Levinson Amps: What do they really sound like?

I'm using a Levinson 27.5 amp (vintage 1992-95) which is
100 W/chan @ 8 ohms. It's the little brother of the 23.5
I'm using it with Magnepan 1.6QR speakers, and find it
very musical. It has a clean high end, solid bass,
excellent soundstaging and imaging, and good dynamics.
I've owned quite a number of power amps, and this is
my favorite thus far.

They sound like "nothing". Nothing added and nothing taken away. Alot of people do not like them because it doesn't add warmth and bass bloom. If that's what you're looking for, then it's definitely the WRONG system for you.

If you're interested in the music as it should be heard on the recording. If the recording is sterile, it will sound sterile. If the recording is beautifull, then it will play that way. These amps add nothing as they sound like nothing.

I for ONE can tell you that they do not by any chance sound sterile, harsh and lifeless.

Mark levinson is very good amp, i had owned
the 336 with 380s almost two years ago.

I sold them after 6 months !!

If you want to hear good HIFI buy it !!

If you want to heard music buy JADIS/tube !!

EVERY amp has sonic color, to say that Levinson's don't is wishful thinking. If that was the case, Madrigal wouldn't need to keep coming out with "improved" models. Current Levinson's, in my opinion, offer great resolution, deep soundstage but can also sound soft and dull. A high end amplifier really needs to be matched with the speakers and the individul's taste. Unfortunately there is no perfect amplifier, only those which make less mistakes.

I absolutely agree with the last entry. I have never owned one, but heard them on many occasions. Matched to the proper speaker (Revel Studio or Salon with Levinson is a very hard to beat combination) and they sound as beautiful, tremdendous, etc (choose your favorite adjective) as any amplifier out there (in my experience). Improperly matched (I do not remember the particular speaker that made this impression, but the impression itself was certainly memorable) and the amplifier will make you wonder why anyone would buy one. I personally prefer my Plinius, but if you are interested in solid state, you would be wise to audition a Levinson with the speakers you intend to purchase.

Good luck!!