By: Dipin Sehdev
TL;DR:
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Series: Mark Levinson 600 Series (No. 626 Preamp, No. 632 Stereo Amp, No. 631 Monoblock Amp)
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Tech: Pure Path circuit design, Class A/AB, Tectonic industrial chassis
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DAC: 32-bit/384kHz PCM, native DSD
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Build: Designed, engineered, and assembled in the USA
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Price: $25K (Preamp), $30K (Stereo Amp), $40K each (Monoblocks)
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Availability: Q4 2025
Brute force meets surgical precision in the all-new Mark Levinson 600 Series: a trio of flagship components built in the USA to deliver unflinching power, obsessive detail, and unmistakable attitude.
At HIGH END Munich 2025, Harman Luxury Audio Group didn’t just unveil a new product line—they declared war on complacency in ultra-high-end audio. With the global debut of the Mark Levinson 600 Series, a lineup that includes the No. 626 Dual-Monaural Preamplifier, the No. 632 Dual-Monaural Amplifier, and the flagship No. 631 Monaural Amplifier, the brand aims to set a new benchmark for American-made audio excellence.
In a category increasingly crowded by precision-engineered European rivals and now complicated by Harman’s own acquisition of Sound United (and by extension, Marantz and Classé), the 600 Series doesn’t just need to sound better—it needs to stand apart. And on first listen—and first glance—it certainly does.
The Big Picture: Why the 600 Series Matters
The 600 Series arrives at a pivotal moment for Harman Luxury Audio. With Marantz’s Statement and 10 Series and Classé’s Delta models now under the same roof, Mark Levinson is under pressure to justify its position at the very top of the food chain. Harman’s challenge is twofold: maintain Mark Levinson’s elite status while coordinating across brands to avoid cannibalization.
To do that, the 600 Series leans into what Mark Levinson has always done best—pure, unfiltered fidelity, expressed through brutalist design and an unrelenting focus on engineering detail. These components don’t whisper luxury—they declare it with a punch to the chest.
Designed and Built in the USA: No Compromises, No Apologies
While many high-end brands outsource manufacturing or split design duties across continents, the 600 Series is unapologetically American. Every component is designed, engineered, and assembled in the USA. That’s not just a talking point—it’s a strategic move, both to ensure quality control and to sidestep international tariffs that often inflate costs in global markets.
Harman has invested heavily in state-of-the-art facilities in Shelton, Connecticut, which now serve as the heart of Mark Levinson’s operations. And with the 600 Series, every circuit board, every CNC-machined panel, and every toroidal transformer reflects this domestic craftsmanship.
Industrial Design: Tectonic, Tactile, Timeless
The 600 Series introduces the latest evolution of the Mark Levinson “Tectonic” design language. Machined from solid aluminum billet and resting on vibration-dampened, mechanically decoupled feet, these components feel as inert and indestructible as they look.
Subtle red LED lighting glows beneath a tempered glass panel—recalling lava beneath obsidian. It’s a visual cue that there’s firepower inside, but without descending into garish spectacle. Every design element is purposeful. Form doesn’t just follow function—it elevates it.
No. 626 Dual-Monaural Preamplifier: Analog Purity Meets Digital Authority
At the heart of the 600 Series is the No. 626 preamplifier, a dual-monaural design that aims to marry analog musicality with digital precision. It’s a component that caters to both analog purists and modern digital audiophiles, thanks to an architecture that separates signal paths, isolates power stages, and integrates a reference-grade DAC.
Key Highlights:
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DAC: The No. 626 is equipped with the Precision Link III DAC, capable of decoding up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and native DSD via asynchronous USB-C.
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Analog Signal Path: Built around Mark Levinson’s fully balanced Pure Path circuitry, with independent left and right channel power supplies for maximum channel separation.
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Phono Stage: A built-in Pure Phono MM/MC phono input, with meticulous attention to impedance matching and signal integrity.
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Headphone Output: A Class A Main Drive amplifier powers high-end headphones without compromise.
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Build: Dual-layer circuit boards, vibration-resistant mounting, and modular internal layouts maintain signal purity and mechanical isolation.
Preamplifier I/O and Control
| Analog Inputs | 2 × Balanced XLR, 3 × RCA, 1 × RCA Phono (MM/MC) |
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| Digital Inputs | 1 × AES/EBU, 2 × Coaxial, 2 × Optical, 1 × USB-C |
| Outputs | 1 × Balanced XLR, 1 × RCA, 1 × ¼" Headphone (6.3mm) |
| Control Ports | Trigger in/out, IR in, ML Source Link, USB-A |
With its blend of versatility and sonic purity, the ? 626 stands as a true analog-digital hybrid for the modern reference system.
No. 632 and No. 631 Power Amplifiers: American Muscle, Refined
If the No. 626 is the brain of your system, the No. 632 and No. 631 amplifiers are its fists—hardened and controlled. These amplifiers are built to dominate speakers, not just drive them.
Both amps share core technologies:
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Fully Balanced Pure Path Architecture
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Class A/AB Operation
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Overbuilt Toroidal Transformers
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Modular Internal Construction
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Hurricane Speaker Binding Posts for maximum grip and conductivity
But they serve different purposes.
