In 1972, Entrepreneur Mark Levinson set up one of the first companies in the USA to produce high-end audio devices in New Haven, Connecticut, and it is still one of the most important hi-fi electronics producers. Eight years later he had to sell the company before it was finally taken under the wing of Harman International Industries in 1990. To those who it might interest, Harman offers buyers of a Lexus car the opportunity to upgrade the integrated audio system with a Mark Levinson system, which underlines the outstanding quality of these brands.
The № 519 is a modern player which, besides a CD player for the Red Book standard and mp3 CDs, offers various digital and analogue connections. In the chic, black aluminum chassis, a large 5 inch TFT color display is integrated centrally, as well as right and left hand controls, consisting of eight aluminum buttons and the two control buttons for Mark Levinson. There is also an headphone output on the front.
The network player is Linux based and promises an easy handling. The all-in-one system offers cable-based streaming, Bluetooth aptX connectivity, digital inputs as well as USB slots to ensure maximum playback flexibility.
With its wired Ethernet and wireless WiFi connection, the № 519 can play from network-connected devices and drives. From the computer, the preamplifier can stream popular files in FLAC, mp3, wav and many other formats, and the Bluetooth connection ensures comfortable music playback of smartphones and tablets. With the addition of two additional USB ports, the № 519 provides full access to your music.
Of course, the player has been designed to play with a variety of streaming portals such as Spotify Connect, Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer as well as internet radio and podcasts.
In addition, Harman integrated the so-called Clari-Fi restoration technology into the streamers, which are used to analyze the digital audio files during playback in order to reconstruct what is lost during compression.
Important is that the audio player has six digital inputs, including an AES / EBU input, two coaxial RCA inputs, and two additional TOSLINK receivers.
The analog outputs include balanced XLR and RCA outputs as well as three digital outputs: AES / EBU, coaxial and TOSLINK.
In № 519 itself is a DAC, which has already been introduced with the Mark Levinson № 585 integrated amplifier which we have already presented at another point in time. This has three possible filter options:
- The fast filter has a steep level reduction for the maximum attenuation of unwanted high frequencies.
- The slow filter includes a gentle high frequency drop.
- The minimum filter eventually has a steep level drop for high frequencies.
In addition, the № 519 is a digital pre-amplifier and can be connected directly to the amplifier of an existing system or to an active loudspeaker. Thanks to the high-pass filter, a single or dual subwoofer can also be connected.
The streamer can be controlled with a remote control and, thanks to its website interface, from all current Internet browsers. Of course, an iOS or Android app is also available.
The excellent reputation of the products of Mark Levinson is mainly due to the fact that the quality of the models is at the top of the list. The manufacturer has set itself the task of further expanding the functions of the № 519, so that one can count on a continuous expansion of the content. The streamer is updated via the network connection and a USB memory, which in turn means that the device does not lose its relevance.
We are very much looking forward to the Mark Levinson № 519 and to welcome you to test it out.
