Mark Levinson No.28
The Mark Levinson No.28 is a dual-mono, solid-state line-stage preamplifier from the golden era of the "No." series. It succeeded the ML-7 in the brand lineup and sat below the flagship No.32. Period system recommendations often paired it with the No.23 or No.29 power amplifiers. It was priced at $4,495 at launch.
The No.28 is notable for what it leaves out as much as what it has. Each channel gets a fully regulated power supply, and the circuitry is proprietary and discrete, with no op-amps. Internal jumpers switch the gain so you can match different power amplifiers. The fact sheet confirms a gain of 6.2dB, frequency response of 20Hz - 20kHz ±0.5dB, and total harmonic distortion of 0.02%. Those figures point to a deliberately neutral, low-color presentation.
Critical reception was strong. Stereophile described it as one of the most transparent solid-state preamps of its era, and owners have echoed that. They praise the clean, noise-free high-gain output stage and the low output impedance, which suits long interconnect runs. The complaints have aged poorly. The front-panel controls were described as stiff and non-ergonomic even when new. Today the Alps motorized potentiometer is a known failure point, and so are the aging electrolytic capacitors in the power supply. Recapping is recommended every 20-25 years. Service manuals exist but are hard to source outside dealer networks. The original volume pot is discontinued, and replacement Alps "black beauty" units are the common substitute.
Surviving documentation is thin on some specifics. Exact production years, dimensions, weight, and the number of inputs/outputs are not confirmed in the research record. A period listing in HiFi-Stereo (February 1991, p.19) noted seven inputs and a matching outboard power supply. The No.28 remains a respected, collectible piece of 1990s high-end solid-state design. Current market prices run from $1,500 to $2,800, depending on condition, originality, and whether the capacitors have been upgraded.
- Gain: 6.2dB
- Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz ±0.5dB
- THD: 0.02%
- Original price: $4,495
- Current market: $1,500–$2,800
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