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Summary of Contents for Madrigal Audio Mark Levinson N31.5
- Page 1 Operating Manual ® Mark Levinson Nº31.5 Reference CD Transport Madrigal Audio Laboratories, Inc.
- Page 2 WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage”...
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Page 3: Important Safety Instructions
Important Safety Instructions Please read all instructions and precautions carefully and completely before operating your Mark Levinson com- ponent. 1. ALWAYS disconnect your entire system from the AC mains before connecting or disconnecting any cables, or when cleaning any component. 2. -
Page 4: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents Unpacking and Placement ... 6 Operating Voltage & Frequency ... 7 A Quick Start… ... 8 Special Design Features ... 10 Setup and Installation ... 12 Front Panel ... 17 Top Panel ... 21 CD Transport Assembly ... 24 Display ... - Page 5 Introduction to Programming ... 41 How the Nº3 1.5 remembers programs ... 41 Assembling a new program ... 41 Delete Programming ... 42 Advanced Programming ... 43 Reviewing a program ... 43 Adding a selection ... 43 Erasing a selection ... 44 Temporarily overriding a previously saved program ...
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Page 6: Unpacking And Placement
Unpacking and Placement Unpack your Nº31.5 Reference CD Transport and remove all accessories from the Unpacking the Nº31.5 carton. Included with your new Mark Levinson transport is a pair of knit, white gloves designed to assist you in the initial unpacking and placement of your new purchase. -
Page 7: Operating Voltage & Frequency
Operating Voltage & Frequency The Nº31.5 Reference CD Transport is set at the factory (internally) for 100V , 120V , 200V, 220V , or 240V AC mains operation as appropriate for the country in which it is to be sold. (230V/50Hz only in European Union countries, in compliance with CE regulations.) Make sure that the label on the rear of the right tower of the Nº31.5 (adjacent to the power cord) indicates the correct AC operating voltage for your location, as attempting to operate the Nº31.5 at an incorrect voltage can... -
Page 8: A Quick Start
A Quick Start… We recognize that many people are understandably eager to begin listening to their new components, and that reading the manual is often done (if at all) at a later time—perhaps while listening to music with the new product itself. We strongly recommend that you read this manual thoroughly, as the Nº31.5 Refer- ence CD Transport incorporates many unusual features that enhance its opera- tion. -
Page 9: Warm Up/Break-In Period
POWER UP THE REST OF THE SYSTEM, LEAVING THE POWER AMPLIFIERS FOR LAST Always turn the power amplifier(s) off first, and on last. This good habit minimizes the opportunity for unexpected transients reaching your loud- speakers. SELECT THE INPUTS YOU ARE USING ON YOUR DIGITAL PROCESSOR AND PREAMPLIFIER Take care that a Tape Monitor switch does not override your selection of the digital processor’s input on your preamplifier, or you will be struck by... -
Page 10: Special Design Features
Special Design Features Congratulations on your purchase of the Nº31.5 Reference CD Transport. The Madrigal design team is confident you will enjoy the outstanding performance of the Nº31.5 for many years. In case you are interested in technical details, what follows is a brief outline of some of the key technologies in your new transport. -
Page 11: Industrial Design
bandwidth Hewlett Packard optical interface has also been included for maximum compatibility, although in our experience it should be the interface of last resort. (It offers the least poten- tial for high performance of any of the standard digital interfaces.) All digital interfaces have been carefully optimized to deliver the finest perfor- mance each interface standard allows. -
Page 12: Setup And Installation
Setup and Installation For your protection, review Important Safety Instructions before you install your Nº31.5. Carefully open the shipping carton and remove the contents. Y ou should have: Save the shipping carton and all packing material. Though it may be inconvenient to store, it will come in handy for shipping if you move, or if the Nº31.5 needs to be shipped for service. -
Page 13: Remove The Transport Screws
Install the spikes one at a time. Using the supplied the screw securing the foot to the Nº31.5’s chassis. Insert the threaded end of the spike through the hole in the foot into the threaded hole in the chas- sis, then turn the spike clockwise until it is finger-tight. (Be careful not to overtighten it.) Repeat this procedure for the other three spikes. - Page 14 CONNECT THE Nº31.5 TO THE AC MAINS Insert the supplied shielded AC cord into the IEC-standard AC socket on the rear panel of the Nº31.5. Check to ensure that the power switch is in the “Off” ( ) position. Double-check the voltage label on the rear panel of the Nº31.5 to ensure that it matches the supplied AC voltage in your country.
