
A power button you can’t see or feel? That’s intentional. Because buttons are quaint. Thanks to its clever power regulation system, the 259 delivers optimal performance the moment it’s powered on—no warm-up rituals, no excuses. Stereo or mono operation? Your call.
257 Turntable
Vinyl lovers, prepare to weep with joy. The 257 Turntable is a mechanical love letter to analog purity—layered with digital precision where it actually matters. Optical Speed Control (OSC) and Innovative Motor Suspension (IMS) work in tandem to keep everything spinning with surgical accuracy, while the analog signal path remains blissfully untouched.
Speed control is executed via two elegant buttons—because you don’t need a screen to switch from 33 to 45. And in typical Burmester fashion, it’s modular: an optional balanced-output phono module lets you plug straight into your amp without calling for backup.
The 257 turntable comes fully equipped with a matching tonearm and an outboard power supply—because of course it does. At the heart of the deck is an inverted magnetic main bearing designed to keep noise to a minimum.
The bearing shaft is polished ceramic, paired with a sintered bronze liner to ensure everything runs with the kind of smoothness that would make a Swiss watchmaker nod in approval.
In typical over-engineered fashion, the belt-driven 257 doesn’t settle for one motor—it uses two high-torque 12V units. Rotational accuracy is maintained by a sophisticated optical sensor system that probably tracks tighter than most German traffic cameras. The 50mm-thick platter uses a layered construction of technical plastic and stainless steel, giving records a foundation that’s as inert as it is immovable.
The Bottom Line
Ownership of a Burmester Reference hi-fi system begins at $200,000 USD. That’s the kind of number that makes your accountant weep and your spouse question your life choices. But hey, if you’re the sort who believes silence between notes should cost more than a house, Burmester’s ready to help. As Blackadder might say, it’s less “budget-friendly” and more “wallet-obliterating with Teutonic precision.”
Pricing & Availability
The new Burmester Reference lineup is expected to hit select shops in the second half of 2025.
249 Preamplifier
- $55,000 USD: Base Model in Standard & Black
- $10,000 USD: Phono MC
- $10,000 USD: DAC
259 Power Amplifier
- $90,000 USD: Base Model in Standard & Black
257 Turntable
- $55,000 USD: Base Model in Standard & Black
- $10,000 USD: Phono Module
Related Reading:
- Burmester Launches “PURE SOUND – Master Recordings” on Lacquer: No Edits, No Filters, Just Pure Audiophile Snobbery in Real-Time
- Burmester’s 232 Integrated Amplifier Offers Modular Upgradability For A Rather Steep Price
- Mark Levinson 600 Series Unleashed At HIGH END Munich 2025: All-American, All-Attitude, And Proudly Overkill
- Thorens Unleashes TD 124 DD Exclusive, TD 404 DD & MC 1600 At High End Munich 2025 — Precision German Audio With A Side Of Sauerkraut
