Mark Levinson No 31 Owners manual

About Compact Disc

Direction the disc rotates

Direction the laser pickup travels

Digital Audio…

To most people, a Compact Disc (CD) looks like a small, silver phonograph record. In fact, there are some important differences between records and CDs.

Phonograph records

vs. compact discs

The information on a phonograph record is contained within its grooves. This

analog

information is

read by a stylus riding along in the grooves and transmitted via a cartridge. The

digital

information on a CD, though arranged in similar grooves, is read by a laser mechanism (called a

pickup

). A phonograph’s stylus must be in contact with the record, but a CD player’s pickup never touches the CD. The information on the CD is transmitted via complex decoder circuitry.

The CD rotates counterclockwise, and the laser pickup reads the underside of the CD (the side opposite the label) beginning at the center and travelling toward the outer edge. As the pickup moves away from the center, the speed of rotation gradually decreases from 500 to 200 revolutions per minute.

Tracks and indexes

Programs on CDs are organized into

tracks

, usually corresponding to

songs or movements. This allows you to select a part of a program

easily and precisely,

Lindsay's First Symphony

First Movement Second Movement Third Movement

(Track 1) (Track 2) (Track 3)

with virtually no wear and tear on the CD. There may be as many as 99 tracks on a CD.

Index Numbers from Track 2

01 02 03 04 05 06 94 95 96 97 98 99

On some CDs, tracks are further broken down into

indexes

. These

"tracks within tracks" allow even more precise selection and programming. A single track may have up to 99 indexes.

2 43

display

intensity

repeat A

repeat disc repeat track program clear program review program save index mode

7 9

track index time

B preview program + program –

13 14

display

mode

elapsed time

time remaining

1086

Front panel

1 standby

When the Nº31 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 out of "standby" mode and enables the front-panel controls.

on track

on disc

MADRIGAL AUDIO LABORATORIES

REFERENCE

CD TRANSPORT

Nº 31

standby

111 12 15

When the Nº31's main power switch is first turned on (or when power is restored after an interruption), the Nº31 will be ready to operate (that is, it won't be in standby mode).

Pressing standby again places the Nº31 into standby mode and disables the front-panel controls.

While the Nº31 is in standby mode, the Display is dark and the standby LED flashes slowly. When the Nº31 is ready to operate (not in standby mode), the standby LED remains lighted.

Note: When going into standby, the Nº31 deactivates its digital outputs. With some digital processors, this may result in a low-level "pop" on the audio outputs (

linked

Mark Levinson

digital processors aren't subject to this effect).

To prevent this low-level "pop" from coming through your system's speakers or headphones, adjust the volume to its lowest level before placing the Nº31 into standby.

2 display intensity

time remaining on track

display

mode

time remaining on disc

elapsed time on track

elapsed time on disc

Pressing this button varies the brightness of the Display. Four brightness levels are available.

When the Nº31'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.

Pressing display intensity once dims the Display one level; pressing it again dims it further; pressing it again turns the Display off. Pressing display intensity once more returns the Display to its brightest level.

display intensity also affects the Nº31's front-panel LEDs. When the Display is turned off, however, the LEDs still glow dimly.

3 Top-panel controls

See "Top panel."

4 Display

See "Display."

5 display mode

This button allows you to change the type of information shown in the time part of the Display. (See "Display.")

When a CD is loaded and ready for play, the time part of the Display shows the time remaining on the CD; the time remaining and on disc LEDs are lighted.

Press display mode to change the time part of the Display:

The information in the time part of the Display corresponds to the lighted LEDs to the right of the display mode button. After play begins, the Display will reflect the last display mode you selected.

Along with program + (13) and program – (14), the display mode button is also used to change the link settings. (See "Linked functions.")

6 repeat disc

To repeat (continuously) all tracks on a CD (or all tracks in a program), press this button.

While repeat disc is active, the LED above the button is lighted.

To return to normal play, press repeat disc again or press Stop..

7 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 at the beginning of the passage you'd like to repeat. At the end of the passage, press repeat A>B again. The passage you selected will repeat continuously.

While repeat A>B is active, A then B will alternate appearing in the space preceding the track number on the Display. (See "Display.")

To return to normal play, press repeat A>B again.

8 repeat track

To repeat (continuously) the track in play, press this button.

While repeat track is active, the LED above the button is lighted.

To return to normal play, press repeat track again.

9 preview

This function allows you to play only the introduction of each track on a CD or in a program.

Once a CD is loaded and ready for play, press preview. Beginning with the first track on the CD (or the first track in the program), the Nº31 will play the first ten seconds of the track, skip to the second track and play the first ten seconds of that track, and so on.

