Owner’s Manual Nº32 Reference Preamplifier R Madrigal Audio Laboratories
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.
Important Safety Instructions Please read all instructions and precautions carefully and completely before operating your Mark Levinson® preamplifier. 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.
From all of us at Madrigal Audio Laboratories, thank you for choosing the Mark Levinson Nº32 Reference Preamplifier. 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 Special Design Features of the Nº32 Reference Preamplifier ....... 7 controller/preamplifier ........................................................................ 7 architecture ........................................................................................ 7 a note about nomenclature ............................................................. 7 AC regeneration ................................................................................. 7 dual mono design ...............
teach ir ............................................................................................. 42 setting a mute level .......................................................................... 43 setting a maximum level ................................................................... 43 configuring the DC trigger ............................................................... 43 checking the software version ..........................................................
Special Design Features of the Nº32 Reference Preamplifier controller/preamplifier architecture The Nº32 employs an unusual two-chassis design that optimizes the division of labor within the product. The traditional two-box approach to preamp design places the power supply in a box by itself, with all control and audio circuitry in the other box.
By creating our own dedicated 400 Hz AC power and then using that to create “second generation” DC power for the audio circuitry, we keep the contamination of the modern electrical grid at a safe distance from the sensitive audio circuits we look to for our musical enjoyment. dual mono design As might be expected, the Nº32 uses a dual mono design that isolates each channel from the other.
This design, implemented on an Arlon 25N printed circuit board with local, discrete regulators, delivers greater transparency than any volume control technology we have ever experienced. It also provides increments as small as 0.1 dB, allowing you to select precisely the correct volume for any given recording, and to do so repeatably. Arlon 25N circuit boards Madrigal designs have long explored new technologies that better serve the cause of music, some of which have been quite esoteric.
which it is used. For full information on this subject, please refer to the section of this manual entitled “Customizing Your Nº32.” For the purposes of this introduction, you should know that every input can be given alternative, custom names (e.g., “CD” instead of “INPUT 4”), and that many details of the preamplifier’s operation may be customized.
Unpacking and Placement unpacking Unpack your Nº32 Preamplifier and keep all packing materials for future transport. Locate and remove all accessory items from the Accessory Box within the Controller shipping carton.
ventilation Caution! 12 Be sure to allow 3 to 4 inches of clearance above the Nº32 to allow heat dissipation through air circulation. Drawings are included in this manual to facilitate special installations and custom cabinetry (see “Dimensions”). It is extremely important that all components in your system be properly grounded. Do not defeat a threeprong AC cords with “ground-lifter” or “cheater” adaptors, as doing so may allow dangerous voltages to build up between components.
Operating Voltage The Nº32 Reference Preamplifier is set at the factory (internally) for 100V, 120V, 230V, 220V, or 240V AC mains operation @ 50 or 60Hz. (230V/50Hz only in European Union countries, in compliance with CE regulations.) This voltage setting cannot be changed by the user. Make sure that the label near the AC receptacle of the Nº32 Controller indicates the correct AC operating voltage for your location.
A Quick Start… We recognize that many people are understandably eager to begin listening to their new components, and that reading the manual is often done (if at all) at a later time—perhaps while listening to music through the new product itself. We strongly recommend that you read this manual thoroughly, as the Nº32 Reference Preamplifier incorporates many unusual features which enhance its operation.
The Left and Right Main Out jacks on the rear panel of the Nº32 Preamplifier should be connected to the corresponding inputs of your power amplifier. If your power amplifier has balanced inputs and you have appropriate high-quality cables (with XLR plugs at both ends), we recommend using the Balanced Main Outs. Otherwise, use the (single-ended) Main Outs from the preamplifier to your power amplifier.
1 2 3 4 polarity 5 mono select volume MADRIGAL AUDIO LABORATORIES REFERENCE CONTROLLER Nº32 power record out display intensity 6 7 8 setup 9 enter balance mute 10 11 12 standby 13 MADRIGAL AUDIO LABORATORIES REFERENCE PREAMPLIFIER Nº32 14 Front Panel 16 1 Select Knob This knob is normally used to select among the various inputs of the Nº32, with the resulting selections being shown in the display window, immediately to the right of the select knob.
2 Polarity Indicator The polarity (sometimes inaccurately called “absolute phase”) of the output of the Nº32 may be inverted via the Nº32 remote control, in which case the red LED under the word polarity (within the display window) will light as confirmation. A second press of the polarity button on the remote control will restore the polarity of the output to its original, non-inverted state.
To access the non-default modes, press and hold the mono button for several seconds; subsequent clicks of the mono button will move you through the options. Having selected the one you want as your new default, simply let the Nº32 “time out” and revert to its normal display. The mono button will now toggle between stereo and your preferred mono. 5 Volume Knob This control is normally used to adjust the listening volume, and does not effect the level of the signal being sent to the record outputs.
