Mark Levinson have introduced a new preamplifier and amplifier, and showcased two source players in a substantial expansion of the 5000 Series range. The new №5302 amplifier and №5206 preamplifier and recently-introduced №5105 turntable and №5101 are part of a drive to make the brand more accessible to wider audience.
№5302 power amplifier
The brand-new Mark Levinson №5302 bridgeable dual-monaural power amplifier offers 135W/channel in stereo mode and 275W in bridged monaural mode. Gain in stereo mode is 25.8dB and 31.8dB in bridged monaural mode. Input connectors on the №5302 are a pair of balanced line-level XLRs and a pair of unbalanced RCAs. Output connectors are two pairs of high current multi-way binding posts and control is enabled via Ethernet and RS 232. The №5302 amplifier is priced at £8,599.
№5206 preamplifier
The foundation of the Mark Levinson №5206 (£8,599) is its fully discrete, direct-coupled, dual-monaural line-level preamp circuitry, for which the HARMAN design team has been awarded two patents. A unique single gain stage mated to a digitally controlled resistor network for volume controls each of its four-stereo line-level inputs—two balanced XLR and two single-ended, using custom Mark Levinson RCA connectors and signal switching relays. Like the 500 Series components, the MainDrive headphone output employs a preamp output stage specifically designed with the current and power capacity to drive headphones directly, without a separate headphone amp.
A brand-new phono stage features a hybrid gain topology, mating key discrete components from the acclaimed 500 Series Pure Phono stage with premium low-noise integrated circuits for high performance at a lower cost. A hybrid active/passive RIAA equalizer employs precision resistors and polypropylene capacitors for exceptional accuracy and sonic clarity. Listeners can select MM/MC gain and optional infrasonic filter from the setup menu, while capacitive and resistive loading settings are accessed from the rear panel. Variable line-level RCA outputs allow system expansion and flexibility.
№5105 turntable (top)
Now shipping, the precision-engineered Mark Levinson №5105 premium turntable is built upon a nearly two-inch thick, solid aluminium plinth machined from a single billet. A one-inch thick, bead-blasted, black-anodized solid aluminium front panel contours into the sleek tinted glass display. The iconic Mark Levinson hourglass knob design features as a record weight — bead-blasted machined aluminium with a gently curved profile mass-loaded with solid brass. The tonearm tube is 10-inch high-gloss back carbon fibre fused to a solid aluminium headshell with an integrated finger lift.
A 14lb solid aluminium platter is suspended on a ground, hardened steel axle and rotates on ultra-precise bearings. The oil-free bearing bottom is made of a mix of composite materials with integrated lubrication and maintenance-free sintered brass bushing. The 12V synchronous motor’s control signal is digitally generated to eliminate temperature drift and ensure speed stability and low wow/flutter. The integrated, wide-range power supply is designed for global use with 90-260 VAC. The new №5105 Turntable is priced at £5,799 without phono cartridge and £6,499 with an Ortofon Quintet Black cartridge.
№5101 streaming player
Coupling audiophile-grade CD formats with high-resolution streaming, a standalone Precision Link II DAC and expansive control the №5101 is a “compromise-free zone”. Boasting the latest generation ESS PRO Sabre 32-bit D/A converter with jitter elimination circuitry. Applying proprietary Mark Levinson PurePath circuitry, the №5101 features a fully discrete, direct-coupled, dual-monaural current to voltage converter for exceptional reproduction of the analogue signal. It features a one-inch thick, bead-blasted, black-anodized, solid aluminium front panel, a sleek glass display, debossed top cover vents, back-printed logo and machined aluminium buttons. The new №5101 preamplifier is priced at £5,500 and is available now.