I think the burn in is important this piece. I have noted dramatic improvement in the sound of my system after breakin of amps ect. After having lived with the 51 now for a few weeks I am even more impressed with the soundstage. The detail as good as I have heard. The video was pretty much spot on from day one.
Review: Levinson Media 51 Transport
Category: Digital
I just put a Media 51 in my system matched with the media 40. It is a remarkable piece. The sound and video are spectacular. The thing is built like a tank. The price of course is breathtaking, but with a pmdt trade in and negotiation with the dealer I got down to merely breathtaking as opposed to oxygen sucking breathtaking. I don't know whether the price is justified but it is a great transport. I decided against Hidef for the same reasons Levinson did. Without a standard the material available is a waste of money. What does anyone do with their beta tapes? Based on all Levinson put in this piece my gut is that when a standard on Hidef is in place I will be provided with an acceptable solution. Obviously the projection equipment I have this connected to is pretty good so the picture I have generated pretty well matches Hidef(Faroudja scaler Vidikron Vision 2). I'm wondering whether anyone else has experience with the 51 and cares to weigh in. On the audio side it is the best I have heard so regardless of the video debate it is quite worthwhile.
Associated gear
Mark Levinson Media 40
3 Harmonic Precision HP-110-V2 Mono-amplifiers For Main Speakers
2 Proceed HPA-2 amplifiers
Pioneer Elite CLD 99 LaserDisc
2 Revel Ultima Salons
1 Revel Ultima Voice
4 Revel Ultima Embrace
2 Revel Ultima Sub 15
Sonoran Plateau Cable, Interconnects, and Power Cables
2 Sistrum Racks with Audiopoints.
I just put a Media 51 in my system matched with the media 40. It is a remarkable piece. The sound and video are spectacular. The thing is built like a tank. The price of course is breathtaking, but with a pmdt trade in and negotiation with the dealer I got down to merely breathtaking as opposed to oxygen sucking breathtaking. I don't know whether the price is justified but it is a great transport. I decided against Hidef for the same reasons Levinson did. Without a standard the material available is a waste of money. What does anyone do with their beta tapes? Based on all Levinson put in this piece my gut is that when a standard on Hidef is in place I will be provided with an acceptable solution. Obviously the projection equipment I have this connected to is pretty good so the picture I have generated pretty well matches Hidef(Faroudja scaler Vidikron Vision 2). I'm wondering whether anyone else has experience with the 51 and cares to weigh in. On the audio side it is the best I have heard so regardless of the video debate it is quite worthwhile.
Associated gear
Mark Levinson Media 40
3 Harmonic Precision HP-110-V2 Mono-amplifiers For Main Speakers
2 Proceed HPA-2 amplifiers
Pioneer Elite CLD 99 LaserDisc
2 Revel Ultima Salons
1 Revel Ultima Voice
4 Revel Ultima Embrace
2 Revel Ultima Sub 15
Sonoran Plateau Cable, Interconnects, and Power Cables
2 Sistrum Racks with Audiopoints.
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