- Page 15 Warning: Connecting the communication ports other than as described in this manual may damage the Nº31.5 and/or the digital processor, and will void the products’ warranties. Assuming both the Link connection and the digital interconnection have been made, merely pressing tween components.
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Page 16: Insert Batteries In The Remote Control
Levelling Bubble level screws When level, place the disc damper on the spindle, then press Lid Open/ Close again to close the Lid. INSERT BATTERIES IN THE REMOTE CONTROL Using the supplied ⁄ " hex key , remove the two screws securing the cover of the Remote Control’s battery compartment (the end opposite the projec- tion lens). -
Page 17: Front Panel
track index time display intensity repeat A > B preview program repeat disc repeat track program clear program review Front Panel STANDBY When the Nº31.5 is connected to AC power and the main power switch on the rear panel is in the “|” position (see Rear Panel), pressing this button takes the Nº31.5 out of “standby”... -
Page 18: Display Intensity
DISPLAY INTENSITY Pressing this button varies the brightness of the display . Four brightness lev- els are available. When the Nº31.5’s main power switch is first turned on (or when power is restored after an interruption), the display is automatically set to its second- brightest level. -
Page 19: Repeat Track
While is active, the LED above the button is lit. repeat disc To return to normal play , press REPEAT A-B This function allows you to repeat (continuously) a particular phrase or passage on a CD. While a CD is playing, press repeat A-B would like to repeat. - Page 20 PROGRAM REVIEW This function allows you to review the selections in the current program. (See Programming.) Press this button once to view the first selection in your program. To view the next selection, press program review After you view the last selection in the program, the display will show PROGRAM END If you press program review...
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Page 21: Top Panel
Top Panel The Lid covers the CD transport assembly, the mechanism that holds the CD during play . Its operation is controlled by the LID OPEN/CLOSE Pressing this button opens the Lid (1); pressing it again closes the Lid. Pressing while a CD is playing stops play and opens the Lid Open/Close Lid. -
Page 22: Search Forward
SEARCH REVERSE Holding this button down during play moves the laser pickup rapidly to- ward the beginning of the CD, and provides audible cueing. If your Nº31.5 is connected to a compatible Mark Levinson digital processor (via the communication ports), you may choose to mute the volume completely during search. - Page 23 While the Nº31.5 is in index mode, pressing pickup to the previous index. If index mode is inactive, pressing skips the laser pickup to the previous track. Pressing previous while a CD is playing suspends play, skips the laser pickup to the previous track or index on the CD (or in a program), and begins play there.
