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Any Issues with Levinson 37

I am looking into buying a used Levinson 37 transport where the number of hours on the unit is unknown. Everything seems to work fine (I have it out on loan), the drawer works smoothly and all the mechanics seem sound. Played a few disk and there were no problems.

I wanted to find out what types of issues people have had with this unit, is the laser and transport mechanism still made, etc. . . Just trying to find out what I am getting into. I do know it sounds wonderful.

Thank you.
dewinkle
rja's avatar
rja
2,382 posts
 
I owned a 37 transport and had problems with the drawer. I really liked some of the transports features especially the programmable CD memory.
bluebull
269 posts
 
Question : Does the 390s have the same drawer issues ??
moemoney's avatar
moemoney
158 posts
 
When I had the 390s the only problem I had was that when you press the open button the draw would open then close on your finger as you attempted to remove the CD. Levinson also stated on there web sit and in many reviews that the 390s has the same transport as the 37.
sirspeedy70680e509
1,064 posts
 
Both, I and a friend have the 390s unit.We have logged about 3 yrs use.The units have been flawless,and based on the current "HOT" product of the month,in CD systems(Audio Aero/Linn/Wadia/Reimyo),of the one box variety,I just cannot help but to think the 390s is a bit of a "Bargain".Especially when one takes into account the quality of design and manufacture.The sound,to me,is wonderful.I really don't care if something else is a bit better.I have a great analog front end,to add a differing sonic viewpoint.Best regards to all!
dewinkle OP
51 posts
 
I spoke with a two friends of mine who work at a high end shop that sells Levinson equipment. I asked them what the repair history and problem patterns were on the 37/39/390S.

I have known these guys for years and they have always been honest with me.

They are one of the highest volume ML dealers in the US.

Can you tell I am trying to add some validity to my post? ; )

They said that the early 37s were problematic and it was traced to the units not "surviving" the shipping. They literally used to ship units back and forth to this shop to study what was happening. Those problems were resolved by using a different transport screw and locking mechanism.

They also said that usually with these transports that if they were problematic, it was usually right out of the box. Once the unit was used for a few hundred hours, if there were not any problems up to that point, it was rare that one would develop after that.

The problems generally were related to the drawer mechanism and laser alignment, the former being consistent with the post on this thread.

The unit can also be a little finicky about CDs that are too thick, or are not equally balanced because of too much ink or paint on one side of a CD, which can cause a little wobble. The ML transports seemed to be the only brand with this problem.

All in all they said it has been a very reliable piece for a high end transport, and just as good if not better than other high end brands that they were familiar with.

Anyway, I ended up buying a used 37 (not from them). Thank you for all your comments and knowledge on this.
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