Mark Levinson 32 Owners Manual
Owner’s Manual
Nº32
Reference
Phono Modules
Madrigal Audio Laboratories
R
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.
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert
the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that
may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence
of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying
the appliance.
Marking by the “CE” symbol (shown left) indicates compliance of this device with the EMC
(Electromagnetic Compatibility) and LVD (Low Voltage Directive) standards of the European
Community.
NOTICE
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to
Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment on and off, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by
one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna;
• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver;
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected;
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
CAUTION: Changes or modifications to this equipment not expressly approved by the manufacturer could
void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
The information contained in the manual is subject to change without notice. The most current version of this
manual will be posted on our web site at http://www.madrigal.com.
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. This product must be terminated with a three-conductor AC mains power cord which
includes an earth ground connection. To prevent shock hazard, all three connections
must ALWAYS be used.
3. AC extension cords are not recommended for use with this product.
4. NEVER use flammable or combustible chemicals for cleaning audio components.
5. NEVER operate this product with any covers removed.
6. NEVER wet the inside of this product with any liquid.
7. NEVER pour or spill liquids directly onto this unit.
8. NEVER block air flow through ventilation slots or heatsinks.
9. NEVER bypass any fuse.
10. NEVER replace any fuse with a value or type other than those specified.
11. NEVER attempt to repair this product. If a problem occurs, contact your Mark
Levinson® retailer.
12. NEVER expose this product to extremely high or low temperatures.
13. NEVER operate this product in an explosive atmosphere.
14. ALWAYS keep electrical equipment out of the reach of children.
15. ALWAYS unplug sensitive electronic equipment during lightning storms.
From all of us at Madrigal Audio Laboratories, thank you for choosing the Mark
Levinson Nº32 Reference Phono Preamplifier Modules.
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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.
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 ......................................................... 9
DC servo stabilized ............................................................................. 9
component selection .......................................................................... 9
Unpacking .............................................................................. 10
unpacking ........................................................................................ 10
Operating Voltage................................................................... 11
Warm up & break-in period............................................................... 11
Installing the Nº32 Reference Phono Preamplifier Modules ...... 12
material needed ............................................................................... 13
installation procedure ....................................................................... 13
Customizing Your Nº32 ........................................................... 19
setup overview ................................................................................. 19
the menu system .............................................................................. 19
configuring phono inputs ................................................................. 20
naming a phono input ..................................................................... 21
setting the phono gain ..................................................................... 21
setting (line) gain ............................................................................. 22
setting the offset .............................................................................. 22
setting the balance ........................................................................... 23
setting the 20 Hz filter ...................................................................... 23
setting the resistive load ................................................................... 23
setting the capacitive load ................................................................ 24
Installing a Custom Load .........................................................25
Care and Maintenance ............................................................. 29
U.S. and Canadian Warranty .................................................... 30
90-day limited warranty.................................................................... 30
five year extended warranty ............................................................. 30
Obtaining Service .................................................................... 31
Specifications .......................................................................... 32
Installation Notes ....................................................................33
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Special Design Features of the Nº32 Reference Preamplifier
modular approach The Nº32 Reference Preamplifier and Reference Phono Preamplifier
Modules were designed together. All the high performance power supply, extensive control and high isolation input circuitry that characterizes the Nº32 Reference Preamplifier allows the purpose-built phono
modules to perform at a extraordinarily high level.
Each channel of the Nº32 reference phono preamplifier is a removable
module. Each module is shielded in a metal box, not simply for mechanical handling, but for the extraordinary noise shielding properties
that only a fully enclosed Mu-metal case can provide.
input connections The phono preamp has input connections for two phono sources.
