Mark Levinson 326S versus the 380S pre-amplifier

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ต.ค. 2019
  • We had to make a decision as to a reference quality solid state pre-amplifier for our test system. So please join us to get the inside lane on the race...to the finish line.
    www.marklevinson.com/

ความคิดเห็น • 34

  • @philb-ze8sz
    @philb-ze8sz ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This review never tapped into the sound quality of this superb preamp. If you were using 0 gain. The key for the sound of the 326S is what gain setting did you use, 0-18db, I own this preamp, and the Mark Levinson 532H the matching amp, on 0db gain lifeless, 6db, very clean and a bit more dynamics, 12db I used for years now dynamics and more weight, kills the other settings. The last one I tried just a few days ago for the fun of it was the 12db settingl. I could not believe this was the same system on the 12db setting, so depending on where you had the 326S gain setting set or the 380S yes, one could sound much leaner than the other. I could live with the 6db gain setting but the 12db gain is the one where this preamp shines and brings music to life. )db gain is lifeless with detail only much like a passive preamp.

    • @TheAudioCouple
      @TheAudioCouple  ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank for sharing your insights and experiences. If not mistaken the gain was in the 0dB setting, basically due to my balanced DAC having a good (high) analog output level already. If I have another opportunity to have the 326S in my system, I will try the other gain settings.

  • @andreiaudio
    @andreiaudio 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I have just bought the no380S to pair with my no 331 power amp. They are a match made in heaven, and the preamp made a huge impact. The music now sounds fuller, more rich and detailed and more relaxed. I was wondering what kind of cables did you use when you auditioned the 380s? Were you using the stock angled power cable? I'm really having a hard timw finding an angled power cord. Best regards!

    • @TheAudioCouple
      @TheAudioCouple  ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi AMC thank you for your inquiry. Yeah this is the standard challenge related to the 380s, finding the correct angled power connector. Luckily for me our local electronic store had the correct cable and connector....and I used it...for a while. Wish you successful hunting for the correct connector. Apologies for the late reply...

  • @mornecoetzee735
    @mornecoetzee735 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Very special to have a direct comparison between the two, thank you and I also agree with your assessment. Very special preamplifiers. 🎶👍

    • @TheAudioCouple
      @TheAudioCouple  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Glad you enjoyed it Morne ! Indeed you are also a torch bearer for these reference quality state of the art pre-amplifiers - Olympic standard for sure !

    • @perrywu8552
      @perrywu8552 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@TheAudioCouple it will be great if you could review No.32 and No.52 :0

    • @TheAudioCouple
      @TheAudioCouple  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@perrywu8552will do our best...to review

  • @AD-fj8ue
    @AD-fj8ue ปีที่แล้ว

    Hello Audio Couple, do you have an idea where I could buy the internal phono cartridge for my 326S…. Do you have one?

  • @andreiaudio
    @andreiaudio 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hi again guys! I own a ml 331 power amp and a hugo2 dac with built in volume control. Do you think that it would be a good ideea to buy a no 380s preamp? Will it sound better with or without the preamp? Thank you very much!

    • @TheAudioCouple
      @TheAudioCouple  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes, absolutely

    • @andreiaudio
      @andreiaudio 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@TheAudioCouple Thank you very much for your answer.

  • @myplaguesify
    @myplaguesify 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    please review the ifi zen blue bluetooth dac its a very affordable and capable dac

    • @TheAudioCouple
      @TheAudioCouple  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hi myplayguestify yes sure will do my best to realise.

  • @jitrapornpha5104
    @jitrapornpha5104 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hello , any thought on Levinson vs Classe

    • @TheAudioCouple
      @TheAudioCouple  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hi, I prefer the ML, but the latest version of the Classe Pre is also a masterpiece of engineering...👌

    • @jitrapornpha5104
      @jitrapornpha5104 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@TheAudioCouple . What power amps do you use in your home setup may I ask please

    • @TheAudioCouple
      @TheAudioCouple  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@jitrapornpha5104 hi again, thank you for your inquiry...haha they change quite often but currently VTLs and MLs

    • @jitrapornpha5104
      @jitrapornpha5104 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@TheAudioCouple thank you

  • @davidn8656
    @davidn8656 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Do you like the 5 series power amp?

    • @TheAudioCouple
      @TheAudioCouple  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      H David thank you for your inquiry. Yes I do especially the H versions - they retain all the ML qualities but are more fleet footed in comparison to previous generation of ML power amplifiers...

    • @davidn8656
      @davidn8656 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@TheAudioCouple so the 532h was a good amp?

    • @TheAudioCouple
      @TheAudioCouple  ปีที่แล้ว

      @@davidn8656 hi David it is an excellent amp 👌

  • @giusepperusso985
    @giusepperusso985 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    We sali dei due hai preferito?

    • @TheAudioCouple
      @TheAudioCouple  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      For ultimate fidelity the 326S for a full sound 380S

  • @user-oy4to5jo4h
    @user-oy4to5jo4h 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    could you sell the 380S to me? i come from china,thx

    • @TheAudioCouple
      @TheAudioCouple  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Hi thank you for your interest and inquiry. I just sold it yesterday - but perhaps you are in luck. I sold it to a company HFX systems which advertised it on their pre-owned site. Thus it is still for sale. You can access their site here. hfxsystems.co.za/pre-owned/. I am sure they will assist to help you ship the unit. Enjoy the music.

    • @user-oy4to5jo4h
      @user-oy4to5jo4h 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@TheAudioCouple THANK U,best with

  • @georgeobeso
    @georgeobeso 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Hello,
    why you do not let us listen your cnice combination system ?
    you talk to much man !!
    Regards

    • @TheAudioCouple
      @TheAudioCouple  11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Hi @george, I want you to come and visit to listen to the system. But I hear you.

  • @abdulmokta48
    @abdulmokta48 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Much better of spending that money on professional studio equipment than this audiophile rubbish.

    • @mattbrown3549
      @mattbrown3549 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Mokta abdul- It is your money and you can spend it any way you want. If others want to spend their money on "audiophile rubbish" let them do it.

  • @abdulmokta48
    @abdulmokta48 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Crap jnk rubbish. Not detailed, more dead dull soft warm dark side.
    Much better of with Yamaha pure neutral sounded than paying overpriced Overhyped rubbish

    • @DxModel219
      @DxModel219 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Mokta abdul well it don’t matter with your radio shack 6.9 speakers HAHAHHA