The Mark Levinson® № 523 preamplifier is a six-input dual-monaural preamplifier featuring Pure Path circuit design, class-A Pure Phono stage, and configurable balanced, unbalanced, and class-A Main Drive Headphone outputs. The Mark Levinson № 523 is the definitive preamplifier for the analog music lover. Six line-level analog and phono inputs travel through the Mark Levinson proprietary Pure Path discrete, direct-coupled, fully balanced, dual-monaural signal path for breathtaking purity and performance. With precision control including a discrete, balanced R-2R Ladder volume control, class-A Pure Phono stage, and class-A Main Drive Headphone output, the № 523 preamplifier delivers an uncompromising performance regardless of analog source. Housed in a 6000-series aluminum chassis, like all Mark Levinson equipment, the № 523 is designed and handcrafted in the USA. Mark Levinson Pure Path Circuit Design Since 1972, Mark Levinson has been dedicated to the uncompromising art of sound, with the guiding principle of musical purity above all else. To achieve that goal like never before, Mark Levinson engineers scoured company archives, ultimately developing a circuit-design philosophy called Pure Path. On a conceptual level, its hallmark principles include a discrete, direct-coupled, fully balanced, dual-monaural signal path that delivers unrestricted, uncompromised sonic purity. Far from merely arranging high quality components in an intelligent manner, Pure Path is the meeting of science and art: Mark Levinson engineers are tasked to create the best possible measured AND subjective performance. To quote Albert Einstein: “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” Pure Path highlights in the № 523 include Folded Cascodes, an R-2R Ladder volume
Line Stage Gain, Normal Gain Setting 13.5dB balanced; 7.5dB single-ended
Line Stage Frequency Response, 20Hz to 20KHz ±0.02dB
Line Stage Frequency Response, 0.4Hz to 370Hz +0.1 / -3dB
THD+N @ 1KHz (2VRMS Single-Ended or 4VRMS Balanced Output) <0.003%
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (REF. To 2VRMS Single-Ended or 4VRMS Balanced, Max Vol.) >115dB @ 1kHz