Mark Levinson N33H User Manual

Owner’s Manual

Nº33H

Monaural

Power Amplifier

1. Read these instructions.

2. Keep these instructions.

3. Heed all warnings.

4. Follow all instructions.

5. Do not use this apparatus near water.

6. Clean only with a dry cloth.

7. Do not block ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or another apparatus that produces heat.

9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or third prong is provided for safety. If the provided plug does not fit into the outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10. The MAINS cord is intended to be the safety disconnect device for this apparatus. Ready access to the MAINS cord shall be maintained at all times.

11. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, or the point where it exits from the apparatus.

12. Only use attachments and accessories specified by the manufacturer.

13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.

14. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as when the power cord or plug has been damaged; liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus; or the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

15. Ventilation should not be impeded by covering the ventilation openings with items such as newspapers, table cloths, curtains, etc.

16. No naked flame sources, such as candles, should be placed on the apparatus.

17. Terminals marked with this symbol may be considered HAZARDOUS LIVE and the

external wiring connected to these terminals requires installation by an INSTRUCTED PERSON or the use of ready-made leads or cords.

Warning!

To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose the apparatus to rain or moisture. Do not place objects containing liquid, such as vases, on this apparatus.

Important Safety Instructions

FCC 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 harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, 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 an authorized Mark Levinson dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Caution!

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Canada This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003. Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

3 Oak Park Bedford, MA 01730-1413 USA Telephone: 781-280-0300 Fax: 781-280-0490 www.marklevinson.com

Customer Service

Telephone: 781-280-0300 Sales Fax: 781-280-0495 Service Fax: 781-280-0499

Product Shipments

16 Progress Road Billerica, MA 01821-5730 USA

Part No. 070-630273 | Rev 3 | 02/05

“Mark Levinson” and the Mark Levinson logo are registered trademarks of Harman International Industries. U.S. patent numbers and other worldwide patents issued and pending.

“Madrigal Audio Laboratories” and the Madrigal Audio Laboratories logo are registered trademarks of Harman International Industries. U.S. patent numbers and other worldwide patents issued and pending.

This document should not be construed as a commitment on the part of Harman Specialty Group. The information it contains is subject to change without notice. Harman Specialty Group assumes no responsibility for errors that may appear within this document.

iii

Documentation Conventions

This document contains general safety, installation, and operation instructions for the Nº33H Power Amplifier. It is important to read this document before attempting to use these components. Pay particular attention to safety instructions.

Appears on the component to indicate the presence of uninsulated, dangerous voltages inside the enclosure – voltages that may be sufficient to constitute a risk of shock.

Appears on the component to indicate important operation and maintenance instructions included in the accompanying documentation.

Appears on the component to indicate compliance with the EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) and LVD (Low-voltage Directive) standards of the European Community.

Warning!

Calls attention to a procedure, practice, condition, or the like that, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in personal injury or death.

Caution! Calls attention to a procedure, practice,

condition, or the like that, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in damage or destruction to part or all of the component.

Note Calls attention to information that is essential to

highlight.

Table of Contents

Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Opening the Shipping Crate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Moving the Nº33H . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Product Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Installation Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Power Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Warm-up & Break-in Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Continuous Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Special Design Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Massive Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

AC Power Regeneration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Fully Balanced Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

True Voltage Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Extensive Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Linking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Making Link Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Constructing Link Communication Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Creating a Slave Chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Link Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Care & Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Declaration of Conformity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Unpacking

Warning! DO NOT attempt to lift or move the Nº33H without adequate

assistance. Failure to follow the procedures included in this owner’s manual may result in personal injury and/or product damage.

The shipping weight of each Nº33H Monaural Power Amplifier is approximately 220 pounds (100 kg). To avoid injury, handle the Nº33H with extreme care. At least two strong people are required to unpack the Nº33H amplifier from its shipping crate.

Two pair of knit, white gloves with special gripping surfaces on the palms and fingers are included with your new Nº33H. Please wear these gloves when lifting and moving the amplifier.

