Founded in 1972, Mark Levinson has become synonymous with extraordinary levels of audio performance. From that heritage comes perhaps the finest, most-accomplished integrated amplifier ever made: the No.585.
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Mark Levinson No.585 is a fully balanced Class A/B integrated amplifier that features a 32â€bit LPCM and DSDâ€capable USB DAC. It is rated at a 200W per channel and its four analogue and six digital inputs will accommodate a number of sources. And when you take it out of the box and feel its 33kg, you'll immediately see that's something extraordinary in your hands. The design of black and silver color scheme and characteristic display shows that the No. 585 looks is Mark Levinson all around.
The foundation of the No.585 is its fully discrete, mirror-imaged, dual-monaural analog circuitry featuring individual signal switching relays for each of its four stereo inputs: one XLR and three RCA. Volume controls use discrete 15-bit R-2R ladders and low-noise analog switches for the widest possible bandwidth and maximum signal integrity. The fully-differential Class AB power stage includes an oversized 900VA toroidal transformer with individual secondary windings for the left and right channels.
Each amplifier channel utilizes 12 output transistors and multiple smaller local capacitors that allow them to be placed physically closer to the amplifiers for greater transient response when power is needed immediately. This architecture results in a conservative power rating of 200W per channel with stability into 2 ohms. System integration and expansion are possible using the stereo RCA preouts which can operate full-range.
This is also possible with an included switchable, second-order, 80Hz crossover filter allowing for seamless integration into 2.1-channel systems with powered subwoofers.
Mark Levinson has included a Clari-Fi setting, a technology that should improve the sound of compressed musid by attempting to reconstruct information lost during the compression. It may help but since we are not such big fans of compressed music and algorithms around them, we can only say try it and judge yourself. Overall, Mark Levinson No.585 will be happy with any music style you may feed it with and will give a precise sound picture, staying faithful to the original sound as close as possible. Indeed, the No.585 delivers superb sound. ■
