ML No.33 - how does it compare with the best today

mep

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Apr 20, 2010
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No winner needs to be decided. The real winner will be the music. I just wanted a passive, current-hungry (non-powered) speaker to try the amp out on (besides the MG3.6). It's going to be a casual test. I don't want to do the double-blind level-matched to 0.1dB test, and I don't think that Amir will want that either.

Right. No need to have any objectivists trying to ruin the fun of listening. Everyone will be relaxed and enjoying listening to good music through a couple of different amps.
 

Phelonious Ponk

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Jun 30, 2010
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Right. No need to have any objectivists trying to ruin the fun of listening. Everyone will be relaxed and enjoying listening to good music through a couple of different amps.

Well, if it remains a "comparison" as Amir initially sugqgested, you certainly won't need any objectivity to make it competitive. Subjectivists have never needed objectivity to turn fun listening into competition. If anything, a bit of objectivity, if you could ever get subjectivists to accept it, would only bring the competition to an early conclusion.

Tim
 

flez007

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Aug 31, 2010
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And I'm looking for someone with really current/power hungry speakers to pit my new prototype monoblocks against. How about we can kill 2 birds with one stone if I bring my monoblocks to Madrona and compare to the No.53's driving your Revel?

Gary, if for whatever reason this option does not fly, I know a poor soul that has power-hungry, big-amps-eaters, slouglish speakers that will surely volunteer to try them at his rat-hole dedicated room!!!! :)
 

andromedaaudio

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Jan 23, 2011
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Im may be trying to find out soon, this ml 33 sound question turned into 53 s. Other manufacturers whatever can we go back to 33 , 33 h comparisons?
 

foba

Well-Known Member
Jun 6, 2012
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I’ve been using the ML 32/33h combination with XLO Unlimited cables all the way for almost 15 years and still love it. I’ve changed speakers, from B&W 803 Nautilus to Verity Audio Parsifal Encore to my current Vivid Audio G3, changed my analog set up twice. Though, I’m still using my ML 390s CD player. I’ve heard the current super amps like Vitus, Constellation, the big Naim and Gryphon. But I still don’t find the need to upgrade my ML system.
 

Ron Resnick

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Jan 24, 2015
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How did you feel the Vitus sounds compared to your MLs?

Compared to Gryphon?
 

JackD201

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
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I’ve been using the ML 32/33h combination with XLO Unlimited cables all the way for almost 15 years and still love it. I’ve changed speakers, from B&W 803 Nautilus to Verity Audio Parsifal Encore to my current Vivid Audio G3, changed my analog set up twice. Though, I’m still using my ML 390s CD player. I’ve heard the current super amps like Vitus, Constellation, the big Naim and Gryphon. But I still don’t find the need to upgrade my ML system.

Jeanne is that you? :)
 

Mike Lavigne

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
Apr 25, 2010
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I’ve been using the ML 32/33h combination with XLO Unlimited cables all the way for almost 15 years and still love it. I’ve changed speakers, from B&W 803 Nautilus to Verity Audio Parsifal Encore to my current Vivid Audio G3, changed my analog set up twice. Though, I’m still using my ML 390s CD player. I’ve heard the current super amps like Vitus, Constellation, the big Naim and Gryphon. But I still don’t find the need to upgrade my ML system.

hi foba,

nice system (brings back some great memories) and welcome to What's Best Forum.

i had that ML 32/33h -> 33 combo back in 1999-2001 with WP6's. it was sweet and i could see that set up being entirely ultra fine today......especially with the Vivid's. and as far as the industrial design 'look' I've still not seen anything as good. it set the bar very high.

best regards,

Mike
 

andromedaaudio

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Jan 23, 2011
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Jack , by the way i think you mentioned somewhere else
That the amp and digital designers of the old levinson 3 series went to either Viola amplifiersdesign and. Bricasti for the digital design .
Care tot elaborate more on how that story went ?
 

JackD201

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
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Hi sorry just saw this. Collangelo and Jayson went to Cello and then Viola. Not sure who exactly from the team went to Bricasti. :)
 

foba

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Jun 6, 2012
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hi foba,

nice system (brings back some great memories) and welcome to What's Best Forum.

i had that ML 32/33h -> 33 combo back in 1999-2001 with WP6's. it was sweet and i could see that set up being entirely ultra fine today......especially with the Vivid's. and as far as the industrial design 'look' I've still not seen anything as good. it set the bar very high.

best regards,

Mike

You are so right Mike.
 

Nascimento

Well-Known Member
Aug 12, 2016
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Brasil
I believe the ML 33 is the pinnacle and end of an era!
The era of the great amplifiers, absolute quality, timbre and unmatched power!
For many years, I have a Mark Levinson reference system, the ML33 amplifiers play my BW 801 very well, but they also played very well the Tannoy Westminster (unlikely thing), I'm sure I'll regret it, but I'm dismantling the Ml system and leaving for a Mcintosh valve system!

12212415484_96475e728e_b.jpg
 

LL21

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2010
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For me, the Vitus is very similar to my ML. If ever I have to replace my ML, I’d go for the Vitus.
I’m not a fan of Gryphon.

Hi Foba,

Most interesting...what are the differences between Gryphon and Vitus for you? Most interested to hear, and have been looking at auditioning the masterpiece ref amp series...just enormous!
 

Kingsrule

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Feb 3, 2011
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I've had them all..33H, 33, and 20.6.

For me the 20.6 was the best Levinson offered...
 

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