I just jumped in to the deep end of the pool.

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daddyjt
daddyjt Posts: 2,326
in 2 Channel Audio
I’ve always wanted to try a piece of Levinson gear. This one came up for sale local. Just went and gave it a listen, negotiated a great price, and it’s on its way home:-)

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"Conservative Libertarians love the country, progressive leftists love the government." - Andrew Wilkow


“Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,531
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    So what it’s replacing?
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
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    Wow! That’s a monster amp! And a smoking deal too! Congrats!
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
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  • tophatjohnny
    tophatjohnny Posts: 4,163
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    Congrats. Looks beefy !!
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************
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  • daddyjt
    daddyjt Posts: 2,326
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    Thanks guys - it’s going to replace the McCormack (for now).

    I’m really curious to hear how it handles the Kappa 9 pair. My research indicates that the Levinson can run at 2ohms all day long. Sounds like a match made in heaven:-)
    "Conservative Libertarians love the country, progressive leftists love the government." - Andrew Wilkow


    “Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
    ― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,372
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    Doubles power down to 2 ohms. Nice.

    Could serve double duty as a space heater too.
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  • pglbook
    pglbook Posts: 2,173
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    daddyjt wrote: »
    Thanks guys - it’s going to replace the McCormack (for now).

    I’m really curious to hear how it handles the Kappa 9 pair. My research indicates that the Levinson can run at 2ohms all day long. Sounds like a match made in heaven:-)

    Congrats. I am curious how you think it compares to the McCormack.

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  • SIHAB
    SIHAB Posts: 4,520
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    Hope you are a strong swimmer.
    Nice pickup!
    Speakers: Polk Lsim, ATC SCM19 v2, NHT SuperzeroSpeaker Cables: DH Labs, Transparent, Wireworld, Canare, Monster: Beer budget, Bose ears
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,099
    edited June 2019
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    pglbook wrote: »
    daddyjt wrote: »
    Thanks guys - it’s going to replace the McCormack (for now).

    I’m really curious to hear how it handles the Kappa 9 pair. My research indicates that the Levinson can run at 2ohms all day long. Sounds like a match made in heaven:-)

    Congrats. I am curious how you think it compares to the McCormack.
    It will be superior in every way , except in micro details. From what I have heard, the McCormack does an excellent job at getting after the tiniest details and shining a light on them, whereas the Levinson tends to grab ahold of things and bend them to its will. It will still get those details, but it’s going to get the other stuff first.

    Both are great amps, but each does their thing in a very different way. In the end, it’s all about synergy.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • mikeyb128
    mikeyb128 Posts: 2,885
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    112 lbs! Wow! Congrats, I have not heard a piece of levinson gear I didn’t like.
    2 channel:
    Bryston 4B3, Bryston BDA3, Cary SLP05, Shanling CDT1000SE with parts conneXion level 2 mods, Nottingham analogue ace space 294, soundsmith Carmen MKii, Zu DL103 MKii, Ortofon MC 20 MKii, Dynavector XX2 MKii, Rogue Audio Ares, Core power technologies balanced power conditioner, Akiko Corelli power conditioner with Akiko Audio HQ power cable, Nordost heimdall 2, Frey 2, interconnects, speaker and power cables, Focal Electra 1028 BE 2, Auralic Aries Femto, Black diamond racing cones, ingress audio level 1 roller blocks, JL Audio E110 with Auralic subdude, Primacoustics room treatments.
    Theater:
    Focal Aria 926,905,CC900, SVS PB ultra x2. Pioneer Elite SC85, Oppo BDP93, Panamax M5400PM, Minix neox6, Nordost Blue heaven LS power cables.

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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,799
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    Sweeeet!!!

    You probably should have edited out the seller's phone number. ;)
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • daddyjt
    daddyjt Posts: 2,326
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    F1nut wrote: »
    Sweeeet!!!

    You probably should have edited out the seller's phone number. ;)

    I thought about it, but the gear is posted on our local version of CL.

    Incidentally, she does have a bunch of other high end gear for sale. She is recently divorced, and wants the gear gone, but she’s not giving it away. I negotiated a great price that made us both happy:-)

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    "Conservative Libertarians love the country, progressive leftists love the government." - Andrew Wilkow


    “Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
    ― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 18,327
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    I betthe "Ex" is going to really kick himself when he finds out all his gear is gone. That stuff ain't cheap!

    Congrat's on a nice amplifier.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • indyhawg
    indyhawg Posts: 1,637
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    Congrats on the amp.
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,099
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    Any initial impressions yet that you can share?
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,314
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    That's a sweet looking chunk of High End Iron, congrats!
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,576
    edited June 2019
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    I've been watching this one for giggles. WAY WAY out of my price range and league. Heck I'd prolly need a whole new breaker panel and incoming service to support such a beast.


