CD/SACD-проигрыватели и транспорты — Mark Levinson № 519

The № 519 is an audio player from Mark Levinson, the American brand owned by Harman, that houses a slot-loading CD mechanism, a streaming computer, its own converter and a digitally controlled output level in one case. It was first shown at CES 2016 and went on sale in July 2016. Its transport reads CD only, not SACD, and DSD reaches it through files, USB or the network. It was engineered in Shelton, Connecticut and manufactured in Westford, Massachusetts.

Key specs that matter

The 32-bit Precision Link DAC, built around an ESS Sabre32 Reference converter, accepts PCM up to 192 kHz and DSD natively or as DoP at 2.8 and 5.6 MHz. Full-scale output is 3.7 V RMS, response is 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.2 dB, THD is below 0.0001% at 1 kHz and 0.0003% at 20 kHz, and A-weighted noise sits more than 120 dB below full scale. Digital inputs are one AES/EBU, two coaxial, two Toslink and one asynchronous USB-B, plus two USB-A ports for drives up to 8 TB. Analogue outputs comprise XLR and RCA pairs and a 6.3 mm Class A headphone jack, and AES/EBU, coaxial and optical digital outs. The unit measures 146 x 438 x 406 mm, weighs 16.4 kg and draws 39 W in use, or 50 W with the headphone stage active.

Engineering and use context

An embedded Linux computer with a 1 GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 4 GB of flash runs streaming from Spotify Connect, Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer and Napster, internet radio, podcasts, DLNA and NAS libraries. It is Roon Ready, decodes MQA fully and receives Bluetooth with aptX, while Wi-Fi and Ethernet cover the network. Three DAC filters are selectable - fast, slow and minimum phase, the last giving post-ringing only. Nine independent power supplies feed a discrete, direct-coupled, fully balanced dual-monaural analogue stage in the Pure Path style. Harman Clari-Fi processing can rebuild detail lost in compressed files and is switchable. A 127 mm (5 inch) colour TFT screen, eight aluminium buttons and two knobs sit on the 6063-T5 aluminium front, with an aluminium IR remote and iOS and Android apps. RS-232, IR input and 12 V triggers allow control-system integration, and firmware updates arrive over the air or by USB.

Pairing

With its level control, the № 519 can drive a stereo or mono power amp directly through the balanced outputs, and the headphone stage is specified for 32 ohm loads. With a separate preamplifier the volume can be fixed.

Alternatives

The Mark Levinson № 5101 is a streaming player with a slot-loading drive that also reads SACD discs and uses the Precision Link II DAC.