he new Mark Levinson No.5805 (shown right, $8500) and No.5802 ($7000) continue a tradition of feature-laden, high-performance Mark Levinson integrated amplifiers. Both feature fully discrete, direct-coupled, class-AB amplifier channels powered from an oversized (over 500VA) toroidal transformer. The voltage gain stage employs a topology directly descended from the No.534 power amplifier. Power output for both new models is 125Wpc at 8 ohms and 250Wpc at 4 ohms, with stable operation down to 2 ohms.

The No.5805 features patent-pending, fully discrete, direct-coupled, dual-mono line-level preamp circuitry and a unique single gain stage mated to a digitally controlled resistor network for volume control. Each of the three line-level inputs -- one balanced and two single-ended -- has its own signal switching relays. The No.5805 also includes a newly designed MM/MC phono stage with front-panel-selectable gain levels and infrasonic filters, and rear-panel capacitive and resistive loading. The No.5805's headphone output employs a preamp output stage specifically designed to drive headphones directly, without the need for a separate amp.

The No.5805 adds digital audio capability through the Mark Levinson Precision Link II DAC, which uses the latest-generation ESS Sabre 32-bit D/A converter with jitter-elimination circuitry. Four digital inputs are provided: one coaxial S/PDIF, two optical S/PDIF, and one asynchronous USB for playback of high-resolution PCM (up to 32 bits/192kHz) and DSD (up to DSD 5.6). An XMOS USB audio processor also decodes and renders MQA-encoded files.

The No.5802 is an all-digital integrated amplifier featuring the same Precision Link II DAC and six digital inputs: one AES/EBU, two coaxial S/PDIF, two optical S/PDIF, and one asynchronous USB for playback of high-resolution PCM (up to 32 bits/192kHz) and DSD (up to DSD 5.6). The No.5802 includes technology that enables playback of MQA audio files and streams. A Bluetooth receiver equipped with AptXHD enables the highest-quality Bluetooth playback.