Mark Levinson 32 Owner's Manual
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Mark Levinson 32 Owner's Manual

Mark Levinson 32 Owner's Manual

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Owner' s Manual
Nº32
Reference
Preamplifier
R
Madrigal Audio Laboratories

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  • Page 1 Owner’ s Manual Nº32 Reference Preamplifier Madrigal Audio Laboratories...
  • Page 2 WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.

  • Page 3: Important Safety Instructions

    Important Safety Instructions Please read all instructions and precautions carefully and completely before operating your Mark Levinson ® preamplifier. 1. ALWAYS disconnect your entire system from the AC mains before connecting or dis- connecting any cables, or when cleaning any component. 2.
  • Page 4 From all of us at Madrigal Audio Laboratories, thank you for choosing the Mark Levinson Nº32 Reference Preamplifier. A great deal of effort went into the design and construction of this precision device. Used properly, it will give you many years of enjoyment.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Special Design Features of the Nº32 Reference Preamplifier ..7 controller/preamplifier ................ 7 architecture ..................7 a note about nomenclature ............. 7 AC regeneration ................. 7 dual mono design ................8 extraordinary isolation ................ 8 fully balanced design ................8 discrete attenuator ................
  • Page 6 ..............43 configuring the DC trigger ............... 43 checking the software version ............44 Using the Nº32 with Learning Remote Controls ....... 45 using the teach ir menu ..............45 available ir commands ..............46 Modes of Operation ..............47 normal operation ................

  • Page 7: Special Design Features Of The Nº32 Reference Preamplifier

    In the Nº32, we solve this problem by becoming our own power utility. Strange as this sounds, it is effectively true. There are two independent, unusually high quality power supplies dedicated to the two audio chan- nels.

  • Page 8: Dual Mono Design

    As might be expected, the Nº32 uses a dual mono design that isolates dual mono design each channel from the other. In addition to separate power supplies for...

  • Page 9: Arlon 25N Circuit Boards

    “S” version (cyanate ester). In the Nº32 Reference Preamplifier, a new circuit board material is in- troduced to the Mark Levinson product range: Arlon 25N™. This new material outperforms even the already-remarkable material used in the Nº380S preamplifier in terms of its uniformly low dielectric constant...

  • Page 10: Optional Phono Modules

    0.1 dB). If you purchase the optional phono modules (see below), they too may be extensively customized in their operation. The Nº32 Reference Preamplifier also has, as an option, two mono Ref- optional phono modules erence Phono preamplifiers that can be installed within the Preampli- fier chassis by your dealer.

  • Page 11: Unpacking And Placement

    The Nº32 should be placed close to your source equipment, thus keep- placement ing interconnect cabling short. We strongly recommend mounting each chassis of the Nº32 on its own shelf to allow for proper ventilation. The Nº32 is designed for continuous operation—it is designed to be continuous operation connected to the AC mains at all times for the best performance.

  • Page 12: Ventilation

    Be sure to allow 3 to 4 inches of clearance above the Nº32 to allow heat ventilation dissipation through air circulation. Drawings are included in this manual to facilitate special installations and custom cabinetry (see “Di- mensions”). Caution! It is extremely important that all components in your system be properly grounded.

  • Page 13: Operating Voltage

    AC operating voltage for your location. If the voltage indicated on your Nº32 Controller is incorrect, or if you wish to change the AC operating voltage of your Nº32 as the result of moving to a different country than the one in which you purchased your preamplifier, see your Mark Levinson dealer.

  • Page 14: A Quick Start

    Connect a source to any input, noting which you use For example, connect the output of your CD player to the Left and Right Input 1 XLR jacks on the rear panel of your Nº32 Preampli- fier. High quality interconnecting cables such as Madrigal CZ Gel...
  • Page 15 The Left and Right Main Out jacks on the rear panel of the Nº32 Preamplifier should be connected to the corresponding inputs of your power amplifier. If your power amplifier has balanced inputs and you have appropriate high-quality cables (with XLR plugs at both ends), we recommend using the Balanced Main Outs.