While preview is active, the track part of the Display flashes. (See "Display.")

To return to normal play, press preview again, or press Play. (See "Top panel.")

10 program clear

Pressing this button erases any temporary program, and also temporarily overrides a previously saved program. (See "Programming.")

Pressing program clear, followed by pressing program save (12), permanently erases a program from the Nº31's memory.

After pressing program clear, the Display will show PROG CLEARED.

If you press program clear when there is no program in the Nº31's memory, the Display will show NO PROGRAM.

11 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 again, and so on.

After you view the last selection in the program, the Display will show PROGRAM END.

If you press program review when there is no program in the Nº31's memory, the Display will show NO PROGRAM.

12 program save

Pressing this button records a program in the Nº31's memory. (See "Programming.")

After pressing program save, the Display will show NEW PROGRAM,

PROG CHANGED, or PROG DELETED.

13 program

Pressing this button adds a selection to a program. (See "Programming.")

Along with display mode (5), the program + button is used to change the link settings. (See "Linked functions.")

14 program –

Used along with program review (11), pressing this button erases a selection from a previously saved program without erasing the entire program. (See "Programming.")

Along with display mode (5), the program – button is used to change the link settings. (See "Linked functions.")

15 index mode

When you're playing a CD recorded with indexes, the Nº31's index mode allows you to use those indexes to select more precisely the music you want to play. (See "About Compact Disc Digital Audio" and "Basic operation.")

After pressing index mode before playing the CD, the Display will show INDEX SEARCH.

While the index mode function is active, the LED above the button flashes.

While the Nº31 is in index mode, pressing Next or Previous skips the laser pickup to the next or previous index on the CD (see "Top panel"), and you may use the Remote Control's numbered buttons to select indexes (see "Remote Control").

To cancel this function, press index mode again, press Play, or press Stop.

Top panel

1 Laser Isolation Device (LID)

The LID covers the CD transport assembly, the mechanism that holds the CD during play. Its operation is controlled by the LID Open/Close button (2).

PRECAUTION

Never hold onto the LID while it’s opening or closing.

2 LID Open/Close

Pressing this button opens the LID (1); pressing it again closes the LID.

Pressing LID Open/Close while a CD is playing stops play and opens the LID.

3 Stop

Pressing this button while a CD is playing stops play. Pressing Stop also cancels repeat disc and repeat track, if they're active.

Pressing Play (5) after pressing Stop begins play again with the first track on the CD (or the first track in a program).

4 Search Reverse

Holding this button down during play moves the laser pickup rapidly toward the beginning of the CD.

During search, the pickup moves at two different speeds, increasing the longer you hold down Search Reverse, and the volume is reduced.

Note: If your Nº31 is connected to a compatible Mark Levinson digital processor (via the communication ports), you may mute the volume completely during search. (See "Linked functions.")

When you release Search Reverse, play normally resumes. If you have reached the beginning of the disc, the Nº31 will Stop and wait for your next command.

5 Play

After a CD is loaded and the Disc Damper is in place, pressing this button begins play with the first track on the CD (or the first track in a program).

If you press Play while the LID is open, the LID closes and play starts beginning with the first track on the CD (or the first track in a previously saved program).

Pressing Play while a CD is playing suspends play, returns to the beginning of the current track, and replays that track.

6 Search Forward

This button works in the same way as Search Reverse (4), except that it moves the laser pickup rapidly toward the end of the CD.

7 Pause

While a CD is playing, pressing this button suspends play; pressing it again resumes play at the point where Pause was first pressed.

While Pause is active, the LED above the button is lighted and ❙❙

appears preceding the track number on the Display. (See "Display.")

If left in Pause for several minutes, the transport will stop spinning and the laser will turn off (thereby enhancing the longevity of both). This will be indicated by the Pause indicator in the display

("❙❙") flashing on and off. Alternatively, this Long Term Pause feature

may be engaged by pressing and holding the Pause button until the indicator begins to flash in the display. Pressing Pause again will resume play at the point where Pause was first pressed, (after a short delay to allow the disc to get up to speed).

To "cue up" the beginning of a CD or track, press Pause

pressing Play (5). To begin play, press Pause again. (You may also select another track or index while play is suspended.)

8 Previous

This button's function depends on whether or not the Nº31 is in index mode. (See "Front panel.")

While the Nº31 is in index mode, pressing Previous "skips" the laser pickup to the previous Previous skips the laser pickup to the previous

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.

Note: If you press Previous while the first track on the CD (or in a program) is playing, the Display will show FIRST TRACK, and play will resume with that track.

