Mark Levinson 333 vs 336

[Petter Johansen]

I have a ML 333 and are thinking about buying the upgrade kit so it will be
close to the new 336.
Now the dealers recommend that I buy the new 336 instead. Because the new
336 is so much better then the upgraded 333. Have anyone any experience with
these amplifiers. I thought the hole idea with ML upgrade was to get a
amplifier which was 95% of the new line. Is really the new 336 so much
better then the 333???
Best regards, Petter Johansen

[Michael Yagas]

> Is really the new 336 so much better then the 333???

How do you define or value "so much better" ?
To me 336 is much better than 333. Quicker, full from top to bottom,
excellent huge soundstage, silky mids and highs and probably the best (or
one of the best) at 300+ watts pc. Difficult to find something better if you
need so much high power. The only think that I don't like (in general with
ML) is that they have a somehow big, almost supernatural sound, especially
with some speakers. Anyway even at this 336 is much better than 333 and as
you already own a 333 this is not a problem for you.

But if you are going to sale at half the price your 333 and add a lot of
money to buy a 336 ... how do you value those benefits ? And then what ... ?

My experience comes from ML333 and ML336. I never heard an upgraded ML333.
The ML 336 was for 2 months in my system together with PLINIUS SA-250 latest
version. ML 336 was the most impressive but Plinius was the most musically
satisfying especially from mid to top. Finally I bought Plinius.

Sincerely Michael

[Jay Torborg]

I upgraded my 333 to the 333.5. This amp is used for the main LR
speakers in my home theater. The upgrade improved the detail and
smoothness of the sound and also provided a tighter, slightly more
extended bottom end. The layout (photos on my web site) and imaging
of my system is optimized for home theater use, so I haven't really
been able to ascertain improvements in imaging.

I have not directly compared the 333.5 with 336s in my theater, but I
have heard the 336 on the same speakers in another system. Comparing
the two from memory, the 333.5 seems to deliver fairly similar sound
to the 336. The differences I noticed (fuller soundstage on 336
system) are more likely the result of the room layout than the amps.

If I were you, I'd consider the upgrade before I'd sell my amp and
buy a new one, unless you can get a great trade-in from your dealer
or find a used 336.
--
Jay Torborg
http://www.torborg.com/jay
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