Mark Levinson expands 5000 Series with amplifiers and players

New 5000 Series hardware makes its Mark

by Andy Bassett
Hi-Fi News

Mark Levinson expands 5000 Series with amplifiers and players

Mark Levinson, the high end audio equipment brand, has unveiled the new №5302 amplifier and №5206 pre-amplifier which join the already shipping №5105 turntable and №5101 streaming SACD player in expanding the 5000 Series.

Established in 1972 and part of the Harman International stable since 1990, Mark Levinson’s latest products join the №5802 integrated amplifier in the 5000 range and support the company’s new brand initiative that accentuates the role that Mark Levinson plays in bringing out music’s intimate details to the listener.

The №5302 Amplifier

A bridgeable dual-monaural amplifier, the №5302 is a class AB amplifier that is outfitted with circuitry that yields enough current for a conservative 135W/channel in stereo at 8 ohms, 270W/channel in bridged monaural mode at 4 ohms, and 550W bridged in mono with stable operation at 2 ohms.

Mark Levinson expands 5000 Series with amplifiers and players
Mark Levinson №5302 amplifier

The precision audio engineering contained in the company’s signature cleanly designed case provides an expansive soundstage, accurate image placement, extended low bass response and notable pitch definition in a sound delivery typically associated with Mark Levinson products.

Input connections consist of a pair of balanced line-level XLRs and a pair of unbalanced RCAs, while speakers can be connected via two pairs of high current multi-way binding posts and integration, control, and communication is possible using Ethernet, USB, RS-232, IR input, and 12V trigger input and output. 

The №5206 Preamplifier

Derived from Mark Levinson’s Pure Path design philosophy, the №5206 is a fully discrete, direct-coupled, dual-monaural preamplifier with patented line-level preamp circuitry. Maximum signal integrity and the widest possible bandwidth are provided by a unique single gain stage mated to a digitally controlled resistor network for volume adjustment, and each of the two balanced XLR and two single-ended RCA connectors has its own individual high-reliability signal switching relays.

Mark Levinson expands 5000 Series with amplifiers and players
Mark Levinson №5206 preamplifier

The 5206 preamp has its own MainDrive headphone amp and a brand-new phono stage which features a hybrid gain topology and hybrid active/passive RIAA equalizer. Listeners can select MM/MC gain and the optional infrasonic filter from the setup menu while capacitive and resistive loading settings are accessed from the rear panel and variable line-level RCA outputs allow expansion and flexibility. 

The №5105 Turntable

The Mark Levinson №5105 premium turntable is built upon a nearly two-inch thick, solid aluminium plinth machined from a single billet and features a black-anodized solid aluminum front panel which contours into the tinted glass display.

The tonearm tube is 10-inch high-gloss back carbon fibre fused to a solid aluminum headshell with an integrated finger lift while the 6.35kg solid aluminum platter is suspended on a hardened steel axle and rotates on ultra-precise bearings. Meanwhile, the oil-free bearing bottom and maintenance-free sintered brass bushing, ensures long lasting and reliable operation.

Mark Levinson expands 5000 Series with amplifiers and players
Mark Levinson №5105 turntable

The 12V synchronous motor's control signal is digitally generated to eliminate temperature drift and ensure speed stability and low wow/flutter and, finally, the integrated wide-range power supply is designed for global use with 90-260 VAC.

The №5101 Streaming Player

The 5101 streaming SACD Player / DAC was first previewed back in May 2019 at the High End Munich trade show and combines audiophile-grade CD formats with high-resolution streaming, a standalone Precision Link II DAC and expansive control features.

The latest generation ESS PRO Sabre 32-bit D/A converter with jitter elimination circuitry is present and by applying the proprietary Mark Levinson PurePath circuitry, the №5101 delivers improved reproduction of the analogue signal. 

An intuitive mobile app for Android and iOS devices allows major streaming platforms, including Tidal, Deezer, Qobuz, and Napster to be accessed over Ethernet and Wi-Fi and the №5101 can play back files from Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices, as well as a connected USB flash drive. There’s a variety of digital inputs, including one coaxial and one optical S/PDIF and the №5101 natively supports high-resolution formats, including FLAC, WAV, AIFF, OGG, up to 24bit/192k, AAC up to 24 bit/ 96kHz, DSF, and DFF up to 5.6 MHz (DSD128/DSD2X) as well as WMA and MP3 formats. Meanwhile, the SACD drive plays SACD, CD-A, CD-R, and CD-RW discs while outputs include stereo balanced XLR and single-ended RCA connectors.

Mark Levinson expands 5000 Series with amplifiers and players
Mark Levinson №5101 streaming player

Sporting a similar aluminum front panel and glass display, the №5101 shares the same look and feel as the №5105 turntable with debossed top cover vents, screen-printed logo, and machined aluminum buttons.

Jim Garrett, Senior Director, Product Strategy and Planning, HARMAN Luxury Audio, explains, “The passion behind the Mark Levinson brand has always been a pure love of music.” He further added, “The exceptional audio quality delivered by our systems allows listeners to discover subtle nuances and intimate details they’ve never heard before on songs that they truly love.” 

  • The №5302 amplifier is priced at £8,599 and will begin shipping in the UK during Q4 2020.
  • The №5206 preamplifier is priced at £8,599 and will begin shipping in the UK during Q4 2020.
  • The №5105 Turntable is priced at £5,799 without phono cartridge and £6,499 with a cartridge and is on sale now.
  • The new №5101 streaming player is priced at £5,500 and available now.

Source: Press release
Image Source: Harman

Follow AVforums on Google News

To share your thoughts on the above, click the Discussion tab and post a reply.

Related Content

iFi Audio launches Go Bar Kensei portable DAC
  • By Ian Collen
  • Published
LG launches portable StanbyME Speaker
  • By Ian Collen
  • Published
Meze Audio launches Liric 2nd Generation headphones
  • By Ian Collen
  • Published
Q Acoustics set to launch flagship 5050 speaker
  • By Ian Collen
  • Published
Wharfedale formally announces the Super Denton speaker
  • By Ian Collen
  • Published

Latest Headlines

iFi Audio launches Go Bar Kensei portable DAC
  • By Ian Collen
  • Published
LG launches portable StanbyME Speaker
  • By Ian Collen
  • Published
Meze Audio launches Liric 2nd Generation headphones
  • By Ian Collen
  • Published
Q Acoustics set to launch flagship 5050 speaker
  • By Ian Collen
  • Published
Wharfedale formally announces the Super Denton speaker
  • By Ian Collen
  • Published
Back
Top Bottom