Mark Levinson

Active

Country: United States (US)
Founded: 1972
HQ: Stamford, Connecticut, United States
Employees: ~116
Parent: Harman International Industries, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics

Indexes

Amplifiers CD Players Car Audio Headphones Streamers Turntables

Overview

Mark Levinson is a high-end audio equipment brand producing amplifiers, preamplifiers, digital processors, headphones, streamers, turntables, and CD players. Positioned in the ultra-high-end consumer audio market, it emphasizes solid-state circuits, Pure Path design, and technologies like R-2R ladder volume control. The brand is notable for its black anodized chassis design and long-standing reference status in high-fidelity audio since 1972.

History

Mark Levinson Audio Systems was founded in 1972 in Woodbridge, Connecticut, by Mark Levinson, a musician and audio designer, with early contributions from Dick Burwen and John Curl, starting with the LNP-2 preamplifier. In 1984, it was acquired by Madrigal Audio Laboratories, leading to products like the Nº20 power amplifier. Harman International Industries acquired the brand in 1990, consolidating it into the HARMAN Specialty Group in 2002 and expanding into premium automotive audio for Lexus in 2000.

Product Lines

Product Line	Positioning	Price Range
600 Series Amplifiers	high-end home amplifiers	$10,000 - $30,000
Preamplifiers	reference preamplifiers	$15,000 - $25,000
Integrated Amplifiers	all-in-one high-fidelity solutions	$8,000 - $15,000
Headphones	premium wireless headphones	$1,000 - $2,000
Streamers	high-resolution music streamers	$3,000 - $6,000
Turntables	high-end vinyl playback	$5,000 - $12,000
Car Audio	OEM luxury vehicle systems	N/A

Manufacturing

Products are designed in the United States, with headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut. Manufacturing details indicate U.S.-based operations historically, though specifics on current in-house versus outsourced production are not detailed.

Notable Products

LNP-2 Preamplifier - Iconic first product, low-noise preamplifier that established the brand's reference status.
Nº20 Monaural Power Amplifier - Seminal high-end amplifier developed under Madrigal ownership.
Nº26 Preamplifier - Key preamplifier from the 1980s expansion era.
600 Series Amplifiers - Current flagship amplifiers inspired by tectonic design themes.
Lexus LS430 Audio System - Benchmark OEM car audio system introduced in 2000.

Reputation

Mark Levinson is regarded by audiophiles as a benchmark for ultra-high-end audio reproduction due to its precise engineering and musical accuracy. Professionals praise its innovations in solid-state amplification and automotive integration with Lexus. Some enthusiasts note criticisms related to corporate ownership shifts potentially diluting original boutique heritage.

Sources (9)