Mark Levinson Reference Preamplifier N32 Owner's Manual
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Mark Levinson Reference Preamplifier N32 Owner's Manual

Mark Levinson Reference Preamplifier N32 Owner's Manual

Reference phono modules
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Owner' s Manual
Nº32
Reference
Phono Modules
R
Madrigal Audio Laboratories

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Summary of Contents for Mark Levinson Reference Preamplifier N32

  • Page 1 Owner’ s Manual Nº32 Reference Phono Modules 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: 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”...

  • 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 Phono Preamplifier Modules. A great deal of effort went into the design and construction of these precision devices. Used properly, they will give you many years of enjoyment.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Special Design Features of the Nº32 Reference Preamplifier ... 6 modular approach ... 6 input connections ... 6 input loading network ... 6 ac regenerated power supply ... 7 fully balanced design ... 7 instrumentation amplifier topology ... 8 high accuracy RIAA equalization ...

  • Page 6: Special Design Features Of The Nº32 Reference Preamplifier

    Special Design Features of the Nº32 Reference Preamplifier The Nº32 Reference Preamplifier and Reference Phono Preamplifier modular approach Modules were designed together. All the high performance power sup- ply, extensive control and high isolation input circuitry that character- izes the Nº32 Reference Preamplifier allows the purpose-built phono modules to perform at a extraordinarily high level.

  • Page 7: Ac Regenerated Power Supply

    tion, optional custom termination is provided via a pair of gold-plated terminal posts within each phono module. No soldering is necessary when using these binding posts. The foundation upon which any audio component is built is the power ac regenerated supply.

  • Page 8: Instrumentation Amplifier Topology

    instrumentation amplifier topology able from our balanced circuitry by including a balanced XLR input connector version of the phono preamplifier modules. No32 XLR phono module recommended wiring Combined with a shielded, twisted pair cable from cartridge to preamp, the XLR input phono preamp offers the ultimate in noise rejection and low level signal resolultion.

  • Page 9: High Accuracy Riaa Equalization

    width and open loop gain to provide uncompromised performance even at the 60db of gain required by a moving coil preamplifier. The instrumentation amplifier stage offers high common mode rejection, a noise-cancellation feature usually limited to transformer-based designs, while avoiding the serious limitations of those same designs. A balanced pair of active RIAA equalization circuits follows the gain high accuracy stages.

  • Page 10: Unpacking

    Select knob one click to the left, and reading the resulting display. If you need new software, please contact your authorized Mark Levinson dealer. Unpack your Nº32 Reference Phono Preamplifier modules and keep all packing materials for future transport. Locate and remove all accessory items from the shipping carton.

  • Page 11: Operating Voltage

    The presence of these voltages would pose a threat to both your person and your equipment. Although your Mark Levinson Nº32 Reference Preamplifier delivers Warm up & outstanding performance straight out of the box, you should expect to...

  • Page 12: Installing The Nº32 Reference Phono Preamplifier Modules

    Phono Preamplifier Modules Installation of the Nº32 Reference Phono Preampllifier Modules should be done by a qualified and authorized Mark Levinson dealer. The following description is provided for your reference (and that of the dealer). Failure to observe proper ESD (electrostatic discharge) procedures may result in damage the preamplifier.

  • Page 13: Material Needed

    The following materials and tools are needed to perform the installa- material needed tion of the Nº32 Phono modules into the Nº32 Preamplifier: 1 – Nº32 reference preamplifier 1 – pair Nº32 phono preamp modules 1 – wrist strap for ESD protection 1 –...
  • Page 14 Remove the two screws from rear bottom of Nº32 Preampli- fier top cover that hold it in place (using the supplied with the Nº32). These are located at the bottom outside corners of the rear panel. Slide top cover back slightly then up and off. Once you have slid the cover back approximately one-half inch (or about a centimeter), the cover can be lifted straight up and off.
  • Page 15 Peel off the protective film covering the copper strip on the end of the wrist strap, and attach it so that the copper strip contacts the chassis of the Nº32; wrap the other end around your wrist. Grounding yourself to the chassis on which you are working, us- ing a conductive ESD wrist strap, ensures that no voltage can build up between you and and part of the chassis.
  • Page 16 Warning: this The cables must lie flat against phono preamp top cover to slide in to Nº32 preamp. Gently slide the left phono preamp module into the open- ing in the left channel of the Nº32 preamp. Repeat for right channel.
  • Page 17 11. Carefully lift connector ends of cables out of holes in phono preamp top cover. Being careful to avoid catching the connectors on the edges of the slots in which they have been sitting during installation, set the unattached ends of the ribbons cable free as shown below. 12.
  • Page 18 13. Remove your ESD wrist strap from the chassi and from your wrist. It would hinder your replacing the top cover, next. 14. Replace Nº32 preamp top cover and screws ( When replacing the top cover, note the guide pins at the bottom edges as well as the top “key”...

