The new Mark Levinson No5206 preamplifier is a revolution in preamplifier design and engineering

Drawing upon a rich pedigree and strong design philosophy, and applying newly patented innovations, the Mark Levinson No5206 dual-monaural preamplifier debuts today, providing audiophiles and discerning music lovers with exceptional sound, outstanding digital and analog audio capabilities, and iconic design that enhances any room environment. Derived from Mark Levinson’s highly-acclaimed Pure Path design philosophy, the No5206 preamplifier delivers all the performance and quality expected from Mark Levinson at exceptional value with a price of $9000.

“Mark Levinson is synonymous with peerless audio performance,” said Jim Garrett, Senior Director, Product Strategy and Planning, HARMAN Luxury Audio. “The brand-new Mark Levinson No5206 preamplifier meets all expectations of performance, except that it’s more accessible than other offerings in our line. As such, it presents a compelling opportunity to new audiences to access sound they may never have heard before.”

The foundation of the Mark Levinson No5206 is its fully discrete, direct-coupled, dual-monaural line-level preamp circuitry, for which the HARMAN 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 MainDrive headphone output employs a preamp output stage specifically designed with the current and power capacity to drive headphones directly, without a separate headphone amp.

A brand-new phono stage features a hybrid gain topology, mating key discrete components from the acclaimed 500 Series Pure Phono stage with premium, low-noise integrated circuits for high performance at a lower cost. Also, like the iconic Mark Levinson 500 series from which the new No5206 draws inspiration, a hybrid active/passive RIAA equalizer employs precision resistors and polypropylene capacitors for exceptional accuracy and sonic clarity. Listeners 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.

Two stereo pairs of variable line-level outputs, balanced XLR and single-ended RCA, allow system expansion and flexibility. Each can be user configured to work with an on-board, fully discrete high-pass filter for use with a subwoofer in a 2.1 system.

“Audio insiders will recognize the DNA of the distinguished Mark Levinson 500 Series in the new No5206,” Garrett added. “When you have foundational technology like that at your disposal and can then apply the engineering skills of HARMAN’s Shelton, CT powerhouse to come up with new ideas like the circuit topology and gain structure, you’re going to have a winner. I am very excited to leverage proprietary technologies in this way and offer the No5206 at prices that new
audiences can access!”

The No5206 features Mark Levinson Precision Link IITM DAC. A class-leading ESS Sabre Pro series 32-bit D/A converter with jitter elimination circuitry is implemented with five independent low-noise power supplies and a fully balanced, discrete current-to-voltage converter. 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. In addition, a high quality Bluetooth input offers aptX-HD decoding. The No5206 includes MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) technology, which enables full decoding of MQA® audio files and streams. With PurePath fully discrete, direct coupled, dual-monaural line-level Class A preamp circuitry, MM/MC phono stage, and MainDrive headphone output, the No5206 is ideal for many listening choices.

The design of the new No5206 incorporates the iconic hourglass knobs redefined with a gently curved profile softly transitioning into a rounded front. Other meticulous details include debossed top cover vents, custom machined aluminum Standby and Menu buttons, and matching feet, allowing for the No5206 to exude elegance and style. Premium materials, lavish finishes, and feature bold geometry has become hallmark 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.

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, and the No5206 is also programmable via standard browser-based interface for setup, import and export of configurations and software updates.

The No5206 is proudly designed, engineered and precision-crafted in the USA. The new 5000 series products debuted during the Mark Levinson Reveals virtual event, for more information on the event and to watch it back click here.

ABOUT HARMAN
HARMAN (harman.com) designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions; and services supporting the Internet of Things. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, HARMAN is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the world. More than 50 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. Our software services power billions of mobile devices and systems that are connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from work and home to car and mobile. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 30,000 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In March 2017, HARMAN became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
For more information contact:

Eva Murphy Ryan
Brand Definition
eva@brand-definition.com
+1 503-412-9985

Caroline Bresler
Brand Definition
carolineb@brand-defintition.com
+1 503-688-3662