259
Operation manual

Unlimited performance – the 259 power amplifier offers exceptional sound quality characterised by inaudibly low noise and a wide dynamic range. In particular, the seemingly endless power reserves for deep, tight bass and the overall clear, unadulterated, and extremely detailed reproduction ensure an electrifying listening experience. Thanks to immediately optimal operating conditions without warm-up time, you can enjoy the best sound right after switching on.

The particularly precise reproduction is made possible by, among other things, fully differential signal routing and perfectly symmetrical circuits, which reduce electromagnetic interference and noise to the limits of measurability. The strict separation of analog and digital circuits ensures that the analog audio signals are not affected by digital interference, which also contributes to an unadulterated sound.

The 259 can be operated in both stereo and mono modes. Factory configuration as 259 Stereo or 259 Mono is possible.

Highlights:

• Ideal homogeneous temperature distribution within the device is achieved thanks to solid copper elements
• Extremely high damping factor of over 5000
• Analog audio signal and digital control unit are carefully separated
• Fully symmetrical signal routing provides very low inherent noise and excellent linearity
• All parts are perfectly matched
• Oxygen-free, gold-plated copper binding posts compatible with spade lugs

2.1. ABOUT THIS OPERATION MANUAL

This operation manual describes the installation, connection and start-up of the Burmester 259 Power Amplifier.

It also provides information for professionals. Sections intended for professionals are marked accordingly:

HAVE THIS WORK CARRIED OUT BY A SPECIALIST OR HAVE INSTRUCTED PERSONNEL HELP YOU CARRY IT OUT!

Please read this operation manual in full and keep the printed or saved PDF version in a safe place.

2.2. MEDIA DATABASE

Caution! High-intensity sound

Loud output signals can damage your hearing.

Set the connected preamplifier to a low volume before switching it on. Avoid listening at high volume levels for long periods of time.

2.7. WHAT CAN I DO WITH THE 259?

The Burmester 259 is a power amplifier with fixed, non-adjustable amplification.

The 259 allows the analog connection of a preamplifier for playing connected sources to it through loudspeakers connected to the 259.

3.1. NOTES ON UNPACKING

Carefully remove the device from the packaging. Remove all the packaging materials and padding from the device.

Attention! Damaging the housing

To avoid damaging the housing, do not use any pointed or sharp objects to open the packaging.

Caution! Risk of injury due to heavy weight.

The device is very heavy and can cause injury if it falls.

The device should only be unpacked and set up by persons who are experienced in handling heavy loads. Have a suitably instructed person help you when unpacking and setting up the device.

Attention! Danger due to improper installation.

Please consider the following aspects when choosing the installation site:

Only place the device on level and load-bearing surfaces. Be careful not to lift or transport the device by the struts between its feet – these struts cannot bear the device’s full weight.

The device requires ventilation from below. This is ensured by the height of the feet. Place it only on firm surfaces, not on high-pile carpet.

The device must be freestanding and not placed too close to walls, inside shelves, or in closed compartments. An optimal clearance of 50 cm or more around the device is recommended. In general, ensure adequate ventilation. This will help prevent the device from overheating.

Never use the device outdoors.

Avoid exposure to direct sunlight, excessive heat, cold, moisture and dust.

Do not cover the slots or openings on the device. These are important for ventilation.

Do not expose the device to dripping or splashing water, and do not place containers of liquid on the device.

Never place open fire sources, such as lit candles, on the device.

3.3. OVERVIEW OF THE 259

3.4. POWER CONNECTION

Attention! Device temperature after unpacking

If the temperature is too high or too low, this can cause the device to malfunction.

After unpacking the device, leave it to sit in the room for a time before connecting and switching it on.

Danger! Power connection and protective earth conductor

Use the supplied 3-wire power cable for the mains connection. The protective earth contact must not be rendered ineffective.

Your Burmester device automatically detects voltages in the ranges of 100–120 and 220–240 volts and adjusts accordingly.

CONNECTING THE POWER CABLE

1. Before connecting the device, make sure that the mains switch on the back of the device is in the “OFF” position.

2. Plug the enclosed power cable into the mains socket on the back of the 259.

3. Plug the power plug into a nearby socket. Make sure this connection is adequately protected by your household distribution board. The power plug must always be freely accessible.

3.5. INPUTS

Attention!

