Mark Levinson 52 Owners Manual

RefeRence PReamPlifieR OwneR’s manual

N052 RefeReNce PReamPlifieR / Owner’s Manual

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table Of cOntents

About This Document 1

Special Design Features 2

Setup Menu 4

Input Setup, Aux Output, Volume Control, Power Management, Advanced

Using Aux Mode 11

SSP Setup 12

Troubleshooting 14

Speciﬁcations 16

table Of cOntents / abOut this DOcument

abOut this DOcument

This User Guide primarily covers the system functions and advanced options contained in your N guide also covers setup for SSP (Surround Sound Processor) mode. These resources allow you to ﬁnely tailor the behavior and performance of the N

52 to ﬁt your preferences and the

particulars of your equipment and listening room.

Before you read this User Guide, we recommend that you thoroughly read the

your N

52 in printed form. The

N052 Quick-Start Guide,

the information you will need to unpack and place your N connect it to the rest of your audio system and have a ﬁrst listen.

NOTE: Within this User Guide, the term “Controller” is used to refer to the N

52 Controller chassis and the term “Preampliﬁer” is used to refer to the N chassis. The term “N

52” is used to refer to the dual-

chassis combination.

52’s Setup menus. This

supplied with

Quick-Start Guide

52 Preampliﬁer

contains all

52,

For the sake of brevity, instructions in this guide refer only to the use of front-panel controls. Functions accomplished by using the front-panel Select knob, Setup button, and Enter button may also be accomplished using the remote-control Select +/buttons, Setup button, and Enter button.

sPecial Design featuRes

Thank you for purchasing the N052 Reference Preampliﬁer, featuring an innovative dual-chassis design that allows the audio circuits to deliver unrivaled musical reproduction. The

52 Preampliﬁer chassis isolates the audio circuits so that only audio signals and extremely pure DC power are present. The power supply and control circuits are combined in the other chassis, protecting the sensitive audio signals.

Like most high-performance audio components, the N

52 relies on clean, noise-free power to deliver maximum performance. Unfortunately, most AC power does not meet these standards. Common household appliances such as refrigerators, TVs and computers often contaminate AC power lines with line noise, spikes and other irregularities that make it difﬁcult for audio circuits to perform up to their full potential.

To protect audio circuits from contamination, the N

52 generates its own “secondary” AC power. An independent power supply is dedicated to each audio channel, generating AC power for a special power ampliﬁer optimized to reproduce just one frequency: 200Hz. This 200Hz frequency is rectiﬁed, ﬁltered and regulated again to create extraordinarily clean DC power. A third cable supplies control signals between the Controller and Preampliﬁer chassis’, preventing potentially noisy control signals from coupling into the power supplies.

An advanced dual-mono design allows the N

52 to achieve exceptional channel separation. Both audio channels use independent power supplies, communication circuits, and audio circuits. The Preampliﬁer chassis provides complete isolation between the left and right channels, which are physically and electrically separated by a thick aluminum wall. This innovative approach isolates each channel, allowing the N

52 to produce

vividly detailed, three-dimensional sonic images.

For even greater isolation, the N

52 effectively deactivates unused inputs to prevent interference from other components. Discrete “T-switch” input switching, special shielding and optimal circuit board placement allow the N

52 to “unplug” inputs not in use – achieving more than 120dB separation between even adjacent input connectors. As a result, input signals pass through the N

52 with remarkable freedom from

interference.

The N

52 offers seven conﬁgurable inputs, each of which is assigned to one of its three balanced (XLR) or four unbalanced (RCA) stereo connectors. Unbalanced input signals are converted to balanced signals upon entering the Preampliﬁer chassis, and processed as balanced signals thereafter. During this rigorous conversion process, meticulously balanced circuits preserve all input signal information, passing it to the associated power ampliﬁer without the limitations of asymmetrical designs.

In addition to the above-mentioned inputs, the N052 also offers a dedicated phono input featuring a proprietary Mark Levinsondesigned RCA connector that provides the same common mode noise rejection beneﬁts as a balanced XLR connector. The input gain stage produces a symmetrical pair of opposite polarity signals, based solely on voltage differences present at the input. Each balanced signal follows the same signal path, including identical RIAA equalization. Gain is distributed over two stages, allowing ample bandwidth and open-loop gain for superior performance – even at the 60dB input gain required for movingcoil phono cartridges. Originally introduced with the N

38, the instrumentation ampliﬁer stage resolves tiny electrical signals from potentially noisy environments. This method offers high common mode noise rejection without the limitations of transformer-based designs. And to prevent the introduction of radiated noise, the phono section is double isolated from the rest of the preampliﬁer.

A balanced pair of RIAA equalization circuits follows the input gain stages. These circuits include a ﬁlter constructed with

0.1% non-inductive thin-ﬁlm resistors and 5% stacked-ﬁlm capacitors for uncompromised RIAA curve accuracy.

The Setup menu for the Phono input provides multiple loading and input gain options that allow compatibility with most phono cartridges, including moving-coil, moving-magnet, high-output and low-output designs. The menu also provides a switchable 20Hz high-pass ﬁlter and allows compensation for left/right phono playback device imbalances of up to 3.0dB in 0.1dB increments.

