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So, how does the sound compare to the 585? One can now occasionally find a used 585 for a similar price.
Description: Two-channel solid-state integrated amplifier with DAC and MM/MC phono stage. Analog inputs: 1 pair balanced, 2 pairs unbalanced. Phono: separate MM and MC (only one can be connected). Digital inputs: 1 asynchronous USB 2.0 B Audio, 2 optical, 1 coax (S/PDIF). Outputs: 1 pair variable line-level outputs (RCA), 1 pair loudspeaker outputs via high-current binding posts with banana sockets that accept spade lugs with ¼" spacing. Control inputs: Ethernet, RS232, and USB A. Input Impedance: 20k ohms (balanced) 10k ohms (single-ended). System gain from line level: 34.5dB with volume set at maximum. Output power: 125W per channel into 8 ohms (21dBW). Output impedance <0.098 ohms, 20Hz10kHz, <0.11 ohm at 20kHz. Phono: RIAA accuracy: ±0.3dB 20Hz20kHz. MM Phono: Input resistance 47k ohm. Input capacitance: selectable. Gain: 39dB. MC: Input resistance: Selectable. Gain: 69dB. DAC: Output level: 5.7V RMS at full scale. Sample rates/Bit depth: PCM up to 384kHz up to 32 bits. DSD: native of DOP, single, double, or quad speed. Full MQA decoding. Seven user-selectable digital filters. User-selectable upsampling on PCM and DSD. Headphone output impedance: <2.5 ohms, 20Hz20kHz.
Dimensions: 17.25" (4389mm) W by 5.75" (145mm) H by 20" (507mm) D. Weight: 62 lb (28.1kg).
Finishes: Matte black with brushed aluminum.
Serial number of units reviewed: 0906 (reviewed) 0951 (measured).
Price: $8500. Approximate number of dealers 50. Warranty 5 years.
Manufacturer: Mark Levinson, Harman Luxury Audio Group, 8500 Balboa Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91329. Tel: (888) 691-4171. Web: www.marklevinson.com.
So, how does the sound compare to the 585? One can now occasionally find a used 585 for a similar price.
If you already have or, in the market for under $5,000 speakers, Outlaw Audio RR2160, which was reviewed by Stereophile may be a good choice :-) ...........
"That said, the Levinson No.5805 is cheaper than just about everything else in its class."
Really? The NAD M32, at half the price, offers more power, a DAC with higher resolution (20 bits versus 18) and lots of functionality. I'd choose the NAD (I did).
... measured continuous power output as the M-L No.5805, plus it includes streaming capability and a room correction function - all for only $750.
https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/hifi_components/r-n803/index.html
https://www.eisa.eu/awards/yamaha-r-n803d/
https://audio.com.pl/testy/stereo/amplitunery-stereo/2984-yamaha-r-n803d
The amplifier/DAC section is similar to that of the A-S801 integrated amp about which a TAS reviewer said:
"The Yamaha A-S801 looks good, sounds splendid, and has a long list of useful features at a price that makes it a flaming bargain! I suspect many readers are lifelong audiophiles like me, for whom system upgrades are a way of life, possibly even the purpose of life. But for lots of people who just want a good hi-fi to play their music on, a hi-fi may be a once-in-a-lifetime purchase. For those people, or for anyone who wants good sound with lots of flexibility at a reasonable price, the Yamaha A-S801 integrated amplifier would be my top recommendation. It may be the only hi-fi electronics purchase they will ever need."
... then what isn’t?
It is expensive, but still offers a lot of THD per buck. :) Are they trying to emulate tube amps with solid state technology? If so, they are getting close.
If ML was still owned by Madrigal this unit would probably cost $20K (but I think the performance would have been much better).
Yeah, that's quite a stretch to call this level of technical performance "excellent". Across the board we see measured results and FFT's with rather middling (eg. J-Test with spurious tones) if not poor (eg. >0.1% THD+N at 1W into 4-ohms!?) results.
$8500 is certainly not cheap at this level of performance even though it does have quite a number of features as an integrated amp.
Although it has less number of features than 5805, it would be interesting to see a comparison review between 5805 and the new Krell K-300i integrated amps :-) ...........
Don't worry, be happy with the PS audio Sprout and the ELAC speakers for $899 :-) ..........
The above combo is available from PS Audio :-) ........
"One could argue, though, that Levinson's new No.5805 integrated amplifier ($8500 with DAC and phono stage) is a budget component"
But one would be wrong.
Wryly amused by Mr Austin's comment about a waterfront cottage in the Keys with a flatsboat outback...New skiffs can easily run 6-10 times the cost of this integrated amp. A "cottage" in the Keys, more likely to be a mobile home on a canal and run you a quarter million.
Plus ungodly insurance. Dogs are still cheap tho....
Worth every penny when you get that first permit on fly.Especially when your dog is with you and says "good job,Ralph". Even tho your name isn't Ralph.
I am not sure if you would know, but is this amplifier circuit the same as the one used in Crown amplifiers?
They seem so similar, but I am not technically informed enough to know. (The brands have the same owners, so I wonder.)
Most of the Crown amps are now Class-D amps, as far as I know ........ ML amps are Class-AB ....... In the (good) old days ML made lot of Class-A amps :-) ........
ML top model No.53 is some type of Class-D :-) ........
Crown says...
"DriveCore's front-end drive circuits leverage the inherent efficiency of Class D output stages while also maintaining superb sonic characteristics. The end result is an ultra-efficient one-piece audio amplifier circuit that exhibits the exemplary audio quality of a highly evolved Class AB design."
I don't know if you could also call it class AB, or not!
JA1 is lot more qualified to answer your question :-) ........
So, Crown may be an 'I'ntelligently 'D'esigned Class-ID :-) ........
Stereophile reviewed Crown Macro Reference power amp ......... It was a power house with impressive measurements :-) ........
Wow, I'm in the camp with the people that don't think that $8.5K is a budget component and that this box's measured performance is not exemplary.
You can buy a really nice phono pre-amp, a Benchmark DAC3 HGC and AHB-2 amp that will blow this away for the same price or less.
Another example of underachieving equipment getting a glowing review on this site.
Another example of underachieving equipment getting a glowing review on this site.Have you heard it? Jim Austin, Editor Stereophile
ML5805 is capable of driving 2 Ohm loads ....... See measurements ........ Lot of integrated amps have hard time driving that kind of low impedance loads :-) ........
ML5805 won't lose the 'grip', so to speak :-) .........
ML5805 may work well with the Revel Performa F228Be loudspeakers ($10,000/pair) ........ Stereophile Class-A :-) .........
What’s with the signal to noise ratio measurement in the 60-dB range? Possibly a typo? Otherwise I would have expected to see a comment like “resulted in a disappointing 67.9 dB” rather than a statement to justify the result. That number does not seem like excellent measured performance for an $8,500 integrated amplifier by an esteemed company such as Mark Levinson.