I saw this on E-Bay today, a Mark Levinson ML-5 RtR for the small starting bid of $27,450 !!! This has got to be the most expensive single tape machine I have ever seen. I did not even know that Mark Levinson produced a RtR. Interesting stuff, it will be more interesting to see if it sells and for how much.

http://cgi.ebay.com/MARK-LEVINSON-ML-5_W0QQitemZ200175134770QQihZ010QQcategoryZ15199QQs sPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

For that kind of cash, you'd think there would be a few more pics.

For that kind of cash, you'd think there would be a few more pics.

Gotta agree with you there. Nice looking...wonder what it sounds like?

Rick

From what little info I have been able to find, this is a heavily modified Studer, Mark Levinson re-did the electronics with his own and fitted it with a 2 track head stack.

HI,
Well, it somewhat resembles a Revox A-70 but it's not that close. Of course we all know about Studer and the their outstanding professional machines, and our great amateur Studer Revox recorders. Mark Levinson was (is) certainly one of the geniuses of our hobby. Put the two together and I'll bet it's an ass kicking machine like most of us have never experienced.

But it can only be considered a collectors item. As much as I would love to have it the price is way too rich for me.

Sparky

I remember reading about this unit back in the 80s. That is certainly is on my long dreamed-about list of machines. :drool:

It is definitely based on a Studer transport. The information that I have been able to find indicates that is was made from 1981-1986 and that it was a modified Studer A80RC with all new electronics made by Levinson.

I remember reading about this unit back in the 80s. That is certainly is on my long dreamed-about list of machines. :drool:

It is definitely based on a Studer transport. The information that I have been able to find indicates that is was made from 1981-1986 and that it was a modified Studer A80RC with all new electronics made by Levinson.

That is correct.

Speaking about the ePay add........I wonder where the meter bridge is?
Not showing on the pic's.
Originally mounted, the meter bridge contained some of the ML modifications.

"dolph"

Regarding the Levinson:

If you like jazz or are just curious enough to spend the money, there is a dual-CD set out by pianist Randy Weston, titled "Ancient Future/Blue" where the "Blue" disc is recorded on the ML-5.

Credits say Gerald Oshita engineered this with an ML-5 and a set of B & K mics in March of '83.

While the room is a bit hard to my ears, the piano certainly sounds terrific. I bought the set specifically for the Levinson recorder reference, and I wound up liking Randy Weston's music in the process :banana:

"Regular civilians" will never understand such logic...:D

Best,
C.

Regarding the Levinson:

If you like jazz or are just curious enough to spend the money, there is a dual-CD set out by pianist Randy Weston, titled "Ancient Future/Blue" where the "Blue" disc is recorded on the ML-5.

Credits say Gerald Oshita engineered this with an ML-5 and a set of B & K mics in March of '83.

While the room is a bit hard to my ears, the piano certainly sounds terrific. I bought the set specifically for the Levinson recorder reference, and I wound up liking Randy Weston's music in the process :banana:

"Regular civilians" will never understand such logic...:D

Best,
C.

It is in particular hard to understand how they manage to bring the sound of the ML-5 to you through the CD format.
:rolleyes::lmao:

"dolph"

That sure is a lot of money for a very small Mark Levinson plate mounted to that machine. Not nearly as impressive looking as muck of the early ML equipment.

niklas,

I am quite aware of the limitations of the RedBook format, but nonetheless, I thought I would recommend a nice CD set to anyone interested in recording technology since we were discussing this particular machine.
And Weston is an impressive pianist.

Best,
C.