Mark Levinson №5206 Dual-Monaural Preamplifier – Mark Levinson

With Pure Path fully discrete, direct-coupled, dual-monaural line-level class A preamp circuitry, MM/MC phono stage, and Main Drive headphone output.

Evolution
Derived from the same Pure Path design philosophy as the distinguished Mark Levinson 500 Series products, the № 5206 preamplifier was created to deliver all the performance and quality expected from Mark Levinson with new affordability and exceptional value.

Architecture The foundation of the № 5206 is its fully discrete, direct-coupled, dual-monaural line-level preamp circuitry, for which the Shelton design team has been awarded two patents. A unique single gain stage mated to a digitally controlled resistor network for volume adjustment maintains maximum signal integrity and widest possible bandwidth. Each of its four stereo line-level inputs—two balanced XLR and two single-ended, using custom Mark Levinson RCA connectors—has its own individual high-reliability signal switching relays. Like the № 500 series components, the Main Drive headphone output employs a preamp output stage specifically designed with the current and power capacity to drive headphones directly, without a separate headphone amp. Brand New Phono Section A newly designed phono stage features a hybrid gain topology, mating key discrete components from the acclaimed 500 Series Pure Phono stage with low-noise pre circuits for high performance at a lower cost. Also, like the 500 Series, a hybrid active/passive RIAA equalizer employs precision resistors and polypropylene capacitors for exceptional accuracy and sonic clarity. The user can select MM/MC gain and optional infrasonic filter from the setup menu, while capacitive and resistive loading settings are easily accessed from the rear panel. Variable line-level RCA outputs allow system expansion and flexibility.

Digital Audio
The № 5206 delivers outstanding digital audio capability through the Mark Levinson Precision Link II™ DAC. The class-leading ESS Sabre Pro series 32-bit D/A converter with jitter elimination circuitry and a fully balanced, discrete current-to-voltage converter form the heart of the digital audio processing stage. Six digital audio inputs are provided: One AES, two coaxial and two optical S/PDIF, and one asynchronous USB for playback of high-resolution PCM (up to 32 bit/384kHz) and DSD (up to 11.2MHz) files. The № 5206 includes MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) technology, which enables playback of MQA audio files and streams. A Bluetooth receiver equipped with aptX-HD enables the high-quality Bluetooth playback.

Control
System integration and communication ports include Ethernet, USB, RS-232, IR input, and 12V trigger input and output. A newly designed, solid aluminum IR remote is included with the № 5206. Finally, an internal webpage allows setup, import and export of configurations, and software updates using a PC and standard web browser.

Industrial Design
Robust materials, lavish finishes, and bold geometry are hallmark attributes of Mark Levinson designs. The one-inch-thick, bead-blasted, black-anodized, solid aluminum front panels are machined and contoured to flow seamlessly into the sleek glass display, which itself is recessed into a bead-blasted, clear-anodized aluminum bezel. The iconic hourglass knobs redefined with a gently curved profile softly transitioning into a rounded front. With meticulous details, including, debossed top cover vents, screen-printed logo and legends behind the glass panel, and custom machined aluminum Standby and Menu buttons, and matching feet, the № 5206 exudes elegance and style. The № 5206 is proudly designed, engineered, and precision-crafted in the USA.

№5206 Highlights

• Pure Path Class A Design
• Main Drive Class A Headphone Out
• Home Theater Processor Pass-Thru Mode
• Class A High Pass Subwoofer Filter
• MQA Full Decode Certified
• Bluetooth Audio Input Including Aptx-HD Support
• Mark Levinson 5Kontrol APP
• Precision Crafted In The USA

What’s in the box?

• Power Cord
• Owner’s Manual
• Custom Aluminum Remote Control

Specifications:

ANALOG LINE STAGE

• Gain: 8dB maximum, single-ended outputs, 14dB maximum, balanced outputs
• Output Overload: >7.5V RMS, single-ended outputs, >15V RMS, balanced outputs
• Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz, ±0.03dB,
• Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.003%, 20Hz to 20kHz, [At unity gain volume setting, 2V RMS single-ended/4V RMS balanced out]
• Signal-To-Noise Ratio: >93dB, 20Hz to 20kHz, wideband, unweighted [At unity gain volume setting, referred to 2V RMS single-ended/4V RMS balanced out]
• System Gain: Selectable; 80Hz, 2nd order (12dB/octave)