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Page 24: Cd Transport Assembly
CD Transport Assembly FINGER WELLS These cutouts make it easy to grasp a CD by its edges when placing it on or removing it from the spindle. Both right-handed and left-handed users are accommodated by having both diagonals available. LEVELLING SCREWS For the best performance, the Nº31.5’s transport assembly should be level. -
Page 25: Bubble Level
Caution: The Disc Damper Removing the Disc Damper Caution: BUBBLE LEVEL Use this bubble level, along with the four levelling screws (1), to make sure that the Nº31.5’s transport assembly is level. LASER ASSEMBLY This assembly contains the Nº31.5’s laser pickup, the device that reads the underside of the CD. -
Page 26: Display
track Display index TRACK Before play begins, this part of the display shows the total number of tracks on the CD. During play, this part of the display shows the number of the track in play . While a program is in the Nº31.5’s memory, the letter ing the track number. -
Page 27: Display Messages
Y ou may vary the nature of the information in this part of the display using display mode INFRARED RECEIVER AND TRANSMITTER This part of the display accepts commands from the Nº31.5’s Remote Con- trol. (See Remote Control.) When using the Nº31.5 to teach a learning re- mote special commands, it can also transmit IR signals. -
Page 28: Remote Control
Remote Control MADRIGAL AUDIO LABORATORIES stop pause track A–B repeat • index prg/time volume input mute display intensity/ mode •standby polarity IR TRANSMITTER WINDOW The Nº31.5’s Remote Control sends infrared (IR) commands through its pro- jection lens, and the Nº31.5 receives IR commands through its Remote sen- sor window. -
Page 29: Numeric Keypad
: Press once to establish a beginning point (point less playback loop. The display will flash the letter that it is ready to accept your designated ending point (point Once this has been done, the Nº31.5 will repeat the segment of the disc between points (Note that point beyond the end of your... -
Page 30: Analog Input Switching
Analog Input Switching PROGRAM/TIME While remaining in stop , you may advance the display to any desired track using the track – track + keys. Pressing ) button will add (or delete) the displayed track to that track + track – disc’s playlist. -
Page 31: Direct Access To Inputs
Direct access to inputs mute – MISCELLANEOUS CONTROLS d/a polarity: display mode This function is available even when the Nº31.5 is in standby , in which case its display will activate long enough to confirm your command visually . Y ou may change the button back to controlling the digital input source selection at any time by repeating this procedure. -
Page 32: Battery Compartment
IR communication between the Remote Control and the Nº31.5 can be affected by: Conditions that Affect IR Performance If the Nº31.5 will be subject to direct sunlight, place it no more than 10 feet from where you’ll normally operate the Remote Control. Where bright sunlight virtually floods the room, IR communication may be inconsistent. -
Page 33: Optimum Ir Reception Window
Optimum IR reception window 30 feet or less 30˚ 30˚ If the requirements of your installation preclude a clean line of sight between the Nº31.5 and your listening position, you may want to consider using an infrared repeater to route the remote control’s commands to the Nº31.5. Please ask your dealer for more information on third-party IR repeaters. -
Page 34: Rear Panel
main power slave Rear Panel Warning! Caution: REFERENCE CD TRANSPORT Nº 31.5 designed and manufactured in U.S.A. by MADRIGAL communication ports digital outputs slave eiaj spdif 9 10 OPERATING VOLTAGE INDICATION The Nº31.5 is set at the factory (internally) for 100, 120, 200, 220, or 240VAC mains operation as appropriate for the country in which it is to be sold. -
Page 35: Fuse Compartment
AC POWER CORD SOCKET This socket accepts AC mains power via the supplied AC power cord. FUSE COMPARTMENT The panel surrounding the the Nº31.5’s fuse compartment. The Nº31.5 uses two 1.0-ampere slo-blow fuses (type T1A slow-blo 5x20mm). Warning! Never attempt to open the fuse compartment without first removing the AC power cord from the Nº31.5. - Page 36 DIGITAL OUTPUT, EIAJ OPTICAL This output provides the digital audio signal equipped with the EIAJ-type optical connector (sometimes called “Toslink ® ”) to the digital processor. DIGITAL OUTPUT, ST OPTICAL This output provides the digital audio signal equipped with the ST-type optical connector (sometimes called “AT&T”) to the digital processor.
