Overview
This is Burmester’s current flagship preamp and have been the reference preamp for many top end systems over the years. That alone is a big testament to how well it has endured at the top with many new challengers that have come along but failed to topple its crown. Entirely hand built, the Burmester is a solidly built preamp with expansion options to the hilt. The previous owner of this preamp had a full Burmester system which included their 100 phono preamp ($23,000 MSRP) and 111 Musiccenter ($50,000 MSRP) for a whopping $130,000 setup. And that’s not even including the speakers, amplifiers and cables! The 808 MK.V as you know is a “modular” system and the modules currently installed on it are the 100 phono preamp (which you can still use if you have a non-Burmester branded phono stage), CD, AUX, 111 Musiccenter (which you probably can use as AUX 2) and a surround sound pass through. Sonically, this preamp in the right setup, can leave you breathless or sorely disappointed. With the latter, this is because it is such a revealing preamp that anything less to par with it, the 808 is just going to reveal all the shortcomings of the system in full glory. But matched with similar like minded reference gears and the 808 is the capable driver of an “exotic” system – like the system it was in before. This unit has the beefier, Reference Styled power supply which made a big difference over the standard size power supply (like the set we sold previously).
Unit is in pretty good condition. Some minor scuff marks here and there but nothing major. The base platform has a few scratches but won’t be noticeable once the control unit sits on top of it. A rubber cap is missing on one of the control knob but can be ordered from Burmester. We don’t have the original box but will securely pack this for safe shipping. Due to its weight and size, it will have to be shipped in two boxes Local pickup from our store preferred.