  • Page 16: Front Panel

    Front Panel Select Knob This knob is normally used to select among the various inputs of the Nº32, with the resulting selections being shown in the display window, immediately to the right of the . It is also select knob used to select the input to be sent to the record outputs when the button is engaged.
  • Page 17 Polarity Indicator (sometimes inaccurately called “absolute phase”) of polarity the output of the Nº32 may be inverted via the Nº32 remote con- trol, in which case the red LED under the word (within polarity the display window) will light as confirmation. A second press of...
  • Page 18 Having selected the one you want as your new default, simply let the Nº32 “time out” and revert to its normal display. The button will now toggle between ste- mono reo and your preferred mono.
  • Page 19 Used in conjunction with the , the setup button enter button allows you to save changes made to the Nº32 while in setup mode. For more information on this customization, please see “Custom- izing Your Nº32.” 11 Balance Button Pressing the...

  • Page 20: Sleep Timer

    Nº32 as the heart of the world’s most exotic sleep timer. By pressing and holding the for several seconds, standby button you will see the display change to ;...

  • Page 21: Rear Panel, Nº32 Controller

    Rear Panel, Nº32 Controller DC power output for left and right channels The Nº32 Controller acts as both the control center for your two- piece preamplifier and as the power supply for the preamplifier proper. This architecture ensures that only pure DC power and the audio signals themselves enter the chassis responsible for preamplification.
  • Page 22 Nº32’s port using a “straight-through” RJ-45 cable. If slave there are additional Mark Levinson Link-compatible components in the system, place the Nº32 at the end of the chain by connect- PUSH ing the last port to the Nº32’s port.

  • Page 23: Building A Link Cable

    External IR Input The Nº32 incorporates an infrared repeater input to facilitate a wide range of installation options. If desired, the Nº32 may be placed inside a cabinet or outside the normal line-of-sight in the listening area, with the controlling IR signal being relayed to the Nº32 by any of a number of commercially-available IR repeaters.
  • Page 24 If the appropriate 3-12V level “trigger” signal arrives at the trig- of the Nº32, it turns on. When the Nº32 turns on, it ger input passes along a trigger signal to another component (say, a power amplifier).
  • Page 25 If you have any doubts, please ask your dealer for assistance. 10 Nº32 Controller serial number label Please make a note of the serial number of your Nº32 Controller, as well as the (different) serial number of your Nº32 Preamplifier (see next section).

  • Page 26: Rear Panel, Nº32 Preamplifier

    DC Power Inputs (one per channel) These keyed multi-pin connectors accept the supplied DC power cables which should be connected between the Nº32 Controller and the Nº32 Preamplifier. There is one cable per channel. Balanced Inputs 1–3 Accepts right-channel and left-channel balanced signals from source equipment with balanced outputs.
  • Page 27 Refer to the operating manuals of your balanced-output line-level sources to verify that the pin assignments of their output connec- tors correspond to the Nº32. If not, wire the cables so that the ap- propriate output pin connects to the equivalent input pin.
  • Page 28 If you use the single-ended outputs, connect them to the corre- sponding inputs of your power amplifier. Note that special fea- tures of the Nº32 enable it to be used optimally with a surround sound processor as one of its inputs. We do not recommend hav- ing a surround sound processor follow the Nº32 in the signal...
  • Page 29 These outputs are unaffected by the control on the output level front panel of the Nº32, or by the source chosen to be monitored. The record outputs will be disconnected when the preamplifier is placed into standby, however. Optional Phono Input Module Bays The optional phono preamplifier modules for the Mark Levinson Nº32 slide into place in this location (they are shown in place in...
  • Page 30 10 Nº32 Preamplifier serial number label Please make a note of the serial number of your Nº32 Preampli- fier, as well as the (different) serial number of your Nº32 Control- ler (see previous section).

  • Page 31: Remote Control

    Duplicates the function of the button on the front panel, setup allowing you to access menu functions of the Nº32 from your lis- tening position. For example, if you have purchased the optional phono modules, you can experiment with different phono loading options while listening to music in your preferred chair.
  • Page 32 Mono Button Pressing this button will toggle the Nº32 in and out of the mono mode, having the same effect as pressing the front panel mono button. Mono mode normally activates circuitry which combines Left and Right input signals, and sends the resulting monophonic signal to both Left and Right outputs.
  • Page 33 Nº32. are also used when accessing the setup menu select buttons system in the Nº32. For more information on what you can do with these menus, please see “Customizing Your Nº32” later in the manual. 11 Volume Up and Down Buttons Raises the volume at either low speed for fine adjustments or higher speeds for larger changes.

