Mark Levinson No.20 (1986–1990)
The Mark Levinson No.20 is a monaural reference power amplifier. It was produced from 1986 to 1990, during the Madrigal Audio Laboratories era of the brand. It was the first Levinson amplifier made under Madrigal ownership, which began in 1984, and it sat at the top of the company's component line. A stereo system needed two units. The original price was $9,000 per amplifier.
It weighs 95 pounds and is built around discrete transistors and a toroidal transformer. It's solid-state power with no obvious compromise. On the rear, Audio (August 1987, p.65) noted a detachable AC cord, two 10-amp fuses (one for each side of the AC line), a chassis-ground binding post, and two outputs fitted with gold-plated, high-current (80-ampere peak) jacks for Fischer self-locking speaker connectors. The same review described it as a monaural amplifier that sits at the top of the prestigious Mark Levinson line.
The internal circuit topology and exact power rating are not documented in surviving period literature. The record on the No.20 is thinner than its reputation suggests. What is known is that it used discrete components and a toroidal power supply, weighed a lot, and carried a flagship price. The numbering system (No.20, No.23, No.38) gave the line a scientific feel.
- Type: Monaural power amplifier
- Production: 1986–1990
- Original price: $9,000 (each)
- Weight: ~95 lbs
- Construction: Discrete transistors, toroidal transformer
- Speaker outputs: Gold-plated Fischer self-locking high-current jacks (80 A peak)
- AC fuses: Two 10-amp, one per side of AC line
- Available specs not documented: Power output, THD, frequency response, SNR, input sensitivity, dimensions
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