Mark Levinson ML-7 Vintage Preamplifier with Phono Section - Super Clean

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General:

This fantastic Levinson ML-7 preamplifier is about the cleanest one we have ever seen here in our shop, and is working perfectly. It presents and sounds beautifully with only the slightest signs of use.

Hard to beat with anything modern under $10k. 

Incredible hand-built quality utilizing the best components available at the time that were typically reserved for medical or military use.

Includes a super capable MC (Moving-Coil) phono section which is often missing from these great performers. 

Dual chassis with separate power supply, in my opinion the only way any high-end preamp should be made. 

Your purchase also includes two sets of Camac to RCA cables to setup with your existing gear. We can also provide a Camac to Camac cable if you happen to have a Levinson amplifier. Please just let us know in your order notes during checkout.

Brand Background:

After working in various recording studios and, as legend has it, creating the sound mixer for the Woodstock Music Festival, Mark Levinson began hand-crafting high-end stereo components. His first product, the LNP-1, was a rack-mounted system with two large VU meters and a high performance op-amp module. And with every subsequent product, the legend grew.

Ownership:

Second Owner

Amplifier Recommendation:

https://skyfiaudio.com/products/mark-levinson-ml-9-ml9-vintage-class-ab-amplifier

Connections:

Inputs: 1 phono, 2 aux, 1 tuner, 2 tape.

Outputs: 2 tape, 2 main. 

General Sound:

Smooth, uncolored, undistorted natural and clean.

Cosmetic Condition:

8 - Very Slight Signs of Use https://skyfiaudio.com/pages/our-rating-scale

Working Condition:

Working perfectly and tested in our lab.

Included:

Unit, power cord, manual, and two sets of Camac to RCA cables (We can also provide a Camac to Camac cable if you happen to have a Levinson amplifier. Please just let us know in your order notes during checkout.)

Packing:

Will be packed using our highly developed in-house process and custom packing materials.

Original MSRP:

$5,750

Dimensions:

Preamp: 19" W by 2.5" H by 9.5" D (Allow 2.5" for power supply umbilical/plug).

Power supply: 4" W by 4.5" H by 10.5" D. 

Weight:

21 lbs including power supply.

Age:

1985

Reviews (7a version):

https://www.stereophile.com/solidpreamps/mark_levinson_ml-7a_preamplifier/index.html

Link to Manual:

N/A

Recommended Cables:

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - Phono Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - Flagship Tonearm Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Better

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Best

Testing Process:

The SkyFi Testing Process for Preamplifiers:

We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCBs for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR.

When we first power on a preamplifier we connect its RCA output to a Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which simulates real world loading conditions and gives us an oscilloscope interface. The first order of business is checking that the volume control works smoothly throughout its entire range with acceptable channel balance. This is accomplished by feeding a 1KHz sine wave into one of the preamp’s line level inputs while monitoring the preamp’s output on an oscilloscope. We then switch to a 1KHz square wave to test the tone controls, loudness function, and filters where applicable. During this step we are watching for equal alteration of the test signal by both channels. This also helps us identify dirty controls that will need treatment. Once the basic line stage functions are verified, we test each input individually. This is especially important for devices that use relays to select their sources. If the preamp is equipped with a phono stage we test that as well. We use an inverse RIAA filter which allows us to feed a reference test signal into the phono input with the proper RIAA equalization and level. A square wave or sine sweep is used to verify that the device’s phono stage is faithfully reproducing the RIAA curve. If the preamp under test has balanced inputs and/or outputs these are tested as well.

We finish up our bench testing with a listening test with our bench amplifier and reference speakers. During this test we check for hum or hiss that may not have shown up in earlier testing. We also check that all of the tone controls and filters perform as expected. If the preamplifier has remote control functions these are also tested. Preamps with tube circuits or complicated power supply topologies are connected at our long term test rig for extended stress testing under real world conditions.

Specs:

Configuration
Phono amplifier 2 / line amplifier 2
Four plug-in configurations

Gain
Phono Amplifier: 38dB/44dB (Switching)
Line amplifier: 20dB

Input impedance
Phono Amplifier: 50kΩ / 820Ω (Switching)
Line amplifier: 13.5kΩ or more

Output impedance
Phono amplifier (Tape out): 1.2kΩ
Line amplifier (main out): 47Ω

Maximum output voltage
Phono Amplifier: 6.6 V
Line amplifier: 8.0 V

Power
120V, 60Hz

Power consumption
Approx. 25 W