The Mark Levinson No. 27 is one of those amps that feels carved out of solid metal and built with one purpose: total control. There’s an effortless authority to the way it drives speakers—deep, grippy bass, massive dynamics, and a sense of composure that never seems to flinch no matter how demanding the music gets. But what makes the No. 27 special is that underneath all that muscle, it still sounds refined and deeply musical, with a smooth, richly textured presentation that keeps long listening sessions engaging rather than fatiguing. Visually, it’s peak old-school Levinson: understated, industrial, and unapologetically serious. The kind of amplifier that doesn’t need flashy styling because the sound does all the talking.
- Production
- 1989
- Condition
- Cosmetic 8/10 - Electronic 11/10
- Serial No.
- 1630
- Orig. MSRP
- $3495
- Restoration
- Replaced filter capacitors
- Replaced large electrolytic capacitors in power supply
- Replaced large electrolytic capacitors on amp boards
- Replaced two Darlington transistors on amp board
- Verified power and distortion at 1kHz
- Left Channel 100 watts RMS into 8 ohms @0.03% THD+N
- Right Channel 100 watts RMS into 8 ohms @0.02% THD+N
- 40hrs of labor and over $300 in Parts
- Factory Specs
Type Solid State Amplifier
Power Output 100WPC RMS @ 8Ω, 200WPC RMS @ 4Ω, 350WPC RMS @ 2Ω
Power Input 1 C14 (female) receptacle
Frequency Response 20Hz to 20kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) 0.1%
Signal Input 2 x coaxial, 2 x XLR
Input Impedance 50kΩ shunted by 1.5nF
Sensitivity (EIA) 141mV
Voltage Gain 26dB
Power Consumption 175W @ idle, 400W during peak @ 8Ω
Speaker Output 4 x 5-way binding post
Dimensions 17.5"W x 7"H x 18"D
Weight 75 lbs.
- Documentation
Mark Levinson No. 27 Owner's Manual
- Liner Notes
- Class A amplifier design keeps both output stages of the device at constant full power. It's the most linear design with the least amount of distortion – at the expense of efficiency. With both stages are constantly on, heat becomes an issue. The Class B amplifier is designed so that only one of the output stages is on at a time, alternating each half-cycle of the signal (sometimes called Push/Pull). It's not as hot, but isn't as clean, with distortion creeping in as the signal crosses between stages (with one just powering up). A Class A/B signal still alternates, but rather than shutting one stage down completely, it idles. Class A/B leverages the strengths of both designs: more efficiency than Class A, without the crossover distortion of Class B. The Mark Levinson No. 27 employs two Class A/B amplifiers. Perhaps that makes it Class ABAB? Honestly, we prefer ABBA.
- Shipping
- To ensure safe arrival, we often use private couriers. These are transporters in Sprinter Vans or pulling covered trailers often moving art and antiques across the country. Absolutely the safest way to ship short of you picking it up yourself. This piece ships to the contiguous United States for a flat rate of $300, which includes our packaging and our insurance. Of course, we'll ship anywhere in the world, just drop us a line and we'll give you an estimate – even if you're just curious.
- Stock No.
- 9495196598493
The Mark Levinson No. 27 is one of those amps that feels carved out of solid metal and built with one purpose: total control. There’s an effortless authority to the way it drives speakers—deep, grippy bass, massive dynamics, and a sense of composure that never seems to flinch no matter how demanding the music gets. But what makes the No. 27 special is that underneath all that muscle, it still sounds refined and deeply musical, with a smooth, richly textured presentation that keeps long listening sessions engaging rather than fatiguing. Visually, it’s peak old-school Levinson: understated, industrial, and unapologetically serious. The kind of amplifier that doesn’t need flashy styling because the sound does all the talking.
Production
1989
Condition
Cosmetic 8/10 - Electronic 11/10
Serial No.
1630
Orig. MSRP
$3495
Restoration
- Replaced filter capacitors
- Replaced large electrolytic capacitors in power supply
- Replaced large electrolytic capacitors on amp boards
- Replaced two Darlington transistors on amp board
- Verified power and distortion at 1kHz
- Left Channel 100 watts RMS into 8 ohms @0.03% THD+N
- Right Channel 100 watts RMS into 8 ohms @0.02% THD+N
- 40hrs of labor and over $300 in Parts
Factory Specs
Type Solid State Amplifier
Power Output 100WPC RMS @ 8Ω, 200WPC RMS @ 4Ω, 350WPC RMS @ 2Ω
Power Input 1 C14 (female) receptacle
Frequency Response 20Hz to 20kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) 0.1%
Signal Input 2 x coaxial, 2 x XLR
Input Impedance 50kΩ shunted by 1.5nF
Sensitivity (EIA) 141mV
Voltage Gain 26dB
Power Consumption 175W @ idle, 400W during peak @ 8Ω
Speaker Output 4 x 5-way binding post
Dimensions 17.5"W x 7"H x 18"D
Weight 75 lbs.
Documentation
Mark Levinson No. 27 Owner's Manual
Liner Notes
Class A amplifier design keeps both output stages of the device at constant full power. It's the most linear design with the least amount of distortion – at the expense of efficiency. With both stages are constantly on, heat becomes an issue. The Class B amplifier is designed so that only one of the output stages is on at a time, alternating each half-cycle of the signal (sometimes called Push/Pull). It's not as hot, but isn't as clean, with distortion creeping in as the signal crosses between stages (with one just powering up). A Class A/B signal still alternates, but rather than shutting one stage down completely, it idles. Class A/B leverages the strengths of both designs: more efficiency than Class A, without the crossover distortion of Class B. The Mark Levinson No. 27 employs two Class A/B amplifiers. Perhaps that makes it Class ABAB? Honestly, we prefer ABBA.
Shipping
To ensure safe arrival, we often use private couriers. These are transporters in Sprinter Vans or pulling covered trailers often moving art and antiques across the country. Absolutely the safest way to ship short of you picking it up yourself. This piece ships to the contiguous United States for a flat rate of $300, which includes our packaging and our insurance. Of course, we'll ship anywhere in the world, just drop us a line and we'll give you an estimate – even if you're just curious.
Stock No.
9495196598493