  • Page 34: Customizing Your Nº32

    This four-step process gives you extensive control over a wide variety of setup options, and provides positive feedback that your changes have been accepted and saved for future use. The complete Nº32 Setup menu is shown below for your reference: the menu system No32 Setup...

  • Page 35: Configuring Line Level Inputs

    (the software version numbers) Sw 1.07 1.02 The Nº32’s extensive menu system allows you to customize the way the preamplifier operates, to better suit the needs of your system and your personal preferences. We will review the following information in more detail in the coming pages, on an item-by-item basis.

  • Page 36: Available Input Names

    (or use the on the remote) knob volume buttons If this seems a little complicated when you read about it, just try it on the Nº32 itself, referring to the menu system on page 34. It really be- comes intuitive quite quickly.

  • Page 37: Input Programming Tip

    Nº32. When you wish to listen to your two-channel system, simply choose any other input on the Nº32...

  • Page 38: Naming An Input "Eq

    The “EQ” input is intentionally omitted from record output list. Each input in the Nº32 can be set for one of four gain settings: 0 dB, 6 setting input gain dB, 12 dB, or 18 dB. The concept is to use as much gain as an indi-...

  • Page 39: Setting Input Offsets

    Nº32 behave as though each input had the preamplifier “all to itself.” With some non-standard sources having outputs as high as 9 volts, the last thing you need is gain in the line stages of the preamplifier. On the other hand, a low output moving coil might need as much as eighteen decibels of gain beyond the gain available in the phono preamplifier.

  • Page 40: Setting Record Out

    The Nº32 gives you the ability to associate any of the three provided setting record out record outputs with any of the eight line level inputs. This allows you to organize your sources in whatever order you deem most convenient, while using the record outputs with whatever might need them.

  • Page 41: Phono Parameters

    As you can see, much of it looks like any other input, but several phono-specific items are added that may be adjusted to optimize the phono preamp for your system. As with the rest of the menu system, you navigate to these items using , alter their setting with the select knob enter...

  • Page 42: Teach Ir

    The best choice for resistive loading is whatever sounds the best with your MC cartridge—you cannot damage a cartridge by playing at the “wrong” resistance. With the Nº32, for the first time, you can make this determination in real time, from your listening position, using the re- mote control to access this menu item.

  • Page 43: Setting A Mute Level

    Nº32 can teach any of its infrared commands to a learning remote control by broadcasting the appropriate code from its display window. Even if you were to lose the Nº32 remote, you could teach everything you need to another remote control (or order a re- placement remote from us, of course).

  • Page 44: Checking The Software Version

    For example, if we were to add some new convenience feature to the Nº32 at a future date, your dealer could easily download the new software from our web site to his com- puter, and from there to your preamplifier, all without having to open the product up.

  • Page 45: Using The Nº32 With Learning Remote Controls

    Nº32 Refer- ence Preamplifier. In every case where a “toggle” command exists, both the normal toggle function and positive control commands for the multiple states are provided.

  • Page 46: Available Ir Commands

    GO RECORD GO BALANCE EXIT BALANCE DISPLAY OFF DISPLAY DIM DISPLAY HALF DISPLAY FULL Using these commands in conjunction with a macro-capable learning remote control, you should be able to automate almost anything that the Nº32 is capable of doing.

  • Page 47: Modes Of Operation

    Modes of Operation The majority of time you spend with your Nº32 will be spent in nor- normal operation mal operation. During normal operation, the display indicates the name of the input you have selected and the listening volume (in deci- bels).

  • Page 48: The Balance Mode

    Output imbalances due to asymmetrical placement of the loudspeakers in the room are common, and degrade imaging accuracy. To correct this problem, place the Nº32 in (L+R) mode and cen- mono ter the resulting image (which should be quite small) directly between the loudspeakers, using the control.

  • Page 49: Mono Modes

    The Nº32 allows you to invert the polarity of the music to which you polarity are listening with the press of a button. People vary in their sensitivity...

  • Page 50: Operating Without A Preamplifier

    To reset all settings of the Nº32 to the original factory settings, Turn off power on the Controller You may either unplug it from the ac mains or use the front panel power button; standby will not do. Wait for a few seconds for the power supply to drain.,...