When unpacking the Nº33H:

• DO keep the Nº33H shipping crate upright at all times, as

indicated by the arrows on the outside of the crate. The Nº33H shipping crate is modular in design to facilitate the unpacking process.

• DO save all screws and packing materials for possible future

shipping needs.

• DO inspect the Nº33H for signs of damage during shipment.

If damage is discovered, contact an authorized Mark Levinson dealer for assistance making the appropriate claims.

Caution! DO NOT attempt to lift the entire Nº33H at one time, even with

two people. Always lift one end ONLY, leaving the other end supported by the base of the shipping crate or the floor.

DO NOT try to lift the Nº33H while bending at the waist. When lifting, keep your back straight and use your leg muscles to lift.

Opening the Shipping 1. Carefully cut the nylon straps around the crate. Note that

Crate the straps may be under tension, causing them to snap

outward when cut. To avoid personal injuries, keep your face and body as far as possible from the box when cutting each strap.

2. Remove the screws securing the top of the crate to the base.

3. Lift the top of the crate upward until it clears the top of the Nº33H. Then set the top of the crate aside.

4. Use a socket wrench to remove:

• The four 9/16-inch hexagonal-head bolts that secure the

Nº33H to the base of the crate. These bolts attach directly to the bottom of the Nº33H’s feet and are accessible underneath the pallet on which the Nº33H sits.

• The two 9/16-inch hexagonal-head bolts that hold the

retaining bar in place.

Moving the Nº33H Please read and understand these instructions before attempting

to move the Nº33H from the shipping crate base.

Note:

Protect delicate floor surfaces before moving the Nº33H off the crate and onto the floor.

1. Position two people at the front of the Nº33H to support its weight; a third person may be needed to hold the base of the crate in place while the Nº33H is moving.

2. When all people are in position, carefully slide the Nº33H off of the crate’s base and onto the floor.

As the front of the Nº33H clears the front edge of the crate, the two people positioned at the front of the Nº33H must begin to support its weight. To do this, use the “handle” built into the sculpted faceplate (located just above the Mark Levinson logo) or the front heat sinks.

3. Continue to slide the Nº33H forward until its center section clears the front edge of the base. Then lower the front of the Nº33H to the floor.

At this point, the floor should support the front of the Nº33H and the base of the crate should support the rear.

4. Position two people at the rear of the Nº33H; a third person may be needed to slide the base of the crate out from underneath the Nº33H.

5. Grip the rear heat sinks. Then lift the rear of the Nº33H, leaving the front supported by the floor.

6. When the rear of the Nº33H is lifted, slide the base of the crate out from underneath the Nº33H, then carefully lower the rear of the Nº33H to the floor.

Product Registration Please register your Nº33H Monaural Power Amplifier within 15

days of purchase. Register online at www.marklevinson.com or complete and return the included product registration card. Retain the original, dated sales receipt as proof of warranty coverage.

Installation Considerations

The Nº33H requires special care during installation to ensure optimal performance. Pay particular attention to the information included in this section.

Placement Your Mark Levinson Nº33H Monaural Power Amplifiers are specifi-

cally designed to stand on the floor, and must be used as freestanding units. In most installations, locating them near the loudspeakers is best. Obviously, this approach minimizes the length of the speaker wires and necessitates longer interconnecting cables from the preamplifier to the power amplifiers. The advantage to this strategy is that that the interconnecting cables carry low-current signals which are more readily transmitted over distances with great accuracy than are the necessarily high current signals required by loudspeakers.

You should leave at least six inches (15 cm) of free space behind each Nº33H so that the AC cord and connecting signal cables have sufficient room to bend without crimping or undue strain.

You should also position each amplifier for easy access to the rear panel power switch. This switch effectively disconnects the amplifier from the AC mains.

