Mark Levinson – No 5206 Dual Mono Preamplifier

U.S.A.-Made Mark Levinson No 5206 Preamplifier Features Class A, Pure Path, Fully Discrete, Direct-Coupled, Dual-Mono Line-Level Circuitry: Includes 32-Bit ESS SABRE PRO DAC, More

Class A, Pure Path, fully discrete, direct-coupled, dual-mono line-level circuitry: You won’t find the type bolstering the U.S.A.-made Mark Levinson No 5206 preamplifier in another company’s model because its double-patented design is exclusive – and the foundation on which the 34-pound unit rests. Coupled with a Pure Phono MM/MC preamplifier, 32-bit/384kHz ESS SABRE Pro Precision LinkII DAC, MainDrive headphone output, home-theater pass-through, and forward-looking connectivity, and the architecture turns No 5206 into a champion of sound, control, and flexibility.

Indeed, every aspect of No 5206 – which borrows many elements from the company’s flagship 500 Series and touts a dedicated 80VA toroidal transformer – contributes to its knockout performance. Inside, a unique single gain stage mated to a digitally controlled resistor network for volume adjustment maintains optimal signal integrity and extra-wide bandwidth. Each of the four line-level inputs – two balanced XLR and two single-ended, using custom Mark Levinson RCA connectors – claims its own individual high-reliability signal switching relays. Such care extends to the MainDrive headphone output, which employs a preamp output stage and power capacity to directly drive ‘phones without the need for a separate headphone amp.

Looking to spin vinyl? No 5206 wants to help. The newly engineered phono preamplifier features a hybrid gain topology, mating key discrete components from the acclaimed No 500 series Pure Phono stage with low-noise pre circuits. Also, again like the No 500 series, a hybrid active/passive RIAA equalizer uses precision resistors and polypropylene capacitors for exceptional accuracy and clarity. MM/MC gain and optional infrasonic filter fan be selected from set-up menu, while capacitive and resistive loading settings are easily accessed on the rear panel.

The 4.96 x 17.25 x 19.25-inch (HWD) No 5206 also covers you on the digital front. Capable of 4x DSD, the aforementioned DAC comes with jitter-elimination circuitry and a fully balanced, discrete, current-to-voltage converter. Six digital audio inputs (one AES, two coaxial, two optical S/PDIF, one asynchronous USB for high-resolution capability) as well as MQA decoding and an aptX Bluetooth receiver are all here, too. Ditto a Class A high-pass subwoofer filter, custom-integration options (IP, RS-232, 12V trigger), and aluminum remote control.

Visually, hallmark Mark Levinson traits – hourglass knobs with a gently curved profile, debossed top cover vents, a glass display recessed into a bead-blasted aluminum bezel, and one-inch-thick, bead-blasted, black-anodized, solid aluminum front panels – further place No 5206 in a league of its own. A five-year manufacturer warranty and our 100% Music Direct Satisfaction Guarantee ensure it stays there.