Pressing Previous before play begins skips the laser pickup to the beginning of the last track or index on the CD; pressing Play (5) begins play there (temporarily overriding any existing program).

9 Next

This button works in the same way as Previous (8), except that it skips to the

track or index.

index

. If index mode is inactive, pressing

track

before

While the Nº31 is in index mode, pressing Next skips the laser pickup to the next laser pickup to the next

Pressing Next while a CD is playing suspends play, skips the laser pickup to the next track or index on the CD (or in a program), and begins play there.

Note: If you press Next while the last track on the CD (or in a program) is playing, the Display will show LAST TRACK, and play will resume with that track.

Pressing Next before play begins skips the laser pickup to the beginning of the next track or index on the CD; pressing Play (5) begins play there (temporarily overriding any existing program).

index

. If index mode is inactive, pressing Next skips the

track

1 1432

CD transport assembly

1 Finger wells

These cutouts make it easy to grasp a CD by its edges when placing it on or removing it from the spindle.

Levelling screws

For the best performance, the Nº31's transport assembly should be level. Four levelling screws (one inside each finger well) allow you to adjust the transport assembly.

With the supplied 3/32" hex driver, and using the Nº31's bubble level (3) as a gauge, adjust one or more of these screws to bring the transport assembly to level. To lower a corner, turn the corresponding screw clockwise; to raise a corner, turn the screw counterclockwise.

2 Spindle

This is the device that spins the CD, and on which the CD rests during play. The CD must be centered on the spindle, and it must be clamped to the spindle by the Disc Damper.

3 Bubble level

Use this bubble level, along with the four levelling screws (1), to make sure that the Nº31's transport assembly is level.

4 Laser assembly

This assembly contains the Nº31's laser pickup, the device that reads the underside of the CD.

PRECAUTION

Disc Damper

Installing the Disc Damper

Never touch or attempt to clean the laser assembly.

To clamp a CD onto its spindle, the Nº31 uses a Disc Damper held in place by a strong magnet.

Always make sure that the Disc Damper is in place before closing the LID. If you close the LID without the Damper in place, the display will show NO DAMPER and you'll be unable to play the CD.

When loading a CD for play, install the CD on the spindle, then place the Disc Damper on top of the CD.

Disc damper

Compact disc

Spindle

The CD and the Damper must be centered on the spindle. You'll feel the Damper's magnet "catch" when they're centered.

Removing the

Disc Damper

When removing a CD from the spindle, first remove the Disc Damper. To prevent damage to the CD, gently hold it down by the edge while pulling

straight up

on the Damper's knob.

Pull

straight up

on the

damper's knob…

…while gently

holding down

the edge of

the CD

To overcome the magnet, you'll need to give it a firm pull.

Note: When the Disc Damper clamps the CD onto the spindle, its strong magnet forces the air from between the Damper and the CD. If you don't follow the removal procedure outlined above, the CD may stick briefly to the Damper's energyabsorbing surface after the magnet is released.

If the CD is stuck to the Damper when you remove them from the spindle, take care not to let it fall.

timetrack index

1 2 3 4

Display

1 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's memory, the letter P will appear preceding the track number. A small P indicates a saved polarity setting (possible only when the Nº31 is linked to a compatible Mark Levinson digital processor).

While random play is active, the letter R will appear preceding the track number.

While repeat A>B is active, the letters A then B will alternate appearing in the space preceding the track number.

While Pause is active, " will appear preceding the track number (as pictured above).

While preview is active, the track part of the Display will flash.

2 index

If a CD includes indices, this part of the Display shows the index in play, beginning with 01 and increasing as the CD plays. If the CD in play doesn't include indexes, this part of the Display shows 01 throughout play. For information on how to use indexes, see "Basic operation."

Tracks may also be played from Index 00. (See "Linked functions.")

3 time

Before play, this part of the Display shows the total playing time for all tracks on the CD. When play begins, this part of the Display shows time-related information about the CD or the track.

You may vary the information in this part of the Display using the

display mode button. (See "Front panel.")

4 Remote sensor

This part of the Display accepts commands from the Nº31's Remote Control. (See "Remote Control.") Always keep this window clean and unobstructed.

Display messages

The Display also shows messages about the Nº31's status and operation. Here are some of the messages you'll see, and what they mean.

■ CLOSING: The LID is in motion (closing); appears after the

LID Open/Close button is pressed.

■ FIRST TRACK: The Previous button was pressed while the first track

on the CD (or in a program or a random sequence) was playing.

■ INDEX SEARCH: The Nº31 is scanning the CD for indexes; appears

after index mode is pressed.

