Listening Test
A high end set of this level takes quite the preparation before you can start reviewing. This can take several hours, sometimes even days to find the right balance. Coming to fast conclusion is an absolute no-go, and carefulness is holy. Despite the ideal setup, top of the line cables and control I did not get the desired result. After powering the set for two days the disappointment disappeared and we could start a detailed listening test. Later we realised the Mark Levison set has a certain warming up period. After using the equipment intensely for two days the hard and lightly aggressive sound that was present in the beginning disappeared. After that the display became very correct, analytical and detailed. Like I stated earlier, one shouldn’t come to conclusion too quickly.
In the first phase of the listening test the N°326S was only connected to the Marantz MA-9S2 monoblocs. Compared to my normal setup, the Marantz SC-7S2 preamp in combination with the previously mentioned Marantz endamp, the warm, musical and somewhat sweet sound was surpassed by a very clear sound. The sound image was displayed very correctly and realistically, with more depth and detail than we are used to in our testing area. One point we have to mention is the fact that a source or interlink of lesser quality will be punished quickly by this set. The Marantz is somewhat more forgiving.
After the N°326S the two N°531H monobloc ends were added to the set. These amps perform their duties excellently and don’t only match visually, but also sonically perfectly to the N°326S. I was somewhat reserved because according to the specs these amps are not pure doublers. Ideally an amp giving 300W at 8 Ohm should give 600W at 4 Ohm. However, this hardly even showed, let alone we were able to notice it.
The characteristics of the sound, in my opinion, tend to be very analytical. We use Dynaudio Confidence C2 speakers, that are quite neutral, and somewhat reluctant in character. I have to say that this was really the first time I could feel the speakers come alive. Not that I’d been annoyed by them before, but the reluctance disappears completely in combination with the Mark Levinson set. The combination of the N°326S and N°531H pre- and endamp with the Dynaudio Confidence C2 speakers supply a very realistic, vivid and correct display.
It’s quite pointless to sum up all of my listening impressions from the entire testing period, but some are very characteristic for the Mark Levinson set and are definitely worth mentioning. The stage during the 2nd Symphony of Mahler (SACD – Gilbert Kaplan – Wiener Philharmoniker – Deutsche Grammophon) was awe-inspiringly big, with a presence reaching far beyond the walls of the testing room. Close your eyes, and you actually feel present at the concert.
Same with the percussion song Touch Siltech (Maarten van der Valk – Marantz High End Test Demo 13th Edition) held up really well. How quickly the Levison set got this song through the Dynaudios is very impressive. The woofers have to move at a huge speed at that moment. There’s a powerful attack behind it, and it needs to be controlled properly. The Mark Levinson set does this admirably. You can feel the control the N°531H exerts which in turn gives a sense of peace to the display. When a kettledrum is hit, or any other hit is made, the display was bang on.
The voice projection of the Scala version of The Blower’s Daughter by Damien Rice was excellent. The individual placement of all choir members and the outfading of their voices in an endless depth was absolutely brilliant. The crystal clear display and vividness with which this pre and end combination controlled my set was a unicum for me. The individual details and realism are part of Mark Levinson’s biggest trumps. The dynamics and threat of the orchestra during C.L.U. (TRON Legacy Soundtrack) with a layer of Daft Punk over it is a prime example of high level recording, and deserves a setup not unlike this one.
And it doesn’t always need to be classical or acoustic. This is proved by the display of Evil Dub (The Last Resort – Trentemöller). Nice and deep bass, a tropic feel, all nice extras coming to their own and clear in projection, without giving the Mark Levinson set any trouble. You can obviously hear the speakers being under control and the N°326S and N°531H pass withouth any trouble.
