N°531H
The N°531H end amps only have one function, but it’s a very important one: pass the input signal as well and correctly to the speaker as possible. Loudspeakers usually require a big amount of power. That makes it important for the end amp to control the speaker as well as it can under all kinds of conditions. To retain control of the speaker is the message, both power wise, but also to dampen the sound.
The facts and figures make it obvious this is not a problem. The N°531H is a monobloc end amp with 300 watts of power. With its low frequency independent exit impedance it’s got plenty of grip on the controlled speakers. On top of that, the THD of 0.5% with complete control of 300 watts at 8 Ohm makes sure it rarely buckles under the stress. The balance build and current-feedback design of the N°531H are able to process the audio signals in huge bandwidth really quick. It’s also equipped with an XLR and Cinch input, and you can connect the speaker cable through ‘Hurricane’ connections. I do wonder why the 230V AC model of the N°531H is not equipped with the possibility of connecting to banana plugs, yet the American 115V AC model is. For the European model it’s best to equip your speaker cables with spades so you can carry on using this amp without any connection trouble. Just like the front end this amp is finished in black with a very decent and solid housing. On the front we find just one button: the power button. And there’s no display to be found. The Mark Levinson monobloc is of course quite a bit bigger than the preamp we tested. It’s 45.1 cms wide (17 ¾”), 50.4 cms deep (19 7/8″) and 19.4 cms high (7 2/3″). A weight of 23.8 kgs (52.5 lbs) adds to its rigidity.