    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mark-Levinson-No336-flagship-amplifier-Just-Completely-serviced/223365248468?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649


    very nice @daddyjt enjoy

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  • dromunds
    dromunds Posts: 9,983
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    Congrats!
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  • vmaxer
    vmaxer Posts: 5,116
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    Interesting comparison, look forward to it.
    Pio Elete Pro 520
    Panamax 5400-EX
    Sunfire TGP 5
    Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
    PS Audio GCPH phono pre
    Sunfire CG 200 X 5
    Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
    OPPO BDP-83 SE
    SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
    Ctr CS1000p
    Sur - FX1000 x 4
    SUB - SVS PB2-Plus

    Workkout room:
    Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
    Onkyo TX-DS898
    GFA 555
    Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
    Ft - SDA 1C

    Not being used:
    RTi 38's -4
    RT55i's - 2
    RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
    LSI 15's
    CSi40
    PSW 404
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 18,327
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    You and I are in the same boat and have the same thoughts, Skip.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 49,799
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    Some of her prices are reasonable, but she wants too much for the VPI and the Sonus Fabers.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,028
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    Congrats! When I went to New York many years ago to experience the Wilson x2 on a full mark Levinson system, I did not leave disappointed!

    Based on my experience with older amps the past two years, you owe it to yourself to have a tech look it over just because.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 18,327
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    That goes without saying....

    ....Just sayin'....

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • kharp1
    kharp1 Posts: 3,453
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    I was thinking about contacting her on the AR pre.
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  • daddyjt
    daddyjt Posts: 2,326
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    F1nut wrote: »
    Some of her prices are reasonable, but she wants too much for the VPI and the Sonus Fabers.

    Agreed. FWIW, I snagged the Levinson for $1,600. The kicker however, was that she had all eight (8) new power supply caps that he had purchased for a future recap, still in Mouser bags, in the Mouser box. I priced them out (before going to look at the amp) at right around $500. I’ll still need the small caps, but I probably already have most of those values in stock.

    I’ll pop the cover and post som nudies in the next day or two. Unfortunately, I probably won’t get much farther than that for a couple weeks, as we are working through surgery this coming week for my mother in laws third bout with breast cancer... cancer sucks.

    Thanks for all the comments guys, - half the fun of these acquisitions is being able to share them with people that understand the gravity of the new toy:-)

    "Conservative Libertarians love the country, progressive leftists love the government." - Andrew Wilkow


    “Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
    ― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,099
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    Make certain the new caps meet or exceed OE specs... ML is a stickler on tolerances from what I understand of them.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • daddyjt
    daddyjt Posts: 2,326
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    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    I've been watching this one for giggles. WAY WAY out of my price range and league. Heck I'd prolly need a whole new breaker panel and incoming service to support such a beast.


    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mark-Levinson-No336-flagship-amplifier-Just-Completely-serviced/223365248468?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649


    very nice @daddyjt enjoy

    $100 shipping?? Man, I gotta think that’s way low... costs me $50 just to ship a Carver 1.0t any more...
    "Conservative Libertarians love the country, progressive leftists love the government." - Andrew Wilkow


    “Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
    ― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

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  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,601
    edited June 2019
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    daddyjt wrote: »
    F1nut wrote: »
    Some of her prices are reasonable, but she wants too much for the VPI and the Sonus Fabers.

    Agreed. FWIW, I snagged the Levinson for $1,600. The kicker however, was that she had all eight (8) new power supply caps that he had purchased for a future recap, still in Mouser bags, in the Mouser box. I priced them out (before going to look at the amp) at right around $500. I’ll still need the small caps, but I probably already have most of those values in stock.

    I’ll pop the cover and post som nudies in the next day or two. Unfortunately, I probably won’t get much farther than that for a couple weeks, as we are working through surgery this coming week for my mother in laws third bout with breast cancer... cancer sucks.

    Thanks for all the comments guys, - half the fun of these acquisitions is being able to share them with people that understand the gravity of the new toy:-)

    Congrats on the amp and looking forward to pics of the guts, but more importantly I hope your mom has a successful surgery with no complications. Keep us updated please!
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  • daddyjt
    daddyjt Posts: 2,326
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    kharp1 wrote: »
    I was thinking about contacting her on the AR pre.


    If you’d like, I can acquire, pack and ship for you.

    She had the original box and packing for the Levinson, good chance she has it for the pre as well (shipping would be double boxed, of course!)

    Let me know if you want help...
    "Conservative Libertarians love the country, progressive leftists love the government." - Andrew Wilkow


    “Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
    ― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,576
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    daddyjt wrote: »
    pitdogg2 wrote: »
    I've been watching this one for giggles. WAY WAY out of my price range and league. Heck I'd prolly need a whole new breaker panel and incoming service to support such a beast.


    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mark-Levinson-No336-flagship-amplifier-Just-Completely-serviced/223365248468?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649


    very nice @daddyjt enjoy

    $100 shipping?? Man, I gotta think that’s way low... costs me $50 just to ship a Carver 1.0t any more...

    Considering it prolly weights 200+ lbs. Yep.
    Bright side is it's practically brand new on the inside.
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  • kharp1
    kharp1 Posts: 3,453
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    PM sent
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