May 9, 2016

  • Mark Levinson No. 37, Part 13

    Like any other format, you could argue the positives and negatives of CD. But whenever we go back to vinyl, its faults are obvious and insurmountable. We can't wait to mothball or get rid vinyl. To hear the same music, but on CD, is refreshing and a relief.

    Back in January 1994, my very first dedicated/outboard CD transport was the Theta Data Basic. In the mid-90s, I used it with a variety of powercords, powerline conditioners, digital cables, DACs, and anti-vibration products. That Data Basic gave a glimpse of what the CD format could do.

    The Mark Levinson No. 37 cost twice as much as the old Theta Data Basic, but instead of giving just a glimpse, the No. 37 gave a full view of CD's enormous capabilities. But are you ready to blow the lid off of CD, and take its performance even higher?
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    Yeah, yeah, the Pranawire Vajra M1/F1 ($5000) costs more than the No. 37 itself. By providing clean AC, the Vajra M1/F1 allows the No. 37 to decode whatever soundstage information is on the CD. By not introducing grain, grunge, and distortion, the Vajra M1/F1 allows the No. 37 to resolve even more recorded details, and to do so with focus and precision.
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    There was nothing negative about the No. 37 in the first place. But the Hi-Fi Tuning Silverstar fuses firm up the image outlines. So now you "see" the music in high-def.

    The backgrounds are slightly quieter, providing greater contrast between music and silence. Music also moves with greater precision. It starts, stops, and decays, without any slop, lag, tension, or artificial acceleration.

    Overall, the Silverstar-equipped No. 37 makes the music absolutely gripping and riveting. CDs force you to pay attention to, and just get deeply involved with, the music. Regardless of what is downstream, the Mark Levinson No. 37 sets the tone and pace, presents the highest sonic potential.