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Mark Levinson n°39 or dedicated DAC?

Hi,

I currently own a Mark Levinson n°383 (integrated amp) and have been offered to buy a 39 (CD player). A lot of my music is now stored uncompressed on a server and I've been looking for a good DAC for a while now.

The 39 has two digital inputs that would allow me to connect a source (eg. Ipod) and benefit from both my CDs and the stored music.

I know the 39 is not the youngest anymore but I'm still hesitating between buying it or move to full digital with a DAC like the one from Bryston. The 39 would be the perfect match with my 383 but is it really outdated. Technology has not evolved that much (lots of figures but lots of marketing too).

Anyway. What would you do or recommend?

Buy the 39?
Buy a dedicated DAC?
Alternative?
pmichellon
pmichellon OP
2 posts
 
Thank you for all the feedback.
I took my decision and will buy a dedicated DAC. Probably the Bryston BDA-1. Let's face it, CD is dead and despite the fact that I really like having CDs and LPs, it's probably time to move on for good... dematerialized media = future.
hew's avatar
hew
159 posts
 
Pmichellon,

Very wise decision. I use to own a No. 39 and really loved the sound but that was ten years ago - a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then.
st01
36 posts
 
A good move ... I have a Proceed CDP which is very similar to the ML39 ... only real difference is an 18 bit DAC vs the 20 bit in the ML. I just acquired a Sony 5400es and even after 20 hours burn-in in I was pleasantly surprised at the improvements that have occurred in the digital realm. Feeds a CJ Premier 14, ML331 and Thiel 3.6's.
4musica44107
520 posts
 
Buy a dedicated DAC if you have a transport or digital source you like. I have a 390S that served me well enough until a transformer blew. Now it just sits in an attic closet because I do not want to deal with the hassle and obscene costs associated with getting Levinson gear repaired. A good digital transport/source and a great DAC (There are so many; the best I have heard is the new one from Acoustic Plan) will IME far outperform a Levinson 39/390S, or any other CDP of the same vintage as the 39/390S. YMMV, of course.
tonyptony
617 posts
 
I have a Proceed CDP which is very similar to the ML39 ... only real difference is an 18 bit DAC vs the 20 bit in the ML. I just acquired a Sony 5400es and even after 20 hours burn-in in I was pleasantly surprised at the improvements that have occurred in the digital realm.

St01, without going to far OT can you describe a bit more the comparison between the CDP and the Sony? Is your Proceed the CDP, or CDP2 or 3?
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