Mark Levinson No. 33 (1990s)

The Mark Levinson No. 33 was the brand's flagship amplifier of the 1990s. It is a pure class A monoblock, offered by Madrigal Audio Laboratories. It was built as a dual-chassis design. The output stage is biased into class A, which requires massive heat-sinking, and the inputs are balanced (XLR). The power supply is fully regulated. Nothing about it is subtle. The amp weighs 155 lbs., and one owner describes the power supply alone at 160 pounds. It runs extremely hot and needs open, well-ventilated space.

The record on the No. 33 is thinner than its heft suggests. The available sources document no exact production years, original retail price, or detailed specifications (frequency response, THD, damping factor). What is known comes largely from owner reports. One AudioAsylum owner bought a pair in the mid-1990s and reports over two decades of satisfaction, with only one output transistor replacement in that time. He also notes that replacement parts from Madrigal are now nearly impossible to find, and that the heat is the main operational concern. Another owner calls the No. 33 the finest amplifier he has ever heard.

The No. 33H, a variant described as essentially the No. 33 in mono form, was offered alongside it. HiFI-Stereo (January 1997, p.84) discussed Madrigal's design goals for the flagship, with Michael Wesley describing the aim to combine "the most delicately accurate reproduction of musical signals with power capabilities." The No. 33 itself was extremely expensive. One Dutch listing simply says "price on request."

Known specifications, such as they are:

• Type: Monaural power amplifier (monoblock)
• Output: 150W into 8Ω (one source claims 250W/8Ω; the lower figure is from a more detailed review source)
• Topology: Pure class A
• Inputs: Balanced (XLR)
• Chassis: Dual-chassis design
• Weight: 155 lbs. (amp); power supply reportedly 160 lbs.
• Power supply: Fully regulated

eBay Listings

Mark Levinson No. 331 Dual Monaural Power Amplifier High-End

$2,695

Mark Levinson No. 333 Stereo Power Amplifier 300WPC High Cur

$4,500

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