CES 2016, LAS VEGAS – Today, HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated (NYSE:HAR), the premier connected technologies company for automotive, consumer and enterprise markets, previewed the forthcoming Mark Levinson № 519 Audio Player, a remarkably versatile ultra high-end source component designed to accommodate every digital audio format. The № 519 was designed to be the heart of high-performance audio systems, with the ability to play back virtually any audio format from streaming music services to networked storage, to CD to high-resolution digital inputs and even convenient Bluetooth® wireless. In addition, it includes high-performance headphone connectivity and integrated digital volume control allowing it to serve as a fully integrated digital music source.
“We created the Mark Levinson № 519 to be nothing less than the optimal digital music playback component for the way today’s listeners access their music,” said Jim Garrett, Director of Marketing and Product Management, HARMAN. “The № 519 lets music lovers enjoy music from nearly any source experience whether it’s the latest high-resolution streaming audio format, their CD collection or even from their mobile devices.”
Designed and engineered at HARMAN’s Engineering Center of Excellence in Shelton, CT, USA, the № 519 provides a full compliment of wired and wireless digital audio inputs and as well as an integrated slot-loading CD player, making it a truly universal digital audio playback device. The integrated high-resolution DAC receives its nine digital inputs including USB asynchronous streaming and mass storage, Gigabit Ethernet, Balanced, Optical, Coaxial, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless featuring aptX® technology for maximum resolution.
The Mark Levinson № 519 offers high-resolution digital decoding up to 24-bit, 192kHz from PCM and double-speed DSD. Its DAC incorporates an ESS Sabre32 Reference converter for superlative musical accuracy with exceptional resolution and dynamic range. The № 519 contains a complete embedded Linux computer, delivering outstanding performance headroom for flawless performance, regardless of configuration. It contains Spotify Connect, TIDAL, QOBUZ, Deezer®, Rhapsody® or Napster® and a large library of internet radio stations and podcasts for a virtually limitless library for discovering and auditioning new music. For listeners whose libraries contain older or lower resolution content, the № 519 contains HARMAN Clari-Fi® music restoration technology, which rebuilds musicality and detail lost in the compression process.
The № 519 features a proprietary Mark Levinson discrete, direct coupled, fully balanced, dual-monaural signal path offering balanced and single-ended analog outputs, balanced, optical and coaxial digital outputs and a high-performance headphone outputs integrated into the front panel. Digital volume control enables usage as a standalone music playback device connected directly to a power amplifier or active loudspeakers without the need for a separate preamp, and selectable low-pass filtering enables the unbalanced outputs to be used for subwoofer integration. The № 519 is also the first Mark Levinson component to include a headphone output with the ability to directly drive high-performance headphones.
The № 519 is built to the absolute finest standards of materials, fit and finish, featuring a 6000-series aluminum housing in black with silver trim. The № 519 can be operated from its large, front-panel color display, included remote control, Apple iOS® and Google Android™ apps, all major web browsers and via a comprehensive range of system integration connections. Like all Mark Levinson products, the № 519 is designed and handcrafted in the USA.
The Mark Levinson № 519 Digital Player will be available in July 2016.
[Highlights]
•Mark Levinson proprietary discrete, direct coupled, fully balanced, dual-monaural signal path
•Plays up to 24-bit, 192kHz PCM, double-speed DSD, CD, and virtually all 2-channel formats
•Designed and handcrafted in the USA
•Digital inputs: USB, Balanced, two Optical, two Coaxial, two USB drives, Bluetooth, Network
•Mark Levinson DAC featuring the renowned ESS Sabre 32-bit processor
•Analog balanced and unbalanced, digital, and headphone outputs
•Spotify, TIDAL, Qobuz, Deezer, Rhapsody, internet radio, and podcasts built in (availability varies by region)
№ 519 PREVIEW
The Mark Levinson № 519 is a complete, modern music player for today’s music lover. It combines wireless and wired music streaming with a traditional CD player, plus connections for USB drives, additional digital sources, and Bluetooth audio and HARMAN Clari-Fi® technology; all in an uncompromising package featuring Mark Levinson proprietary system design and a 6000-series aluminum chassis. The № 519 sports a large, color display, comes with a matching remote control, and also can be controlled with iOS and Android apps, all major web browsers, and a host of system integration connections. Like all Mark Levinson products, the № 519 is proudly designed and handcrafted in the USA.
