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Watt’n Potatoes

Authorized dealers for Mark Levinson № 5805

  • The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
  • Advance Audio — in-store — Wichita, Kansas, United States (website)
  • Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
  • Ambiance Concert — in-store — Angers, Pays de la Loire, France (website)
  • Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
  • Audio 46 — online and in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
  • Audio Advice — online and in-store — Raleigh, North Carolina, United States (website)
  • Audio Affair — online and in-store — Deritend, England, United Kingdom (website)
  • Audio Breakthroughs — in-store — Manhasset, New York, United States (website)
  • Audio Classics — in-store — New York, United States (website)

and 93 more verified dealers

Potato score: 92.85

93%

Mark Levinson № 5805 #1
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Mark Levinson № 5805 variant 10

Mark Levinson № 5805

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View at Mark Levinson
Phono Stage
Built-in DAC
USB Audio
Asynchronous USB
Balanced Line Output
Bi-Wire Capable
Display
RS-232 Control
IR Input
Trigger Input
Trigger Output
Ethernet
MC/MM Switching
Remote Control

Analog Input Stage


The foundation of the Nº 5805 is its proprietary PurePath signal path- a fully discrete, direct-coupled, dual-monaural line-level preamp circuit, for which the Shelton design team has two patents pending. A unique single gain stage mated to a digitally controlled resistor network for volume adjustment maintains maximum signal integrity and widest possible bandwidth. Each of its three stereo line level inputs—one balanced XLR and two single-ended, using custom Mark Levinson RCA connectors—has its own individual high-reliability signal switching relays.


A newly designed Phono stage features a hybrid gain topology, mating key discrete components from the acclaimed 500 Series Pure Phono stage with low-noise integrated circuits for high performance at lower cost. Also like the 500 Series, a hybrid active/passive RIAA equalizer employs precision resistors and polypropylene capacitors for exceptional accuracy and sonic clarity. The user can select MM/MC gain and infrasonic filter from the setup menu, while capacitive and resistive loading settings are easily accessed from the rear panel.


Amplification

The fully discrete, direct-coupled, class AB amplifier channels get their power from an oversized (500+ VA) toroidal transformer with individual secondary windings for the left and right channels. The voltage gain stage employs a topology directly descended from the acclaimed Nº 534 amplifier, which is mated to an output stage comprising two high-speed driver transistors operating in class A and six 260V, 15A output transistors. Two Thermal-Trak devices in a unique configuration guarantee stable output bias regardless of load or temperature. Four 10,000-microfarad capacitors per channel, located directly on the output stage circuit board, easily provide enough current for a conservative 125W/channel at 8 ohms, nearly 250W/channel at 4 ohms, and stable operation down to 2 ohms. Variable line-level RCA outputs allow system expansion and flexibility.


Digital Audio

Building upon the superb analog platform, the Nº 5805 adds equally outstanding digital audio capability with the Mark Levinson PrecisionLink II DAC. The latest generation ESS Sabre 32-bit D/A converter with jitter elimination circuitry and a fully balanced, discrete current-to-voltage converter form the heart of the digital audio processing stage. Four digital audio inputs are provided: one coaxial and two optical S/PDIF, and one asynchronous USB for playback of high resolution PCM (up to 32 bit/384kHz) and DSD (up to 11.2MHz) files. The No 5805 includes MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) technology, which enables playback of MQA audio files and streams. A Bluetooth receiver equipped with aptX-HD enables the highest quality Bluetooth playback available.


Control

System integration and communication ports include Ethernet, USB, RS-232, IR input, and 12V trigger input and output. A newly designed, solid aluminum IR remote is included with the Nº 5805. Finally, an internal webpage allows setup, import and export of configurations, and software updates using a PC and standard web browser. In addition, third party drivers are available.


Bold new industrial design

Robust materials, lavish finishes, and striking geometry are hallmark attributes of Mark Levinson designs. The one-inch thick, bead-blasted, black-anodized, solid aluminum front panels are machined and contoured to flow seamlessly into the sleek glass display, which itself is recessed into a clear-anodized aluminum bezel.


The iconic Mark Levinson hourglass knobs are redefined - machined with a gently curved profile transitioning into a rounded front, with feet to match. With debossed top cover vents, screen-printed logo behind the glass panel, and aluminum buttons, no detail has been overlooked. An elegant 5000 Series custom aluminum IR remote control is included.


