Mark Levinson’s 40th Anniversary No.52 Reference Dual-Monaural Preamplifier is said to be the company’s most accomplished preamplifier to date, blending “sublime levels of build quality and performance with exceptional versatility, ease-of-use and appearance” and is now avaialble in the UK through Karma – AV.

The Mark Levinson No.52 is an all-analogue dual-monaural design arranged in a two-chassis system of discrete control and audio sections and within the No.52’s control section, mirror-imaged DC power supplies and AC regeneration circuits. Its audio section employs a mirrored left/right channel configuration, which includes isolated and independent circuit boards for the volume, main and auxiliary signal paths, and extensive shielding for critical components.

Individual left and right DC umbilical cords between the two chassis carry power to each audio channel while control signals are conveyed via a third cable to keep them isolated.

A comprehensive range of inputs includes three balanced XLR, four unbalanced RCA line and a dedicated phono input, equipped with selectable Moving Coil (MC) or Moving Magnet (MM) section. Twin sets of XLR and RCA stereo preamplifier outputs are joined by auxiliary pairs of XLR and RCA outputs with fixed or variable output levels and independent source selection. So resourced they may function either as a third preamp out, a full-range subwoofer output or a record output. In addition, a unity gain SSP (Surround Sound Processor) output provides for the integration of audio sources connected to the No.52 with a home theatre system.

The No.52 offers extensive control and system interface connectivity via Ethernet, Mark Levinson’s proprietary ML Net, 12V trigger and IR control ports. A USB port facilitates possible future software upgrades. The No.52 is supplied with a remote control that can also be used to operate other Mark Levinson components.

Mark Levinson No.52 Reference Preamplifier has a typical retail price: £28,000 in UK with availability from April 2014.