Definition Branding & Marketing

Mark Levinson No52

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Marking one of the most significant milestones in its history, legendary audio company Mark Levinson is celebrating its 40^th anniversary in 2012. To commemorate 40 years of offering the finest in ultrahigh-end audio/video components, Mark Levinson is introducing The 40^th Anniversary Collection at CES 2012, which includes the № 52 Reference Dual-Monaural Preamplifier, the № 585 Integrated Amplifier, The № 519 SACD Disc Player and the № 560 Digital Audio Processor.

“Since its founding in 1972, no other brand has been as consistently synonymous with ultimate-performance audio as Mark Levinson,” said Jim Garrett, Senior Manager, Marketing Harman Luxury Audio Group. ”Our heritage has always been one of uncompromising technological innovation in the service of pure music reproduction, and the 40^th Anniversary Collection is the embodiment of everything we’ve learned in the last 40 years – along with significant new design and engineering advancements.”

Every component in The 40^th Anniversary Collection is designed to reproduce music with all of its nuances and subtleties – as well as thrilling dynamic authority and power. To this end, Mark Levinson components are engineered and built to the absolute highest standards in every respect, heirloom-quality products that are created to deliver unmatched sonic accuracy and make a direct emotional connection to the listener and the musical performance.

№ 52 Reference Dual-Monaural Preamplifier

The № 52 is quite simply the finest Mark Levinson preamplifier ever. It is an all-analog, true dual-monaural design with a two-chassis configuration that separates the critical analog audio circuitry from the control section to maintain the purest signal paths possible.

The № 52 provides a comprehensive complement of inputs including three balanced XLR and four unbalanced RCA line-level inputs, and a dedicated phono input that is selectable for moving coil (MC) or moving magnet (MM) operation. Two sets of XLR and RCA stereo preamplifier outputs are provided, along with an auxiliary pair of XLR and RCA outputs that can be configured for fixed or variable level output with independent source selection. This enables the auxiliary outputs to function either as a third preamp out, a pass-through full-range subwoofer output or a record output.

The № 52 offers a unity gain SSP (surround sound processor) output that provides the ability to integrate the audio sources that are connected to it into a home theater system, while maintaining optimal and independent stereo operation for music sources. The № 52 provides extensive control and system interface connectivity via Ethernet, Mark Levinson’s proprietary ML Net, 12V trigger and IR control ports. In addition, a USB 2.0 (A) port facilitates possible future software upgrades. The № 52 is supplied with a remote control that can also be used to operate other Mark Levinson components.

The Mark Levinson № 52 is built to an extraordinary level of refinement. Its control section features mirror-imaged DC power supplies and AC regeneration circuits for remarkably clean and stable power delivery and signal purity. Individual left and right DC umbilical cords are used to connect to the audio sections in the second chassis, and control signals are delivered via a third cable to keep them isolated. The audio chassis is laid out in a mirror image, left/right configuration with isolated and independent circuit boards for the volume, main and auxiliary signal paths, and extensive shielding for critical components. The chassis is constructed from heavy aluminum extrusions and plates.

Like all Mark Levinson 40^th Anniversary components, the № 52 is striking and elegant in appearance, with a rich, brushed metal black and silver faceplate accented by red illumination against a glass center panel.

№ 585 Integrated Amplifier

The Mark Levinson № 585 integrated amplifier is ideal for audiophiles and music lovers who desire an all in one audio control center and stereo power amplifier that is space saving and easy to use and delivers ultimate-quality music reproduction. The № 585 offers three analog line-level audio inputs plus an MC/MM phono input and six digital audio inputs, to accommodate a wide array of music sources, and can be operated via its remote control. The № 585 delivers a generous 225 watts per channel power output into 8 ohms, to easily drive even inefficient audiophile loudspeakers, and provides a dedicated subwoofer output.

The № 585’s analog circuitry is optimized to deliver extraordinary sonic refinement, and it incorporates leading-edge 32-bit/192kHz digital-to-analog converters for unsurpassed digital audio performance. The Mark Levinson No 585 includes HDMI™ 1.3, USB, AES/EBU and coaxial S/PDIF inputs, and provides USB and S/PDIF digital outputs. A host of onboard sonic tailoring facilities are provided including full bass management with high-pass filtering, low-pass crossover controls for the subwoofer output and more. The № 585’s unity gain SSP mode enables easy integration with home theater systems, and the № 585 offers a full complement of system control ports.

№ 519 SACD Disc Player

The Mark Levinson № 519 SACD Disc Player is designed for those who demand nothing less than the finest in digital music reproduction. It combines a precision CD/SACD (Super Audio Compact Disc) player mechanism with dual 32-bit/192kHz audiophile-grade digital to analog converters to deliver extraordinary fidelity, resolution and musical accuracy. Adding to its versatility, the № 519 also functions as a complete digital preamplifier. It includes four S/PDIF and USB digital inputs, plus XLR and RCA analog and HDMI 1.3, AES/EBU, optical and coaxial S/PDIF outputs and an onboard digital volume control that enable the № 519 to be connected to a stereo or multichannel preamplifier or amplifier. In addition, the № 519 provides direct SACD audio output via its HDMI connection as well as high-resolution LPCM digital audio.