Wired and wireless streaming, CD player, and DAC
•Play from streaming services, home network, devices, players, and discs
•Bluetooth wireless audio with high-quality aptX for instant wireless music with maximum Bluetooth sound quality
•Plays virtually all high-resolution audio formats: enjoy 24-bit, 192kHz PCM, 5.8MHz DSD, FLAC, ALAC, and more
Proprietary Mark Levinson discrete, direct coupled, fully balanced, dual-monaural signal path
•Pure, uncompromising sound quality without restriction, limitation, noise, or coloration• Mark Levinson DAC for outstanding, jitter-free performance using award-winning circuit design
•A complete embedded Linux computer delivers outstanding performance headroom for flawless performance, regardless of configuration
•HARMAN Clari-Fi music restoration technology restores compressed music, intelligently and musically
Limitless control and integration
•Control from front panel, remote, mobile and browser, system integration: beautiful graphic interfaces for a variety of control methods
•Analog outputs with volume control (balanced and unbalanced), digital outputs, plus front-panel headphone output enables direct connection to amplifiers, with no preamplifier needed, if desired
CES 2016, LAS VEGAS – Today, HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated (NYSE:HAR), the premier connected technologies company for automotive, consumer and enterprise markets, previewed the forthcoming Mark Levinson № 526 Dual-Monaural Preamplifier with high-resolution DAC and integrated Phono stage. The complete preamplifier for enthusiasts of all music formats, the № 526 combines five line-level analog, phono, and six digital inputs with the acclaimed Mark Levinson DAC and HARMAN Clari-Fi® music restoration technology in an uncompromising package featuring Mark Levinson proprietary system design and a 6000-series aluminum chassis.
“With the Mark Levinson № 526, music lovers can enjoy the best possible sound from all of their music, whether listening to their treasured LP collection, discovering new music using streaming services, or enjoying high-resolution digital music,” said Jim Garrett, Director of Marketing and Product Management, HARMAN. “The № 526 delivers the ultrahigh-end sound quality and faithfulness to the music that every Mark Levinson product is renowned for, in a component that is forward-looking and complete.”
Designed and engineered at HARMAN’s Engineering Center of Excellence in Shelton, CT, USA, the Mark Levinson № 526 delivers musical experiences with extraordinary fidelity, enabling tremendous emotional involvement. Its proprietary Mark Levinson signal path is fully discrete, fully balanced and completely dual-monaural, with a with discrete, balanced R-2R ladder volume control to maintain the highest level of sonic purity, resolution, transparency and dynamic range.
The № 526 offers connectivity to accommodate any analog and digital music source. Its ultra low-noise phono stage accommodates low-output moving-coil as well as moving-magnet cartridges and has selectable gain and resistive and capacitive loading settings as well as a selectable high-pass filter for reducing infrasonic rumble. The № 526 also has two balanced analog and three single-ended analog audio inputs. The Mark Levinson № 526 offers high-resolution digital decoding up to 24-bit, 192kHz from PCM and double-speed DSD. Its DAC incorporates an ESS Sabre32 Reference converter for superlative musical accuracy with exceptional resolution and dynamic range. Six digital audio inputs including asynchronous USB, AES/EBU balanced, Toslink optical and coaxial unbalanced feed the digital signal path. For listeners whose libraries contain older or lower resolution content, the № 519 contains HARMAN Clari-Fi® music restoration technology, which rebuilds musicality and detail lost in the compression process.
The № 526 provides both balanced and single-ended analog outputs, which can be configured with optional low-pass filtering for integration of subwoofers. Adding to its versatility, the № 526 features a front-panel headphone output with the ability to directly drive high-performance headphones.
The № 526 is built to the absolute finest standards of materials, fit and finish, featuring a 6000-series aluminum housing in black with silver trim. The № 526 can be operated from its front panel, included remote control and via a comprehensive range of system integration connections. Like all Mark Levinson products, the № 526 is designed and handcrafted in the USA.
The Mark Levinson № 526 Dual-Monaural Preamplifier with DAC will be available in May 2016.
[Highlights]
•Mark Levinson proprietary discrete, direct coupled, fully balanced, dual-monaural signal path
•Analog inputs: two balanced, three unbalanced, phono with grounding pin
•Mark Levinson DAC featuring the renowned ESS Sabre 32-bit processor
•Discrete, balanced R-2R ladder volume controls
•Analog outputs: XLR balanced pair, RCA unbalanced pair, 1/4-inch (6.3mm) headphone
•Phono stage with selectable gain, high-pass filter, resistive and capacitive-loading settings
•Digital inputs: USB asynchronous, AES/EBU balanced, two Toslink optical, two Coaxial
•Supports high-resolution formats including 24-bit, 192kHz PCM and double-speed DSD
•Selectable fourth-order, 80 Hz high-pass filter allows seamless integration of subwoofer
The Mark Levinson № 526 is a forward-looking preamplifier for today’s music lover. It combines five line-level analog, phono, and six digital inputs with the acclaimed Mark Levinson DAC and HARMAN Clari-Fi® music restoration technology. Proprietary Mark Levinson discrete, direct-coupled, fully balanced, dual-monaural signal path with discrete, balanced R-2R ladder volume controls delivers an uncompromising performance. Housed in a 6000-series aluminum chassis, like all Mark Levinson equipment, the № 526 is designed and handcrafted in the USA.
