Mark Levinson No 431, No 432 Owners manual
Owner’s Manual
Nº431
Nº432
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 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, Nº431 and Nº432......................................10
Nº432 AC mains maximum
current requirements (amps) .......................................................... 11
Nº431 AC mains maximum
current requirements ..................................................................... 12
Special Design Features ...........................................................13
Massive Power Supply ...................................................................... 13
Balanced design............................................................................... 13
Extensive Protection ......................................................................... 13
Front Panel .............................................................................15
Rear Panel...............................................................................18
Connecting to Mark Levinson Communication Link Ports ................ 21
Connecting to
Mark Levinson Link2™ ports ........................................................... 21
Connecting multiple amplifiers ....................................................... 22
Linked functions............................................................................. 22
Remote turn-on
tip polarity ..................................................................................... 23
Troubleshooting ......................................................................26
Care & Maintenance ................................................................28
U.S. and Canadian Warranty....................................................29
Obtaining Service....................................................................30
Specifications ..........................................................................31
Dimensions: Nº432..................................................................32
Dimensions: Nº431..................................................................33
Rack Mount Kit .......................................................................34
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.
Your new power amplifier is heavy—for example, the shipping weight
of the Nº432 is 125 pounds (57 kg). (The Nº431 weighs 105 pounds/48
kg.) We recommend two people 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 our amplifiers.
Caution! Do not attempt to lift your power amplifier from its
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Break-in period Although your Mark Levinson power amplifier delivers outstanding
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.
Please inspect your amplifier for any obvious damage due to shipping.
If you discover any problems, contact your Mark Levinson dealer immediately so an appropriate freight claim can be made.
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. This can occur due to: extended power outages;
unplugging the amplifier from the wall during a vacation; or by leaving
the amplifier in sleep mode rather than in standby. In these cases 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 power amplifier is specifically designed to accommodate a wide range of installation options. These amplifiers may be
placed on the floor, near the loudspeakers they drive. They may also be
located on shelves, or bolted into a rack-mounting system. (The rack
mount kit is optional; given the weight of these amplifiers, we strongly recommend using the purpose-built rack mount system if you choose to install them in this way.)
If you have a choice in your design, however, locating each amplifier
near its respective loudspeaker is usually best. 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 lowcurrent signals that 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 amplifiers. 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.
Ventilation The Nº431 and Nº432 were designed to use passive, convection cool-
ing. Be sure to allow at least 2 to 3 inches of clearance above your amplifier to allow heat dissipation through air circulation. The vents on
both the bottom and the top of the amplifier must be kept free from
any obstruction which would reduce the flow of air through the unit.
The best rule of thumb is this: if the top of your amplifier is too hot to
touch when “idle,” it needs better ventilation. If so, consider drilling
holes in the supporting shelf under the amplifier to promote flowthrough ventilation, or use fans to increase air circulation.
Open equipment racks are generally best for power amplifiers, as they
allow ample ventilation. If your amplifier must be located inside a cabinet which restricts airflow, consider using some fans to increase ventilation.
Avoid placement on soft surfaces such as carpeting. If you prefer to
have the amplifier on the floor near your loudspeakers, be sure to place
it on a firm surface. (A thick piece of tempered glass under the amplifier is aesthetically unobtrusive while providing firm support and allowing the required 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 these
amplifiers are capable can generate significant magnetic fields, which
could conceivably induce noise in some sensitive components.)
Mechanical drawings are included in this manual to facilitate special
installations and custom cabinet work (see “Dimensions” at the end of
this manual).
9
Operating Voltage, Nº431 and Nº432
Your Mark Levinson 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.
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.
Depending on the demands placed on the amplifier by your loudspeaker, your listening habits, and the number of amplifiers you have in
your system, it is possible for the capabilities of your electrical service
to become the limiting factor in the performance of your system. For
this reason, it may be worth considering having one or more dedicated
AC mains circuits installed for your system.
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Important: When it comes to high current AC wiring such as
multiple Nº431 and Nº432 amplifiers are 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 amplifiers, please review this section carefully and
then contact a local electrical contractor for advice.
If you have more than one circuit feeding the system with power, please
ask your electrician to ensure that they are all operating with a solid,
low impedance ground reference that is the same for all products in the
system.
Mark Levinson 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 operating voltage of these amplifiers 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.
The Nº431 and Nº432 have four operating states:
• Off AC mains power is disconnected, either via the
black front panel power button or by unplugging the unit from the wall.
• Sleep Only a small power supply is on, along with the
communications and control circuitry. After
waking from sleep, some warm-up time is required before the amplifier sounds its best.
• Standby The main power supply is brought online, and
the voltage gain stages are powered up; the output (current gain) stage is off. The time required for warm-up from this state is quite
short, as the voltage gain stages are already at
their normal operating temperatures.
• On Everything is powered up and ready to go.
11
Nº432 AC mains maximum
current requirements (amps)
The maximum current requirements (in amperes) at these various
voltages under various test conditions are listed in the table shown be-
low. (Note that only 230V units are sold in the European Union countries,
per CE requirements.)
100V 120V 200V 220V 230V 240V
Off 000000
Sleep 50 mA 42 mA 24 mA 22 mA 21 mA 21 mA
Standby 1.3 A 1.1 A 650 mA 590 mA 560 mA 0.5 A
On, at idle 2.6 A 2.2 A 1.3 A 1.2 A 1.1 A 1.1 A
400w @ 8Ω* 18 A 15 A 9 A 8.2 A 7.8 A 7.5 A
800w @ 4Ω* 33.6 A 28 A 16.8 A 15.3 A 14.6 A 14 A
* power ratings are continuous (rms) with less than 0.5% THD, from 20-20,000 Hz.
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