Any experience with Mark Levinson No. 523/526 Preamps?
Is anyone out there using the Mark Levinson No. 523 or 526 preamplifier? If yes, please post your impressions. There was a very positive review on Stereophile recently for the No. 526.
My DAC research led me to the awareness of the R2R ladder architecture being used by companies like Totaldac and MSB Technology whose products are well reviewed. ML uses this for their volume control. Another thing that appeals to me about these preamps also involve the inclusion of what appears to be a high quality phono preamp section and with the 526 a nice quality DAC.
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Primary System (Always in flux):
Analog Source: Rega RP10
Phono Preamp: Bryston BP2/PS3
Digital Software: Roon, Tidal Streaming
Digital Music Server: Melco N1A/2
Digital Sources: Totaldac d1-twelve SE MkII (factory upgraded from MKI) with "live power" 4 output power supply, Oppo UDP-205
Preamplifier: Rogue Audio RP-9 (factory upgraded from RP-7)
Amplifier: Vandersteen M5-HPA
Speakers: Vandersteen Quatro Wood CT w/IsoAcoustics Gaia 1 feet
Cabling: WW Platinum Starlight 7 digital wires, Totaldac Gigafilter USB filter, AQ Sky XLR, AQ Fire RCA
Speaker Cables: AudioQuest Oak spades ---> bi-wire spades
Power Cables: Esprit PC (for DAC), 2 WW Platinum Electra PC (Preamp/Phono Preamp), AQ NRG10 (Melco N1A/2), AQ Blizzard (Quatro Wood CT built-in subs)
Power Conditioning: 2 AQ Niagara 1000, 3 Oyaide R1 outlets
Sound Treatments: 23 ASC Tube Traps and 10 Panels
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