Mark Levinson No.31 Reference CD Transport - Rare - Top Loading and Motorized

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If you’ve never seen this unit in person - prepare to be shocked.

Too bad America doesn’t build audio equipment like this anymore!

This thing is ridiculous in both size, weight, and design.

Check out more from our freshly posted video:

In 1993 this reference unit cost a staggering $8,495 (Over $15k in today's dollars). To buy a transport of this quality today you’d have to drop close to $20k. CD’s haven’t changed much since that era, so there would be few benefits to buying a current reference unit unless you’re into burning your own MP3 CD’s.

On the back you will find a highly regarded ST Glass Fiber interface of the 150MHz variety. If you are lucky enough to have a DAC with this sort of input - be sure to use it.  There are also Toslink, Coax and XLR digital connections.

Flanking the unit you will notice two large power supplies in their own housing. It’s essentially a 3 piece transport with all pieces attached together. I challenge you to find a similar unit in design and extravagance. Shipping weight is a staggering 62 lbs. !

Here's a great quote on this piece from Robert Harley at Stereophile:

“As with other aspects of the No.31's performance, the transport's features, user interface, and functionality are unprecedented. The No.31 operates like no other CD transport." 

Functionally the unit is in perfect working condition.  All buttons operate as they should, the mechanism works almost instantly, and tracks to perfection.

Switching between tracks is remarkably fast and you can hear the speed of the disk change as you go to the outer tracks. This fast switching is due to the fact that ML utilized a low mass CD damper.

The display is bright and clearly legible. The motorized top opens without hesitation, and is super solid feeling and sounding. The power button on the front has a wear mark on it (see photos).

Cosmetically the unit is not perfect by any means, although it looks really good and most people would be pleased.  It has a few rub marks on the edges and a ding here and there. The rubber on the bottom of the feet has deteriorated and is replaced by stick-on pads.

The original remote is included and all buttons on the remote works as they should. The remote has some damage near the battery cover from corrosion caused by leaking batteries at some point. Very common with aluminum remotes unfortunately over time.

The unit will be double packed in an official, compatible, and brand new Mcintosh box (the very best packaging in the industry - period).

Click here for a PDF copy of the No.31 Owner's Manual

Here are some specifications:
Single-play CD transport

Outputs:
One AES/EBU on XLR jack (110 ohms), one S/PDIF on RCA jack (75 ohms), one HP ST-Type optical (AT&T–compatible), one EIAJ (Toslink) optical.

Additional inputs and outputs:
Slave in and slave out (for communication with other Mark Levinson digital products).

Dimensions:
19.375" W by 5.56" H by 13.726" D (14.426" H with lid open).

Shipping weight:
62 lbs.

Price:
$8495 (1993)

Please click here for detailed specifics regarding our specialized packing process that separates us from the rest.