XLR/RCA switch on Mark Levinson 53XH models

**brad1138** · April 8, 2020, 11:20 AM

Does anyone know if the XLR/RCA input switch can be used to switch between two preamps? I like to hook my 2 channel stereo preamp up via XLR and Home theater prepro main outs up via RCA. and then just switch back and forth.

Thanks

**joeinid** · April 8, 2020, 11:50 AM

Welcome to the forum

**Mr Peabody** · April 8, 2020, 12:01 PM

Yes, you could use two preamps. I was going to do that but opted to use the bypass on my stereo preamp. I needed both paths to be balanced for one reason but it is easier to push a button on the remote opposed to reaching behind the power amp all the time. Could be an option for saving preamp tubes though if that's what you have.

Welcome to the forum.

**brad1138** · April 8, 2020, 11:27 PM

Thank you, you were the first person I could get to confirm that. Because of your reply, I just picked up a 532H

I also have a pair of Tekton MOABs on order. Should be a nice combo.

**Mr Peabody** · April 9, 2020, 02:25 PM

If the Moabs are as efficient as other Tekton I've seen it will definitely get loud, LOL

What preamp will you use? The 532h has the Levinson sound but design is a bit different from typical Levinson amps that "double down".

Originally Posted by brad1138

Thank you, you were the first person I could get to confirm that. Because of your reply, I just picked up a 532H

I also have a pair of Tekton MOABs on order. Should be a nice combo.

**brad1138** · April 9, 2020, 05:34 PM

Yeah... 98dB

I have been doing a lot of reading on the 53XH line, I was originally looking at a pair of 531Hs, but space wise the 532H works better for me. Saved me some $ also. I am not worried about "only" having about 450-500 wpc into 4 ohms...

the FAQ on the ML web site says they can't quote 4 or 2 ohm output, without having to change the design of the amp to get around some regulations (or something). It doesn't necessarily say it doesn't "double down". But like I said, even "just" 300 WPC would be more than enough, I'll likely not use more than 1 wpc. lol.

I don't listen that loud anymore, trying to protect my hearing as long as possible.... I currently use a PS Audio Trio P-200 Gain cell preamp with Cullen Circuits stage III mod. It is a very nice preamp, and I plan on continuing to use it. I use an Axiom II passive preamp w/Walker mod, in my other main system. I will try that as well, see which I like better in this system. The PS Audio is a bit forward, as are most Tektons, I'll have to see.

FWIW I included a couple pics from a preamp comparison I did recently, just to show the PS Audio (bottom left). Google searches don't always find the right preamp.

**brad1138** · April 9, 2020, 06:03 PM

Does the 53XH line still use the same silly trigger method the No 331 did(I had that in the past)? It needed a pulse to turn on and a pulse to turn off... Instead of like most everyone else that just turns on when trigger voltage is present.

**Mr Peabody** · April 10, 2020, 10:27 AM

Sorry, I've not used the trigger.

The PS Audio should work well with the 532h, Levinson has a further back presentation, so I suspect with the PSA being forward they should mesh in the middle. My experience, and it may be gear related, the Levinson performs some better via balanced connections where the other components are differentially balanced.

I believe I saw you on an audio Facebook forum with a question on DAC's.

Bryan

**brad1138** · April 10, 2020, 11:21 AM

Yes, on Audiophiles - North America. I am leaning toward the RME ADI-2 DAC FS. Everyone says things like it is an end game product. Some are also recommending using it as a preamp and ditching the PS Audio. I am Googling now looking for others to back that up. I will likely order the RME ADI-2 DAC FS and 1 or 2 others, and return the "losers".

**brad1138** · April 12, 2020, 02:30 PM

Mr Peabody, Can you do me a favor and measure the width, not including the faceplate. Owners manual says it is 17 3/4" wide, but I assume that is measuring the faceplate which is wider than the main chassis. Hoping it isn't too wide to fit in my rack... But I'll come up with something either way .