These inputs benefit from Madrigal’s “virtually unplugged” input
switching topology, where ground as well as hot connections of
unselected inputs are broken to eliminate ground current flow between
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components. Shorting the unselected signal insures superb isolation
between phono inputs. Low level phono signals pass through only the
highest-grade Madrigal RCA connector or Swiss-made Neutrik XLR
connector; hermetically-sealed, rhodium-contact reed relays; and a
Teflon-insulated flat conductor interconnect cable before reaching the
active preamplifier circuitry.
input loading network Optimum input loading for your phono cartridge is essential to achiev-
ing the performance your cartridge manufacturer intended. The Nº32
reference phono preamplifier makes getting the most from your phono
system more convenient (and more likely) than ever. A network of resistor and capacitor terminations, switched by the same reed relays as
above (specifically optimized for ultra-low signals), gives a full range of
loading options that are accessible from both the Nº32 front panel and
its remote control.
Available resistor load values are 3.3Ω, 5Ω, 7.7Ω, 10Ω, 33Ω, 50Ω, 77Ω,
100Ω, 330Ω and 47kΩ.
Available capacitor loads values are 0pF, 50pF, 100pF, 150pF, 200pF,
250pF, 300pF, 350pF and .01uF.
All the provided load termination components are the highest quality,
plate-style, thin film resistors or polypropylene film capacitors. In addi-
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.
ac regenerated
power supply
The foundation upon which any audio component is built is the power
supply. Without an extremely clean, noise-free power supply, no audio
circuit can live up to its potential.
Unfortunately, we live in a world in which the quality of AC mains
power is increasingly in question. The modern conveniences upon
which we have become so dependent introduce line noise, spikes, and
various other irregularities. Everything from refrigerators to televisions
and computers inject their peculiar contaminations back onto the AC
line, making it increasingly difficult for a high performance audio component to live up to its potential.
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 channels. The DC power from these supplies is then used to power a special
power amplifier that is fully optimized for reproducing only one frequency: 400 Hz. This extremely pure 400 sine wave is then rectified, filtered, and regulated again to create extraordinarily pure DC power for
the use of the critical preamplifier circuits.
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By creating our own dedicated 400 Hz AC power and then using that to
create “second generation” DC power for the audio circuitry, we keep
the contamination of the modern electrical grid at a safe distance from
the sensitive audio circuits we look to for our musical enjoyment.
The phono preamp modules use the same AC-regenerated power supply used by the rest of the Nº32 reference preamp. By designing the
preamp module inside the Nº32 preamp, we were able to integrate
power, ground and signal distribution with the line level preamplifier
as if the phono preamplifier was simply another stage of the overall
preamplifier circuitry.
Locally, a discrete, high-performance regulator provides each module
with a fast-response, low noise ±15 supply voltage. A multilayer Arlon
25N printed circuit board with extensive ground and power plane construction carries the regulated power to the active circuitry.
fully balanced design Fully balanced circuitry is more than a tradition at Madrigal. The per-
formance advantages are as clear on the test bench as they are in the listening room. Logic dictated that we offer the best performance avail-
able from our balanced circuitry by including a balanced XLR input
connector version of the phono preamplifier modules.
No32 XLR phono module
recommended wiring
NC
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3
NC
12
3
LEFT +
LEFT -
TONE ARM GROUND
RIGHT +
RIGHT -
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. (An RCA-equipped version is also available
for wider compatibility with existing phono cables.)
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Madrigal uses a fully balanced implementation in its phono preamplifier. The gain stage produces a perfectly symmetrical pair of oppositepolarity signals, based solely on the difference voltage appearing at the
amplifier input. Each half of the balanced signal sees identical signal
path and circuitry from input to output. The RIAA equalization stage
and even the DC servo is duplicated for each signal half. (A single resistor change on the input amplifier would let each channel operate as a
stereo pair of phono preamplifiers.)
The balanced output signal from the phono preamp is received on the
Nº32 audio input selector board with the same treatment as a line level
balanced input.
instrumentation
amplifier topology
The classic method of resolving tiny electrical signals from potentially
noisy environments is called an “instrumentation amplifier.” The fully
balanced, input to output instrumentation amp—first pioneered in the
high end audio business in the Nº38 family of line-level preamplifiers—is the ideal foundation on which to build a high performance
phono preamp.
