WOULD IT BE DUMB TO BUY A MARK LEVINSON NO 23.5

Check the capacitors for leaks, bulging, etc. If you don’t see any problems, you should be good. It is one of the better amps around and can drive pretty much any speaker. And it has a beautiful midrange. This amp bring the best out of voices with tightly focused image and clearly defined boundaries.

It has plenty of slam. Don’t worry about some of the issues mentioned above. If it ain’t broken, don’t try to fix it. When the time comes, it will let you know if things needs to be changed/upgraded.

Considering the age of the amp, my suggestion is turn this off when not listening and turn on about 30 mins before a session. There are reasons to leave solid-state amps on all time. But not this one. Heat from the unit can do more harm to the older electronics.

We listened to ML amps when we built some of the stands for his HQD system in the 1970's:

https://www.google.com/search?q=hqd+system&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=oDvvwsSTPRC3eM%253A%252CYNcqBNbhtX4oTM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kTvSmSyU72Kn9fIJDtJx6fVRY3-Vw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiahMql9KjnAhUUa80KHWkjBqAQ9QEwC3oECAoQGg#imgrc=oDvvwsSTPRC3eM:

Compared to Audio Research (tube, of course) and Bryston, as well as Crown, SAE, and other solid state amps of the day, it was OK.  The Bryson's sounded better to us, but you have to judge.  I was very unimpressed with them on Maggies for all the areas you look for.  They were a bit shrill, slow, and sounded hollow to me.  Reminded me of the difference between a Nakamichi 1000 and the vinyl (no digital in those days).  The Nak was perfect in reproducing what was recorded, but had a "hollow" backsound to it.  ML amps did the same for us, but you decide.

As others have posted, it is a very expensive part to service regardless of the downstroke (initial price).  I think for 2500 you could get a better product, but you have to decide.  

Have you heard one on your system IN YOUR ROOM?  Makes all the difference, of course.  Be bad if you got it and it did not meet your needs or expectations.

Finally, why so inexpensive?  Buyer beware!

Cheers!

At 30 years old, I would look elsewhere.

 

czarivey is right!
czarivey is right!
czarivey is right!
czarivey is right!

I owned one bought new. I used it for many years with Thiel’s, Mirage M1, ProAc’s  it was a great sounding amp. Built like a Brick House. Replaced by ARC Classic 120’s that blew up a lot. Replaced with another Levinson no 333. Enjoy your amp, and F the naysayers!