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Page 37: Basic Operation
Basic Operation Before operating your Nº31.5, become familiar with its controls and their loca- tions. (See Front Panel, Top Panel, CD Transport Assembly, and Remote Control.) To load a CD for play: Loading a CD 1. Make sure that the 2. -
Page 38: Random Play
Using the Remote Control, you may have the Nº31.5 play tracks totally at random. Random play To do this, press the While random play is active, the letter on the display . To cancel random play, press Stop. Y ou may skip to another track any time while a CD is playing. To move to an- Skipping to another track other track, press track –... -
Page 39: Using Indices
If a CD has indices, you may use them to begin play in the middle of a track. Using indices 1. Press 2. Using 3. Press Y ou may use Beginning play at a whether or not it corresponds to an index. specific location in a track 1. -
Page 40: Repeating A Specific Passage
To repeat (continuously) a specific phrase or passage on a CD, press Repeating a specific passage at the beginning of the passage you would like to repeat. At the end of the pas- sage, press While the number on the display. To return to normal play without interruption, press the repeat A-B While in the repeat A-B mode, the following keys behave as outlined below: Inverting playback polarity... -
Page 41: Introduction To Programming
Introduction to Programming Rather than playing an entire CD, you may choose to play only certain selections. To do this, you create a “program” (or playlist) and store it in the Nº31.5’s memory. Before using your Nº31.5’s programming features, become familiar with its con- trols and their locations (see Front Panel, Top Panel, CD Transport Assembly, and Remote Control), as well as their basic functions (see Basic Operation). -
Page 42: Delete Programming
If you want to play most of a CD, and just “ignore” a few tracks, you may want to Delete Programming use this shortcut: 1. Using the (or the numbered buttons on the Re- next previous mote Control), select the first track you want to eliminate from your program. -
Page 43: Advanced Programming
Advanced Programming After you have created a few programs as outlined in the previous section, you may want to review them, add extra tracks to existing programs, or in other ways change the nature of what you have done. The Nº31.5 provides great flexibility in these regards. -
Page 44: Erasing A Selection
Y ou also may erase a selection from a previously saved program. To erase a selec- Erasing a selection tion: Temporarily overriding a To override a previously saved program (temporarily), press the Remote Control, press the previously saved program will show All of the CD’s tracks will be accessible for basic operation, but the program will still be retained in the Nº31.5’s memory . -
Page 45: Setting Options
Setting Options The Nº31.5 gives you the ability to “customize” its operation to suit your particular needs and/or preferences. One of these options pertains exclusively to how the Nº31.5 itself operates: Index 0. The other options address the way in which the Nº31.5 interacts with other Linked Mark Levinson components such as the Nº30.5 Reference Digital Processor and the Nº38S Preamplifier. - Page 46 The Nº31.5 allows you to change the Index 0 option and its six Link options to suit your own preferences. [Note: The polarity link setting is always on, and can’t be changed.] place only the Nº31.5 into standby mode (since you may wish to listen to another input on your processor).
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Page 47: Auto-Standby
sign beside an option indicates that it is currently off; a – indicates that it is currently on. If you continue clicking DISPLAYLINK+ then RECORD LINK 5. Stop clicking would like to change. 5. To turn the link on, press the off, press the 6. -
Page 48: Madrigal Communications Link
Madrigal Communications Link The information needed to take full advantage of the Madrigal Communications Linking system (MCL) falls into two categories: understanding the architecture used, and summarizing which cables are needed between which components. The following technical information is provided as a reference, for custom instal- lations and other applications where a full understanding of the MCL system is important. -
Page 49: Linked Amplifiers?" You Ask
The communication required between preamplifier and power amplifier(s) is “Linked amplifiers?” you ask more limited than between other components. In particular, the new 300 series Mark Levinson amplifiers will: • toggle between standby and operate in conjunction with the • when in standby, all of the standby indicator LEDs (sources, •... -
Page 50: Which Cables Go Where
