Mark Levinson No.36S Digital Processor (DAC)

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General:
This is the S variant of the 36 DAC which was much improved over the original featuring incredible build quality, design, and component selection.

Feels like it’s made from a solid block of steel!

Full dual mono internal construction for precise balance and channel separation.

The power supply is located far away from the analogue conversion to ensure the lowest noise floor possible.  This results in the power cord socket being located underneath the unit in the middle of the chassis.  Because of this we have included the necessary 90 degree power cord to make this connection a breeze.

We have found that this DAC to be one of the best we have tested. If you already have some Mark Levinson gear from this era this is an absolute no brainer. 

This particular unit is in excellent condition and will come with a printed manual

SkyFi Cosmetic Notes:
The manual is a printed copy, not an original document. There is a light blemish on the top of the unit and the display intensity button shows some wear. Overall it presents very, very well.

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.

,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

Connections:
RCA, AES/EBU XLR, SPDIF, Optical Digital,

General Sound:
Big beautiful musical sound with little fatigue.

Cosmetic Condition:
8/10 = Very Good. Excellent front faceplate, one minor flaw on chassis side or top. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested on our bench with both CD and DVD. XLR and RCA working as they should.

Included:
Just the unit and power cord.

Packing:
Will be packed using our highly developed in-house process and custom packing materials.Specs:
Digital converter: dual differential 20 bit
Digital Inputs: Coaxial, AES/EBU, Optical
Sampling Frequency: 32, 44, 48kHz
Frequency response: 10Hz to 20kHz
Dynamic range: 98dB
Signal to Noise Ratio: 105dB
Channel separation: 110dB
Total harmonic distortion: 0.001%
Weight: 16kg
Year: 1995

Dimensions:
400 x 97.5 x 363mm

Weight:
35 lbs.

Approximate Age:
1995

Link to Manual:
Click Here

Recommended Cables:
Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Better

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Best

Kimber Kable - Coaxial Digital Interconnect

Kimber Kable - Optical Digital Interconnect

Kimber Kable - Digital AES/EBU Interconnect

Kimber Kable - Select Series Reference USB Cable

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Good

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Better

Kimber Kable - 14AWG (Gauge) Power Cords - Best

Testing Process:
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 resistors and other passive components for signs of overheating. 

After the visual inspection we connect the DAC's RCA outputs to our Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which simulates a real world input impedance and allows us to monitor the output on an oscilloscope. We are equipped to test optical, coaxial, and USB inputs at Redbook CD Quality.

We start with a test signal to verify signal lock and proper output on both channels. If the DAC has balanced outputs these are also tested at this time. If the DAC has multiple Optical and Coaxial inputs they are all checked for proper lock. USB inputs are tested with a MacBook Pro. 

After proper function is verified, we setup the DAC for a listening test to evaluate general audio reproduction quality and monitor for clicks, pops, or any other audible signs of issues related to dropped signal lock or failing audio output stages. We often connect the DAC under evaluation to our long term test rig for a long test stint to verify stability under real world operating conditions.