Mark Levinson No 33 Owners manual
Operating Manual
Mark Levinson
Nº 33
Reference Monaural
Power Amplifier
®
Madrigal Audio Laboratories, Inc.
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.
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.
2
Important Safety Instructions
Please read all instructions and precautions carefully and completely before operating your Mark Levinson
power amplifier.
1. ALWAYS disconnect your entire system from the AC mains before connecting or disconnecting
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
tailer.
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.
®
re-
3
From all of us at Madrigal Audio Laboratories, thank you for choosing the
Mark Levinson Nº 33 Reference Monaural Power Amplifier.
A great deal of effort went into the design and construction of this precision
device. Used properly, it will give you many years of enjoyment.
4
Table of Contents
Unpacking the Nº33 ................................................................................... 6
Handling the Shipping Crate ............................................................................ 6
Unpacking Procedure ....................................................................................... 6
Placement Considerations ........................................................................ 9
Ventilation ........................................................................................................... 9
Spiking the Amplifier ........................................................................................ 10
Operating Voltage .................................................................................... 11
Nº33 AC mains current requirements ..................................................... 12
Nº33 rear-panel label ............................................................................... 12
Special Design Features........................................................................... 13
Massive Power Supply ..................................................................................... 13
AC Regeneration ............................................................................................. 13
Fully balanced design ..................................................................................... 14
True Voltage Source ........................................................................................ 14
Extensive Protection ........................................................................................ 15
Front Panel ................................................................................................. 16
Rear Panel ................................................................................................. 17
Remote turn-on tip polarity ..................................................................... 20
Care & Maintenance ................................................................................ 23
U.S. and Canadian Warranty ................................................................... 24
90-Day Limited Warranty ................................................................................. 24
Five Year Extended Warranty ......................................................................... 24
Obtaining Service ..................................................................................... 25
Specifications............................................................................................ 26
Dimensions: Nº33 ...................................................................................... 27
5
Unpacking the Nº33
Handling the
Shipping Crate
Warning! Under no circumstances should you consider unpacking your
The shipping weight of each of your Nº33 Reference Monaural Power Amplifiers
is approximately 435 pounds (198 kg). Any freight this massive must be handled
with extreme care to avoid injury. At least two strong people are required (more
is nice) to unpack the Nº33 amplifiers safely once they have been delivered to
the appropriate location in their shipping crates.
Included with your new Mark Levinson amplifier is two pairs of knit, white
gloves designed to assist you in the initial unpacking and placement of your new
purchase. Please accept them as a token of our appreciation for having purchased
one of our products.
amplifier without adequate assistance, as both personal
injury and damage to the product is likely unless you follow
the procedures listed below.
The shipping crates used for transporting the Nº33 power amplifiers should be
kept upright (as indicated by the arrows on the outside of the crates) at all times
during the unpacking procedure.
Save all packing material for future use. In the event that you need to ship your
Nº33 amplifiers, only their original, purpose-designed shipping crates are acceptable. Any other method of shipping these heavy products will almost certainly
result in damage to the amplifiers.
Unpacking Procedure The shipping crates for your amplifiers are modular in design to facilitate the
packing and unpacking of these massive products. Nonetheless, there is no escaping the fact that these amplifiers are heavy.
Caution! Do not attempt to lift the Nº33 from its packing crate alone.
Never attempt to lift a Nº33 power amplifier while bending
from the waist.
Always stand as straight as possible and use your leg muscles
to lift the amplifier.
Never attempt to lift the entire amplifier at one time (even with
two people). Instead, always lift either one end or the other,
leaving the remaining end to be supported by the base of
the shipping crate or the floor.
6
To safely unpack the Nº33 amplifier:
1 CAREFULLY CUT THE NYLON STRAPPING AROUND THE CRATE
These straps may be under some tension, and the ends may snap outward
when that tension is first released. Stand to one side when cutting each nylon strap to avoid any chance of the strap contacting you.
2 REMOVE ALL CLAMPS AND THE FOUR SCREWS HOLDING THE TOP OF
THE CRATE TO THE FOUR SIDES
You may use a large screwdriver or a small crowbar to pry the clamps off
the crate. Set these clamps aside. (Save all shipping materials for possible
future use.)
Two screws are located at each end of the short side of the top of the crate.
Remove and save these four screws, which secure the top of the crate to the
sides. (Save all shipping materials for possible future use.)
3 LIFT OFF THE TOP OF THE CRATE, AND SET IT ASIDE
The various pieces of the crate are designed to fit snugly into one another.
Do not be surprised if removing the top requires some effort, especially if
unpacking takes place in a humid climate where the wood may have
swelled slightly from the moisture.
4 LIFT ALL FOUR SIDES UP AND AWAY FROM THE BASE
The sides and ends may be lifted up and out of their respective slots in the
base of the crate, and set to aside. As with the top, this may require some
effort. You should now have the Nº33 standing on the wooden base of the
crate, inside its plastic shipping bag.
