Mark Levinson Nº 526 – Dual-Monaural Preamplifier with DAC & Phono Stage

One Preamplifier. Every Way You Love Music.

Vinyl, high-resolution digital audio, streaming, and private headphone listening. The Mark Levinson Nº 526 brings them together in one meticulously engineered preamplifier.

Built around Mark Levinson's proprietary Pure Path circuitry, the Nº 526 features a fully discrete, direct-coupled, balanced dual-monaural signal path designed to preserve the integrity of your music.

A built-in 32-bit Precision Link DAC handles digital sources, while the Class A Pure Phono stage accommodates both moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges. Add a precision R-2R ladder volume control, a dedicated Class A headphone output, and extensive system integration capabilities, and the Nº 526 becomes the control center for a sophisticated reference audio system.

Designed and handcrafted in the United States, the Nº 526 combines traditional high-end audio engineering with the flexibility required by today's music collections.

Key Features

• Dual-Monaural Pure Path Circuitry: Fully discrete, direct-coupled, balanced signal architecture.

• 12 Audio Inputs: Six analog inputs, including phono, and six digital inputs.

• 32-Bit Precision Link DAC: High-performance digital conversion with three selectable filters.

• High-Resolution Audio: Supports PCM up to 32-bit/192kHz and DSD up to 5.6MHz.

• Class A Pure Phono Stage: Compatible with moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges.

• Adjustable Cartridge Loading: Fine-tune the phono stage to match your cartridge.

• R-2R Ladder Volume Control: Discrete, balanced attenuation for precise level adjustment.

• Class A Main Drive Headphone Output: Dedicated front-panel headphone connectivity.

• Balanced & Unbalanced Outputs: XLR and RCA connections for compatible power amplifiers.

• Subwoofer Integration: Selectable fourth-order, 80Hz high-pass filter.

• Home Theater Bypass: Unity-gain SSP mode for integration with a surround processor.

• Custom Installation Ready: Ethernet, RS-232, IR, and 12V trigger connectivity.

• Made in the USA: Designed and handcrafted with Mark Levinson's distinctive aluminum chassis construction.

Pure Path: The Foundation of the Nº 526

The preamplifier is responsible for handling some of the most delicate signals in your audio system. Its job is to select the source, control volume, and deliver a clean signal to your power amplifier.

The Nº 526 approaches this task with Mark Levinson's proprietary Pure Path circuit design.

Its fully discrete, direct-coupled, balanced dual-monaural architecture maintains separate left- and right-channel signal paths while minimizing unnecessary circuitry.

Folded-cascode gain stages and carefully selected components are employed to achieve wide bandwidth, low distortion, and excellent signal integrity.

The result is a preamplifier designed to preserve the musical information coming from your source components rather than impose its own character on the recording.

 

Precision Link DAC: Digital Music Done Right

The Nº 526 includes Mark Levinson's 32-bit Precision Link digital-to-analog converter, allowing compatible digital sources to connect directly to the preamplifier.

Built around an ESS Sabre converter, the DAC uses a carefully engineered clocking architecture to minimize timing errors and unwanted noise.

Five independent power supplies serve the converter chip, while separate linear supplies power the left- and right-channel analog conversion circuitry.

The Nº 526 supports PCM audio up to 32-bit/192kHz and DSD up to 5.6MHz, making it suitable for high-resolution music playback from compatible transports, computers, and external streaming devices.

Three Selectable Digital Filters

The Precision Link DAC offers three digital filter settings that allow listeners to tailor its reconstruction behavior.

Fast: A steep roll-off designed for strong attenuation of unwanted high-frequency information.

Slow: A gentler roll-off with reduced pre- and post-ringing.

Minimum Phase: A steep roll-off that eliminates pre-ringing while retaining post-ringing.

These options provide flexibility for listeners who want to explore different digital filtering characteristics.

 

Pure Phono: A Serious Stage for Vinyl

The Nº 526 doesn't treat vinyl playback as an afterthought.

Its built-in Pure Phono stage features fully discrete Class A circuitry, physically separated channels, and adjustable settings for both moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges.

Moving-magnet users can select from five capacitive loading settings to optimize compatibility with their cartridge.