Only connect devices with their own volume control to the inputs. Input signals are passed to the loudspeaker outputs at full amplification, which may result in damage to your hearing and equipment!

The power amplifier has two input sockets (2) and (3), which are connected to the corresponding outputs of the controlling preamplifier or the preamplifier unit of an integrated device (hereinafter referred to as preamplifier). The inputs of the power amplifier are balanced analog inputs (XLR 3-pin) with the following pin assignments: PIN1=GND, PIN2=NEG, PIN3=POS. These assignments are inverted compared to the internationally accepted standard.

The inputs should be driven symmetrically for proper sound reproduction. If the controlling device only has unbalanced outputs, use the supplied adapter plugs or specially terminated cables. If in doubt, please consult your dealer.

3.6. CONNECTING THE LOUDSPEAKERS

Caution!
Never operate the device without the binding post covers. A power amplifier’s binding posts can carry dangerous voltages during operation and must therefore not be touched while the device is in operation. When connecting cables to these terminals, use ready-to-connect cables or have the work carried out by a professional.

LOUDSPEAKER CABLES

Burmester recommends using cables with a large cross-section to connect the loudspeakers to the power amplifier. A large cross-section allows you to maintain the damping factor of the power amplifiers for optimal control of the loudspeakers.

Best results are achieved by using original Burmester loudspeaker cables, which have the same electrical and tonal characteristics as the internal wiring of Burmester loudspeakers and amplifiers.

Attention!

The insulation of the loudspeaker cable must be equivalent to that of the original Burmester loudspeaker cable and must at least meet the flammability requirements according to VW-1. Please consult the manufacturer or your dealer for further information.

The 259 features solid binding posts for holding the loudspeaker cables securely. Use loudspeaker cables terminated with spade lugs (minimum mounting width of 7 mm). Proceed as follows to connect the loudspeakers:

Switch off the 259. Connect the loudspeaker cables to the loudspeakers according to their operation manual and route them to the 259.

1. To attach to the negative terminal (–): loosen the binding post completely by turning it anti-clockwise.

2. Remove the binding post cover.

3. Place the spade lug on the terminal and slide the binding post cover over the spade lug.

4. Secure the binding post by turning it clockwise.

To attach the loudspeaker cable to the positive terminal (+), repeat steps 1 to 4.

Make sure that the polarity of the connections is correct in each case. It is important that you make all connections in phase:

Positive output of the power amplifier (+) = positive input of the loudspeaker (+)

Negative output of the power amplifier (–) = negative input of the loudspeaker (–)

• Screw the spade lugs for the loudspeaker cables hand-tight using the binding posts. Make sure that the cable connections are secure.

Attention!

Never connect the binding posts of the power amplifier to each other – risk of short circuit.

Make sure that no conductive metal parts of the loudspeaker cables or the spade lugs make contact with parts of the housing!

3.7. SWITCHING THE 259 ON AND OFF

Once you have installed the 259, connected it to the loudspeakers and to the mains, you can switch it on.

Move the mains switch on the back of the device to the “ON” position. The 259 is now in standby mode (unless Autostart is set to ON).

To switch the 259 on and off from standby mode, press the power symbol on the top of the housing to activate the pressure-sensitive switch.

The operating state is indicated by the status LED:

Attention!

Always switch the device off using the POWER switch first before setting the mains switch to “OFF”.

4.1. STEREO OPERATION

4.2. CLASSIC MONO OPERATION AS 259 MONO

Attention!

In the European Union, loudspeakers may only be used with the 259 in MONO operating mode if they are designed for an impedance of 8 ohms.

This section describes the factory-configured 259 Mono, which has only one XLR input for a single preamplifier channel. In both cases, two power amplifiers are required for full stereo reproduction. The following example shows the connection for the right preamplifier channel to drive the right loudspeaker. The 259 Mono must be connected as follows:

1. Right channel from the preamplifier to the input of the power amplifier designated for the right side

2. Negative loudspeaker terminal of the power amplifier to the negative terminal of the right loudspeaker

3. Positive loudspeaker terminal of the power amplifier to the positive terminal of the right loudspeaker

CONNECTION PANEL IN MONO OPERATION

4.3. MONO OPERATION WITH ADAPTER ON THE 259 STEREO

4.4. BI-AMPING OPERATION

4.5. REMOTE

By connecting one of the two parallel, functionally identical REMOTE sockets on the 259 to the corresponding REMOTE OUT socket of another device, the 259 can be switched on and off remotely whenever that device is switched on and off.

