Mark levinson NO.23.5 or 23,and No.332.

I've got the chance to audition various amps from Krell, Pass Labs, and some time ago, even the Plinius models before settling on the 332. The fact that I purchased it may introduce bias into this review (caveat!).
I first set forth looking for a solid state amp with enough power to last me through 2 or so generations of speaker upgrades, primarily because these are the first components to be replaced in case of a relocation, due to listening room size. It must be also built like a tank with exceptional customer service. My prerequisites for such an amp would also be superior dynamics and data parsing from the sources. Bass should be tight and controlled -- quality. Last but not least, it had to be aesthetically pleasing to fit the interior decor (mostly contemporary). After all, I won't always be keeping my eyes closed while enjoying the music.

Musicality of the amp was not as important of a consideration because of associated components. I use my vinyls as a primary source (Gyrodec Mk3) and as such wanted to strike a balance. An all tube system would've been too warm, especially in acoustic jazz etc. In addition, I was considering a ProAc Response 2.5 (VERY musical and unfatiguing) in the future when room size permits. That would again contribute to a more balanced system.

I eventually settled with a year old unit paired up with a ML 380 preamp. I immediately loved the way it controlled my bookshelf speakers (yes, it's overkill) and presented the music -- detailed and excellent soundstaging. Compared with the Krell equivalent (FPB200), the 332 seems to provide a DEEPER and slightly wider soundstage. Not many amps I've auditioned of late has this ability to place instruments with such depth. Perhaps this trait is harder to come by than just width.

Detail was MUCH improved when I added a Harmonic Technology AC-11 power cord. I also feel that Levinson amps sound best plugged directly into the wall outlets (except perhaps with a PS Audio unit?). When playing Joe Morello's Standard Time, it becomes easier to close my eyes and picture the musicians playing. With vocals such as Mary Black, Beverly Craven, Diana Krall, Laura Fygi -- I can now pinpoint the instruments and voices effortlessly.

All in all, the 332 is an accurate and dynamic amp that's worth the price of admission. It does more than I expect everytime I fire it up, and never fails to amaze me with its capabilities. There are probably more musical amps around for the price, but balance is the essence of my hi-fi game.

Associated equipment:
ML 380 preamp
Meridian 508-20 CD Player
B&W 805 Matrix on sand filled stands
Michell Gyrodec w/Ortofon MC-300 II
Lehmann Black Cube
Harmonic Technology Truthlink interconnects, Pro-9 Plus speaker cables.
HT AC-11 power cord
Transparent Audio ultra Power conditioner

I concur with Alvaro Velasquez that the 332 is an excellent product. I toohave compared it with the FPB200 and find the Levinson product superior.
My music preference is Jazz, Classical and R&B. These formats are
reproduced superbly on the 332. Other musical tastes might prefer the
"slam" of the FPB200. If available, listen to both amps in your own home
with your own speakers playing your own music and decide for yourself.

for the price, the 332 is the most awesome amp i've heard so far. transparent, fluid, lush, deep, wide... are all words that come to mind. used with the transparent reference cables, it's a combination that's hard to beat. any kind of music sounds great with it, even stuff i hate.

I listened to this amp by connecting it directly to cd player, Meridian 508.20, with digital volume control. I did not use any preamp in order to avoid any distortion might be caused in preamp section and, personally, I don't like preamp, it's overpriced and not necessary for only one source component system like mine. I've got it for almost a month and just began critically listening last few days. I don't know what another levinson owners would say but for me almost six grand I spent comparing to what I get; it just not the best deal or even close to good deal. How can I put this, O.K. it's a good amp but as I said for six grand I expected more. It sounds great in detail, good soundstage but somewhere in the middle it just lacks of refinement and I need more headroom dynamic for any amp in this price, it sounds like Maureen Mcgovern kneels down singing and with slushy jazz like Incognito, percussions seem to be a bit rolled off. Anyway, I love its built and design but if it were priced around three or four grand I would give it five stars but for six grands three or two and three quater stars would be considered enough. I do not know if anyone would disagree with me on this but let's face it most of us, including me, are attracted to the levinsons name and somehow it makes us neglect how it actually sounds.Associated components,
Meridian Cd player 508.20
Genesis Technology 400 Speakers
Interconnects Kimber KCTG
Speaker cables Kimber 8TG
Power cords Synergistic Research Master Ac coupler
API Power pack V

Following extensive evaluation of this amplifier (compared with the recently released FPB 200 from Krell industries) I have no doubt that for the price this is one of the best amplifiers of the decade. The sound quality has no equal with excellent dynamics, deep and wide soundstage, and excellent transparency that is even better if you own M-L's or Magneplanars like I do (Quest Z). It has overkill power and for a lover of classical music or jazz like I do, has no equal on his price range (talking about solid state gear). Tube amplifier like the PV 12 from C-J will warm the sound of thøse relatively brigther recordings. I have a large room at høme with in my opinion better acoustics that many showroooms at diferent dealers and this of course helps large speakers to breath.

The 332 is so neutral that will reveal those minor problems in those poorly recorded CD's or even LP's. I have heard the best solid state gear available at most dealers in the U.S (including Krells, Classes, old ML's) and to my ears that have being trained listening to the real thing for many years these is the best one so far. I'll keep this for the next comming years (I already replaced my old Krell KAS 200 ). The built quality of the 332 has no equal (take a look inside and you will see what I'm talking about. Don't lift the amp from the heat sinks, you may cut your skin ( do it from the middle).

Best Sound with guittar, mandolin, caribbean percussion, spanish guitar (J.Cook)
Classical music (Vivaldi's double concertos, Mussorsky's Pictures at an excibition ) There is a long list of material including many pieces recommended by Stereophile and TAS that I will facilitate via e-mail if interested.

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.

I had a chance to listen to this amp recently, alternating repeatedly between it and my current McCormack DNA 1.0 Deluxe. The Levison is no doubt beautiful, solid, very macho. I wanted to like this amp, really, but I just could not convince myself it sounded much, if any, better than my existing amp (1/3 the price). The bass on the Levinson was marginally tighter; there was more detail, but at the expense of increased brightness; and the vocals lost some of the natural textures that were present with my McCormack. Very disappointing. Generously,I give it 2 stars.

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

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

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.

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.