Moving-coil users benefit from three gain settings and multiple resistive loading options, allowing the phono stage to accommodate a broad range of cartridge designs.

A defeatable infrasonic filter helps reduce unwanted low-frequency energy caused by record warps and turntable rumble.

For vinyl enthusiasts, this provides the flexibility normally associated with a dedicated high-performance phono preamplifier, integrated directly into the Nº 526.

R-2R Ladder Volume Control

Volume control is one of the most important functions of a preamplifier.

The Nº 526 uses discrete, balanced 15-bit R-2R ladder volume controls with low-noise analog switches.

This architecture is designed to maintain accurate channel balance and signal integrity across the listening range.

Whether you're listening quietly late at night or enjoying a dynamic recording at higher levels, the Nº 526 provides precise control without relying on a conventional potentiometer.

Main Drive: Class A Headphone Listening

Sometimes the best listening session is a private one.

The Nº 526 features Mark Levinson's Main Drive headphone output, which uses the preamplifier's main audio circuitry rather than routing the signal through an entirely separate secondary amplifier path.

Its Class A headphone circuit is accessible through a front-panel ¼-inch headphone jack.

Selectable output impedance settings provide additional flexibility for compatible headphones.

This makes the Nº 526 a compelling centerpiece for listeners who enjoy both loudspeaker-based systems and dedicated headphone listening.

 

Connect Your Entire Music Collection

With 12 audio inputs, the Nº 526 accommodates a wide range of source components.

Its analog connections include two balanced XLR inputs, three unbalanced RCA line inputs, and a dedicated phono input.

Digital connectivity includes asynchronous USB, AES/EBU, two coaxial inputs, and two optical inputs.

Connect a CD transport, network streamer, turntable, or computer and manage them through a single high-performance preamplifier.

Importantly, the Nº 526 includes a DAC but does not have a built-in network music streamer. A compatible external streaming source is required for network playback.

Subwoofer Integration Without Compromising Stereo

A properly integrated subwoofer can extend the performance of a two-channel system well beyond the capabilities of the main loudspeakers alone.

The Nº 526 includes a selectable fourth-order, 80Hz high-pass filter on its main outputs.

This allows compatible systems to redirect low-frequency reproduction to a separately configured subwoofer arrangement, reducing the bass demands placed on the main speakers.

Whether you're integrating a single subwoofer or designing a more sophisticated stereo system with dual subwoofers, the Nº 526 provides a useful tool for system configuration.

Bring Reference Stereo into Your Home Theater

A dedicated two-channel system and a home theater don't have to exist independently.

The Nº 526 includes an SSP mode that provides unity-gain operation for integration with a compatible surround sound processor.

This allows a home theater processor to control volume during movie playback while the Nº 526 remains the primary preamplifier for dedicated music listening.

For systems built around premium front speakers and separate power amplification, this offers a practical way to combine two-channel performance with multichannel entertainment.

Designed for Professional Integration

The Nº 526 includes Ethernet/IP control, RS-232, IR input, and 12V trigger connections.

USB connectivity also supports monitoring and configuration functions.

An included machined-metal remote provides convenient everyday control, while the preamplifier's integration capabilities make it suitable for professionally installed audio systems.

Its chassis combines 6000-series aluminum construction with Mark Levinson's distinctive black-and-silver industrial design.

 

Technical Specifications

Specifications sourced from Mark Levinson's official product documentation and technical brochure. The manufacturer's brochure contains inconsistent metric conversions and a differing weight in another catalog; imperial dimensions and the 41 lb weight above follow the dedicated Nº 526 specification sheet.

Experience Mark Levinson at The Grid HiFi

A preamplifier is the heart of a reference audio system, connecting your sources to the amplification and loudspeakers that bring your music to life.

At The Grid HiFi, we specialize in high-performance two-channel systems, premium loudspeaker matching, analog and digital source selection, and professional installation.

Whether you're pairing the Nº 526 with Mark Levinson power amplification, building a dedicated vinyl and streaming system, or integrating reference stereo into your home theater, our team can help you design a complete system around your listening preferences.

Contact The Grid HiFi to explore the Mark Levinson Nº 526 and build your next reference audio system.