AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Manufacturers Forums > Mark Levinson

Mark Levinson Sound that Speaks for Itself

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12-30-2011, 06:50 PM
Uberbrown's Avatar
Uberbrown Uberbrown is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 981
Default Levinson Reliability???

Fellas,

I have a question for you all.

I have an opportunity to pick up a Levinson 433 that would meet my needs very well. It is from an authorized dealer, full warranty, and has functioned flawlessly since 2008 as a demo. Perfect condition.

My question is. I know the 3xx Levinson amps had cap problems, but are the 4xx amps reliable? It seems that some have failed, but I have not heard of any 433 issues, as these were designed after the 431, 432, and 436.

Thanks for the info.

Tim
__________________
For I am not ashamed, for I know [in] Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able...
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-30-2011, 07:52 PM
Myles B. Astor's Avatar
Myles B. Astor Myles B. Astor is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: New York City
Posts: 1,316
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Uberbrown View Post
Fellas,

I have a question for you all.

I have an opportunity to pick up a Levinson 433 that would meet my needs very well. It is from an authorized dealer, full warranty, and has functioned flawlessly since 2008 as a demo. Perfect condition.

My question is. I know the 3xx Levinson amps had cap problems, but are the 4xx amps reliable? It seems that some have failed, but I have not heard of any 433 issues, as these were designed after the 431, 432, and 436.

Thanks for the info.

Tim
I had the ML 332 amplifier and it's matching preamp for review many years ago and never had any problems. Know that's an anectodal report worth publishing
__________________
Myles Astor, Senior Editor., Positive-Feedback.com, Goldmund Telos 300 amplifier, Goldmund Mimesis 37S Nextgen preamplifier, Doshi EVO phono and tape stages; Zellaton Plural EVO speakers; VPI Vanquish Turntable, VPI 12-inch Fat Boy gimbal arm and SAT LM-12 arm; Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, Fuuga mk.2, vdh Colibri Master Signature cartridges; Technics 1506/FM heads; Various cables including TA, MIT, Kubala-Sosna, Skogrand, Viero L3 Equilibrio speaker cables, Audience, SRA Craz 3 rack, Isobase and OHIO Class XL+2.1 platforms.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-31-2011, 12:01 AM
lakesailor's Avatar
lakesailor lakesailor is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Okanagan, B.C. Canada
Posts: 454
Default

The Levinson 43X series amps were all based on the Proceed HPA 2/3/5 series amps. When Madrigal shut down the Proceed HT division the HPA series of amps all underwent very minor revisions and became the Levinson 43X series. These amps had very tight operating tolerances and generally require servicing from a knowledgeable tech on a somewhat regular basis. They are excellent amps and are very dynamic. If you do buy the 433 and run into an issue I have the HPA schematics that I could send to you. From my experience this series of amps has no cap problems.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-31-2011, 10:21 AM
Uberbrown's Avatar
Uberbrown Uberbrown is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 981
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by lakesailor View Post
The Levinson 43X series amps were all based on the Proceed HPA 2/3/5 series amps. When Madrigal shut down the Proceed HT division the HPA series of amps all underwent very minor revisions and became the Levinson 43X series. These amps had very tight operating tolerances and generally require servicing from a knowledgeable tech on a somewhat regular basis. They are excellent amps and are very dynamic. If you do buy the 433 and run into an issue I have the HPA schematics that I could send to you. From my experience this series of amps has no cap problems.
Thank you.

I just sold the HPA5 to upgrade, so that may rule out the 433.

Back to the Drawing Board!
__________________
For I am not ashamed, for I know [in] Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able...
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-02-2012, 01:46 AM
sonicbath sonicbath is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 1
Default

Lakesailor,

If you would be so kind to share your schematics for the HPA, I would be highly appreciative. This is purely precautionary as my HPA 3 has performed flawlessly but eventually, the caps will need attention.

TIA... Sonicbath.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-15-2012, 08:04 AM
eadomin eadomin is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 1
Default

Hello Lakesailor,

I own two Proceed HPA 3 (original owner), and have a problem with one of the amps. In my country, the Harman Kardon dealership has changed three times in the past five years. As you can imagine, the actual dealer does´nt even know the Proceed brand. I have a local technician that repairs amps but the schematics are needed. I would like to know if I can get this information from you.

Thank you,

eadomin
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-01-2012, 05:55 PM
jimbracy jimbracy is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 1
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by lakesailor View Post
The Levinson 43X series amps were all based on the Proceed HPA 2/3/5 series amps. When Madrigal shut down the Proceed HT division the HPA series of amps all underwent very minor revisions and became the Levinson 43X series. These amps had very tight operating tolerances and generally require servicing from a knowledgeable tech on a somewhat regular basis. They are excellent amps and are very dynamic. If you do buy the 433 and run into an issue I have the HPA schematics that I could send to you. From my experience this series of amps has no cap problems.
Hi, I've got an HPA 2 and it started going into protected mode. I have narrowed it down to the #2 amp board. Do you still have the schematics to the HPA? If so, could you share them with me? Thanks, Jim
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-23-2012, 01:16 AM
Tru-Tech Tru-Tech is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 1
Default

Lakesailor,

I also would be very appreciative to have the HPA schematics. I currently have an HPA3 here on my bench that I am repairing and service information would most certainly be welcome.

Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to provide.

Ron
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-28-2017, 04:03 PM
Bohwete Bohwete is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1
Default

Lakesailor,
I would really appreciate if you could send me the schematics
for the HPA. I own a HPA5 that is defective on 2 channels and i really
like the sound of the amp as the 3 other channels work flawlessly.

Regards Christian
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 07-24-2019, 10:49 AM
brad1138 brad1138 is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 48
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by lakesailor View Post
The Levinson 43X series amps were all based on the Proceed HPA 2/3/5 series amps. When Madrigal shut down the Proceed HT division the HPA series of amps all underwent very minor revisions and became the Levinson 43X series. These amps had very tight operating tolerances and generally require servicing from a knowledgeable tech on a somewhat regular basis. They are excellent amps and are very dynamic.

I am curious (if you know) how the Proceed BPA 2 fits into that. From what I have found, which is next to nothing, it is basically the same as an HPA 2 with about 1/2 the power (125 wpc).

I sold my ML 331 and bought the BPA-2, they do sound very similar. I also read the BPA-2 is Class A for the 1st few watts, which is more than I ask of it in it's current system. I usually listen at around 60 to 70 dB, which is probably closer to 0.1 watt.

The ML had a very slight hum, and I was worried I wouldn't be able to afford to repair it if it ever had a serious problem.

I bought the ML for $1,800 sold it for $2,300 and bought the Proceed for $700. So that worked out well, and I don't have to worry about having so much (to me) tied up in the one piece.

I do miss how cool the ML looked though...






Last edited by brad1138; 07-24-2019 at 11:17 AM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:32 AM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video