Mark Levinson No. 335 Amplifiers
Mark Levinson No. 335 Amplifiers
USER REVIEWS
[Jan 01, 2017]
Enrique
AudioPhile
I believe as far as single chassis stereo amps from Mark Levinson this is the best the company produced before selling out to Harman group. All aspects from build, quality of materials, external design and of course sound are fantastic. One of the great aspects of this amp is the dynamics of its sound. Its smooth when it needs be and its aggressive when a sharp cymbal or drum snare demands it. One thing I discovered is that pre amp selection is critical to garner the most out of this amp. In the end the mating of its ideal partner the ML 380S brought out the best of both amps revealing a sound stage and dynamic control worthy of true high end gear.
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[May 20, 2016]
The Rambler
AudioPhile
This power amp really shines in certain areas; it has very nice soundstage towards sides but deeper and higher musical picture needs some tweaks: will tell you how. Body of the instruments better than my Spectral DM-200!!! First time an amp so good even better than my reference Spectral Power Amp.in some areas. Speed of ML also very catchy when compared older versions (i.e. No.27 always seemed to me slower in most musical passages). Midrange also very satisfying, but Spectral's midrange another thing:) Wattage and damping factor over 1000, mostly perfect to drive most speakers in the market.
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[Nov 28, 2009]
gina
Audio Enthusiast
This is the best sounding amplifier I have ever owned and I have owned manyI've owned almost every amp conrad johson 140 classe mono quad mono bryston cary and more all of them the are good but ?no soundstage This one it give huge soundstage . ,the bass deep tight and fast. the sound is exhillirating. very good amp it's real hi-end but?very hevy weight 140lbs. I almost died draging it down the stairs to my room. but .I ve finally got the right amp, . |
[Dec 21, 2000]
Dan
Audiophile
Strength:
Well LET ME START BY SAYING THE PERSON THAT POSTED THE REVIEW SAYING THAT THE 335 IS JUST ANOTHER OVER PRICED AMP, HE ALSO SAID THAT TWO BRYTONS WOULD SOUND BETTER. WELL I MUST SAY HE KNOWS VERY LITTLE ABOUT HIGH END AUDIO..HE SHOULD STICK TO EQUIPMENT SUCH AS B&K AND ROTEL BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE TO SAY HIS EAR ARE FAR FROM IN TUNE, ALSO PEOPLE WHO MAKE STUPID STATEMENTS LIKE THAT CANT AFFORD IT SO THEY KNOCK TO MAKE THEMSELVES FEEL BETTER ABOUT NEVER OWNING IT....
Weakness:
THERE IS NO WEAKNESS TO BE FOUND AND I HAVE TRIED. WELL NOW THAT I HAVE GOTTEN MY ANGER OUT ON PEOPLE JUST KLEARNING ABOUT HIGH END AUDIO.LET ME BEGIN BY SAYING THAT THE 335 IS ONE OF THE BEST SOUNDING AMPS I HAVE EVER HEARD...I WONT SAY THAT THERE IS NOTHING BETTER BECAUSE THERE WILL ALWAYS BE BETTER. BUT IF YOU BUY THE AMP YOU WILL NEVER GO INTO AN AUDIO STORE AND HERE A SYSTEM AND THEN GO HOME AND SAY WOW MY SYSTEM IS NO LONGER WHAT I THOUGHT IT WAS. THE 335 HAS A SOUND THAT PULLS YOU INTO THE RECORDING AS IF YOU WHERE THERE DEEP LUCIOUS SOUND STAGE YOU FEEL AS THOGH YOUR APART OF THE MUSIC. MIDRANGE IS LIKE LIQUID SMOOTH AND EASY ON THE EARS NO MATTER HOW LOUD YOU TURN IT UP.BASS IS FAST AND TIGHT. SO GOOD LUCK AND IF YOUR STUCK BETWEEN KRELL AND LEVINSON REMEMBER THIS LEVINSON PULLS YOU INTO A PERFORMANCE AND KREL;L SPITS IT IN YOUR FACE NOW YOU DECIDE!!!!! Similar Products Used: KRELL KSA 150 MARK LEVINSON 331 |
[Oct 22, 2001]
greg gardiner
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
i listened to this and felt the dynamics were to die for.the bass pushing a pair of 801's was definitely a bass call that
Weakness:
but it was still the same sterile sound that all the later models stiil possess.i would rather have the best of both worlds.read the reviews of the pass aleph 4, or the sim audio moon. they state close to or better at the strengths yet not at the cost of an aesthetic smooth or sweet or whatever you want to call the actual sound of the music.ml, and krell for 4k or more even used would really appeal to me if they had what other amps at that $ range had . i am not going to bash this as far as rating, just don't understand.it surpasses in so many ways other lesser amps.it doesn't blow them away, but does posses many qualities, yet it just doesn't involve me. it does not put the magic in my heart.i love dynamics. the drum beat reaching out and grabbing you.i have to have good base etc.if it had a more aesthetic sound it would be a winner!!!!!!(HANDS DOWN), but i prefer the best of both worlds.i went on to read other reviews and found it is not impossible...pass aleph 4, e.g.it states extremely tight bass and a smooth sweet high end and it costs a little more than 7k. Similar Products Used: aragon,audio note,krell,ml331,etc. |
[Nov 15, 2000]
Joe
Audiophile
Strength:
Numerous - see text.
Weakness:
Very heavy, expensive. The Mark Levinson 335 is a terrific sounding amplifier with exemplary build quality. It is detailed and dynamic sounding without being harsh or digital. The 335 presents an expansive and accurate soundstage with a realism and musicality that must be heard to be believed. It offers seemingly unlimited power even with inefficient speakers but does not run hot despite the fact it operates in Class A. All in all, I believe the 335 is one of the finest amplifiers that exist - certainly the best I've heard and I've heard quite a few. Similar Products Used: Plinius, Bryston, Coda. |
[Mar 14, 2000]
The Objectivist
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
power, current capability
Weakness:
high price can get just as good sound for less This is another example of overpriced high-end overkill Similar Products Used: bryston, krell, boulder |
[Feb 27, 2001]
Carl
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Well defined,clear and accurate.
Weakness:
None I just upgraded from the Aragon Palladium MonoBlocks Similar Products Used: Nautilus 801s |
[Aug 26, 1999]
tom
an Audio Enthusiast
I heard the MArk Levinson 335 at the showroom and it sounded pretty in an all-ML system. As I listen mostly to rock music, I will be interested to know if other listeners feel the 335 to be appropriate. |
[Apr 17, 2000]
Bob Berkow
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
I have used the 335 for about three months now and am pleased with the sound, though at the price I should well be. Compared with my prior amp, a "high end" Adcom, the 335 has a dramatically improved soundstage (depth and width), cleaner and crisper highs, more natural sound and brings decent base to B&W N805. I originally used relatively inexpensive cables and interconnects and was not pleased with the midrange. I replaced them with Tara and the sound improved significantly (so much for cables not having any effect). Other than the price, size and weight, I don't notice any significant shortfalls.
Weakness:
Price is high (you should expect atleast a 15% discount) and the unit is very cumbersome. It also requires equivalent components for the must to shine and brings any weaknesses in other components to the forefront. When I turn my tv on, the amp goes on -- I guess I will just have to investigate, possibly it is the pre-amp. This is an outstanding amplifier that performs extremely well when used with other ML components. I suspect that there are equivalent sounding ones for the same or less money but I have ML components and it works well with them. The soundstage is extraordinary as is the overall balance and realism; the sound is very neutral, which I enjoy and is probably more disposed to jazz, classical and world music than to rock. I live in an apartment and the system sounds very good at lower volumns, not an unimportant consideration. Don't even think about moving it after it is placed and remember that it runs somewhat warm to the touch. |