Mark Levinson No 334, No 335, No 336 Owners manual
Owner’s Manual
Nº334
Nº335
Nº336
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
power amplifier.
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
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.
®
retailer.
From all of us at Madrigal Audio Laboratories, thank you for choosing your Mark
Levinson 300-series Dual Monaural Power Amplifier.
4
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.
Table of Contents
Unpacking Your Amplifier ......................................................... 6
Break-in period ................................................................................... 6
Placement Considerations.......................................................... 8
Ventilation.......................................................................................... 8
Operating Voltage, Nº336 ....................................................... 10
Nº336 AC mains maximum current requirements ........................... 11
Nº336 rear-panel label ................................................................... 12
Operating Voltage, Nº335 & Nº334 .........................................13
Nº335 AC mains maximum current requirements ........................... 14
Nº334 AC mains maximum current requirements ........................... 14
Nº335 rear-panel label ................................................................... 15
Special Design Features ........................................................... 16
Massive Power Supply ...................................................................... 16
Balanced design ............................................................................... 16
True Voltage Source.......................................................................... 17
Adaptive Biasing of the Output Stage ............................................... 17
Extensive Protection ......................................................................... 18
Front Panel ............................................................................. 19
Rear Panel ............................................................................... 20
PHASTLink® control cable .............................................................. 23
Remote turn-on tip polarity ............................................................ 24
Bridged Operation .................................................................. 28
Bridging Explained ........................................................................... 28
Balanced Bridging ............................................................................ 28
Balanced Bridging Kit ..................................................................... 29
Balanced Bridged Input Connection ............................................... 30
Single-Ended Bridging ...................................................................... 31
Single-Ended Bridging Kit ............................................................... 31
Single-Ended Bridged Input Connection ......................................... 32
Biamplification ........................................................................ 34
Balanced Y-adapter ........................................................................ 35
Passive biamping wiring diagram ................................................... 35
Troubleshooting ...................................................................... 36
Care & Maintenance ................................................................ 38
U.S. and Canadian Warranty ....................................................39
90-Day Limited Warranty .................................................................. 39
Five Year Extended Warranty ............................................................ 39
Obtaining Service .................................................................... 40
Specifications .......................................................................... 41
Dimensions: Nº336 & Nº335 .................................................... 42
Dimensions: Nº334 ..................................................................44
5
Unpacking Your Amplifier
Warning! Under no circumstances should you consider
unpacking your amplifier without adequate assistance,
as both personal injury and damage to the product is
likely unless you follow the procedures listed below.
The shipping weight of your Dual Monaural Power Amplifier is over
100 lbs. (45 kg)—the Nº336, for example, weighs in at 150 pounds (68
kg)! Any freight this massive must be handled with extreme care to
avoid injury. At least two strong people are required to unpack these
amplifiers safely.
Included with your new Mark Levinson amplifier are 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.
6
Caution! Do not attempt to lift your power amplifier from its
packing carton alone.
Never attempt to lift your power amplifier while
bending from the waist.
Always stand as straight as possible and use your leg
muscles to lift your amplifier.
After unpacking your power amplifier, keep all packing materials for
future transport. In the event that you need to ship your amplifier,
only the original, purpose-designed shipping carton is acceptable. Any
other method of shipping this heavy product will almost certainly result in damage to the amplifier—damage that would not be covered by
the warranty.
Carefully inspect your amplifier for possible damage due to shipping. If
you discover any, contact your Mark Levinson dealer immediately.
Break-in period Although your Mark Levinson 300-series power amplifier delivers out-
standing 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 amplifier 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 amplifier’s sound quality is at its best. (Fortunately,
you will never have to repeat the full 300 hour break-in period.)
7
Placement Considerations
PRECAUTION
8
For your protection, review “Important Safety
Instructions” and “Operating Voltage” before you
install your amplifier.