The industry’s lowest noise amplifiers implement the input side of the
phono circuit. Gain is distributed over two stages with ample band-
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.
high accuracy
RIAA equalization
A balanced pair of active RIAA equalization circuits follows the gain
stages. The filter is built with 0.1%, plate style (non-inductive), thin
film resistors and 1%, stacked film, polypropylene capacitors. This
yields less than 0.1db deviation from the ideal RIAA curve. The user
may switch an additional 20Hz high pass filter into the circuit. This filter effectively removes the subsonic noise common to many turntable
configurations. The filter conforms to the RIAA/IEC phono equalization curve.
DC servo stabilized Any potential for DC output from the phono preamp is nulled out by
an active DC servo. The servo is implemented with low noise, high performance op-amps and film capacitors.
component selection As with the rest of the components in the Nº32, the selection process
involved many hours of controlled listening tests above and beyond the
usual measurements and lab work. Some examples of the selections include:
• Signal path resistors are 0.1% tolerance, non-inductive (platestyle), thin-film parts.
• Signal path capacitors are also non-inductive (stacked construction), either polypropylene or polyester in parallel polypropylene
film caps.
• The preamp circuit board is four layer, Arlon™ N25 (an ultra
high speed, low loss material) construction.
• Even non-signal path parts are film resistors and caps for best
long-term stability.
• Low level signal interconnect is a flat conductor, Teflon™ insulated balanced cable, soldered at both ends.
• Low level signal relays are a rhodium contact, hermeticallysealed reed type, optimized for ultra-low signal levels.
• The entire module is fully enclosed in a conetic mu-metal shield
box for ultimate low frequency noise isolation.
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Unpacking
Warning! Do not attempt to use your Nº32 Reference Phono
modules unless your Nº32 Controller is using version
1.03 (or greater) of its operating software. Prior to
installation, check your software by pressing Setup and
turning the Select knob one click to the left, and
reading the resulting display.
If you need new software, please contact your
authorized Mark Levinson dealer.
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unpacking
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. Accessories include:
1 wrist strap for ESD protection
15⁄32" hex key
17⁄64" hex driver
15⁄64" hex driver
2 10-32 socket head cap screws
You will also need the 3⁄32" hex driver that came with your Nº32 Reference Preamplifier in order to open the main Preamplifier unit.
Operating Voltage
The Nº32 Reference Preamplifier is set at the factory (internally) for
100V, 120V, 230V, 220V, or 240V AC mains operation @ 50 or 60Hz.
(230V/50Hz only in European Union countries, in compliance with CE
regulations.) This voltage setting cannot be changed by the user.
Make sure that the label near the AC receptacle of the Nº32 Controller
indicates the correct 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.
The Nº32 is easily powered by a normal 15-ampere AC mains line. If
other devices are also powered from the same AC line, their additional
power consumption should be taken into account.
Caution! It is extremely important that all components in your
Warm up &
break-in period
system be properly grounded. Do not defeat a threeprong AC cords with “ground-lifter” or “cheater”
adaptors, as doing so may allow dangerous voltages to
build up between components. The presence of these
voltages would pose a threat to both your person and
your equipment.
Although your Mark Levinson Nº32 Reference Preamplifier delivers
outstanding performance straight out of the box, you should expect to
hear it continue to improve as it reaches its normal operating temperatures and its various components “break-in.” It has been our experience
that the greatest changes occur within the first 25-50 hours, but that
the preamplifier will continue to improve in sound quality for about
300 hours, after which time it remains quite constant.
The only exception to this rule is if power is removed from the unit, allowing it to cool down. In this case you should expect a brief warm-up
period before the preamplifier’s sound quality is at its best. (Fortunately, you do not have to repeat the full 300-hour break-in period.)
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