Not sure why ML feels the need to be a little wider than everybody else....

**Mr Peabody** · April 12, 2020, 07:02 PM

The faceplate is just barely wider than the chassis, for all intents and purposes I'd say basically the same. The chassis may be like 17 1/2. The handles are on the back so the amp is deep as well.

Originally Posted by brad11
38;299245

Mr Peabody, Can you do me a favor and measure the width, not including the faceplate. Owners manual says it is 17 3/4" wide, but I assume that is measuring the faceplate which is wider than the main chassis. Hoping it isn't too wide to fit in my rack... But I'll come up with something either way .

Not sure why ML feels the need to be a little wider than everybody else....

**brad1138** · April 12, 2020, 10:21 PM

Thanks, it is going in a rack, and rack shelves are about 17 1/4 wide. I'll have to try to find a rack mount kit for it, or turn shelf upside down...

**Mr Peabody** · April 13, 2020, 11:52 AM

What a pain to be soo close

**brad1138** · May 22, 2020, 12:39 AM

I ended up putting it on the floor, looks so much better this way.

One other question, I noticed 1 or 2 red and 2 green internal LEDs. I assume they are all normal, but sometimes red means bad. I can't find anything online about them, and I didn't want to take the cover off. Does yours have the same internal LEDs?

Thanks again.

**gadawg** · May 22, 2020, 12:52 AM

Awesome setup! The LEDs are normal as I have them on the inside of my No536s also. That said no idea what they are for. Would love to know. My old California Audio Labs CD player was the first component I ever saw to have LEDs on the circuit board deployed in a similar fashion about 30 years ago.

George

**Mr Peabody** · May 22, 2020, 11:30 AM

Yes, mine has those. There is also a micro processor that if anything goes wrong the tech can check that to see what happened. From what I understand it's like the "black box". A hint, if you ever have a problem, DO NOT, do the hard reset, it clears the processor's information as well. Why they'd do that is beyond me.

Did you get a manual? I read somewhere what those LED are for but forgot, it has something to do with the condition of the amp. If there is a problem whatever color you see means something, there's also blinking, or glowing with no blinking.

If no manual there are some pdf versions online with a Google search. I'll see what else I might be able to find.

Originally Posted by brad1138

I ended up putting it on the floor, looks so much better this way.

One other question, I noticed 1 or 2 red and 2 green internal LEDs. I assume they are all normal, but sometimes red means bad. I can't find anything online about them, and I didn't want to take the cover off. Does yours have the same internal LEDs?

Thanks again.

**Mr Peabody** · May 22, 2020, 11:30 AM

Yes, mine has those. There is also a micro processor that if anything goes wrong the tech can check that to see what happened. From what I understand it's like the "black box". A hint, if you ever have a problem, DO NOT, do the hard reset, it clears the processor's information as well. Why they'd do that is beyond me.

Did you get a manual? I read somewhere what those LED are for but forgot, it has something to do with the condition of the amp. If there is a problem whatever color you see means something, there's also blinking, or glowing with no blinking.

If no manual there are some pdf versions online with a Google search. I'll see what else I might be able to find.

Originally Posted by brad1138

I ended up putting it on the floor, looks so much better this way.

One other question, I noticed 1 or 2 red and 2 green internal LEDs. I assume they are all normal, but sometimes red means bad. I can't find anything online about them, and I didn't want to take the cover off. Does yours have the same internal LEDs?

Thanks again.

**Mr Peabody** · May 22, 2020, 11:49 AM

My link to the manual is no good, looks like the 532h has been discontinued. Not sure why they wouldn't keep those manuals around on the site somewhere.

**brad1138** · May 22, 2020, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

Yes, mine has those. There is also a micro processor that if anything goes wrong the tech can check that to see what happened. From what I understand it's like the "black box"....

Thanks, a bit like this then...

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