Mark Levinson's new No. 53 amp is 20 better than predecessor
When most of us think of "high end" gear, we picture shiny tech that we might be able to afford if we got lucky in Vegas. But there's a whole other level of expensive gadgetry that schleps like us can't even begin to fathom; ironically, the closest we ever get to this gear is in Vegas during CES. Case in point: Mark Levinson's new No. 53 monoblock amplifier. This replacement of the company's top of the line No. 33 amp introduces Interleaved Power Technology (IPT), its foray into the world of digital amplification. That's right -- the old saw about digital amps being inferior is giving way, albeit slowly. And in this case, at a unspeakably-high price point. So if you're sitting on a pair of No. 33s, best put them up on eBay in preparation for the No. 53's summer availability; this new model is said to outperform anything the marque has done before. Our friends at CE Pro were mightily impressed, but these babies might as well be milled out of a solid block of unobtanium for us (you know, to tame resonances).
Filed under: Other hardware
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
zargon @ Apr 9th 2008 10:32AM
I am sure these products are great, in the "audiophile" world, Mark Levinson is highly regarded. But these amps are well past the point to diminishing returns, it seems like it is more about filling the status quo. Don't get me wrong, I would gladly take these for free or buy them at a super discount.
I am having a hard enough time justify buying Bryston amps and they are a fraction of the price of Mark Levinson and other super high end companies.
Steven Kim @ Apr 9th 2008 12:46PM
Zargon - I'm with you on the diminishing returns; and Levinson is uber-high end. As for your Bryston situation, I'd say this -- if you can hear the difference in your setup, you're decided on going with separates, you can afford them, and especially if you're looking in the used market, Bryston is great, high quality stuff. Buy 'em and never look back, because you'll probably never have to look for amps again. Great company, unbeatable warranty, high performance and reliable.
daaper @ Apr 9th 2008 10:33AM
Yeah, the link says they're expected to retail for $50,000/pair. It better do more than drive my speakers for that much money, if you know what i mean...and I think you do
daaper @ Apr 9th 2008 10:37AM
PS, make sure to use hangers for all your speaker connections. They're the new choice of audiophiles...
Lakeonaut @ Apr 9th 2008 11:21AM
I'm sure all the land developers here will be buying 8 of these for their 7.1 systems. To them, it's chump change.
kcjones @ Apr 9th 2008 1:31PM
Why all the haters? If this article had been about a $250K sports/luxury car, (That can only be driven 3-4 months a year in most states) hardly anyone would complain. I agree that this amp is overpriced, but my gripe is that digital amplification is inherently cheap to build and the lavish extruded aluminum is being utilized solely for aesthetics and not for heat dissipation. Our constant exposure to high-end cars, designer clothing, fine dining, etc allows us to see the value or perceived value of buying beyond diminishing returns. The same would be true about high-end audio, but many are limited due to their lack of exposure to it or their ignorance of it.
BTW, I'll handedly win any argument that states that a $250K Home Theater system, is a better value, or provides more enjoyment for hours/dollars spent, than any car of the same price.
Steven Kim @ Apr 9th 2008 2:48PM
kcjones -- good points. Please don't get me wrong, if someone can afford these and they want them, they are free to buy them. And part of me will continue looking enviously from the front gate of their estate! I'm totally with you on the digital amp point -- when is someone going to bring these things down to the mainstream enthusiast (not HTIB, at powers greater than 20 Watts)? HK tried it and abandoned, Samsung showed off a digital amp receiver, Pioneer has it in their SC-09TX and there's a few digital amps here and there, but why no solid HT receivers with this tech? I just really want to know if it takes unlimited budget to design and implement a good sounding, powerful digital amp.
joe @ Apr 9th 2008 1:48PM
A few decades ago I got to hear a full setup including Mark Levinson monoblock amps.
This was obviously at a high end audio store. The difference between the highest end system and the next one down was apparently audible. Especially when listening to studio master tapes.
To mere mortals the price can not be worth it. Most people spend 25 years paying off 200k much less for a stereo. I have no doubt that these are amazing.
Every audiophile at one point or another in life should get a few hours to listen to a properly,perfectly, configured stereo with a pristine source.
Steven Kim @ Apr 9th 2008 2:52PM
Hear, hear. Whether you can afford/justify it or not, auditioning top flight toys is instructive.
Patrick Stuart @ Apr 9th 2008 7:49PM
Panasonic and JVC have have digital A/V receivers, but they don't have bells and whistles like support for the new HD audio formats or automated set-up systems like Audyssey or Yamaha's proprietary system.