Your Mark Levinson 300-series power amplifier is specifically designed
to stand on the floor, and must be used as a freestanding unit. In most
installations, locating it 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 amplifier. 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 your amplifier. We suggest leaving at least six
inches (15 cm) of free space behind your amplifier so all cables have
sufficient room to bend without crimping or undue strain.
If yours is a CE-certified unit (e.g., European market), the 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
As a freestanding unit, your power amplifier normally has no problem
with ventilation. Regardless of where you choose to locate your amplifier, we advise locating the amplifier well away from sensitive low-level
components, typically near the floor. (The massive output currents of
which the 300-series amplifiers are capable can generate significant
magnetic fields, which could conceivably induce noise in some sensitive
components.)
The Nº336 dual monaural power amplifier dissipates approximately
350 watts of energy as heat when “at idle.” The Nº335 and Nº334 dissipate about 325 and 260 watts at idle, respectively. It is therefore normal
and perfectly safe for them to run somewhat 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 amplifier
must be kept free from any obstruction that would reduce the free flow
of air.
Allow at least 4–6 inches above the amplifier and at least 2 inches to
sides for adequate ventilation. If the amplifier becomes too warm to
touch, the ventilation is inadequate. (Note that your new amplifier is
protected against thermal damage. Inadequate ventilation may cause
nuisance shutdowns, but should not cause permanent damage to the
amplifier.)
Mechanical drawings are included in this manual to facilitate special
installations where necessary (see “Dimensions” at the end of this
manual).
9
Operating Voltage, Nº336
Your Mark Levinson Dual 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, your amplifier is capable of generating truly prodigious power levels into virtually any speaker load, on
either an instantaneous or a continuous basis.
Depending on the demands placed on the amplifier by your loudspeaker and your listening habits, it is possible (although unlikely) for
the capabilities of your electrical service to become the limiting factor
in the performance of your system. As a result, the Nº336 has been designed to be capable of taking advantage of dedicated high current AC
mains supplies which cannot limit its performance.
For compatibility with existing household outlets, a standard three
prong, 15 ampere plug is provided on the captive, high current AC
mains cable. If you decide to use a dedicated, higher-current (30 ampere) line for your Nº336, the only thing that needs to be changed is
the AC plug itself.
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Important: When it comes to high current AC wiring such as the
Nº336 is capable of using, building regulations and
electrical codes vary from region to region, and 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. If
you plan to install a dedicated, high current AC line for
your Nº336, please review this section carefully and
then contact a local electrical contractor for advice.
The Mark Levinson Nº336 amplifiers may be factory-set for 100V,
120V, 200V, 220V, 230V or 240V AC mains operation at either 50 or
60Hz, based on the country for which they are manufactured. Depending on local electrical codes and regulations, the plug on the supplied
AC input module may need to be replaced by a local, licensed electrical
contractor. The maximum current requirements (in amperes) at these
various voltages under various test conditions are listed in the table
shown below. (Note that only 230V units are sold in the European Union
countries, per CE requirements.)
Nº336 AC mains maximum
current requirements
100V 120V 200V 220V 230V 240V
Off 0.12 0.10 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.05
Standby 2.35 1.96 1.17 1.07 1.02 0.98
On, at idle 4.01 3.35 2.01 1.83 1.75 1.68
350w @ 8Ω* 21.25 17.71 10.63 9.66 9.23 8.86
700w @ 4Ω* 36.69 30.59 18.29 16.68 15.99 15.30
1400w @ 2Ω* 62.33 51.98 31.17 28.41 27.14 25.99
* power ratings are continuous (rms) with less than 0.5% THD, from 20-20,000 Hz.
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Nº336 rear-panel label
It is important to understand that these are worst-case requirements
under severe test conditions, which are extremely unlikely to be encountered in normal use.
The power demands that a single Nº336 might conceivably make when
being used to reproduce music with actual loudspeakers are substantially lower, safely within the normal abilities of 100V and 120V, 15 ampere lines. Still, for the best possible performance with extremely difficult loads, we recommend installing a dedicated AC line for the amplifier with 30-ampere capability.
