Mark Levinson ML-2 (1972–1974)
The ML-2 is the amplifier that effectively launched the high-end audio industry. First shown at the Consumer Electronics Show in 1971 and produced from 1972 to 1974, this monoblock was Mark Levinson's statement that an amplifier could be a state-of-the-art reference instrument rather than a mass-market commodity. The market then was dominated by inexpensive Pioneer and Marantz receivers, and the ML-2's original price of $1,995 per pair was almost unheard of.
Technically, the ML-2 is remembered as the first amplifier to deliver a full 25 watts in true Class A operation, made possible by a Canadian-made high-frequency transistor. It used a six-layer circuit board and a super-regulated DC power supply. The open-frame construction, with no chassis enclosure, was a practical necessity as much as an aesthetic choice. The unit ran really hot and needed the exposed airflow to dissipate heat. That unfamiliar look, combined with its small size, low power, and high price, drew skepticism in its day.
Reception was strong among those who listened. The ML-2 earned a Class A rating in Stereophile's first "Recommended Components" listing, and by 1984 Audio (October 1984, p.80) still referred to it as "long been many audiophiles' 'dream amplifier.'"
Today the ML-2 is a collector's piece, but a challenging one. Units are roughly fifty years old, many have failed output transistors, and those parts are no longer available. Owners typically need to buy a donor pair to keep one running. The amps also run hot by design, and if they are no longer biased to factory spec, they slide out of pure Class A operation and lose some of their magic. A pair still in factory spec is the goal, but servicing them is beyond most hobbyists.
Known specifications:
- Type: Monoblock power amplifier
- Output: 25W in full Class A operation
- Original price: $1,995 per pair
- Production: 1972–1974
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