No. 26S

About the No. 26S

Produced between 1991 and 1994 by Madrigal Audio Laboratories, the Mark Levinson No. 26S is a high-end dual monaural preamplifier that includes both phono and balanced inputs as standard. It uses Teflon circuit boards and Camac coaxial connectors, known for their safety and reliability. The unit features an external power supply (PLS-226) to minimize interference, and offers multiple inputs and outputs including XLR balanced stereo input/output, three outputs (Main, Tape 1, Tape 2), and six inputs (Tuner, Tape 1, Tape 2, CD, Aux 1, Phono or Aux 2). It has eight selector knobs for input, output level, record, monitor, phase, balanced inputs, and stereo/mono selection. The preamplifier operates in pure Class-A mode with a focus on power supply quality, using toroidal transformers with Faraday shielding. It is known for delivering a highly accurate, neutral sound without added warmth or coloration, appealing to serious audiophiles. The unit measures approximately 445mm wide, 76mm high, and 340mm deep, and requires an external power supply. Voltage can be internally adjusted for various AC mains standards. The Some units may have minor cosmetic wear and functional notes such as a non-functional phono/aux 2 Camac input, but balanced line inputs remain operational. This preamplifier is considered a reference-class component for high-fidelity audio systems.