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-   -   Mark Levinson N° 519 Audio Player (https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=39520)

jdandy 05-28-2017 11:11 PM

Mark Levinson N° 519 Audio Player
 
Has anyone had an opportunity to audition the new Mark Levinson N° 519 Audio Player? It looks to be an attractive component that features a discrete, direct coupled, fully balanced, dual-monaural signal path, six high-resolution digital inputs (balanced, coaxial, optical, and USB asynchronous), plays from networked drives and devices, streaming services, Bluetooth, and connected media, and plays up to 32-bit, 192kHz PCM, double-speed DSD (DSD128), CD, and virtually all two-channel formats.

Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, Rhapsody/Napster, internet radio, and podcasts are built in. The Mark Levinson N° 519 features an analog output volume control for direct connection to amplifiers or active loudspeakers, and it is designed and handcrafted in the USA.


http://www.ljudochbild.se/wp-content...09.47_9909.png



http://www.avmagazine.it/immagini/20..._n519_back.jpg

Ritmo 05-29-2017 07:33 AM

Dan - I did at Axpona. A very good looking piece. To me, it sounded ok under show conditions.

jdandy 05-29-2017 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ritmo (Post 849049)
Dan - I did at Axpona. A very good looking piece. To me, it sounded ok under show conditions.

Mike.......Yes, show conditions are often not ideal for auditioning new components. I do think this new Mark Levinson № 519 Audio Player looks very nice, although I am surprised by the slot loading disc player. For some reason that doesn't strike me as a premium way to handle compact discs. The slot loading player handles Redbook CD's and MP3 discs but doesn't play SACD. That seems unusual to me since the digital streamer side of the component decodes and reproduces DSD as well as PCM, FLAC, ALAC, WAV, MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG, APE, AIFF, and WMV files. MSRP is $17K.

rnrmf1971 05-29-2017 01:41 PM

It's also slated to decode MQA, as well.
It would be nice to know if it uses the current top line ESS Sabre chips.
I have a feeling it probably doesn't because the 519 was first displayed back in January, 2016, before the latest ESS chips were released.
I read that the 2017 MSRP was amended to 20K, if I'm not mistaken. 17K was originally suggested back in 2016...

jdandy 05-29-2017 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnrmf1971 (Post 849122)
It's also slated to decode MQA, as well.
It would be nice to know if it uses the current top line ESS Sabre chips.
I have a feeling it probably doesn't because the 519 was first displayed back in January, 2016, before the latest ESS chips were released.
I read that the 2017 MSRP was amended to 20K, if I'm not mistaken. 17K was originally suggested back in 2016...

Christian.......Yes, the price may have been bumped to $20K. You're probably right about the ESS DAC, too. It is most likely the ESS ES9018 SABRE32 Reference 32-bit 8-Channel Audio DAC.

audio bill 05-29-2017 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdandy (Post 849114)
Mike.......Yes, show conditions are often not ideal for auditioning new components. I do think this new Mark Levinson № 519 Audio Player looks very nice, although I am surprised by the slot loading disc player. For some reason that doesn't strike me as a premium way to handle compact discs. The slot loading player handles Redbook CD's and MP3 discs but doesn't play SACD. That seems unusual to me since the digital streamer side of the component decodes and reproduces DSD as well as PCM, FLAC, ALAC, WAV, MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG, APE, AIFF, and WMV files. MSRP is $17K.

Dan - I believe the likely reason that it doesn't support SACD playback is due to the lack of currently available SACD transports. Since Esoteric stopped selling their transports to other manufacturers several other companies similarly no longer handle SACDs even though their digital sections support DSD. Some companies like Luxman and Marantz now manufacture their own in-house SACD transports for use in their top gear, but that takes a pretty significant investment to achieve.

bart 05-29-2017 02:49 PM

Dan, this device has indeed interesting features.
Plays CD + streams virtually every format and has a (digital) preamplifier on board.
But, as you stated, its build quality doesn't look premium.

The multitude of functions puts it in a field with just a few competitors.
Everyone shopping in this segment should also consider the T+A MP 3100 Multi Player, which looks definitely more solid, does have a SACD reader and FM, but lacks the preamp function.

https://theaudiophileman.com/wp-cont...6-1080x457.jpg

jdandy 05-29-2017 07:39 PM

Bart.......Thanks for mentioning the T+A MP 3100 HV. I remember you posting about this component a few months back but I didn't take a good enough look to get interested. This is a unique audio component that looks very attractive. I see it uses a double laser system: SACD: 650 nm, CD: 785 nm. Interesting to note, T+A developed and manufactures their own transport.


https://images.cdn.whathifi.com/site...?itok=JqW-6fhp


The T+A MP 3100 HV includes an FM, FM-HD, DAB, and DAB+, plus Internet radio. That is a bonus feature not typically seen in streaming type multi-source audio component. This is an impressive player/DAC/streamer/tuner. Looks like about $15K US price.


http://www.hifiandmusicsource.com/wp...r-1024x512.jpg

Karl Maga 05-29-2017 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bart (Post 849133)
Dan, this device has indeed interesting features.
Plays CD + streams virtually every format and has a (digital) preamplifier on board.
But, as you stated, its build quality doesn't look premium.

The multitude of functions puts it in a field with just a few competitors.
Everyone shopping in this segment should also consider the T+A MP 3100 Multi Player, which looks definitely more solid, does have a SACD reader and FM, but lacks the preamp function.

https://theaudiophileman.com/wp-cont...6-1080x457.jpg

Bart, I have not seen the No. 519 in person so take this with a grain of salt, but I own a No. 523 and a pair of No. 536's; regarding these 3, the build quality is top notch. I'd assume the same for the No. 519, though as I said I've not seen it in person.

bart 05-30-2017 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl Maga (Post 849188)
Bart, I have not seen the No. 519 in person so take this with a grain of salt, but I own a No. 523 and a pair of No. 536's; regarding these 3, the build quality is top notch. I'd assume the same for the No. 519, though as I said I've not seen it in person.

Karl, I've heard and seen your gear in person.
My dealer also carries ML.
Fantastic!

That is why I am a bit disappointed when I look at the pics of the 519.
For a price tag of 20K, it pales in comparison to T+A (look at that hefty transport!), and Esoteric (ditto!).


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