PHONO STAGE

• RIAA Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz, ±0.3dB
• Infrasonic Filter: Selectable; 20Hz, 1st order, (6dB/octave)

MOVING-MAGNET MODE

• Input Resistance: 47kΩ
• Input Capacitance: Selectable; 20, 70, 120, or 170pF
• Gain: 39dB at 1kHz
• Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.01%, 1kHz, 2V RMS output, <0.05%, 20Hz to 20kHz, 2V RMS output
• Signal-To-Noise Ratio: >80dB, 20Hz to 20kHz, wideband, unweighted, referred to 2V RMS output
• Maximum Input Level: >190mV at 1kHz, >1.6V at 20kHz

MOVING-COIL MODE

• Input Resistance: Selectable; 37Ω to 1000Ω
• Gain: 69dB at 1kHz
• Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.01%, 1kHz, 2V RMS output, <0.05%, 20Hz to 20kHz, 2V RMS output
• Signal-To-Noise Ratio: >68dB, 20Hz to 20kHz, wideband, unweighted, referred to 2V RMS output
• Maximum Input Level: >6.5mV at 1kHz, >19mV at 20kHz

DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER STAGE

• Output Voltage: 5.6V RMS at 0dBFS, maximum volume, single-ended outputs, 11.2V RMS at 0dBFS, maximum volume, balanced outputs
• Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz, +0/–0.05dB [with 44.1kHz/16 bit signal], 20Hz to 20kHz, +0/–0.02dB [with 192kHz/24 bit signal]
• Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.0025%, 20Hz to 20kHz, 3V RMS single-ended output [with 44.1kHz/16 bit signal], <0.002%, 20Hz to 20kHz, 6V RMS balanced output [with 44.1kHz/16 bit signal], <0.002%, 20Hz to 20kHz, 3V RMS single-ended output [with 192kHz/24 bit signal], <0.0017%, 20Hz to 20kHz, 6V RMS balanced output [with 192kHz/24 bit signal], <0.004%, 90kHz, 3V RMS single-ended output [with 192kHz/24 bit signal], <0.003%, 90kHz, 6V RMS balanced
• Signal-To-Noise Ratio: >92dB, 20Hz to 20kHz, wideband, unweighted, with 44.1kHz/16 bit signal [referred to 3V RMS single-ended or 6V RMS balanced output], >98dB, 20Hz to 20kHz, wideband, unweighted, with 192kHz/24 bit signal [referred to 3V RMS single-ended or 6V RMS balanced output]
• Sample Rates/Bit Depth: PCM: 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, or 384kHz; up to 32 bits
• DSD: Native or DoP; single, double, or quad speed (2.8, 5.6, or 11.2MHz)

HEADPHONE OUTPUT

• Total harmonic distortion: <0.04%, 20Hz and 1kHz, 2V RMS output, 30Ω load, <0.1%, 20kHz, 2V RMS output, 30Ω load
• Output overload: >3.3V RMS, 30Ω load
• Signal-to-noise ratio: >88dB, 20Hz to 20kHz, wideband, unweighted, referred to 2V RMS output

GENERAL

Analog input connectors

• 2 pairs balanced line-level inputs (XLR)
• 2 pairs single-ended line-level inputs (RCA)
• 1 pair single-ended moving-coil phono inputs (RCA)
• 1 pair single-ended moving-magnet phono inputs (RCA)

Digital audio connectors (№5206 only)

• 2 coaxial S/PDIF inputs (RCA)
• 2 optical S/PDIF inputs (Toslink)
• 1 balanced AES/EBU input (XLR)
• 1 asynchronous USB input (USB-B)

Output connectors:

• 1 pair single-ended line-level outputs (RCA)
• 1 pair balanced line-level outputs (XLR)

Control connectors:

• 1 RS-232 port (DB-9)
• 1 Ethernet port (RJ-45)
• 1 USB port for firmware updates (USB-A)
• 1 baseband IR input (⅛”/3.5mm phone jack)
• 1 programmable 12V DC trigger output, 100mA maximum (⅛”/3.5mm phone jack)
• 1 programmable 12V DC trigger input (⅛”/3.5mm phone jack)

Power consumption:

• Power on: 70W
• Power on (headphones connected): 85W
• Normal standby: 65W
• Power Save standby: 4W
• Green standby: <0.4W

Dimensions/Weight:

• 4.96″ high x 17.25″ wide 19.25″ deep with knobs and rear connectors
• Weight: 34 lbs.

Audiolab Stereo & Video Center