Mark Levinson, USA
1972 saw the introduction of Mark Levinson’s JC-1 preamplifier — a concrete, functional symbol of Mark Levinson’s approach to audio reproduction. With a signature blending of vision and science, it was the beginning of a series of groundbreaking audio components that reinforced America’s reputation in high end audio design. Today, more than three decades after the company’s inception, Mark Levinson continues to expand the horizons of audiophiles at home and on the road as well as those of home theater enthusiasts with components and systems that define accuracy, reliability, and enjoyment. Mark Levinson. Since 1972. The same name. The same enduring standards. The same extraordinary level of satisfaction.
Mark Levinson: the short history
The original page reproduces the brand's own copy. A few facts from outside it: Mark Levinson Audio Systems was founded in 1972 in Woodbridge, Connecticut. Its first preamplifier, the LNP-2, was developed with Dick Burwen, and early designs, including the JC-1 the original page mentions, came from John Curl under Levinson's supervision. In October 1984 creditors forced the company into bankruptcy, and Madrigal Audio Laboratories acquired its assets and the right to the name. Harman International has owned the brand since 1995.
Mark Levinson himself was no longer part of the company after 1984, which is worth knowing when the original page speaks of "the same name" since 1972.
| Founded | 1972, Woodbridge, Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Founder | Mark Levinson |
| Early designers | John Curl; Dick Burwen (LNP-2) |
| Bankruptcy | October 1984; assets to Madrigal |
| Owner since 1995 | Harman International (now part of Samsung) |
Questions collectors ask
Does Mark Levinson still run the company that bears his name?
No. After the 1984 bankruptcy, Madrigal Audio Laboratories took over the brand, and Harman International has owned it since 1995.
Are Mark Levinson amplifiers tube amplifiers?
No. The brand is known for solid-state designs, such as the ML-2 class A mono amplifier.
Sources: Wikipedia: Mark Levinson Audio Systems.