A Mark Levinson-designed discrete volume attenuator controls the master volume level with unprecedented accuracy and sonic neutrality. Constructed from Nelco

4000-13SI circuit boards with local power supply regulation and bypass capacitors, this volume attenuator generates optimal power and isolation for even the most sensitive adjustments. Sixty-eight surfacemounted, precision resistors per channel provide more than 65,000 possible settings between 0dB (maximum attenuation) and 80dB, accommodating adjustments in 1.0dB increments up to 23.0dB and in 0.1dB increments above 23.0dB.

The N

52 is designed to integrate with multichannel surroundsound processors without the complications associated with competing stereo and multichannel volume controls. A unique surround-sound processor (SSP) mode deactivates N

52 volume controls and sends line-level input signals to the associated processor. With no interference from the N

52, the processor controls the relative volume level of all channels, maintaining its carefully calibrated output levels.

N052 RefeReNce PReamPlifieR / Owner’s Manual

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sPecial Design featuRes

To maximize channel separation, left-channel and rightchannel connectors are located on opposite sides of the rear panel. The connector complement includes separate Main and Auxiliary stereo outputs, available on both balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) connectors. Flexible Auxiliary output conﬁguration options allow them to be used to feed powered subwoofers, recording devices or a second zone.

The N052 represents the ultimate combination of compelling performance and almost limitless potential. Its unique dualchassis structure shields audio circuits to create truly spectacular sound, while its advanced design – including eight conﬁgurable inputs, separate Main and Auxiliary outputs, complete surroundsound processor integration, and extensive control possibilities – accommodates even the most demanding applications. All of this makes the N

52 a reference-quality component beﬁtting the

most sophisticated music reproduction systems.

setuP menu

This section explains the use of the Setup menus on your N052, which allow you to customize and conﬁgure the unit.

SETUP MENU NAVIGATION

Pressing the Setup button displays the Setup menu on the Controller’s front-panel display. When the Setup menu is active, use the Select knob to scroll through options, the Enter button to select and deselect options, and the Volume knob to adjust parameters. To move back a level in the menu structure (or exit the Setup menu), press the Setup button repeatedly until the desired menu is shown in the display.

INPUT SETUP

Setup Menu

Input Setup

Volume Control

Power Mgmt

Advanced

The Input Setup menu allows you to customize the following parameters for the selected input:

The following settings are available for all inputs.

Name:

This option offers a choice of preset names for the selected input (CD, SACD the following special names:

Unused: This option removes the selected input from the list of available inputs. The input will be skipped when selecting the active input.

™

, DVD, Blu-ray™, DAC, EQ) as well as

Input Setup

Set Input 1

Set Input 2

Set Input 3

Set Input 4

Set Input 5

Set Input 6

Set Input 7

Set Phono

Set Input X

Name=XXX

Gain=XXX

Offset=XXX

SSP=XXX

Aux=XXX

Mono=XXX

Ph Gain=XXX

Ph Bal=XXX

20Hz HPF=XXX

R Load=XXX

C Load=XXX

Manual Entry: This option allows you to enter a custom name for the selected input. Use the Select knob to select the character you want to change, use the Volume control to choose from the list of available characters and press the Enter button to conﬁrm each character. After the eighth character is entered, the new name will be saved.

Not Available for Phono Input

Available only for Phono Input

NOTE: To prevent noise due to the input’s high gain factor, if you are not connecting a phono source to the Phono input set the Phono input name to “Unused.”

N052 RefeReNce PReamPlifieR / Owner’s Manual

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Gain:

The output level of audio devices can vary from brand-tobrand and model-to-model, making some devices sound louder or quieter than others. The Gain and Offset parameters combine to let you precisely compensate for that variance, allowing all associated devices in your system to output at a similar volume level.

The Gain setting offers a choice of 0dB, +6dB, +12dB, or +18dB of gain boost for the selected input. Use this parameter to boost any lower-output devices in your system near to the level of higher-output devices. For ﬁner control of input gain, use the Offset parameter, as described below.

NOTE: The Gain parameter should be set before the Offset parameter.

Offset:

This setting works to ﬁne-tune the gain value established by the Gain parameter (see above). It offers a setting range of –20.0dB to +20dB, in 0.1dB steps, starting from the setting of the Gain parameter. Whenever an input is selected, the N

52 applies the setting of the Offset parameter to the volume level of the Main and Auxiliary outputs.

SSP:

The SSP setting conﬁgures the selected input for complete

integration with a multichannel surround sound processor. See

SSP Setup

on page 11 for more information. (Note: The SSP

setting is not available for the Phono input.)

setuP menu

Aux:

This setting lets you select the Auxiliary output connectors to which the input will be routed when that input is selected with the Aux mode:

Both: The input is routed to the unbalanced (RCA) and balanced (XLR) Auxiliary output connectors.

RCA Only: The input is routed only to the unbalanced (RCA) Auxiliary output connectors.

XLR Only: The input is routed only to the balanced (XLR) Auxiliary output connectors.

Off: The input is not routed to either set of Auxiliary output connectors.

NOTE: The following Auxiliary output conditions will apply if you use the Aux mode to set the Auxiliary output signal to anything other than “Off” or “Main Var[iable]:”

Input Setup

Menu Aux

Setting for

Selected Input

Both Active (0dB gain) Active (+6dB gain)

RCA only Active (0dB gain) Muted

XLR Only Muted Active (0dB gain)

Off Muted Muted

RCA Auxiliary

Outputs

XLR Auxiliary

Outputs

See

Using the Aux Mode,

on page 10, for more information.

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