Mark Levinson No.26S (1989–)
The No.26S is the dual-mono version of Mark Levinson’s flagship No.26 preamplifier. It is essentially the same design taken further, with two entirely independent channels from power supply to output stage. The No.26 already separated the left and right signal paths. The 26S gave each channel its own physically separate power supply, its own regulation, and its own circuit boards, so nothing is shared between channels at any point in the chain. Mark Levinson’s own literature called it “the quintessential dual mono preamplifier design.”
Introduced in 1989 as an alternative to the No.26 (which had arrived two years earlier), the 26S carried a substantial premium over the already-expensive standard model. The engineering is serious throughout. A 110VA toroidal transformer and 44,000µF of capacitance feed discrete, fully balanced circuitry built around double differential amplifiers. There are no op-amps or ICs in the signal path. Volume is handled by a custom molded, surface-mount resistive ladder instead of a conventional potentiometer, so there are no physical wiper contacts and none of the channel tracking drift they introduce. Both balanced (XLR) and single-ended (RCA) inputs and outputs are provided.
The numbers hold up even by today’s standards. Frequency response is rated at 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.01 dB, THD is below 0.003%, and output reaches 26.5 V RMS balanced (13.2 V single-ended) at 1% THD. That is a lot of headroom for driving virtually any power amplifier. Output impedance is very low at 0.04 ohms balanced and 0.02 ohms single-ended. The phono stage is a particular strength: 40 dB gain for moving magnet, or 52 dB for moving coil via a high-current 50-ohm input stage, with 1 mV or 2 mV sensitivity standard.
Audio magazine (February 1988, p.5) ran Mark Levinson’s own “The Shape of Things to Come” advertising campaign around this era, touting the company’s “unequalled tradition” of reproducing music. Forum commentary consistently describes the 26S as exceptionally transparent and neutral, “a straight wire with gain,” with superb build quality and a phono stage that rivals dedicated outboard units. One common refrain is that it will drive any power amp you throw at it.
The caveat is age. The 26S is now over three decades old, and the internal power supply capacitors are known to age and fail, sometimes leaking electrolyte. This is widely reported among owners and technicians - at least four independent forum sources flag it - though Mark Levinson’s official documentation never acknowledged a problem. The standard recommendation is to recap the power supply and replace the aging electrolytics. OEM replacement parts are no longer produced, but aftermarket equivalents are available through authorized service centers. Service is getting harder, and some owners note that for the cost of a good 26S today, a modern outboard phono stage or DAC may offer better value. Still, the 26S holds its value well.
Known Specifications
- Dual mono construction — separate power supplies per channel
- Fully balanced topology, discrete circuitry throughout
- Output: 26.5 V RMS max (balanced), 13.2 V RMS (single-ended) at 1% THD
- Output impedance: 0.04 ohms (balanced), 0.02 ohms (single-ended)
- Input impedance: 100k ohms
- Frequency response: 20 Hz–20 kHz ±0.01 dB
- THD: less than 0.003%
- Phono: 40 dB (MM), 52 dB (MC, 50-ohm input)
- Power supply: 110VA toroidal transformer, 44,000µF capacitance
- 2U rack-mount, standard EIA rack width
Exact dimensions, weight, and original price are not documented in available sources.
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