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Mark Levinson Amps startup & shutdown operation. Specifically 532H but really any ML amp

If a source is playing when I turn my ML 532H amp on, sound comes through immediately. Then after about 1-2 seconds it goes out, then after about 1-2 seconds, the right channel comes back on, then after about 5 more seconds the left channel comes back on. It stays on from that point.

My simple question to anyone who has had ML amps, is this normal?

It is a very long story chronicled here https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=48999 , but I have had the West Coast Service Center, the Authorized Dealer I bought it from and Harman involved in getting me the answer. I just got a call from the senior tech at the WCSC, and he told me after researching it, it is normal. He also said normal for any ML amp.

3 or so months ago I sent the 532H in to the WCSC for 2 issues, and spent $1,600 to get it fixed. I initially talked to the owner of the WCSC, who loves and has ML equipment at home. He told me it was not normal. The other problem was fixed. This is a video I created for the WCSC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSARp48S8J0 showing the "issue".


128x128brad1138
ohlala
1,234 posts
 
I read about your disappointing experience. I also bought mine "used" but through upscale audio. It was really new old stock.

Your amp's standby does not work properly. "Standbys" are ubiquitous and do not normally have functional issues. That is a legitimate operational concern, whether or not it has to do with your repair issue. That is especially true since it really acts like an on/off switch by the user. I am not technical, but that is my opinion. 
brad1138's avatar
brad1138 OP
68 posts
 
After having the house to myself all day, I spent most of it with my system, comparing the ML to my Proceed BPA2.

I found the BPA2 sounds considerably better...

So not only does it have the power on/off issue, it doesn’t sound as good as a 20 year old amp that cost less than 1/3 the price. I don’t know if that is because of amp issues, or it just doesn’t sound as good.

I am just going to sell it and recoup what I can. It has been a nightmare ordeal, I don’t think I will ever be able to trust Levinson again.
phillyb's avatar
phillyb
395 posts
 

Own  the 532H. It's never had a issue and the Sonics are superb for any amp and I have been in this hobby a long time. Truth is any  piece of electronic gear can have issues, no matter how well it is made. Sometimes they fall, it a pain when it happens but it is a fact of electronics of any type not just audio.

fiesta75
1,378 posts
 

Not had any Mark Levinson amps, but doesn't sound normal to me. I always turn the power amps on last.

brad1138's avatar
brad1138 OP
68 posts
 

I have moved on and am in therapy to forget about the whole fiasco (JK). I sent it in for repair, after being told by ML that they would cover it under wtty, then they changed their mind. They literally had to replace every cap in it and a large number of output transistors. Cost me $1,500+ but I couldn't sell it as is. Then when I got it back it sounded better, but still sounded worse than the Proceed... So I sold it for ~$500 less than I paid for it, + out the $1,500+ on repair. It still had the odd startup/shutdown issue as well.

I was soured so much by the experience, I don’t think I could ever trust ML again.

I am quite happy with an Odyssey Candela Preamp and Odyssey Kismet amp now. Levinson can go F themselves.

But I am not bitter... ;)

That said, I would have like to hear my Moabs with a properly functioning ML Amp, I loved the #331 I had in the past.

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