Having cleared up (we hope) the conceptual difficulty with how Linking works Which Cables Go Where? and with the names of the various Link communications ports, we move on to the purely pragmatic: what size cables do I use? Where? The Link system uses standard telephone company modular connectors, similar to the ones used in your telephone or computer modem. -
Page 51: Using The Latest Software
To Nº33x Slave Out To Nº33x Slave In Locking tab Locking tab 6-Conductor Amp-Amp Link Cable In this case, we use pins 1-6 of the eight-pin connector in a “straight-through” connection, and leave pins 7-8 empty . Using the latest software As we add features and functionality to the Link system, we sometimes need to update associated software. -
Page 52: Using Learning Remote Controls
Using Learning Remote Controls The Nº31.5 includes both an infrared receiver and an infrared transmitter. With this capability, it can “teach” a learning remote control any commands that might be needed for remote operation that do not exist on the remote control itself. Specifically, the Nº31.5 can send these additional IR commands from its window, enabling you to teach a learning remote any or all of its front- (or top-) panel commands, as well as some optional special commands that are available... -
Page 53: Teaching Other Nº31.5 Commands
REPEAT THE PROCESS OF “TEACHING” NEW COMMANDS TO THE VARIOUS BUTTONS ON YOUR REMOTE CONTROL UNTIL ALL APPROPRIATE OR DESIRED FRONT PANEL COMMANDS HAVE BEEN LEARNED BY YOUR REMOTE WHEN FINISHED, EXIT THE TEACH IR MODE BY ALLOWING THE Nº31.5 TO “TIMEOUT”... -
Page 54: Special Commands Table
special commands table Pressing will advance you to the next command in the table; repeat disc when you reach the end of the list, the Nº31.5 will return to the beginning. If no button is pushed for more than ten seconds, the Nº31.5 will “time out” and return to normal operation. -
Page 55: Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting In general, refer any service problems to your Mark Levinson dealer. Before con- tacting your dealer, however, check to see if the problem is listed here. If it is, try the suggested solutions. If none of these solves the problem, contact your Mark Levinson dealer. - Page 56 THE LINKED FUNCTIONS DON’T WORK. Try to SET OPTIONS (press and hold have SET OPTIONS in the display , click on times. If the display never advances beyond Link connection is not active. Check your Link cables. There is no “master” on the Link system: a Mark Levinson digital processor normally serves as central clearinghouse of information being passed from one component to the next.
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Page 57: Care And Maintenance
Care and Maintenance To remove dust from the cabinet of the Nº31.5, use a feather duster. To remove dirt and fingerprints, we recommend isopropyl alcohol and a soft cloth. Caution! Always apply the isopropyl alcohol to the soft cloth and then wipe the Nº31.5 with the dampened cloth. -
Page 58: U.s. And Canadian Warranty
U.S. and Canadian Warranty ® 90-Day Limited Warranty This Mark Levinson product is warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of purchase. To extend the warranty of this Mark Levinson product, return the war- ranty registration card along with a copy of the original receipt of purchase to Madrigal Audio Laboratories, Inc., P . -
Page 59: Obtaining Service
Obtaining Service We take great pride in our dealers. Experience, dedication, and integrity make these professionals ideally suited to assist with our customers’ service needs. If your Mark Levinson component must be serviced, please contact your dealer. Y our dealer will then decide whether the problem can be remedied locally , or whether to contact Madrigal for further service information or parts, or to obtain a Return Authorization. -
Page 60: Specifications
Specifications The correlation between published specifications and sonic quality is unreliable. A list of numbers reveals virtually nothing. All technical measurements must be sub- ject to qualitative as well as quantitative interpretation. Measurements of the Nº31.5 yield excellent results by any standards. However, only those specifications that apply to its actual operation are included here. -
Page 61: Dimensions
Dimensions 11.861" 30.13 cm 11.93" 30.30 cm 19.375" 49.21 cm 5.560" 14.12 cm 1.100" 2.79 cm 34.86 cm 12.261" 31.14 cm 5.432" 13.80 cm .308" .782 cm 13.726"... -
Page 62: Installation Notes
Installation Notes Software Code Version: _______ Sent in Warranty Registration? Y es / No... - 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 http://www.madrigal.com/ MADRIGAL AUDIO LABORATORIES is a registered trademark of Madrigal Audio Laboratories, Inc. a Harman International company 630218-4 © 6/1998 Madrigal Audio Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
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