AudioSalon - scotlands first and foremost hi-fi dealer since 1979

Archived Music Reviews | Vinyl
About Us | History | Contact Us | Find Us
Analogue | CD / Digital | Amplification | Loudspeakers | Accessories | Manufacturers
Latest News | Magazine Adverts | Price Changes | Latest Music Reviews | Buy Hi-Fi?
Brinkman LaGrange | Gryphon Poseidon | Opera Tebaldi |
Conductor System | Soundstage System | Pinnacle System | Master System | Esoteric System | Scandinavian Dream System | Connoisseur System
Hi-Fi Magazines | Home Cinema Mags | Articles of Note | General Manufacturers | Music Suppliers
Manufacturer List | subglobal8 link | subglobal8 link | subglobal8 link | subglobal8 link | subglobal8 link | subglobal8 link
small logo
mark levinson no 383

Mark Levinson No. 326S
Pre Amplifier

Click for Price

The No.326S features audio circuits, controls, architecture, and optional phono modules based on the critically acclaimed No.32. In fact, some audio circuits, such as the proprietary discrete volume attenuators, are identical to those found in the No.32. The No.326S is similar to the No.320S, but the main circuit board has been replaced with an Arlon board that responds more quickly to transient signals in both the high and low frequency regions. The Arlon also presents a deeper imaging that reveals more of the subtle nuances of a recording, imparts a more engaging texture to the high frequencies, and presents more of the ambience of a recording. All of these properties work together to yield a sonic signature that is wider, deeper, warmer, and clearly superior.

Awards

Stereo Sound - Golden Sound Award 2004
Swing Journal - Jazz Component Award: Preamplifiers 2004

Review

Stereophile Jan 2006:
"What I did become increasingly aware of during my time with the Levinson No.326S was the fact that "neutrality" is not merely an absence of aberration but a positive virtue. I could hear more deeply into the mix, but without detail being spotlit or unnaturally thrown forward. Subtle details were presented with greatercontrast against a quieter ground in all of these recordings: the reverberation tails that follow Joe Morello's kick drum highlights in his drum soloin "Take 5" from Dave Brubeck's Time Out (SACD, Sony 7464-65122-6)" - John Arkinson

After 6 months of testing John compared it to a host of other high end preamps and gave it a glowing recommendation saying that it offered all he wanted from a preamp.

 

With a single-chassis design, the No.326S achieves separation of audio circuit, control circuit, and power supply sections similar to that of the dual-chassis No.32. The internal structure of the No.326S separates these sections, while a steel shield box protects the power supply and other circuits against electrostatic and magnetic interference. Filtered AC power is routed outside audio circuit sections, providing audio circuits with the quiet, shielded environment essential for superior sound.

Like most high-performance audio components, the No.326S relies on clean, noise-free AC power to deliver maximum performance. Unfortunately, most AC power does not meet these standards. Common household appliances such as refrigerators, TVs, and computers often contaminate AC power lines with line noise, spikes, and other irregularities that make it difficult for audio circuits to perform up to their full potential.

To compensate for this, the No.326S offers a series of highly effective noise suppression and isolation techniques that begin filtering AC power for noise as soon as it enters the chassis. Audio and control circuit sections use independent power supplies, each with its own low-noise toroidal transformer. The audio circuit power transformer includes a Faraday shield between the AC power line and low-voltage secondaries for improved isolation.

Following the Mark Levinson tradition, the No.326S exceeds all reasonable expectations for a stereo preamplifier. Its flexible design including seven configurable inputs, separate main and record output connectors, and complete surround sound processor integration allow it to accommodate a wide range of demands. Even more, a series of advanced techniques shield audio circuits, resulting in an incomparable sound befitting sophisticated music reproduction systems.

Mark Levinson 326S "What I did become increasingly aware of during my time with the Levinson No.326S was the fact that "neutrality" is not merely an absence of aberration but a positive virtue. I could hear more deeply into the mix, but without detail being spotlit or unnaturally thrown forward. Subtle details were presented with greatercontrast against a quieter ground in all of these recordings: the reverberation tails that follow Joe Morello's kick drum highlights in his drum soloin "Take 5" from Dave Brubeck's Time Out (SACD, Sony 7464-65122-6)" - John Arkinson - Stereophile Jan 2006

After 6 months of testing John compared it to a host of other high end preamps and gave it a glowing recommendation saying that it offered all he wanted from a preamp.

Ayre Acoustics C-5xeMP Universal Disk Player "...but for the resolutely two-channel audiophile, the C-5xeMP represents one of the most seductive choices available today." - Paul Miller Apr 2007 HiFi News

Stereophile Extract: " I've heard a lot of impressive audio components over the years, but I've heard very few that afforded me greater musical pleasure or sent me on as many voyages of musical discovery through discs I thought I knew well." - Wes Phillips, July, 2005

Gryphon Diablo The ultimate reference integrated amplifier, pure music at its best.

The Diablo sounded just beautiful in my system. It was also perfect in operation, with some unique features -- such as that wonderful touch-panel faceplate. All of this makes for an easy and hearty recommendation. It may or may not be built by wizards in some far-off land, but the Gryphon Diablo is a real product that any audiophile who seeks magic from his audio system should fully explore.’
Jeff Fritz, Soundstage

Brinkmann LaGrange turntableThe Brinkmann LaGrange turntable is without a doubt the best source component I have ever had the chance to enjoy over an extended period of time. It represents a level of perfection and emotional connection to music that I have never heard before. - Danny Kaey extract from Positive Feedback

Teac Esoteric DV-60Stereophile Class A+ Rated Universal Player gets an Upgrade!
Dave Robinson, the editor in chief at www.positive-feedback.com  wrote..." "Blow me down!" said Popeye—and so do I about the Teac Esoteric DV-60. Over the past year, I've lived with this superb universal player, and have gotten to try it with just about everything you could feed it on an optical disc. It has been flawless in operation, is impeccable in ergonomics and fittings, and is glorious for both video and audio playback.

Gryphon PoseidonThere are Loudspeakers and then there is the Gryphon Poseidon, In our opinion the best loudspeaker system in the world bar none.

I could say the Poseidon's are awesome and amazing, but more than that they are truly majestic and magical. So often the quality of a product is overstated by reviewers in order to make a magazine review seem more interesting. It would be most difficult to overstate the sonic abilities of the Poseidon.

About Us | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | ©2005 AudioSalon the town house 4 park circus glasgow g3 6ax scotland (t) 0845 4000 400