№ 5805 Highlights

  • Digital Inputs
  • 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x coaxial S/PDIF, and 2 x optical S/PDIF
  • 384kHz/32 bit PCM and DSD 11.2MHZ capability
  • Bluetooth audio input including AptX-HD support
  • MQA full decoding on all digital inputs including asynchronous USB
  • Analog Inputs
  • 1 x balanced XLR stereo, 2 x RCA stereo, 1 x RCA Phono (MM/MC)
  • HT processor pass-thru mode
  • Outputs
  • Line outputs: 1 x RCA stereo (variable)
  • Headphone output: 1 x 1/4-inch/6.35mm jack (front panel)
  • Speaker outputs: 2 pairs high-current binding posts
  • Control
  • Control ports: Ethernet (RJ45), RS-232 (DB9), 12V trigger input/output and IR input (3.5mm jack)
  • Webpage setup, configuration import/export, software updates
  • Included handheld IR remote control
  • Control modules for third-party automation
  • Other
  • EuP compliant / low-power standby
  • All-new Nº 5000 series industrial design
  • Designed, engineered and precision-crafted in the USA
  • Packaged and sold individually
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Professional Reviews 93/100

Rating for № 5805

Deliciously Crispy

Sound Quality

93/100

Build Quality

94/100

Features Connectivity

95/100

Value for Money

90/100

The № 5805 combines muscular Class AB control with a refined, spacious presentation: deep, disciplined bass, layered midrange detail and airy treble remain composed at serious levels. StereoNET admired its delicacy and power, while What Hi-Fi? praised its articulate, expansive soundstage. A capable DAC, adjustable MM/MC phono stage and broad connectivity make this a genuinely luxurious all-in-one hub.

What Reviewers Are Saying

"Think of the Mark Levinson No. 5805 as akin to a velvet glove covering an iron fist."

— StereoNET United Kingdom

Pros

Delivers powerful, composed dynamics with strong loudspeaker control, even during complex music and high-volume listening.

Refined, detailed sound with deep controlled bass, clear vocals and an expansive, well-focused soundstage.

Exceptionally comprehensive single-box feature set, including DAC, aptX HD Bluetooth, adjustable MM/MC phono stage and analogue/digital inputs.

Tank-like construction, premium finish and precise controls inspire long-term confidence.

&

Cons

Ethernet is limited to control and setup; onboard network streaming is not included.

The web interface and update process can feel awkward, and input switching may have a noticeable delay.

Its polished, subtly persuasive balance is less immediately forceful than some more bombastic rivals.

SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 93/100

Reviewers consistently describe a powerful yet refined amplifier: clean, detailed and composed, with substantial bass authority and an easygoing sense of musical flow. Its presentation is more polished and subtly persuasive than aggressively attention-grabbing, while imaging remains spacious, orderly and firmly focused.

Transparency Resolution

93/100

The Sound Advocate calls the 5805 extremely transparent and says it readily exposes poor recordings, while What Hi-Fi praises its clean, detailed and articulate presentation. HiFi News likewise found impressive resolution with everything from sparse audiophile material to dense rock and classical recordings.

Tonal Balance Musicality

92/100

The sound is widely characterised as refined, smooth and musically coherent, with a full midrange, rich bass foundation and treble that is airy without becoming brittle. HiFi News notes a slightly soft, lush character beside more forthright rivals, and What Hi-Fi finds that its quieter charms become more apparent over longer listening.

Dynamics

94/100

StereoNET reports massive punch and no sense of the amplifier running out of puff during complex music, while HiFi News calls its dynamics effortless even at ambitious levels. What Hi-Fi found high-level swings confident and composed, although it considered the Krell K-300i more bombastic and felt the Levinson gave up a little punch by comparison.

Soundstage Imaging

92/100

StereoNET heard a wider, taller and deeper stage, and What Hi-Fi praises expansive staging with solid focus and carefully layered instrumentation. The Sound Advocate found placement stable and clean, though it judged width and depth slightly less expansive or reverberant with certain recordings.

Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.

Build Quality

94/100

Construction receives unusually emphatic praise: Alpha Audio calls it built like a tank and finds no corners cut inside or out. What Hi-Fi highlights the solid finish, precise controls and tidy internal construction, while HiFi News describes tank-like build and a superb finish.

Features Connectivity

95/100

The 5805 is comprehensively equipped with balanced and single-ended analogue inputs, MM/MC phono, a capable DAC, USB, coaxial, optical and AES/EBU digital connections, Bluetooth aptX HD, home-theater bypass, dual speaker outputs and extensive setup options. Its Ethernet port is for control and updates rather than streaming, and Alpha Audio found the web-interface/update experience somewhat awkward; one reviewer also noted a brief delay when switching inputs.

Value for Money

90/100

At roughly $8,500 to $11,500 depending on market and period, the 5805 is undeniably expensive, as Alpha Audio plainly notes. However, HiFi News considers it refreshingly free of "joke pricing" for a high-end American integrated, and StereoNET finds its combination of delicacy, scale, power, DAC and phono capability strongly competitive against similarly priced alternatives.

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Authorized dealers for Mark Levinson № 5805

  • The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
  • Advance Audio — in-store — Wichita, Kansas, United States (website)
  • Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
  • Ambiance Concert — in-store — Angers, Pays de la Loire, France (website)
  • Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
  • Audio 46 — online and in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
  • Audio Advice — online and in-store — Raleigh, North Carolina, United States (website)
  • Audio Affair — online and in-store — Deritend, England, United Kingdom (website)
  • Audio Breakthroughs — in-store — Manhasset, New York, United States (website)
  • Audio Classics — in-store — New York, United States (website)

and 93 more verified dealers