Nº534

Nº534

Dual-Monaural Amplifier

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Product Specifications

Height (with feet)
7.75” (19.7cm) Height (without feet)
Weight
Net weight
Input Connectors
One pair balanced, one pair single-ended
Speaker Connectors
Four pairs of Hurricane loudspeaker outputs, banana-plug sockets per channel, except on 230 VAC version
Control I/O
Ethernet, RS-232, Trigger In and Out, USB-A, Mini USB
Rated Output Power
250 wpc RMS @ 8Ω, 20Hz to 20kHz @ <0.3% THD, full output from 2.83VRMS
Frequency Response
10Hz to 20kHz ±0.2dB
Signal-To-Noise Ratio
>85dB, reference level
Input Impedance
60 kΩ balanced; 30 kΩ unbalanced
Voltage Gain
26dB
Input Sensitivity
2.83VRMS output at 142mVRMS input
Power Requirements
100V~, 120V~, 230V~, factory set for destination country, 1500W

Nº534

The pursuit of perfect amplification is a well-known theme in high-end audio. New technologies present new approaches, while looking to the past provides inspiration for the future. It was in that spirit that the Mark Levinson® № 534 amplifier was developed: a design advised by the traditions and art of classic Mark Levinson amplifier designs, and with a specific target sound: a deep, expansive soundstage, accurate image placement, extended low bass response with good pitch definition, and detailed high frequencies free from “etching.” To that end, the Mark Levinson engineering team started with the following requirements: - Harmonic distortion <0.02% at 1kHz and <0.2% at 20kHz - Bandwidth extending from 0.2Hz to 120kHz, and beyond if possible - Critically damped square wave response, with leading and trailing edges free of any slewing artifacts, and a slew rate of at least 100V/µs - Maximized open-loop linearity and bandwidth, with global negative feedback in the range of 12-20dB and without nested feedback loops This fully differential, fully discrete, dual-monaural Pure Path amplifier drives virtually any loudspeaker effortlessly for impeccable imaging, musicality, and openness. A direct-coupled signal path; a highly linear, low-feedback design; and voltage gain and drive stages operating in class A, are joined by the modern system integration capabilities provided by Ethernet, RS-232, and USB for monitoring and network control. Housed in a 6000-series aluminum chassis, like all Mark Levinson equipment, the № 534 is designed and handcrafted in the USA. Mark Levinson Pure Path Circuit Design Since 1972, Mark Levinson has been dedicated to the uncompromising art of sound, with the guiding principle of musical purity above all else. To achieve that goal like never before, Mark Levinson engineers scoured company archives, ultimately developing a circuit-design philosophy called Pure Path. On a conceptual level, its hallmark principles include a discrete, direct-coupled, fully balanced, dual-monaural signal path that delivers unrestricted, uncompromised sonic purity. Far from merely arranging high quality components in an intelligent manner, Pure Path is the meeting of science and art: Mark Levinson engineers are tasked to create the best possible measured AND subjective performance. To quote Albert Einstein: “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” Pure Path highlights in the № 534 include Folded Cascodes, an extremely high bias current, and usage of very little negative feedback. The Folded Cascode Mark Levinson components are designed around a Pure Path amplifier circuit concept that makes heavy use of a circuit design element called a cascode. Originally created for improving the bandwidth of vacuum tube circuits in radios, Mark Levinson engineers deploy cascodes in Pure Path circuit designs to both improve bandwidth and enhance linearity. A cascode combines two transistors so that they operate as a single composite device that functions like a single transistor, using the wanted characteristics of each component transistor, and rejecting the unwanted characteristics. Mark Levinson engineers began their design of the gain stage with pairs of JFETs (junction field-effect transistors), chosen for their low noise and high gain. JFETs achieve these characteristics in part by being large, and with their large size comes nonlinear gain – or distortion. To mitigate this, BJTs (bipolar junction transistors) were added to the circuit. The BJTs exhibit very low input impedance and very high output impedance, which translates to excellent bandwidth and linearity. By creating a cascode of the JFETs and BJTs, they created a design with the best characteristics of both sets of devices. Engineers then connected the output of the cascode to another transistor of the opposite “gender.” Current flows through it in the opposite direction to “turn around” the direction of the signal current. This special connection is called a Folded Cascode and it is a hallmark of the Pure Path circuit: high gain with low noise, wide bandwidth, and excellent linearity. Gain Structure The audio circuitry in the № 534 has been optimized for the best possible open-loop performance. As a result, very little negative feedback is necessary, and the amount employed could be adjusted to achieve certain subjective or objective results. The open-loop gain and bandwidth of the circuit were painstakingly set using precision resistors and compensation capacitors, and additional precision resistors were employed to compose the feedback network. Military Grade Components All Mark Levinson equipment employs electronic components carefully chosen for their specific task. Gain-stage JFET pairs have high gain, low noise, low distortion, and because they are encapsulated in the same package, the two devices operate under nearly identical conditions. Capacitors used in critical filtering locations are film types, noted for their consistent performance regardless of temperature and frequency. Finally, resistors in critical gain-setting and feedback locations use tantalum nitride thin-film elements. An extremely costly material, tantalum nitride typically finds use in sensitive military equipment because it is unusually stable with respect to temperature, exhibits very low noise, and is unaffected by magnetic fields. In fine audio equipment, those characteristics make the sound even more revealing and effortless, free of the low-level nonlinearities caused by lesser resistive materials as they heat and cool under dynamic conditions. Housed in an aircraft-grade 6063-T5 extruded aluminum chassis, the № 534 features extremely high build precision, to exceedingly low tolerances. Completing the Signal Path The № 534 offers balanced and single-ended inputs for use with virtually any preamplifier or source player with variable output. For connection to loudspeakers without needing tools for a secure link, the № 534 features four pairs of gold-plated binding posts with Mark Levinson Hurricane terminal knobs to support either standard or bi-wired loudspeaker connections. Speaker cables terminating in banana plugs can be used in the USA and other non-European countries. System-integration connectivity includes Ethernet/IP control, RS-232, USB for monitoring and configuration via web page, plus 12V triggers. Designed and Handcrafted in the USA Like all Mark Levinson equipment, the № 534 is proudly designed and handcrafted in the USA. A dedicated Engineering Center of Excellence in Shelton, CT houses Mark Levinson engineering and product development, just a state away from small-batch production at Mack Technologies in Westford, MA by a team of craftsmen who bring all Mark Levinson equipment to life.

Unleash the full potential of your music as you move from the quietest notes to the loudest crescendos. The № 534’s toroidal transformer delivers massive power to your speakers. It’s carefully shielded and encapsulated to minimize electrical and mechanical noise, allowing you to focus completely on your music.
Our proprietary approach to circuit design delivers uncompromising musical purity and an engaging listening experience. By using discrete components carefully selected for their precise function, the № 534 delivers unmatched sound quality that captures the nuances of every note.
Experience balanced, consistent sound regardless of volume. The № 534 operates in class-A mode for most listening conditions and class A/B at higher volumes, delivering outstanding performance and sound quality.
The № 534 measures 250 watts per channel at 8 ohms and doubles to 500 watts at 4 ohms. This means it can drive even the most demanding loudspeakers — effortlessly.
The № 534 offers balanced and single-ended inputs, allowing you the flexibility to use it with virtually any preamplifier.
Connect and control the № 534 through Ethernet, RS-232, IR or 12V trigger input and output.
Consistent performance regardless of volume

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