5 USING A RATCHETED SOCKET WRENCH, REMOVE THE FOUR BOLTS
HOLDING THE Nº33 TO THE BASE OF THE CRATE
The Nº33 is attached to the base of its shipping crate with four bolts, accessible between the pieces of blue, dense foam along the sides of the base.
These bolts attach directly to the bottom of the feet of the Nº33 from underneath, and have 9⁄16" hexagonal heads. Using a ratcheted socket wrench,
remove these four bolts from underneath each amplifier.
6 REMOVE THE WOODEN RETAINING BAR FROM THE FRONT OF THE BASE
Two more bolts with 9⁄16 " hexagonal heads hold this retainer in place. Remove the bolts and the retaining bar and set them aside.
7 WITH AT LEAST TWO STRONG PEOPLE, CAREFULLY SLIDE THE Nº33 FOR-
WARD, OFF THE CRATE’S BASE AND ONTO THE FLOOR
Understand this step completely before attempting it. The Nº33 is extremely heavy and must be handled with great care to avoid possible personal injury or damage to the unit when attempting to lift it.
7
Your Mark Levinson® Nº33 power amplifiers incorporate heavy duty casters
to facilitate their movement. If your flooring is even slightly fragile, be advised that significant pressure is generated by the Nº33’s approximately 350
pounds (160 kg) being supported by four round casters. Before you remove
the Nº33 from its shipping crate’s base, you may want to take measures to
protect delicate flooring from possible damage.
With two people at the front of the amplifier to support its weight, carefully
slide the amplifier forward. (A third person may be needed to hold the
crate bottom in place as the amplifier is slid forward.) As the front casters
clear the front edge of the crate, the two people in front must begin to support the weight of the front half of the amplifier. There is a “handle” built
into the sculpted faceplate for this purpose, just above the Mark Levinson
logo. Alternatively, you may also grip the front heatsinks. While supporting
the front of the amplifier, continue sliding the amplifier forward until the
center section of the amplifier has cleared the edge of the crate’s base. The
front of the amplifier may then be lowered gently to the floor.
With the amplifier supported by the floor in the front and the crate in the
rear, both people should move to the rear of the amplifier. Gripping the rear
heatsinks, lift the rear end of the amplifier and slide the base of the crate
away. (A third person is helpful in this, if available.) Gently lower the rear of
the amplifier to the floor, allowing it to come to rest on its casters.
Congratulations. The hard part is over.
After unpacking your Nº33 power amplifiers, keep all packing materials for
future transport. Shipment of the amplifier without the original packing material will almost certainly result in damage to the amplifier, and is not recom-
mended.
Locate and remove all accessory items from the accessory cartons. Accessories for
each amplifier include:
4 machined aluminum spiked “feet”
Carefully inspect your amplifier for possible damage. If you discover any, see your
Mark Levinson dealer immediately.
Important: When it comes to high current AC wiring such as the Nº33 will
typically use, building regulations and electrical codes vary
from region to region (sometimes even from one municipality
to the next). For this reason, it is impossible for us to anticipate
the requirements of your area with regard to high current AC
hookups. Please review this manual’s section on Operating
Voltage and contact a local electrical contractor for advice
on connecting your Nº33 to the AC mains power in your area.
8
Placement Considerations
PRECAUTION
For your protection, review “Important Safety Instructions” and
“Operating Voltage” before you install your Nº33.
Your Mark Levinson Nº33 power amplifiers are specifically 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 lies in the
fact 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.
Note that adequate clearance for the AC cord and connecting signal cables must
be left behind each Nº33. We suggest leaving at least six inches (15 cm) of free
space behind each Nº33 so that all cables have sufficient room to bend without
crimping or undue strain.
Each amplifier should also be placed in such a way that the power switch on the
rear panel is easily accessible. This switch disconnects power from even the supervisory power supply, resulting in effective disconnection of the amplifier from
the AC mains. (Note that under these conditions, the amplifier cannot respond to
remote-turn-on commands, etc.)
Ventilation Your Mark Levinson Nº33 power amplifiers have been designed to complement
your listening room visually, with a tall and narrow frontal area which reduces
their effective “footprint” and makes them far more presentable than would be
the case with a more traditionally proportioned design. As a result, they can be
more easily placed beside your loudspeakers. As freestanding units, the Nº33 amplifiers normally will have no problem with ventilation.
Each of your Nº33 power amplifiers dissipate approximately 800 watts of energy
as heat when “at idle.” It is therefore normal and perfectly safe for them to run
warm. They do, however, require free air flow around them to allow adequate
heat dissipation through air circulation. The top plate and heatsinks of the Nº33
must be kept free from any obstruction which would reduce the free flow of air.
If your amplifier must be located inside an enclosure of some sort that restricts
airflow, we strongly advise using some fans to increase ventilation through the
enclosed space. If the amplifiers become too warm to touch, they are receiving
inadequate ventilation. While they are fully protected against overheating, no one
enjoys interrupted listening sessions.
Mechanical drawings are included in this manual to facilitate special installations
and custom enclosures where necessary (see “Dimensions” at the end of this
manual).
9
Loading...