Mark Levinson No. 33H Amplifiers

Mark Levinson No. 33H Amplifiers 

DESCRIPTION

Mark Levinson 150W Monoblock

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-8 of 8  
[Nov 02, 2003]
Jaeson
AudioPhile

Strength:

organically whole presentation, musically and emotionally involving despite what appears to be a modest power rating. Power is limited only by your outlet.

Weakness:

Huge Power Demand from some homes Runs hot Big Very Sharp Cooling Fins Heavy Expensive Requires top grade associated components

I purchased this pair of amps used for $14,000. This amp lives up to the hype. These amps present sound in an "organically whole manner." The sound is seemless and the amps disappear by stepping aside to the music rather making thier presence known. So many other fine amps instill too much of thier own character on the music. For instance, the Krell 300S is a fine analytical tool but it makes its personality known by way of its thunderous bass and deliberate high frequencies. The Krell is musical, but it does present music through a carefully considered lens of bass slam and fastidious control. This character can sometimes detract from the sense of organic wholeness of music. The 33H does not have such limitations. My remarks come from owning and admiring the Krell 300S for a couple of years. I am still a fan of this amp and think it is a steal on the used market. But compared the Levinson 33H, the Krell does impart its own personality. The Levinson 33H is an emotionally involving product worthy of respect and adoration. It is however, very expensive. If you can afford it, it is worth your consideration as it is unparalleled in its musical truth. My recommendation is to find the 33H on the used market. While it is worth the price of admission, your partner/spouse and your pocket will thank you if you buy it used. There is no reason to ruin domestic bliss over these fine amps.

Similar Products Used:

Krell 300S Halco Linn Klymaxx monoblocks Jeff Rowland Monos Boulder Monos Goldmund Various Krell amps McIntosh

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
3
[Dec 24, 2000]
Kevin Landy
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Quick, powerful, excellent inner detail, deep soundstage, tonally accurate

Weakness:

Price

I went out recently on a mission to replace my 7B-ST's with the 33H. After wrestling the thing into my house I spent a week doing A/B comparisons with the Brystons. Whenever my eyes were open the Brystons were at a disadvantage. It was hard for me to objectively compare the two because my brain kept telling me the Brystons couldn't be anywhere near as good. Ultimately, reality won the day and I saved myself a huge sum of money. While I did find the 33H capable of giving slightly better soundstage depth, and inner detail was perhaps a wee bit better, the Brystons have an airyness and crispness that I prefered over the 33H. The 33H is a remarkable amplifier. So is the 7B-ST. Is the 33H worth $15k more than the Brystons? Not for me it wasn't.

Five stars for sound but value rating brings it down.

Similar Products Used:

Bryston 7B-ST monobloc

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
2
[Mar 16, 2001]
James Drucas
Audiophile

Strength:

You name it. It does everything well. High, mids and lows. Unbelievable sound pressure level.

Weakness:

None other than weight

I have owned alot of equipment over 25 years. I bought two pairs of 33H's with #32 preamp and two pairs of revel salon speakers. I bi-amp the 33H's. It is the most amazing system own yet. It rivals my old cello system, 3 Pairs of amatis, Two pairs of preformance 2 amps bridged, pallette, and audio suite. Thank to the people at madrigal and special thanks to ken at Sounds Like Music the best hi-fi store that I have done business with in my life.

Similar Products Used:

You name it Full krell line, cello, audio reasearch, Full mark levinson line.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 16, 2001]
Vincent
Audiophile

Strength:

Natural musical reproduction, beautiful space saving design, build quality

Weakness:

may be a tad high in price

These amps are definitely the best amps I've ever heard (besides the higher powered 33's) for any type of music. At first, the sound was a little clinical, more than musical, but once they went through their warm up cycle, bamm!! The music is sweet and very warm. Very much like a tube amp, except it has all the juice that you would need. If you have a very efficient, high resistant speaker, it may be hard to tell the difference between certain amps; however, my speakers run at a nominal 4 ohms, which often dips to 1 ohm at times and all I can say is that's where you can hear the dynamic difference. Tube amps are definitely sweet in sound, but have no true punch when it comes to music that is demanding on the bottom end.

Some may not like the sound of the Levinson 33H's for the fact that they reproduce music to the artist's original intention, which means that they don't produce any additives, such as Krell (which I consider very edgy on the high frequencies), but the advantage I found is that you never grow tired of it's sound, because of it's laid back, sweet approach.

Those who say they can't hear a difference, once again, is either using a very efficient speaker (like the Wilson's) or just using a pair of bookshelves ( or inexpensive; less accurate musical producing speakers). Most higher end speakers aren't efficient and with a meaty amp like these, you'll have no trouble driving them with effortless power.

Similar Products Used:

Krell, Lamm, Bryston

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Oct 25, 1999]
Randolph Fenton
Audiophile

Strength:

Natural, Neutral, agile, colourful, no excess, nothing recessed, fast and totally controlled

Weakness:

None

In my Wilson 6 system, partnered with transparent XL cables and a No.32, the No.33h is just invisible. It will give you what you want, just when its needed without a hint of delay. They do not draw ANY attention to themselves. You will forget that they exist in your system. I have and it did not take long.
The most complete product I have ever heard in my lifetime. Changing them is highly unlikely. Count the number of classified adverts until the end of the year. Those who can afford them, will not part with them unless for profit or perhaps because a change in financial circumstances. The No.32 is the perfect partner but the 380s works well.


Similar Products Used:

Krell FPB 600, Pass Labs X1000

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 18, 2000]
Jaan Warnhoff
Audiophile

Strength:

The No. 33H has a balanced, very detailed tranparent sound. Extremely well defined deep bass and very fast, accurate and motionless transient response. The amplifiers reproduces music with an ease and authority like no other amplifier I ever listen to during my 25 years of experince as an audiphile. If you can afford it - buy them!

Weakness:

None

The Mark Levinson No. 33H are THE best amplifiers available today on the market (with exception for the full-blown No 33).

Similar Products Used:

ML No. 32, 31.5, 360S

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 19, 2000]
Flavio Dias
Audiophile

Strength:

Mark Levinson 33H is the best amplifier I heard im my life. It is a love affair from the first listening. It has everything and add nothing to the music. It is completely transparent. We hear only music. It is what I had search for years, pure music.

Weakness:

None

ORGASMIC. CELESTIAL.

Similar Products Used:

380S, 360S, REVEL SALON loudspeakers

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 06, 2000]
John Matin
Casual Listener

Strength:

Good resolution detail, powerful and rich sound

Weakness:

no if you like the way of its sound

Mark is very good amp but what about chord, chord has more tranperent, control and more natural. mark is more solid and richer sound. so it is depend on your taste really.

Similar Products Used:

Chord spm 5000 which a little more expensive

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-8 of 8  

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