  • Page 19: Customizing Your Nº32

    Customizing Your Nº32 The Nº32 Preamplifier has many provisions for custom-tailoring the setup overview system’s operation to match your preferences. The method for modify- ing any of these settings is to: • press the setup button on either the front panel or the re- mote control to enter the setup mode, accessing the Nº32’s menu system;...

  • Page 20: Configuring Phono Inputs

    configuring phono inputs Set Phono 1 Name= PH/MC 1 Ph Gain= +60 Gain= +12 dB Offset= Bal= <-0.0-> 20Hz HPF=ON R Load=100 C Load=.01uF Set Phono 2 Name= PH/MM 2 Ph Gain= +40 Gain= +12 dB Offset= Bal= <-0.0-> 20Hz HPF=ON R Load=47k C Load=100pF Teach IR...

  • Page 21: Naming A Phono Input

    naming a phono input name (chosen one letter at a time, and indicated by the flashing under- lines alternating with the current custom name), or unused input connector. (Recall that setting an input as moves it from the rotation of inputs shown when you turn the knob You may use custom names with the phono inputs, just as you would with any other input.

  • Page 22: Setting (Line) Gain

    In the past, the Mark Levinson Nº26 and Nº26S preamplifiers offered a single gain adjustment to effect this change globally; now, for the first time, this setting can be optimized for each individual input.

  • Page 23: Setting The Balance

    The balance setting the balance should be used to compensate for the small imbalances found in most cartridges. The best way to do this is to play a monophonic recording in normal stereo, centering the image between your speakers with the balance control.

  • Page 24: Setting The Capacitive Load

    refers to the capacitive load the phono preamplifier presents to setting the C Load the cartridge. (Of course, any capacitance in the phono cables is beyond capacitive load the preamp’s control and should be added to this figure.) This number is normally F for moving coil (MC) cartridges, and can range from 0.01...

  • Page 25: Installing A Custom Load

    Installing a Custom Load A pair of gold plated screw terminals is available inside each of the Nº32 phono preamplifier modules. It may be used to install a “custom” resistor for phono cartridge loading, in the case where a value is desired that not available from the existing set (3.3 , 5 , 7.7 , 10 , 33 , 50 , 77 , 100 , 330 or 47k ).
  • Page 26 Lift connector end of cable out of hole in shield box if needed. Using the ⁄ " hex driver, remove four button head screws from top cover of phono module. Carefully lift top cover off over cables and lay it to the side. Touch the metal enclosure of module before touching any component inside module to prevent ESD damage.
  • Page 27 Loosen each gold thumb screw a few turns. You do not have to remove the thumbscrews—just loosen them enough to slide the leads of your resistor in the gap. Place the leads of resistor between thumb screws and ter- minal posts. Tighten thumb screws firmly.
  • Page 28 Guide cables through holes and replace top cover. 10. Re-install top cover screws. Be careful not to cross thread these relatively small screws. 11. Put cable ends back into holes in top cover and reinstall as per the instructions in Installing the Nº32 Reference Phono Preamplifier Modules , earlier in this manual.

  • Page 29: Care And Maintenance

    Care and Maintenance To remove dust from the external cabinet of the Nº32, use a feather duster. To remove dirt and fingerprints, we recommend isopropyl alco- hol 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 alu- minum.

  • Page 30: U.s. And Canadian Warranty

    U.S. and Canadian Warranty This Mark Levinson® product is warranted to be free from defects in 90-day limited warranty material and workmanship under normal use for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of purchase. To extend the warranty of this...

  • Page 31: 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 32: Specifications

    Gold-plated, solderless terminals are available for user-installed load value, inside phono module. Input overload: 1kHz, 60 dB gain: 1kHz, 40 dB gain: 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 33: Installation Notes

    Installation Notes...
  • Page 34 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 630357 © 3/1999 Madrigal Audio Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.

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