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Levinson 23.5 - I think I need a new toy.

Being a die-hard tube guy, I haven't used a ss amp in my main system for many years; except a brief stint with Meitner 101's which are now in a weekend home system. A friend wants to sell his Levinson 23.5 for what seems like a very very good price (cheap!). It is in terrific shape, hasn't been used nor abused much, and is one of the few ss amps that really picqued by interest (based on reviews) back when I was still on the fence re the tubes vs ss thing. I figure, what the hell; I can always sell it if I can't stand the ss-itis. It would be powering one of two sets of speakers; either Paragon Regents (easy load transmission line), or Stax electrostats (brutal load).

I welcome any thoughts re this amp. Reliability, desirability, resale, sonic experiences, etc. Thanks.
frogman
zd542
5,339 posts
 
If you really like the sound of tubes, I think you should pick a different amp. The ML is a nice, refined amp, but you would never mistake it for tubes. In your situation, I would check out something from Ayre, BAT or Pass. You'll probably be much happier with the sound of those amps.
justlisten's avatar
justlisten
489 posts
 
it sounds like I was once in your position---but after hearing system after system with ML, Krell, Rowland, (actually owned the JR 7s monos M1 monos, , KMA100 monos, ) I just kept to tubes. for a while I went balls out with huge mono mega watt tube amps, but learned more is not always better --the SS stuff I did sort of like was from Symphonic Line, BEL Labs. As I am using different speakers these days, I still too do wonder about ML 20.5s -I try to let my past experience guide me and keep my finances straight. If I did find a good ML amp super cheap though, I'd probably pull the plug just to satisfy the curiosity.

if you have the Stax F-81/83/8x speakers, (I had the F-81),I reached almost perfection in terms of mid/highs with OTLs. I really miss those speakers.
rockitman's avatar
rockitman
417 posts
 
They are dark sounding...in other words, not the most treble extension which can be good or bad depending on your system balance and room acoustics. I have a 27.5 as a backup from my former system...similar sound, just less power.
dave_72
1,399 posts
 
Rockitman nailed it. I had the original no. 23 many moons ago, and if you want clarity and top end extension, look somewhere else. I found the 23 to be dull and muffled. Not a very rewarding experience.
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