The Mark Levinson № 519’s elegant front panel features dedicated input and volume control knobs, facilitating its use as a digital preamplifier, and includes a USB 2.0 (A) connector to enable future upgrades. Its Ethernet, ML Link, 12V trigger and IR ports enable easy system integration, and the № 519 is supplied with a remote control that operates all its functions as well as those of select Mark Levinson preamplifiers.

№ 560 Digital Audio Processor

The Mark Levinson № 560 is engineered to bring out the very best in all digital audio sources including high-resolution audio formats and serve as the heart of a digital audio music system. The Mark Levinson № 560 enables listeners to enjoy the full sonic benefits of computer audio, disc transports, streaming media devices and other digital sources thanks to its dual 32-bit, 192kHz premium digital to analog converters, digital volume control and impeccable engineering and construction.

The № 560 provides no less than 10 digital audio inputs including two optical and two coaxial S/PDIF inputs, three USB 2.0 (A) connectors, two HDMI inputs with DSD (Direct Stream Digital)-direct capability and an AES/EBU XLR input. The No 560’s XLR and RCA analog outputs facilitate connection to an amplifier or preamplifier. The № 560 is designed for extraordinary sonic performance, incorporating isolated digital and analog circuitry with independent power supplies, asynchronous clocking to ensure jitter-free performance from the dual 32-bit DACs, premium quality internal components throughout and many additional enhancements.

Suggested retail pricing for the Mark Levinson 50^th Anniversary Collection is as follows: № 52 Reference Dual Monaural Preamplifier, $25,000; № 585 Integrated Amplifier, $10,000; No 519 SACD Disc Player, $8,000; № 560 Digital Audio Processor, $6.000. Delivery dates will be announced.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets — supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 12,500 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.0 billion for twelve months ending September 30, 2011.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Since 1972, the name Mark Levinson has been synonymous with high-end audio. In 2012, the company is celebrating its 40^th anniversary – 40 years of offering the finest in ultimate-performance audio and home theater components to music lovers and audiophiles worldwide.

As one of the founding companies of high-end audio, Mark Levinson was instrumental in defining the concept – that audio components could achieve a level of performance far beyond the “high-fidelity” conventions of the day to reproduce music with astonishing realism. High-end audio components do not simply play back sound – they convey the essence of the artist and the emotion of the performance.

In 1972, Mark Levinson Audio Systems, based in New Haven, Connecticut, introduced its first product, the JC-1 preamplifier. The JC-1 offered a level of fidelity that surprised and thrilled listeners and significantly raised the state of the art. At a time when audiophile purists were embracing the sonic qualities of vacuum tube audio components, the JC-1 convincingly demonstrated that solid-state technology had come into its own.

The JC-1 evolved into the ML-1, followed by the ML-2 monophonic power amplifier. The audio community had literally never seen anything like it – a massive, imposing black dual-mono pure Class A design that make even the most difficult to drive exotic loudspeakers of the day come alive. These early products set the hallmarks of all Mark Levinson components to follow – superb construction and parts quality, genuine technological innovation, striking industrial design and above all – sound that was nothing less than extraordinary.

The company continued to refine its products into the mid 1980s, with innovative designs such as the ML-3 200 watt-per-channel dual-monophonic power amplifier, a series of fully modular preamplifiers and studio-quality open-reel tape decks. However, Mark Levinson Audio Systems found itself in difficult financial straits, and was purchased by Madrigal Audio Laboratories, Mark Levinson’s “sister company” and distributor at the time. Under the ownership of Madrigal, the company was reorganized with key personnel remaining to continue design and production while an expanded engineering staff and financial management was brought in to a new facility in Middletown, CT.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the audio industry was beginning its transition from analog to digital – and Mark Levinson soon established the state-of-the-art in then-new digital playback technology with the introduction of the № 30 Reference Digital Processor. This classic component set a new standard for digital audio reproduction and heralded digital’s “coming of age” after years of criticism by audiophiles who felt that digital sound was not as good as it could be. The companion № 31 Reference CD Transport soon followed, as new preamplifiers, power amplifiers and other products.

Mark Levinson expanded its reach beyond the specialist home audio market in 2001, entering into a partnership with luxury automaker Lexus. Mark Levinson auto sound systems soon established themselves as the standard of excellence for in-car audio with refinements such as 7.1-channel, 19-speaker sound and ultra-efficient multichannel amplifiers.

In 2001, Harman International purchased Mark Levinson and today the company is part of its Luxury Audio Group based in Elkhart, Indiana. The move enabled Mark Levinson to combine its decades of singular expertise with the research and development and manufacturing resources of global technology leader Harman International. The decade saw the introduction of ultrahigh-end products including the № 53 Reference Monaural power amplifier, № 502 Surround Sound Preamplifier and others, all designed in the Mark Levinson tradition of uncompromising quality.

In 2012, Mark Levinson is reaffirming its position as the standard-setter in ultimate-performance audio with the introduction of The 40^th Anniversary Collection at CES 2012. The company is premiering its № 52 Reference Dual-Monaural Preamplifier, the № 585 Integrated Amplifier, The № 519 SACD Disc Player and the № 560 Digital Audio Processor. The 40^th Anniversary Collection is the embodiment of everything Mark Levinson has learned in the last 40 years – along with significant new design and engineering advancements that once again redefine the state of the art in music and movie soundtrack reproduction.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets — supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 12,500 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.0 billion for twelve months ending September 30, 2011.