By connecting the second REMOTE socket of the 259 to the corresponding REMOTE IN socket of another device, that device can receive the same remote control commands. In this way, for example, two 259 power amplifiers connected to your loudspeakers could be switched on simultaneously.

If you connect two power amplifiers via the CAN sockets, it is sufficient to manually switch only one of the devices out of standby mode. The second device will switch on automatically – provided this function has been activated by the service department.

HAVE THIS WORK CARRIED OUT BY A SPECIALIST!

It is possible to reduce the amplification factor to a minimum of 10 or 20 dB by modifying the circuit, without compromising the safety, stability or sonic character of the device.

In signal chains with high preamplification, this can significantly improve the signal-to-noise ratio, as the inherent noise of the preamplifier is not excessively amplified. Compatibility with different preamplifiers in the chain can thus be ensured.

For a corresponding modification, please contact your dealer.

6.1. PROTECTION CIRCUITS

The power amplifier is equipped with extensive protection circuits that protect the device and the connected loudspeakers from damage in the error states listed below.

OVERTEMPERATURE

If the temperature of one of the two output stages in the device exceeds the maximum permissible value, all loudspeaker outputs are shut down and the device automatically switches to error mode. In this case, we recommend checking the installation location of the power amplifier: is there sufficient clearance from surrounding furniture, and are there no radiators nearby? The power amplifier will only allow restarting once the temperature has dropped below the maximum permissible value.

DC OFFSET

If the DC component at the loudspeaker output of one of the two power amplifiers exceeds the permissible maximum value, the device will attempt to restart once. If the maximum value continues to be exceeded, the loudspeaker outputs of the affected output stage are shut down and the device switches to error mode. A high DC component is an indication of damage to the source device or preamplifier. To rule out damage to the 259 power amplifier, disconnect all inputs and outputs with the device switched off, then switch it on again. If the error persists, have the 259 checked by your dealer without delay.

OVERCURRENT

If the current at the loudspeaker output of at least one channel exceeds the maximum permissible value, the loudspeaker outputs are shut down and the device automatically switches to error mode after a few seconds. In this case, we recommend reducing the volume on the system’s preamplifier and checking the connections from the power amplifier outputs to the loudspeakers. A short circuit is often the cause.

Attention!

Repeatedly switching between standby and active state within a very short period of time should be avoided to protect the device. As a guideline, switching three times within five minutes triggers error mode.

6.2. ERROR INDICATION AND TROUBLESHOOTING

If the device switches off, disconnect it from the mains by setting the rear mains switch to zero (0). Check all connections and allow the device to cool down if necessary. Then switch the device on again.

If you cannot switch on the device and the power LED does not light up even though the mains voltage is connected, this may be due to a faulty fuse. In this case, you must always have the device checked by your Burmester dealer.

Attention!

Only authorised personnel are permitted to change the fuses.

6.3. WARRANTY

We at Burmester have crafted a product that meets the highest standards. Every detail is carefully thought out and designed. All components and materials are handpicked, tested and incorporated to ensure the best possible product quality and a long service life.

We hereby guarantee that your Burmester product has successfully passed an extensive series of tests and has left our factory in perfect shape.

We provide a three-year warranty on your Burmester device. In order for the warranty to be valid, the device must have been connected and operated properly without overloading, the mechanical integrity of the device must not have been compromised, and the device must have been registered. The warranty expires if the device has been tampered with in any way or if parts of the housing, connections or terminals have been dismantled.
 
Please register your product with the serial number in the warranty certificate at www.burmester.services/warranty and activate your warranty extension.

6.4. CARE

Liquids and chemical agents can cause damage to the surface of the housing.

Ensure that no liquids get into the device. Do not use chemical agents when cleaning.

6.5. DISPOSAL

Regulations stipulate that this device and its accessories must not be disposed of with household waste (general waste, recyclables, organic waste, paper or glass). Instead, they must be handed in at municipal collection points or to voluntary take-back schemes.

This product meets the essential requirements of Directives 2014/30/EU, 2014/35/EU, 2011/65/EU and 2009/125/EC.