MARK LEVINSON N 326S

Pre owned. In excellent condition. No visible signs of wear. Supplied with remote control, manual, and original packaging.

The Mark Levinson No.326S is a high-end line preamplifier from the American brand’s flagship range, designed with the goal of maximizing transparency and the transfer of musical information within the audio chain. In a hi-fi system, the preamplifier is a critical component since every source passes through it, and its sonic character strongly influences the final result; in this sense, the No.326S is engineered not to impose limitations, but to preserve and let through the highest possible level of detail and dynamics.

The design directly derives from the experience gained with reference models in the Mark Levinson lineup, particularly the conceptual evolution of the No.32, adopting a philosophy that strictly separates signal-handling stages from power supply and control circuitry. In the No.326S, this approach translates into a highly organized internal architecture, with “clean” circuitry dedicated exclusively to the audio signal path and a fully shielded and isolated “dirty” section at the rear of the chassis, where power supply and control circuits are housed.

The electronic construction is based on extremely high-grade components, including circuit boards made of Arlon 25, a very low dielectric-loss material also used in the brand’s reference models. The architecture features separate power supplies for signal and control sections, while voltage regulation is implemented in multiple stages with dedicated thermal dissipation and local regulation handled by precision integrated circuits. The audio stage uses carefully selected high-performance op-amps, ensuring linearity, stability, and low noise.

Signal control is managed through an extremely precise attenuation system based on ultra-tight tolerance resistors and finely stepped electronic control, allowing volume adjustments in 0.1 dB increments in the most sensitive portion of the range and 1 dB steps in the lower section, ensuring exceptionally refined level control. Each input can be individually configured, with adjustable gain and the option to bypass volume control for home theater integration.

Connectivity is extensive and professional, offering multiple balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs, all internally converted to balanced operation to ensure signal consistency throughout the audio path. Output stages are also available in both balanced and unbalanced configurations, while internal circuit layout maintains strict channel separation between left and right to preserve maximum stereo integrity.

From an ergonomic standpoint, the No.326S features an elegant and functional interface, with rotary knobs dedicated to input selection and volume control, alongside a central display providing operational information. Key functions are duplicated on a metal remote control, which also includes additional commands such as mono and phase inversion. The chassis is built with extreme attention to rigidity and shielding, helping reduce interference and vibration.

Overall, the Mark Levinson No.326S stands out for its exceptional build quality and its design philosophy focused on maximum neutrality and precision, delivering extremely high sonic transparency and a level of signal handling that allows the entire audio system to perform at its best, revealing musical detail naturally without adding any artificial coloration.

Technical specifications:

• Type: solid-state stereo line preamplifier with remote control; optional phono stage
• Inputs: 3 pairs balanced XLR; 4 pairs unbalanced RCA
• Main outputs: 1 pair balanced XLR; 1 pair unbalanced RCA
• Record outputs: 2 pairs RCA
• Communication connections: 8-pin RJ-45 modular ports
• IR input and trigger: 3.5 mm jack
• Control interface: RS-232 via 6-pin RJ-11 connector
• Maximum selectable gain per input: 0 dB; 6 dB; 12 dB; 18 dB
• Volume control range: 80.0 dB
• Volume resolution: 0.1 dB steps above –57 dB (23.0 display); 1.0 dB steps below –57 dB (23.0 display)
• Frequency response: 10 Hz – 40 kHz; ±0.2 dB
• Input impedance: 100 kΩ
• Output impedance: 50 Ω
• THD+N: 0.001%
• Channel separation: >90 dB (input to output, terminated load)
• Residual noise: –94 dBV (20 Hz – 20 kHz, input terminated)
• Input overload: 1.6 V XLR / 800 mV RCA (18 dB); 3.3 V XLR / 1.6 mV RCA (12 dB); 6.6 V XLR / 3.3 mV RCA (6 dB); 13.2 V XLR / 6.6 mV RCA (0 dB)
• Power consumption: max 50 W
• Dimensions: 451 x 74 x 357 mm (W x H x D)
• Weight: 14 kg