Design
When fully equipped, the top of the preamp shows an impressive array of up to 20 special potentiometers and a number of toggle switches on top of chromed and engraved cover plates. This points out the sheer unlimited usability of the 808 as a control center for an audio system, whether at home or in a professional setting. Three large rotary dials for input selection and volume settings dominate the high-gloss chrome front. These stepped attenuators dial into every setting with a positive and pleasing click. With its latest-generation external power supply the 808 MK5 cements its status as an international icon in high-end audio.
Handmade
Burmester originally developed the 808 not only to play music but as a top-notch instrument to directly compare the sound of different pickup systems. Thus, from the beginning new thinking, innovative engineering and hand-selected highest quality components went into this preamplifier. That has never changed. Each 808 MK5 is carefully assembled in the Berlin factory. Each single input and output module is built with the same precision and has to pass muster in a final multi-tiered quality control.
Specifications
Weight 22 kg (48.5 lbs)
Width 482 mm (19.1“)
Height 175 mm (6.9“)
Depth 385 mm (15“)
Inputs max. 4 XLR / 8 RCA
Input phono optional MM / MC
Head phone jack –
Outputs 2 XLR, 2 RCA,
2 tape out, (1 XLR, 1 RCA)
Module slots Input: 6, Output: 2
Optional modules Phono MC / MM, Line