jack201

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.50 of 5, 4.00 votes

Price Paid:  $2800.00 from used

Summary:
The mere fact that the 4-series amps are "voiced" to sound like their forebears will attest to the fact that 7 long audiophile years ago the guys in white coats at Madrigal already got it right. I'm just so glad there are all those wealthy guys out there who can afford to buy these products brand new so guys like me can take them off their hands later. Soundwise, all No.33 series power amps share a common characteristic. Effortless drive. These guys can handle 4 ohm loads at 80db or less and you will still hear every detail and every note. Even at low levels everything remains in scale owing greatly to its inherently low noise floor. It may not be punchy but it excels in overall balance and tonality. Bought used it simply can't be beat. It will outperform ANYTHING under $3000 when used with demanding speaker loads. Bought retail that is another story.

Weaknesses:
Check out your electricity bill

Similar Products Used:
FPB300,23.5,OCM 200

Price Paid:  $3200.00 from used ebay

Summary:
Wow. This amp is beyond my expectation. enough current for difficult load.

Strengths:
Looks, power, detail.

Weaknesses:
Price

Price Paid:  $6000.00 from dealer

Summary:
Matched with #39,#380s, CZ Gel interconnects ,Audioquest Sterling speaker cables one of the best sounds i have heard and own. No shortcomings in this configuration!!
Smooth detailed realistic presentation,wide deep soundstage.
there is better but dig deep

Strengths:
Transparent, Power, Control,Smoothness

Weaknesses:
may not be siutable with the sonic characteristics of other equipment

Similar Products Used:
OCM 500 as 800watt monoblocks, Classe CA200

Summary:
Hello friends!!! I recently had the chance to listen to the Mark Levinson 332, a Krell FPB200, and my Exposure 4 which I am considering to upgrade because I need a more powerful amp., and not bec.it didn't sound good. Among the three I rank Krell-FPB200 1st, Exposure 4 2nd and ML332 last of the three. Three of us listened and we all gave the same verdict!!! One of us used to own a ML331. We were all very very disappointed with the 332. Instruments are detailed in 332 but everything was playing so loudly at the same time that you get confused, no focus. There is no emotion and involvement. Sounded cold, as if the performer sings just for the sake of singing. We were just plainly listening. Unlike the Krell200, it really gets you involved and surrounds you with music as if you were a part of it. I liked the looks of the 332 and weight, but I won't buy it. It seems that I will settle for the Krell FPB-200 upgrade. These amps. are all in prime conditions.

Strengths:
power, weight 150lbs, looks impressive, but that's about it! detailed.

Weaknesses:
LOTS:uninvolving, impersonal, flat, emotionless, cold, far,highs and mids are not smooth

Similar Products Used:
Exposure 4, and Krell FPB-200 amplifiers. Classe CDT-1 transport and Timbre TT-1 DAC with Music Reference tube pre-amp.

Summary:
I guess a review of a 332 is a moot point at this juncture except for the fact that they pop up on the used market much more now that the 334-336 units are out. So now you have to compare a 332 at it's current price point, around $3500. I do not konw what is out there at that price point but I think this amp is a steal at that price and that is what I paid for mine a couple of years ago.In an ideal world, the only thing we would consider here is sound. I find describing or criticizing the sound of an amp a hard thing to do. I think you must consider the speakers and cable in the equation. I have compared the 332's with Adcom 5802's and the non FPB Krells, but I was listening to adcoms and levinsons thru transparent cable and Magnepan speakers. Iwas listening to the Krell thru Martin Logans. Having said all this, I'm not sure any Levinson component is worth the retail price and I have an entire Levinson system, none of which I paid anywhere near retail for. All that said, they have a warranty only bested by Bryston, build quality like no other, upgradable like no other and resale value like no other brand. There probably is an amp that sounds better for less money but I have not found it.