Mark Levinson preamp no. 38 vs 38s vs 380 vs 380s

The 38s has teflon circuit boards and sounds better than the 38. Same thing with the 380 and 380s. The 380s is the best sounding of the four models.

I owned a 38s and upgraded to the 380s, by far it was one of the most astonishing upgrades I've made. The 380s transparency is exceptional, on par with ARC higher end pre-amps, but has far more bass authority, and the ergonomics can't be beat.

I have owned Krell KRC-3, ML 380s, ML 39 (uses 38 pre), ARC LS25mkII and now I have a Hovland HP-100. These last three pres are all the sam $$$(used). Look into the Hovland or another good tube device. Looks like you've given SF Stereo some good biz. (I bought all my first hi-end gear there.)

I know your thread is about the diffs in ML pres. Fine. The 380s is the best, and most expensive, of the lot. Now go look at the Hovland. It will do musical wonders to your Krell. Will take its edge off a bit.

Now, if you want to get crafty......dump your pre and buy a ML 390 cd. In it you get a 39 cd and 380 pre. You could run your Sony SACD (and all those Spyro Gyra SACDs)thru the DAC on the 390. Or dump that thing and just get a Sony SACD transport. A 390 DAC just sounds better than a Sony.

SACD? I just don't get it.

On that last point, don't sell your preamp so fast. I have a 380 and a 39 that I just had upgraded to a 390s. I too was considering selling my 380 and running the 390 direct. I have run it through the 380 to my 332 using balanced cables and compared it to the 390 driving the 332 solo.

Depth of detail and dynamics were significantly better running through the preamp compared to running the 390s direct. The 390 direct sounded good but the 390/380 combo was far and away more engaging.

Just my .02

Alan

Hi

I am using a 380s with a Bel Canto eVo2 power amp and a 390s front end. I find the sound a bit sterile and the midrange recessed and boring. Would a Lev 334 for instance improve matters? Cables are Madrigal CZ-Gel with QED spk wire.

Much appreciated.

Try running direct from the 390s to the evo, if you want a rich midrange go with a rowland amp.

Hovland and Krell seems to work well. I know a dealer in NYC that used that combo when I demo'd speakers, and it sounded pretty good.

just get the 380s..

Just get the 380S. Midrange is far from boring when useing the right equipment with it as well as the right cables. A 380S is just neutral and honest. It's sound will remain the same for all your music and not degrade like a tube preamp because a tube preamp's tubes are always wearing out and dying a little all the time. As with everything else, you need to hear it in your system and then decide. Me, I love mine.

Ok guys thanks very much for your help,but i don't understand very well if is a usefull to spend 1000 USD more for 380s than 38s.
Many time I ear a upgrade model like 38s-380s and I can understand the technical variation regards electical component etc...
Please let me know as soon as possible the really performance compare with the price.
thanks a lot to all nice friends around the world.
kind Regards,
Alberto

Alberto, everything is all explained above. Read what Abstract7 says on top on 4-22-02 that it is useful to pay more for better performance but that is up to you. I already e-mailed you a copy of a review on this 380S from Fi magazine as it's all explained in the review, did you read it yet? You can see it for yourself on the Marklevinson.com website which will explain to you everything your asking in your above question. The 380S was dramatically improved over the 38,38S, and the 380. Uriah

Hi Tod,

If you have FPB200C you should buy the Krell KCT preamp and use Cast cables. It will sound better than all the Mark Levinson preamps you mentioned. I had the 380S and the KCT blows it away in every aspect.

Peter