  • Page 51: Using Surround Sound Processors

    This simple fact has made combining a high quality two-channel preamp with an outboard surround sound processor extremely diffi- cult over the years. In fact, until the Mark Levinson Nº38 was intro- duced in 1993, it was virtually impossible to combine the two and have the system work reliably well.

  • Page 52: The Ssp Must Not Be In A Tape Loop

    Thanks to this design innovation, it is possible for the first time to cor- rectly integrate a surround sound processor with a preamplifier, send- ing the processor’s Left and Right outputs through the Nº32 (and on to the power amplifier for the main front speakers). Since the output level of these channels cannot be changed by the Nº32 while in...
  • Page 53 The simplest way of solving this problem is to break the cable company’s ground by using an isolation transformer on the incoming cable line, before it reaches your television or VCR. If you cannot find a 75Ω-75Ω baluns (isolation) transformer, you can easily construct one from the adaptors which probably came with your VCR and television, as shown below.

  • Page 54: Linked Functions

    Placing either digital component into will have no effect standby on the Nº32, since you might well wish to continue listening to a differ- ent source component such as a tuner. Taking a Linked Mark Levinson source component out of Standby will also cause the Nº32 to come out of Standby.

  • Page 55: Play Link

    No360S No39 Similarly, activating a Linked Mark Levinson digital processor will se- lect the appropriate input on the Nº32 (should you be using the pro- cessor with an unlinked DAT machine, for example). Placing the Nº32 into while your Mark Levinson digital audio...

  • Page 56: Care And Maintenance

    Care and Maintenance To remove dust from the cabinet of the Nº32, use a feather duster. To remove dirt and fingerprints, we recommend isopropyl alcohol and a soft cloth. Apply the alcohol to the cloth first and then lightly clean the surface of the Nº32, going with the grain of the brushed aluminum.

  • Page 57: U.s. And Canadian Warranty

    Madrigal Audio Labo- ratories, Inc., P. O. Box 781, Middletown, CT 06457. The extended warranty for this Mark Levinson product is five (5) years five year from the date of purchase. During the warranty period, any Mark...

  • Page 58: Obtaining Service

    If your Mark Levinson component must be serviced, please contact your dealer. Your dealer will then decide whether the problem can be remedied locally, or whether to contact Madrigal for further service in- formation or parts, or to obtain a Return Authorization.

  • Page 59: Specifications

    All technical measurements must be subject to qualitative as well as quantitative interpretation. Measurements of the Nº32 yield excellent results by any standards. However, only those specifications that apply to its actual operation are included here.
  • Page 60 20 Hz to 20 kHz, input terminated: less than -120 dBV ±0.1 dB Frequency response, 10 Hz-40kHz: For more information, see your Mark Levinson dealer, or contact: Madrigal Audio Laboratories, Inc. P. O. Box 781, 2081 South Main Street Middletown, Connecticut 06457 USA...
  • Page 61 Dimensions, Nº32 Controller 19.5" 49.5cm polarity mono select volume MADRIGAL AUDIO LABORATORIES 2.75" 3.03" REFERENCE CONTROLLER 6.99cm 7.68 cm Nº32 power standby record out display intensity setup enter balance balance mute .275" .699cm 1.875" 15.75" 1.875" 40.01cm 4.76cm 4.76cm 19.5"...

  • Page 62: Dimensions, Nº32 Controller

    Dimensions, Nº32 Preamplifier 19.5" 49.5cm 3.99" 3.187" 10.1cm MADRIGAL AUDIO LABORATORIES 8.09cm REFERENCE PREAMPLIFIER Nº32 0.18" 0.46cm 1.875" 15.75" 1.875" 4.76cm 40.01cm 4.76cm (leave extra room for cables, of course) ≈ 0.5" ≈1.2cm 1.71" 4.34cm 11.385" 7.675" 28.92cm 19.49cm 2.0"...
  • Page 64 Madrigal Audio Laboratories, Inc. 2081 South Main Street, P.O. Box 781 Middletown, Connecticut 06457 USA Telephone: (860) 346-0896 Fax: (860) 346-1540 www.madrigal.com MADRIGAL AUDIO LABORATORIES is a registered trademark of Madrigal Audio Laboratories, Inc. a Harman International company 630349-2 © 3/1999 Madrigal Audio Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.

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