Burmester 001, comment please?

I was encouraged when I read HP's piece in which he mentioned the 001 as a possible "poor man's" Burmester. I even inquired, through a friend whose son lives in Germany, about the possibility of buying one at less cost in Germany. I learned that new they go for about the equivalent of $7K, and used they can be found for a bit over $5K. The hitch is that they are configured for 220V/50Hz. Having lived in the UK back in the late 50s, i remember that the switch from 220v./50Hz. to 120v./60Hz. was simple, particularly with radios, but even with tape recorders. Most of the Blaupunkt/Telefunken/Grundig, etc. units were arranged so that the flip of a switch took care of the voltage, and a simple pulley swap took care of the frequency difference for devices involving motors. I don't know, however, if this still applies. Maybe someone on the Forum can address what would be involved in adapting a Euro-spec 001 for use over here.

I more or less forgot about the 001 anyhow when HP mentioned recently that the 001 doesn't use the belt-drive of the more expensive spread. I'm enjoying the closest thing to the big Burmesters to which I feel entitled--- the CEC TL1X--- and I'm convinced that at least some of its "magicks" is the result of belt-drive.

After I posted, I found several websites, including the Burmester site, in which reference was made to belt-drive on the 001. So it appears that HP's statement to the contrary may be incorrect.

Can anyone confirm, from actual experience, that it is a belt-drive unit?

After determining that the 001 is truly a belt-drive unit, and based on Dinan's glowing post, I have bought one.

It's too early to give my thoughts, other than to say that it's certainly equal to my CEC TL1X/Chord DAC64 combo (I only put it in service last night---I'm still sorting out the many available operating modes).

More later.

Jim

First impressions:

Functionally, the 001 is similar to my CEC TL1X. Slide the cover back, remove the "puck", place the CD on the spindle, replace the puck, slide the cover back to closed position.
Burmester puck is small/lightweight compared to the CEC's (Evolution?). Burmester cover is magnetically (I assume---feels that way, anyhoo) pulled closed when within approx.1/4" of closed position. CEC cover closes a small switch at closing, with a satisfying "click". Don't see/can't hear a switch in the Burmester, although the unit obviously knows what's happening to the cover. Magnetic reed switch perhaps?

When removing a CD, sliding the Burmester cover back stops
the rotation dead in its tracks. CEC continues to freewheel, until momentum peters out, or until the puck's raised "handle" is grabbed.

For all southpaws: CEC has only two recessed areas for finger/thumb clearance at the CD edge, at upper right/lower left. Burmester has FOUR, at upper left and right, lower left and right (like a SACD jewel box). I'm righthanded, so the CEC has been no problem for me, but it would appear perhaps to be awkward for lefthanders. Burmester is more "user-friendly" in this regard. Inside the Burmester cover area looks like a fine German camera, all matte black, with Burmester logo in gold. Might as well say "Leica". They're proud of their products, as is made abundantly clear by the asking price! heh heh. "Und you vill LIKE it!"

Construction: CEC is made up of alum. extrusions and an alum. casting, all in anodized gold satin finish. Cover has a plate glass window so the spinning CD is easily observed. Burmester appears to be fabricated from thick machined plates. Faceplate and frame for the sliding cover are chrome plated. Matte silver finish elsewhere. Cover is solid metal. What happens underneath it is not observable. Burmester weighs a mere 11Kg., versus 17Kg. for the CEC. And this is for a transport/preamp/dac in the Burmester, vs. transport ONLY in the CEC! Burmester remote is heavy brushed stainless, weighing more than most portable CD players---perhaps even some non-portables!. CEC is plastic and anodized alum. Both are full-function units.

One concern for now: Dinan cautioned that best performance is obtained by feeding the analog output directly to the power amps, using the volume control of the Burmester. This is the only way I've listened so far, and the sound is truly glorious. Different from the CEC/Chord, but only time/listening will let me decide if it's "better". At this time, I'm inclined to say that it is, since I'm hearing minute details anew----I THINK! It's gonna be difficult to A/B, since cables will have to be swapped, etc. I digress:
my concern has to do with available gain from the Burmester. With my previous setup I was feeding the analog output from the Chord DAC64 single ended into my ARC LS2 preamp (it doesn't have XLR inputs). From there using XLR interconnects into a pair of bridged Bryston 4BST amps. For most chamber music, such as string quartets, piano trios, etc., comfortable listening levels required less than a quarter gain. Larger "power music", as HP is fond of saying, usually only required less than half gain. With the Burmester, with "hi" level selected, I'm running at approx. "40" (out of a possible "60" steps) on the gain control. Not a problem so far and I simply mention this as "curious". Only time will tell if I "run out of steam" with some music. If that happens, I guess I'll have to make another major "investment" (yeah, right!), this time in a better preamp.

Still more later-
Jim