No. 5206 vs Esoteric N-05XD
The N-05XD's signal-to-noise is 105 dB against the No. 5206's 106 dB and its thd 0.002% against 0.003%. Both share bit depth (32-bit) and max sample rate (384 kHz).
AI-generated product photo — not official manufacturer imagery.
AmplifiersPre-AmplifiersHeadphone AmplifiersPhono Pre-Amps
About the No. 5206
The Mark Levinson No.5206 is a precision preamplifier that serves as the hub of a high-end audio system. It features proprietary PurePath fully discrete, direct-coupled, dual-monaural line-level Class A preamp circuitry for which the design team has been awarded two patents. The unit combines analog and digital audio capabilities with a custom-made Precision Link II DAC featuring an ESS Sabre Pro 32-bit converter. It includes a premium phono preamp supporting both Moving Magnet and Moving Coil cartridges with hybrid gain topology and active/passive RIAA equalization. The Class A analog line stage has sufficient current capability to drive headphones directly. Designed, engineered, and precision-crafted in the USA, the No.5206 delivers uncompromised musical purity while maintaining exceptional flexibility for modern audio systems.
Specifications
Digital Audio
DAC capabilities and digital audio processing
- Bit Depth
- 32-bit
- Max Sample Rate
- 384 kHz
- DSD Support
- DSD256
- MQA Support
- Yes
- DAC Chip
- ESS Sabre Pro
Analog Output
Analog signal output specifications
- THD
- 0.003%
- SNR
- 106 dB
- Output Voltage
- 3.3V RMS
- Output Impedance
- 30Ω
Phono Preamplifier
Phono stage specifications
- MM Gain
- 69 dB
- Adjustable Loading
- Yes
Connectivity
Input and output connections
- Bluetooth
- Yes
- Bluetooth Codecs
- aptX-HD
- Digital Inputs
- AES/EBU (XLR), Coaxial S/PDIF (RCA), Optical S/PDIF (Toslink), Asynchronous USB (USB-B)
- Analog Inputs
- RCA line inputs, XLR inputs, Phono inputs (MM/MC)
Physical Dimensions
Size, weight, and appearance
- Dimensions
- 438 × 126 × 489 mm (W × H × D)
- Weight
- 15.4 kg (34 lbs)
Specifications are community-contributed and may not be accurate or complete. Verify all details with the manufacturer before making purchasing decisions. Terms & Conditions