WOULD IT BE DUMB TO BUY A MARK LEVINSON NO 23.5

     Uh oh, sooner or later you may regret buying the Krell.  Everything you and others were stating, regarding how timelessly good Mark Levinson gear is, I believe is true. 
     My only personal  ML excellent experience is  with a ML 326S preamp but I don't think I could be more impressed or pleased with its performance in my system.  I don't recall reading such exemplary praise being bestowed upon older Krell gear but maybe there is some and I just missed it.

Best wishes,
    Tim

Hello jeffvegas,

Well, I recently bought a pre-owned Levinson 326S preamp for half of its $10K new price in 2005 and couldn’t be happier with it. That’s about 15 years old so I don’t think you’re totally nuts. The old Levinson gear holds its value for a reason; it’s high quality stuff.
Of course, there’s a lot more that can go wrong with a 30 year old ss class A amp than a ss class A preamp half its age. As I understand it, leaking old capacitors, especially in its power supply section, are the main area of concern with older ss amps. I’d suggest searching out a well respected and perhaps independent repair shop(owned by a former Levinson repairman?) and ask how much they’d charge for a complete 23.5 amp overhaul/restoration.

First, listen to the as-is 23.5 amp with your current preamp and speakers if you’re able.  Next, add the rehab and shipping costs to the $2,500 price.  The next step would be to make your decision based on your audition and the rehab included adjusted price to value basis.   If you think it's worth it, have the rehab done immediately, using it as little as possible in the meantime.

Good luck,
Tim

     
     Wow, teo_audio, you should be a philosopher....or a rapper.
      I feel enlightened, am I glowing?

Tim