No. 632 Dual-Monaural Stereo Amplifier
Built as a stereo amp with isolated dual-mono internals, the No. 632 provides a perfect blend of compactness and high power. It’s ideal for those seeking symmetrical channel separation in a single chassis.
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Inputs: 2 × XLR, 2 × RCA
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Outputs: 2 × pairs of Hurricane binding posts
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Dimensions: 8.0″ × 17.9″ × 20.6″ (202.7mm × 455.0mm × 522.6mm)
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Price: $30,000 USD
No. 631 Monaural Amplifier
The flagship. A single-channel monoblock designed for ultimate control, slam, and headroom. This is Mark Levinson at full throttle.
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Inputs: 1 × XLR, 1 × RCA
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Outputs: 1 × pair Hurricane posts
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Dimensions: 20.6″ × 12.0″ × 20.6″ (522.7mm × 305mm × 521.9mm)
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Price: $40,000 USD per unit
These amplifiers are built not just to meet the demands of large-scale speakers—they’re meant to unlock their full potential.
Performance Philosophy: The Pure Path Promise
All three 600 Series components share the brand’s Pure Path design ethos—a circuit architecture refined over decades to prioritize signal integrity above all else. Key hallmarks include:
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Fully Discrete Components
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Dual-Monaural Separation
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Class A Operation Where It Matters Most
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Shortened Signal Paths
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Extensive Power Regulation
The result is dynamic performance with vanishingly low noise floors, astonishing transient response, and an almost eerie sense of spatial realism.
Software, Integration, and Serviceability
While these are primarily analog devices, Mark Levinson hasn’t ignored the modern expectation of control and integration:
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Multiple 3.5mm Trigger Ports
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IR Input
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USB-A for Firmware Updates
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ML Source Link for Seamless Source Matching
Unlike some rivals, Mark Levinson doesn't treat service access as an afterthought. USB service ports and modular internal construction mean these are built to last—and be serviced for decades to come.
The Competitive Landscape: Marantz, Classé, and the Elephant in the Room
The 600 Series arrives just as Harman finalizes its acquisition of Sound United, which brings with it some internal competition. The Marantz 10 Series and the reborn Classé Delta Series offer serious high-end performance at comparable price points.
So what makes the 600 Series worth the premium?
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Made in the USA: Neither Marantz nor Classé can make that claim.
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Higher Power Reserves: Especially in the monoblock No. 631.
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Tectonic Design Language: A bold, instantly recognizable visual identity.
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No-Compromise Build Philosophy: Every aspect—from feet to heat sinks—is overbuilt.
Still, Harman will need to tread carefully. Managing multiple ultra-premium brands without internal cannibalization will be a delicate balancing act.
What About Headphones?
Let’s not forget the sleeper hit of the Harman Luxury Audio portfolio: the Mark Levinson No. 5909 wireless headphones. Launched three years ago, the No. 5909 brought serious sound and ANC to a competitive category—and succeeded, largely thanks to joint development with AKG and input from Harman’s acoustic science labs.
But the headphone landscape has shifted. Bowers & Wilkins is now under the same Harman umbrella, Focal continues to surge, and newcomers like DALI and T+A are pushing the bar for wireless audio.
So where’s the follow-up? It’s been three years. Harman now has the engineering talent, the luxury brand equity, and the in-house DSP know-how to deliver a next-gen model. All signs point to a second-generation No. 5909—or something new—on the horizon.
Availability and Pricing
The Mark Levinson 600 Series will begin shipping in Q4 2025, with availability through select high-end retailers and authorized Mark Levinson dealers worldwide.
Pricing:
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No. 626 Dual-Monaural Preamplifier – $25,000 USD
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No. 632 Dual-Monaural Stereo Amplifier – $30,000 USD
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No. 631 Monaural Amplifier – $40,000 USD (each)
Given their U.S. production, these units will be tariff-free in the U.S. market, offering at least some insulation from import disruptions—a rare perk in today’s global supply chain.
Debut at HIGH END Munich: A Statement, Not a Suggestion
The 600 Series made its official debut during Harman’s Summit of Sound event at HIGH END Munich 2025 on May 15. Attendees gathered at Atrium 4.1, Room E119, for a keynote presentation, listening sessions, and an after-hours celebration that underscored the boldness of the product lineup.
By choosing HIGH END Munich—not CES or a boutique U.S. show—for the global launch, Harman clearly signaled its intention to confront the European establishment head-on.
Final Thoughts: The 600 Series Is Mark Levinson Unleashed
The Mark Levinson 600 Series isn’t just a new line—it’s a mission statement. These components embody what American ultra-high-end audio can be when engineering excellence, no-holds-barred design, and brand heritage are fused with modern expectations.
Whether you view them as overkill or obsession, the 600 Series doesn’t leave room for ambiguity. It exists for one reason only: to be the best. And in a landscape where digital convenience often trumps analog soul, that’s a bold—and refreshing—stance to take. We look forward to the reviews and CE Critic Score.