Caution! Before moving the Nº33H, make sure it is powered off with the

rear panel power switch. Then, make sure the power cord is disconnected from the electrical outlet.

Ventilation Your Mark Levinson Nº33H power amplifier is designed to com-

plement your listening room visually, with a tall and narrow frontal area that reduces the effective “footprint” and makes it far more presentable than would be the case with a more traditionally proportioned design. As a result, it can be more easily placed beside your loudspeakers. As freestanding units, the Nº33H amplifiers normally will have no problem with ventilation. Please follow the precautions below.

• DO select a dry, well-ventilated location out of direct sunlight.

• DO ensure free air flow around the Nº33H to allow for adequate heat dissipation through air circulation.

• DO keep the top plate and heat sinks free from obstructions that could reduce air circulation.

• DO use fans to increase air circulation if the Nº33H is installed in an enclosed space.

• DO NOT place the Nº33H on a thick rug or carpet or cover the Nº33H with a cloth, as this might prevent proper cooling.

• DO NOT expose the Nº33H to high temperatures, humidity, steam, smoke, dampness, or excessive dust. Avoid installing the Nº33H near radiators and other heat-producing appliances.

Note

Each Nº33H dissipates about 360 watts of heat energy when idle; it is normal and safe for it to run warm.

Power Requirements

When shipped, the Nº33H is configured for 100V, 120V, 220V, 230V or 240V AC power operation at 50 or 60Hz based on the country for which it is manufactured. Before operating the Nº33H, make sure the ~ac mains connector label indicates the correct operating voltage for the current location.

Caution! Do not attempt to adjust the operating voltage. Consult an

authorized Mark Levinson dealer if the operating voltage is incorrect or if the operating voltage must be changed for relocation purposes.

Be advised that different operating voltages may require the use of different power cords and/or attachment plugs. Contact an authorized Mark Levinson dealer for assistance.

Your Mark Levinson Nº33H Monaural Power Amplifier is characterized by its remarkable ability to pass a musical signal with utter integrity, regardless of how demanding that signal and the loudspeakers used might be. When called upon to do so, the Nº33H is capable of generating truly prodigious power levels into almost any speaker load, on either an instantaneous or a continuous basis.

Depending on the demands placed on the Nº33H by your loudspeaker and your listening habits, it is possible for the quality and current capability of your electrical service to become the limiting factor in the performance of your system.

In this case, consider installing a dedicated AC circuit for your amplifiers. Contact a licensed electrician for assistance. If more than one AC circuit is providing power to the system, contact a licensed electrician to ensure that all components are operating with the same solid, low-impedance ground reference.

Note

Building regulations and electrical codes differ from location to location, making it impossible to anticipate the requirements of high-current AC circuits such as the Nº33H. Contact a local, licensed electrician for information.

Warm-up & Break-in Although the Nº33H delivers superior performance from the

Period first time it is powered on, this performance will continue to

improve as various components “break in.” You should notice the greatest performance improvements within the first 25 to 50 hours of use. The amplifier should continue to improve in sound quality for approximately 300 hours.

After this initial period, performance will remain consistent unless power is disconnected, allowing the amplifier to cool down. (Power is considered disconnected when the Nº33H is powered off with the rear panel ~ac mains relay switch or the power cord is disconnected from the electrical outlet; or an extended power failure or power outage occurs. Power is not disconnected when the Nº33H is in standby.) When power is returned, the Nº33H will require a brief warm-up period of about 2 minutes before the amplifier sound quality is at its best. (You will never have to repeat the full 300 hour break-in period.)

Continuous Operation The Nº33H should be unplugged during lightning storms and

extended periods of non-use. Otherwise, it is designed for continuous operation. For best performance, make sure the power cord is connected to an electrical outlet at all times. During normal operation, do not use the rear panel ~ac mains relay switch to power off the Nº33H. Instead, use the standby button to place the Nº33H into standby, which allows the power amplifier to remain warmed-up to deliver optimal performance at all times.

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