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Levinson 39 vs Bricasti M1

I got the Levinson bug recently and got a #39 processor/player.  And a 38S pre.  I’ve been using a CEC TL1 with the Bricasti for years.  Great combo.

i was only planning on using the 39 as a transport.  I got a great deal.  Cheaper than the 37 (transport only).

Anyway, I was shocked that the 39, as a player, sounded nearly (and in some cases) identical to the Bricasti.  I have A/B’d dozens of times and the 39 is so close that I’m considering selling the Bricasti and getting a 360s D/A.  I can use my M2tech Evo for USB connectivity.  I realize I won’t be able to play newer hi-rez formats but that’s not a priority for me.

Just wanted to share.

P.S.  My Bricasti has the upgraded power supply but not latest firmaware.


marty97x
marty97x OP
17 posts
 
George, thanks for all the great info.  I’m going try running direct tomorrow.  I like the 39 so much I want to get a 360S.

Marty
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
I like the 39 so much I want to get a 360S.

Then that’s settled the 39’s mine, your a good bloke Marty.
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9di1j-mark-levinson-no-360s-dac-quad-multibit-24-bit-burr-brown-pcm1704-s-da-converters

Made a mistake above the, 39 only has the PCM1702 dac chips, not the later PCM1704
The only problem with owning the 39 is the laser Philips CDM12 Industrial, original Philips almost unobtainium new even used $$$

Cheers George
marty97x OP
17 posts
 
I bought from George Meyer AV in LA.  They’re an authorized Levinson repair shop.  It was just recently completely refurbished.  I would not be surprised if they had a spare Philips laser or two.
marty97x OP
17 posts
 
George-  went direct today.  ML39 to Rowland Model 1.  It was interesting.  On one level the transparency was amazing.  But maybe too much so for me.  I’ll have to listen some more.  But since I stillI play vinyl it’s kind of a hassle to rewire.

But the most impressive thing was changing the Levinson to Rowland chain to XLR.  I know the manufacturers recommend that but since I was running RCA, I thought oh well.  Maybe down the road.

Then I reminded myself (I have a project studio) that I have tons of XLR cables.  So I threw Mogami gold cables in...  Wow is an understatement.  Not only did they sound better than my Nordost Frey or Organic (by Argento) the imaging snapped more into focus and there was quite a bit more detail.  All for less than 200 bucks.

ill probably try some expensive XLR but let me tell you, I don’t need to look elsewhere.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
But maybe too much so for me. I’ll have to listen some more.

I think you may change after a few days/weeks of listening, I’ll say this though, the best recordings now will blow you away, but the bad ones may irritate more because they’re not being softened anymore.
To me this means your getting everything, warts and all, no punches pulled.

Also I’ll leave this thought with you.
As for XLR hookup. The 39’s PCM1702 dac chips are pure single ended. By using the xlr output you are using another opamp in the signal path that pseudo changes se output into xlr. I think the purer sound should come from the 39’s se outputs, not the xlr’s.

Cheers George
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