Mark Levinson No 502 Brochure

Nº502

Media Console

The Legend Continues...

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Mark Levinson and the Mark Levinson logo are trademarks
of Harman International Industries, Incorporated, in the
United States and/or other countries. Logic 7 is a trademark of
Harman International Industries, Incorporated, registered in the
United States and/or other countries.

Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories.

DTS is a registered trademark of DTS, Inc.

Gennum is a registered trademark of Gennum Corporation.

High-Definition Multimedia Interface and HDMI are trademarks
or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC.

Not responsible for typographic errors.
Part # 072-18528

www.marklevinson.com

The Legend Continues...

The Legend Continues...

Nº502 Media Console

Modern home entertainment systems are comprised of an
assortment of components; however, it’s the media console that
defines the boundaries of the systems’ overall potential. It is
responsible for accomplishing many different critical functions
and has a direct influence on everything from the picture on the
screen to the sound that emanates from all of the speakers.
From the precisely machined aluminum surfaces of the chassis
to the elegant backlit engraved glass logo embedded in the
front panel, the Nº502 is a modern interpretation of the Mark
Levinson aesthetic, but that is only the beginning.

The Sound

Mark Levinson products have always been highly regarded
for their sound quality and the Nº502 is no exception. Towards
that end, every part of the audio path from the input to output
was carefully considered and designed to ensure optimal
sound quality.

Starting with the chassis, it was designed to double as an
integrated radio frequency (RF) shield providing immunity from
the RF emissions that are commonly radiated by other devices.
These emissions are a common source of noise that can find its
way into the sensitive audio circuits and degrade sound quality.
Another way for noise to enter a system is through the input
and output connectors which are usually connected directly to
the chassis, providing a direct path for noise to get
in. To prevent this from occurring on the Nº502, the input and
output connectors are electrically isolated from the chassis.

Inside the chassis, the Nº502 utilizes two AC power supplies to
completely isolate the digital and analog signal paths. A digital
supply is used to power the digital circuits, and a toroidal
power transformer is used to power the analog audio circuits.
In addition, both power supplies are carefully shielded in a
chamber inside the chassis to further prevent transformer noise
from leaking into the delicate analog circuits and degrading
sound quality.

Another method employed to reduce noise is
the use of 18-layer circuit boards with minimal
surface etches. They help to lower radiated
emissions within the chassis. We also isolate the
control signals from the audio signals to ensure
that they do not interfere with them. In the
event that any common mode noise is present
inside the system, all of the analog audio signals
are routed inside the chassis as differential
(balanced) signals, to cancel this noise out.

To reduce jitter and digital noise, a specially
designed low voltage differential signaling circuit
is utilized. A proprietary direct digital synthesizer
frequency locked loop controls the audio
master clock resulting in extraordinary jitter
performance. This is a closed loop control algorithm
which improves bandwidth and resolution.

Great care was also taken in the implementation of the level
controls for the Nº502 which offer an adjustment range of
120dB, preserving the full resolution of the signal.

Fewer passive components were employed to reduce noise and
distortion, and digital quantization noise is exceptionally low,
even at the lowest volume settings. This ensures that the level
controls do not significantly degrade the sound of the audio
passing through them, common in many other less rigorous
designs.

The Nº502 features Harman International’s proprietary Logic 7
technology in addition to the standard suite of Dolby®and
DTS®listening modes. Logic 7 processing is widely regarded in
the industry as the best surround-sound process available. In
simple terms, Logic 7 processing works by utilizing a unique
algorithm that engages all of the speakers in a system to
enhance the realism of the sound. By analyzing the spatial cues
included in the original sound, Logic 7 processing presents
them in a manner that makes the overall experience much
more engaging and enveloping.

Another important detail is the Nº502’s bass management
system which utilizes phase-matched signal paths to prevent
signal cancellation. Whenever two signals are combined, as
occurs in all bass management systems, the potential for sound­altering signal cancellation increases. By phase matching the
signal path, the Nº502 ensures that you hear every detail, the
way it was intended, regardless of the speaker configuration.

The Picture

Although Mark Levinson products are known for their
superlative sound quality, the Nº502 also establishes a new
benchmark for picture quality. In addition to providing an array
of analog and High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
inputs and outputs, the Nº502 also includes a state-of-the-art
video processor that can convert all of the inputs into a single
output and scale them to the optimum resolution for driving the
display device. This simplifies the overall system configuration
while providing the absolute best picture quality possible.

To clean up and sharpen compressed images from sources such

as standard DVD and satellite/cable TV broadcasts,

the Nº502 includes advanced noise reduction and

detail enhancement. Combined with the built-in

scaler, standard definition sources look like true
high definition sources. The Nº502 also includes
motion adaptive video de-interlacing with edge
interpolation for improving both standard
definition and high-definition sources. And for
the highest quality video sources currently

available today, the Nº502 readily handles
1080P/24Hz video inputs and outputs
with ease.

The Nº502 features an impressive six HDMI
inputs, each with its own receiver to deliver

exceptionally fast HDMI switching and the

ability to “preview” one HDMI input while

watching another. It also features two HDMI

outputs, so it can alternately drive two different

displays. Combined with the impressive video
processing capabilities, the Nº502 sets a new standard for
picture quality, even when compared to dedicated,
stand-alone video processors.

Audio Performance

Frequency Response

20Hz to 20kHz, +/– 0.1dB

General

Power Requirements

120V~, 60Hz / 100/220/230V~, 50-60Hz;

Digital Audio Sample Rates

factory set for destination country

32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, & 192kHz

®

Power Consumption 175W

A/D Conversion 24-bit/192kHz, PCM Multibit SD

Dimensions

D/A Conversion 24-bit/192kHz, PCM Multibit SD

Input Impedance 100k ohms

• Height (with feet): 9.46 inches (240.4mm)

• Height (without feet): 8.70 inches (221.0mm)

• Width: 17.48 inches (444.0mm)

• Depth: 17.4 inches (442.4mm)

THD + N 94dB (Reference level: 1kHz, 30kHz LPF)

Weight

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

94dB ohms (Reference level: 30kHz LPF)

Dynamic Range

94dB (Reference level: 1kHz, 30kHz LPF)

• Net weight: 54.5 lbs (24.6kg)

• Shipping weight: 71.0 lbs (32.5kg)

Operating Environment

Operating temperature

0º to 35ºC (32º to 95ºF)

Maximum Input Level 7.5V/15Vrms RCA/XLR

Storage temperature –30º to 75ºC (–22º to 167ºF)

Maximum Output Level 7.5V/15Vrms RCA/XLR

Relative humidity

Reference Input Level 2Vrms

Reference Output Level 1.5V/3Vrms RCA/XLR

95% maximum without condensation

Rack Mounting

Optional Rack Mount Kit is available,
refer to Chapter 1: Getting Started for ordering details

Remote Control

Handheld, back-lit IR operation;
requires two AAA batteries (included)

™