No 30.5 & 31.5. Still of reference quality ?

I replaced my theta data basic II and gen Va with a
mark levinson 37 and 360s. The levinson gear is
a lot more relaxed in its presentation. If nothing else
try replacing your data basic II with a cheap
(200.00 US) sony dvd player. This made a big difference
in my system and prompted my change to the levinson.

The build quality and aesthetics of the 30.6 & 31.5 are excellent. Unfortunately, technology has passed them by. Personally, I feel there are a number of other systems that better them for the same money.

I'm not sure about the 30.5 (the 360s is probably its equal) but the 31.5 I would put up against any CD transport. Maybe some SACD transports with SACD discs would sound better, but for redbook CD you might find different colors from other manufacturs and like them better for certain characteristics but the 31.5 and 360s would definitely be in the hunt. My combo easily bested the Krell CD/preamp unit that still retails for $25,000. in my home. It also sounded better in my system them a Theta Gen 5 with top of the line Theta transport (I forget the model.)

These units are still reference level, both sonically and in build quality. We have been distributing CEC & Weiss digital for a number of years and I have personal experience with dCS & Levinson products for almost a decade. From this experience I can tell you that the 31.5 is only second to the TL-0 in sound quality. It still is far superior to anything else out there today, actually its the best sounding transport made today since CEC has stopped making TL-0s. While we still maintain that the Weiss Medea offers the most natural and realistic musical experience with digital, the 30.5/.6 are also still very competative and can be considered among the handful of top DACs available today, in some ways I prefer the 30.5 to the 30.6. Please don't confuse these Levinson Reference products with the rest of their line, the 360s doesn't even begin to approach the sonic qualities of the 30.5/31.5 combo. At 9k for the combo it just can't be beat!

Disclaimer: we're not affiliated with Madrigal in any way and neither are we Levinson dealers nor do we have any Levinson products for sale.

Thanks for your comments. I'm thinking about getting 31.5 CDT since I dont believe in a long term SACD success.