Features
| Warranty length | 5 Years |
|---|---|
| Brand | Mark Levinson |
Tech Specs
Line Stage
- Normal gain setting: 13.5dB balanced; 7.5dB single-ended
- High gain setting: 19.5dB balanced; 13.5dB single-ended
- Fixed mode, normal gain setting: 3.0dB balanced; –3.0dB single-ended
- Fixed mode, high gain setting: 9.0dB balanced; 3.0dB single-ended
Frequency Response
- 20Hz to 20kHz: ±0.02dB
- 0.4Hz to 370kHz: +0.1 / -3dB
THD+N
- at 1kHz (2VRMS single-ended or 4VRMS balanced output): <0.003%
- at 20kHz (2VRMS single-ended or 4VRMS balanced output): <0.005%
Signal-to-noise ratio
- 20Hz to 20kHz, wideband, unweighted: >97dB
- A-weighted: >100dB
- Reference to 2VRMS single-ended or 4VRMS balanced output, max volume: >115dB @ 1kHz
Crosstalk
- at 1kHz: <-107dB
- at 20kHz: <-82dB
- Channel separation: below noise floor (>115dB @ 1kHz)
- High-pass filter: defeatable 80Hz, 4th order (24dB/octave) Butterworth
- Volume control: balanced, current mode, discrete 15-bit R-2R ladder
Single-Ended (RCA) Inputs
- Input impedance: >45kΩ
- Maximum input level normal gain setting: >10VRMS, high gain setting: >7VRMS
Balanced (XLR) Inputs
- Input impedance: >45kΩ
- Maximum input level normal gain setting: >15VRMS, high gain setting: >7.5VRMS
Single-Ended (RCA) Outputs
- Output impedance: <80Ω
- Maximum output level: >11VRMS
BALANCED (XLR) OUTPUTS
- Output impedance: <160Ω
- Maximum output level: >22VRMS
Headphone Output
- Output Impedance: selectable; <3Ω or 75Ω
- Maximum output, low impedance setting:
- 30Ω (0.3W), 20Hz to 20kHz, <0.1% THD: >3VRMS
- 300Ω, 20Hz to 20kHz, <0.1% THD: >9VRMS
- Maximum output, high impedance setting
- 300Ω, 20Hz to 20kHz, <0.1% THD: >7VRMS
- Total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N)
- 20Hz to 20kHz, 2VRMS at 30Ω: <0.03%
- 20Hz to 20kHz, 2VRMS at 300Ω: <0.01%
Phono Stage
- RIAA frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz, ±0.3dB
- Infrasonic filter: defeatable, 15Hz, 2nd order (12dB/octave)
Moving Magnet Mode
- Input resistance: 47kΩ
- Input capacitance: selectable; 50, 100, 150, 200, or 680pF
- Gain: 40dB @ 1kHz
- THD + Noise: <0.03%, 20Hz to 20kHz, 2VRMS output
- Signal-to-noise ratio (Referred to 2VRMS output):
- >97dB (20Hz to 20kHz, wideband, unweighted)
- >102dB (A-weighted)
- >110dB @ 20Hz to 20kHz (spot noise)
- Maximum Input Level: >95mV @ 1kHz; >285mV @ 20kHz
Moving Coil Mode
- Input resistance: selectable; 20, 33, 50, 66, 100, 200, 330, 500, 1000, or 47kΩ
- Input capacitance: 50pF
- Gain: selectable; 50, 60, or 70dB @ 1kHz
- THD + Noise:
- 50dB gain setting: <0.02%, 20Hz to 20kHz, 2VRMS output
- 60dB gain setting: <0.02%, 20Hz to 20kHz, 2VRMS output
- 70dB gain setting: <0.04%, 20Hz to 20kHz, 2VRMS output
- Signal-to-noise ratio (Referred to 2VRMS output):
- 50dB gain setting: >87dB (20Hz to 20kHz, wideband, unweighted)
- 50dB gain setting: >94dB (A-weighted)
- 50dB gain setting: >100dB at 20Hz to 20kHz (spot noise)
- 60dB gain setting: >77dB (20Hz to 20kHz, wideband, unweighted)
- 60dB gain setting: >84dB (A-weighted)
- 60dB gain setting: >90dB at 20Hz to 20kHz (spot noise)
- 70dB gain setting: >68dB (20Hz to 20kHz, wideband, unweighted)
- 70dB gain setting: >74dB (A-weighted)
- 70dB gain setting: >80dB at 20Hz to 20kHz (spot noise)
- Maximum input level:
50dB gain setting: >30mV @ 1kHz; >105mV @ 20kHz
60dB gain setting: >9.5mV @ 1kHz; >90mV @ 20kHz
70dB gain setting: >3.2mV @ 1kHz; >30mV @ 20kHz
General
Analog audio connectors:
- Line Inputs: 3 pairs single-ended (RCA), 2 pairs balanced (XLR)
- Phono Input: 1 pair single-ended phono inputs (RCA), 1 phono ground binding post
- Outputs: 1 pair single-ended line (RCA), 1 pair balanced line (XLR), 1 TS ¼” (6.3mm) headphone
Control connectors
- RS-232: 1 RJ-12
- Infrared (IR): 1 ⅛” (3.5mm) phone jack
- DC triggers: 2 programmable 12V outputs (⅛” / 3.5mm phone jack), 100mA maximum/1 programmable 12V input (⅛” / 3.5mm phone jack)
- Ethernet: 1 RJ-45
- USB: 1 USB Type A, 1 Micro USB
- Mains voltage: 100VAC, 115VAC, or 230VAC, factory set
- Standby, Green mode: 0.4W
- Standby, Power Save mode: 5W
- Standby, Normal mode: 67W
- Power on, idle: 70W
- Power on, idle, headphones connected: 83W
Dimensions
- Height 95mm
- Width: 438mm
- Depth: 457mm
- Weight: 18.6kg
Product Description
Mark Levinson No 523 pre amplifier, part of the high end flagship 500 series, is designed to perfectly preserve analogue signals and give you stunning audio performance. The no 523 features a pure phono stage for connection with a turntable and brings out every subtle nuance found in the music.
Pure Path Circuit Design
Designed and handcrafted in the USA, the No.523 produces a stellar performance and does so with it’s use of discrete circuitry and technical developments. These components have been carefully chosen for their precise function that helps create an unmatched sound quality.
Pure Phono Stage
The Mark Levinson No 523 pre amplifier features a high performance pure phono stage, which is engineered to allow your turntable to excel, and means you don’t need an external phono preamp. The phono stage is also housed in its own steel enclosure to reduce noise levels.
High Performance Headphone Output
Mark Levinson’s No 523 preamplifier has a headphone output that has enough current to power any set of headphones, and is designed to unlock your headphones full potential, meaning you do not need an external headphone amplifier to get the best sound quality.
Balanced and Consistent Sound
A unique feature found in the No 523 is the innovative R-2R ladder volume control, which helps keep the audio performance balanced and consistent, especially when at low volumes. You won't miss a thing.
Remote Control Access
The No 523 preamp comes with a matching aluminium remote control that is simple and easy to use so you can control the sound from wherever you are sitting. This remote control grants you the standard control options such as play/pause and adjusting volume, plus more in-depth control options such as polarity and EQ settings.
Mark Levinson 523 vs 526
The No 523 sits below the No.526 as it does not have the Precision Link DAC built in, which allows you to connect digital audio sources. However, it still comes with the pure phono stage for connection to a turntable and analogue inputs for other analogue music sources.
