Karma-AV is delighted to announce the availability of the Mark Levinson № 519 Audio Player. The № 519is designed to play “virtually any” digital audio format and provides a full complement of wired and wireless digital audio inputs from USB asynchronous streaming and mass storage, Ethernet, balanced, optical, coaxial, Wi-Fi, aptX Bluetooth and an integrated slot-loading CD player. In addition, the № 519 includes headphone connectivity and integrated digital volume control allowing it to serve as a fully integrated digital music source.
Designed and engineered in Shelton, Connecticut, the Mark Levinson № 519 offers digital decoding up to 32-bit/192kHz from PCM and double-speed DSD. Its Precision Link DAC, complete with three filter settings, incorporates an ESS Sabre32 Reference converter chip. The № 519 houses a complete, embedded Precision Stream Linux computer running a custom version of the operating system. It provides access to a wide range of embedded streaming music services including Spotify Connect, Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, Rhapsody or Napster, and a large evolving library of internet radio stations and podcasts for the virtually limitless discovery of new music. Feature and content portfolios will expand with software updates over network or via USB drive.
For listeners whose libraries contain older or lower resolution content, the № 519 contains Harman Clari-Fi music restoration technology, which “rebuilds musicality and detail” lost in the compression process.
The № 519 employs a Mark Levinson Pure Path circuit design featuring a discrete, direct coupled, fully balanced, dual-monaural signal path offering balanced and single-ended analogue outputs, balanced, optical and coaxial digital outputs and a “high-performance” headphone output on the front panel. Digital volume control enables usage as a standalone music playback device connected directly to a power amplifier or active loudspeakers, and selectable low-pass filtering enables the unbalanced outputs to be used for subwoofer integration.
The № 519 is built to the finest standard of materials, fit and finish, featuring a 6000-series aluminium housing in black with silver trim. It can be operated from its colour display, included remote control, iOS and Android apps, all major web browsers and also through a comprehensive range of system integration connections. It will be available in February for £21,000.