#11
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What a cool color. Alexx will be a monster improvement over Sasha's... In my case, even Alexias (v1) were a big improvement over Sasha 2s. And the Sasha's are no slouches!
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#12
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As an owner of these products since their release, I can only say I agree with George’s conclusions. I’ve had them paired with B&W 800 D2’s and Revel Salon2’s. In both instances the synergy was exquisite.
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#13
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I was there and I concur with George.
I missed the 601 to ML swap however. And I’m not familiar with the old pre. But the details and staging etc I agree with. |
#14
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Quote:
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#15
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I did ... the differences were small to nil. I can't promise the DAC in this unit was broken in ... I'm going to ask the Levinson rep that question when he picks up his gear. He's been very kind to leave it with me while mine has been on order which will be in tomorrow! With as big a difference as there was though I can't imagine the break in making up that much ground. Again ... Not really a fair comparison I'll admit as I've very quickly gotten spoiled to the EMM Labs DA2 Reference. I just don't see someone spending $15k on a preamp then settling for what amounts to a couple thousand dollar DAC. I'm guess we will see many more 523s in the market as opposed to the 526s. If I'm not mistaken it's either very similar or the same DAC that's in the 585 integrated. Makes more sense there I think although a good external DAC there is very audible as well as I did hear an EMM Labs DAC the first time with the 585 and the Focal kanta's and there was an audible difference there as well. The 585 with great partnering equipment really is very nice. Sorry for the rambling answer!
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#16
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I appreciate the details! I had been considering a 519, but the DAC is the same throughout the product line. I hadn’t reached the point of auditioning yet, but your observations are concerning. The single professional review I read of the 519 proclaimed it as exceptional, including the DAC.
I’ve heard the 585 with B&W 805 D3’s and I thought the combo was top shelf. |
#17
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So I'm not saying it's a bad DAC by any means ... just that everything I've compared it to sounded better! Granted they were all more expensive Dacs so really no different the built in phono or not decision ... decent performance with built in but far better performance can be had with an upgraded DAC. If the 519 is exactly the same then I would be very concerned about the price - value ratio.
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#18
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Digital is my preferred format, so the DAC is important to me. My current DAC – Bel Canto 2.7 gives me as much as what I’ve heard from the Mytek Manhattan II (excluding MQA – another consideration for SOME) at the dealer.
Obviously, for a new DAC I’m not interested in “as good as”. If it’s not better, then there is no point for me to part with the funds. I’d be expecting a lot from the 519 at its price point. I’ll have to verify that the DAC is the same in the 519 as it is the 526, though I’m confident in my current belief that it is. |
#19
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Yeah and at that price range there are some real heavy hitters out there for sure.
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#20
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Great system! I recently had the 523 in house for an extended audition and thought it was a top shelf piece. I agree that the new Levinson stuff is the best they've ever made....supposed to be highly reliable as well. I'd really love to try the 52....sonics aside, it really has the cool factor!
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