The operating voltage of the Nº336 cannot be changed by the user, and
any attempt to do so will void the warranty. If you need to change the
operating voltage of your Nº336 power amplifiers, or if the voltage indicated on the rear panel label is not available in your area, contact
your Mark Levinson dealer for assistance.
DUAL MONAURAL POWER AMPLIFIER Nº336
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S/N
WARNING:
REFER TO OWNER’S MANUAL FOR PROPER OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. HAZARDOUS
VOLTAGE AVAILABLE INSIDE; DISCONNECT AC-MAINS CABLE
BEFORE OPENING UNIT.
For service, contact Madrigal Audio Laboratories or an Authorized Dealer.
Any modifications to this equipment will void all warranties.
BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THIS DEVICE,
No User Serviceable Components Inside
®
designed and manufactured in USA
Operating Voltage,
Nº335 & Nº334
Your Mark Levinson Dual 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, your amplifier is capable of generating truly prodigious power levels into virtually any speaker load, on
either an instantaneous or a continuous basis.
Depending on the demands placed on your amplifier by your loudspeaker and your listening habits, it may use a significant portion of the
total current capability of a standard, 15 ampere household AC mains
circuit. Fortunately, most installations do not require special attention
be paid to the AC mains service. If you have multiple, powerful amplifiers such as you new Mark Levinson amplifier, or other appliances on
the same circuit that use significant current, you may want to consider
having a dedicated AC line installed for your home entertainment system.
For compatibility with existing household outlets, a standard three
conductor, 15 ampere, IEC-standard, detachable AC mains cable is provided for use with your amplifier.
Mark Levinson power amplifiers may be factory-set for 100V, 120V,
200V, 220V, 230V or 240V AC mains operation at either 50 or 60Hz,
based on the country for which they are manufactured. Depending on
local electrical codes and regulations, the plug on the supplied AC input module may need to be replaced by a local, licensed electrical contractor. The maximum current requirements at these various voltages
under various test conditions are listed in the tables shown below.
(Note that only 230V units are sold in the European Union countries, per
CE requirements.)
13
Nº335 AC mains maximum
current requirements
100V 120V 200V 220V 230V 240V
Off 0.12 0.10 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.05
Standby 2.35 1.96 1.17 1.07 1.02 0.98
On, at idle 3.73 3.11 1.86 1.69 1.62 1.55
250w @ 8Ω* 14.72 12.31 7.34 6.67 6.37 6.11
500w @ 4Ω* 25.07 20.93 12.54 11.37 10.88 10.42
1000w @ 2Ω* 43.47 36.34 21.74 19.78 18.98 18.17
* power ratings are continuous (rms) with less than 0.5% THD, from 20-20,000 Hz.
14
Nº334 AC mains maximum
current requirements
100V 120V 200V 220V 230V 240V
Off 0.12 0.10 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.05
Standby 1.24 1.04 0.62 0.56 0.54 0.52
On, at idle 2.99 2.53 1.52 1.38 1.32 1.27
125w @ 8Ω* 8.42 7.02 4.21 3.83 3.68 3.51
250w @ 4Ω* 14.26 11.96 7.13 6.47 6.21 5.95
500w @ 2Ω* 24.73 20.70 12.42 11.27 10.81 10.33
* power ratings are continuous (rms) with less than 0.5% THD, from 20-20,000 Hz.
It is important to understand that these are worst-case requirements
under severe test conditions, which are extremely unlikely to be encountered in normal use. The power demands that a single amplifier
might conceivably make when being used to reproduce music with actual loudspeakers are substantially lower. Still, for the best possible performance with extremely difficult loads, we recommend installing a
dedicated AC line for your amplifier
The operating voltage of your amplifier cannot be changed by the user,
and any attempt to do so will void the warranty. If you need to change
the operating voltage of your power amplifiers, or if the voltage indicated on the rear panel label is not available in your area, contact your
Mark Levinson dealer for assistance.
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