Levinson Amps: What do they really sound like?

Regarding used Levinson equipment, I just want to add that I've always watched for the new 300 series on Audiogon. I don't see a lot of them listed all the time. When they do get listed, they're picked up rather quickly, especially if the price is good.

There are a handful of items that people are always looking for on the used market and used Levinson 300's seem to be one of them.

I recently heard a Levinson 335 amp with a pair of Revel Ulimate salon's. All Cabling was with Transparent Audio and the associated gear was a 380s preamp, NO. 37 transport and 360S DAC. I listened to this rig for quite awhile and was impressed by all the things that it did right, but vocals sounded thin and artifical. The sound was dry, sterile and artificial like a steak cooked in a microwave. I told this to my friend and he agreed. A few weeks later he purchased a pair of Eggleston Andras. Instantly the sound was much more livelike and the music was beautiful and full bodied. The low end seemed alittle lacking but the system sounded so much better. I found this interesting, because Levinson and Revel are owned by the same company, Harman International and the sound was boring. Just goes to show that system synergy and individual tastes will dictate the proper components for you.

Hope this helps,

Johnny

I listened to a pair of tall Levinson monoblocks once. They were ok, but too gray and boring for the money. I prefered Classe's Omega which was scary-good in comparison. Classe, however, comes with as many critics as Levinson, so go figure.

I listened to a complete Levinson CD/preamp/amp plus big Revels with (I think) megabuck Transparent cable in a purpose built listening room. I listened to my classical disks as well as the jazz the owner spun. My female companion and I both felt it sounded very "electronic" (no matter what its clear benefits were.) This fact alone disqualified it from consideration. Frankly I was very surprised because I really wanted to like the system based on reputation, value and so on. IMHO.

i think that levinson does sound clinical to me as well . i stated that after hearing the grand slams with the 33hs that it sounded sterile. the 27.5 and 23.5 i remember sounding much more musical. but i have to say as someone else already said here ; got to have my tubes.