■ INSERT DISC: The LID is open; appears after the LID has stopped

opening.

■ LAST TRACK: The Next button was pressed while the last track on

the CD (or in a program) was playing.

■ NEW PROGRAM: A new program was recorded in the Nº31's

memory; appears after program save is pressed.

■ NO DAMPER: The LID is closed and the Disc Damper isn't installed

on the spindle; appears after the LID has closed.

■ NO PROGRAM: There's no program in the Nº31's memory;

appears after program review or program clear is pressed.

■ OPENING: The LID is in motion (opening); appears after the

LID Open/Close button is pressed.

■ P01 IS 1st: Indicates a track's place in a program; appears after

program review is pressed.

■ P02 02 IS 2: Indicates an index's place in a program; appears

after program review is pressed.

■ PROG CHANGED: Changes to a program were recorded in the

Nº31's memory; appears after program save is pressed.

■ POLARITY PRG: A program including only the polarity invert

function was saved; appears after program save is pressed.

■ PROG DELETED: A previously saved program was erased from the

Nº31's memory; appears after program clear is pressed, followed by pressing program save.

■ PROG CLEARED: The temporary program was erased, or the

previously saved program was temporarily overridden; appears after program clear is pressed.

■ PROGRAM END: There are no more selections in the program

being reviewed; appears after program review is pressed.

■ READING: The Nº31 is reading track and time information from

the CD; appears after the LID has closed.

MADRIGAL AUDIO LABORATORIES

stop pause track

index

123

456

789

prg / time

A–B

d/a

polarity

display

mode

rpt trackrpt disc

display

intensity

Remote Control

1 Each of these buttons performs the same function as its

counterpart on the Nº31. (See "Top panel" and "Front panel").

Note: Used alone, the + and – buttons perform the Next and Previous functions, respectively. When pressed after prg/time (3), the + and – buttons perform the program + and program – functions, respectively.

The index button performs the index mode function.

When no CD is playing, pressing stop opens the LID.

2 Numbered buttons

These buttons may be used to select tracks or indexes (instead of using Next or Previous) or, along with prg/time (3), to begin play at a specific time in a track.

Note: If the Nº31 is in index mode, the numbered buttons select indexes. If the index mode is inactive, the numbered buttons select tracks.

To select a one-digit track or index number, you may press either one or two buttons. For example, for track 1, you may enter either 1 or 01. To select a two-digit track number, enter both digits. Track numbers you select will appear in the track part of the Display; index numbers you select will appear in the index part of the Display.

Entering a number before play begins play with that track or index and plays the remaining tracks as ordered on the CD.

Entering a number during play skips to that track or index and begins play, then plays the remaining tracks as ordered on the CD.

The numbered buttons may also be used to begin play at a specific time; see prg/time (3). In this case, the numbers you select will appear in the time part of the Display.

3 prg/time

This function, used with the numbered buttons (2), allows you to begin play at a specific index. Used with the + and – buttons, prg/time allows you to add or erase selections from a program via the Remote Control.

To begin play at a specific time, use Next or Previous (or the numbered buttons) to select a track. Press prg/time, then press the numbered buttons corresponding to when you'd like play to begin. (The numbers you select will appear in the time part of the Display.) To begin play at that point, press Play.

time

— whether or not it corresponds to an

Note: The time you select depends on the selection you've made with the display mode button: elapsed or remaining, CD or track.

For example, if you want to begin play one minute and thirty seconds into track 2, first press display mode until the elapsed time and on track LEDs light. Then select track 2 by pressing Next or Previous (or by entering 02). Press prg/time, enter 130, then press Play.

To add or erase selections from a program, first select a track. Press prg/time, then press + to add a selection or – to erase a selection. (See "Programming.")

4 d/a polarity

Some recordings simply "sound better" when polarity is inverted. When the Nº31 is linked to a compatible Mark Levinson digital processor (via their communication ports), pressing this button inverts polarity on the digital processor. (See "Rear panel" and "Linked functions.")

5 Transmit LED

This LED indicates when a command is transmitted by the Remote Control. It lights when you press any button on the Remote Control.

Note: This LED indicates when the Remote Control sends a command, not necessarily that the Nº31 received it.

If this LED fails to light when a button is pressed, replace the Remote Control's batteries. (See "Set-up and installation.")

6 Battery compartment cover

This cap covers the compartment that holds the Remote Control's batteries.

(Rear of

Remote Control)

–

Using the supplied 1/16" hex key, remove the two screws securing the cover. Insert two AA batteries according to the symbols on the inside of the battery compartment cover. Replace the battery compartment cover.

+ 36 hidden pages