Line-level analog, phono, and digital inputs
•Play from virtually any source player or device
•Plays high-resolution audio including 24-bit, 192kHz PCM and double-speed MHz DSD
Proprietary Mark Levinson discrete, direct coupled, fully balanced, dual-monaural signal path
•Pure, uncompromising sound quality without restriction, limitation, noise, or coloration
•Mark Levinson DAC for outstanding, jitter-free performance using award-winning circuit design
•High-current output stage is unaffected by long or capacitive interconnects and drives headphones directly; selectable fourth-order, 80 Hz high-pass filter allows seamless integration of subwoofer
•HARMAN Clari-Fi music restoration technology restores compressed music, intelligently and musically
Highly configurable phono input stage
•Selectable gain for moving-magnet and moving-coil turntables
•High-pass filter for reducing rumble
•Resistive-loading and capacitive-loading settings for complete tailoring of performance
The Progression mono amplifier is the largest and most powerful the company has made to date, delivering 800 watts into 8 Ohms, doubling to 1600 watts into 4 Ohms and doubling again to 3,200 watts into 2 Ohms. It employs a fully complementary driver stage, beefed up with 84 output transistors, a 4000 VA power supply transformer and 400,000 microfarads of power supply storage capacitance.
The iconic look of the Momentum amplifiers’ power meters, inspired by the elegant faces of classic Swiss watches, continues with the Progression series. The Progression mono amplifier features a new meter design with a 270-degree needle swing, driven by a high-speed ballistic circuit that enhances the meter’s responsiveness. The longer swing allows the needle to cover the amplifier’s entire output range.
The venturi heatsink design premiered in the Momentum amplifiers has been adapted to the cooling needs of the Progression mono amplifier by adding a second row of venturis to each heatsink. Each heatsink is milled from a single, 48.5-pound aluminum billet.
The Progression mono amplifier is projected to ship in the first quarter of 2016 at $36,000 per pair, and will be available in silver or black finish. The Progression mono amplifier will be followed by a stereo amplifier, a stereo preamp and a lifestyle amplifier similar to the Momentum Lifestyle MLife integrated amplifier/DAC/streamer.
The Progression mono amplifier will be shown on static display at the Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems room, Suite 30-122 at the Venetian Hotel, and demonstrated in the EgglestonWorks room, Suite 30-212, where it will be driving the new EgglestonWorks Ivy SE speaker. For more information on Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems and its products, please visit www.DanDagostino.com.
Wilson is excited to announce its third all-new loudspeaker in as many years. The Alexx will be slotted above the Alexia and below the Alexandria XLF in Wilson’s lineup. Like the Alexia and the Sabrina that preceded it, Alexx will push the proverbial envelope in the areas of coherence, dynamic contrast, and musicality for its category. Within the Alexx platform, Wilson Audio continues its exploration of low-resonance composites and cabinet geometries—the implementation of which significantly advances the state-of-the-art for ultra-low-noise cabinets. New drivers within ground-breaking modular configurations—all complimented by our latest thinking on industrial design—complete the picture. Look for Alexx in the first quarter of 2016.
The Momentum amplifier from Dan D’Agostino Master Audio Systems delivered magnificently on the initial design goals of formidable power and incomparable finesse from a compact chassis. Worldwide, reviewers, critics, and end users lauded the performance and elegant aesthetic design. Global praise included more than a dozen “best of” awards and the highest ever review scores for sound and measured performance.
The driving force behind the Momentum M400 design, Dan D’Agostino, is constantly creating and revising his thoughts on circuit design and their implementations. What started as an engineering exercise resulted in an exciting new breakthrough that Dan felt compelled to include in the Momentum amplifier. These efforts have led to a substantial upgrade in the new Momentum M400.
The Momentum M400 Amplifier Technology Upgrades
The new M400 moniker gives clue to a major part of the upgrade. Power output has been increased to 400 Watts. This is up from the original 300 Watts. The backbone of the power increase is a new ultra-quiet 1,800VA linear transformer – a 20% increase in size from the original. Coupled to this larger power source is a new output stage design that includes a number of major enhancements.
Feeding every amplifier output stage is circuitry known as the driver section. In the new Momentum M400, this stage has been elevated to a fully complementary design. There are now individual transistors employed for the positive and negative halves of the musical signal. This change nearly doubles the current drive necessary to maximize the enhanced output stage that follows. The new output stage takes this increased drive to boost the open loop gain by the same factor of two. The result is a sound that is more authoritative, richer, and more expansive. It is almost hard to believe that improvements could be made to the original Momentum amplifier after one reviewer said, “No component has had such a profound effect on me…” but Dan has done it!
The Momentum M400 employs the same chassis with a small aesthetic design change to the copper feature on the faceplate sides. Additionally, the meter now displays a scale appropriate for the greater output. With the Momentum M400, Dan has once again elevated the state of the art in amplifier design.
Full specfications and more information will be on the website soon.
