As with all Mark Levinson Reference products, it goes without saying that the primary function of the Nº53 is to reproduce sound at the purest level possible. Following in the tradition of such Mark Levinson solid state power amplifier products as the ML-2 and the Nº33, the new Nº53 continues to prove that solid state electronics can rival the best sounding tube-based designs. More specifically, the Nº53 is the first ever switching power amplifier from Mark Levinson. Despite their numerous advantages – increased efficiency, more power, compact dimensions, decreased weight and less heat dissipation than their linear counterparts – switching power amplifiers have generally been viewed with skepticism from the audiophile community due to the technical limitations inherent in switching designs and assumptions about the resulting sound quality. The Nº53, however, is the end result of an extensive R&D effort to find ways to emphasize the advantages of switching power amplifiers while overcoming their weaknesses, creating a landmark product truly worthy of the Mark Levinson Reference designation.

The Nº53 is rated at an impressive 500 Watts into 8 Ohms, measures merely 21" H × 9" W × 21" D and weighs only 135 lbs — certainly playing up the strengths for which switching power amplifiers are known. It is capable of generating phenomenal power levels into virtually any speaker load to support both instantaneous and continuous demands. More impressive still, the Nº53 accomplishes this feat without the slightest change in performance capability while maintaining a constant, thermally-balanced operating temperature. Unlike most switching amplifiers, the Nº53 has superbly efficient power management capabilities, so its operating temperature does not change no matter how hard or long the amplifier is driven.

Power amplification is a critical component in any high-performance home entertainment system, and its job is simple but nuanced: to be powerful and versatile enough to drive a wide range of demanding loudspeakers, yet be able to do so with the forcefulness and grace that high-quality sound reproduction requires. The Nº 532 exceeds all expectations, offering breathtaking sound quality and featuring two impressive 400-watt monaural power amplifiers housed in a single chassis.

The Nº 532’s meticulous craftsmanship is evident in the uniquely engineered design. To create the optimum power delivery system, the chassis of the Nº 532 is specially designed to isolate the audio circuits from interference and noise. When viewed from above, the rear portion of the power amplifier has three distinct piers. Control and power circuitry reside in the center pier, separate from the audio circuitry, which resides in the two outer piers – one dedicated to each channel. The power transformers are located at the front of the chassis, away from the audio circuits. This unusual design provides a number of important advantages – isolation of the potentially noisy power and control circuits from the delicate audio circuits, additional heat sink surface area for cooling, and very short signal and power delivery paths.

The No 531H and No532H are both true mono-block designs with independent power supplies for each channel and are rated at 300W per channel into 8 ohms. The transformers and power supply designs deliver unsurpassed dynamics and transient responses for today’s demanding audio formats and provide stability with even the most difficult to drive loudspeakers. Fully differential circuitry ensures that balanced input signals stay that way throughout the signal path and traditional Mark Levinson “Hurricane” binding posts offer secure termination to the loudspeaker.

Main Features
• Reliable, high-power in four different channel configurations provide ideal solutions for any system
• Isolated chassis and signal grounds minimize noise, optimizing detail, even at low listening levels
• Fully-differential circuitry with both balanced XLR and single-ended RCA inputs
• Ethernet and 12V trigger control capability for system integration

The No 531H and No532H are both true mono-block designs with independent power supplies for each channel and are rated at 300W per channel into 8 ohms. The transformers and power supply designs deliver unsurpassed dynamics and transient responses for today’s demanding audio formats and provide stability with even the most difficult to drive loudspeakers. Fully differential circuitry ensures that balanced input signals stay that way throughout the signal path and traditional Mark Levinson “Hurricane” binding posts offer secure termination to the loudspeaker.

Main Features
• Reliable, high-power in four different channel configurations provide ideal solutions for any system
• Isolated chassis and signal grounds minimize noise, optimizing detail, even at low listening levels
• Fully-differential circuitry with both balanced XLR and single-ended RCA inputs
• Ethernet and 12V trigger control capability for system integration

The No 533H shares the same basic amplifier module as the No 531H and No532H but is a semi-monoblock design. With power supplies that can be shared across multiple channels, this design lends itself well to multi-channel environments where one channel might need more power at times than others. All other features of the No 533H are identical to the No 531H and No532H and the common design creates a consistent sonic signature for use in multiple amplifier system configurations.

The four amplifiers in the No500H Series are the definition of truly outstanding performance in their respective categories. Drawing from the Mark Levinson heritage, while utilizing a new, straightforward, balanced, current-feedback design creates a new series of amplifiers that must be listened to in order to be fully appreciated. The final result is impressive even for the Mark Levinson high standard of excellence.

Main Features
• Reliable, high-power in four different channel configurations provide ideal solutions for any system
• Isolated chassis and signal grounds minimize noise, optimizing detail, even at low listening levels
• Fully-differential circuitry with both balanced XLR and single-ended RCA inputs
• Ethernet and 12V trigger control capability for system integration

As the first five-channel amplifier from Mark Levinson, the No535H sets the bar high. Using a semimono-block design like the No 533H, the No535H can deliver 200W per channel into all five channels simultaneously. Twelve output transistors and large amounts of capacitance per channel ensure that this amplifier is more than capable of delivering realistic dynamics and transients with audiophile-grade detail and response for even the most demanding audio tracks.

Main Features
• Reliable, high-power in four different channel configurations provide ideal solutions for any system
• Isolated chassis and signal grounds minimize noise, optimizing detail, even at low listening levels
• Fully-differential circuitry with both balanced XLR and single-ended RCA inputs
• Ethernet and 12V trigger control capability for system integration