9 Setup Button Pressing the setup button places the Nº32 into setup mode, and lights the LED indicator immediately above the setup button. While in setup mode, the display is used to show a series of menu choices that allow you to customize the Nº32 rather extensively, to better suit your system’s needs and personal preferences. For more information on this customization, please see “Customizing Your Nº32.
13 Standby Button The standby button toggles the Nº32 between normal operation and standby, wherein the display is turned off, the outputs are disconnected, and all controls are inoperable. All critical circuitry remains powered-up during standby to ensure immediate, optimal performance when you are ready to listen to music. The LED above the standby button will blink slowly when the Nº32 is in standby, indicating that power is still being provided to the unit.
1 right channel DC power 2 3 control ports RS-232 4 5 6 communications ports PHASTLink™ compatible master slave in amplifier ir input trig out 7 8 9 1 Nº25/S DC power ac mains earth left channel DC power trig in Nº32 Reference Controller s/n _______ 10 RIGHT CHANNEL LEFT CHANNEL phono ground DC power inputs 4 1 2 3 main outputs Please see bottom panel for additional information 5 2 7 3 1 DC power 8 8 refer to owner’s manual prior to right phono record outputs 1 6
3 RS-232 port This port is used both for downloading new operating software into your Nº32 Reference Preamplifier (should new features ever be added, for example), and also for external control of the Nº32 by systems such as AMX™ and Crestron™. For more information, please contact your dealer and ask about either AMX or Crestron home automation systems. right left analog output analog output balanced analog output balanced analog output control ports REFERENCE DIGITAL PROCESSOR Nº30.
RJ-45 cables and connectors are used throughout the world for both telecommunications and computers, and are widely available at low cost. The connectors are crimped on to the ends of the cable such that pin 1 at one end is connected to pin 1 at the other end. Such a “straight-through” connection is (counter-intuitively) made by introducing a 180° twist in the cable between the two ends, as shown below.
6 DC trigger in and out On a simpler level than PHAST, AMX, or Crestron, some systems control whether a given component is on or off (actually, operating or in standby) by means of a simple control voltage. If the appropriate 3-12V level “trigger” signal arrives at the trigger input of the Nº32, it turns on. When the Nº32 turns on, it passes along a trigger signal to another component (say, a power amplifier).
For optimal sonic performance and longevity, the Nº32 is designed to remain powered at all times (the standby button merely mutes the preamplifier’s outputs and turns off the display). There is an initial break-in period of at least 25-50 hours before the Nº32 achieves optimum performance. Note: If AC mains power to the Nº32 is interrupted, the main output will be muted. When power is restored, the initialization sequence described above will restore the preamplifier to standby.
right channel DC power control ports RS-232 Nº25/S DC power communications ports PHASTLink™ compatible master slave in amplifier ir input trig out ac mains earth left channel DC power trig in Nº32 Reference Controller s/n _______ 1 2 3 3 RIGHT CHANNEL 1 LEFT CHANNEL phono ground DC power inputs 4 1 2 Please see bottom panel for additional information 5 5 3 main outputs 4 2 2 6 3 7 7 DC power 8 8 refer to owner’s manual prior to right phono record outputs 1 6 1
PUSH 2 1 3 Pin 1: Signal ground Pin 2: Signal + (non-inverting) Pin 3: Signal – (inverting) Connector ground lug: chassis ground Refer to the operating manuals of your balanced-output line-level sources to verify that the pin assignments of their output connectors correspond to the Nº32. If not, wire the cables so that the appropriate output pin connects to the equivalent input pin.
Connect the right-channel and left-channel balanced main outputs of the Nº32 to the appropriate balanced inputs of the power amplifier. 5 Single-Ended Main Outputs Single-ended (“unbalanced”) outputs using Madrigal-designed RCA jacks are provided for compatibility with a wide range of associated components, including power amplifiers and electronic crossovers. If you use the single-ended outputs, connect them to the corresponding inputs of your power amplifier.
These outputs are unaffected by the output level control on the front panel of the Nº32, or by the source chosen to be monitored. The record outputs will be disconnected when the preamplifier is placed into standby, however. 8 Optional Phono Input Module Bays The optional phono preamplifier modules for the Mark Levinson Nº32 slide into place in this location (they are shown in place in the illustration for clarity).
Important! As with any phono preamplifier, caution must be exercised when making connections. Never connect or disconnect your turntable with the volume raised. Never raise the volume on an unterminated phono input. Set the name of unused phono inputs to “Unused” to avoid any possibility of accidental noise or other problems. 9 Phono Ground Provided to provide a signal reference ground for your phono system and the preamplifier.
Remote Control 1 1 Infrared (IR) control signals are sent through this window. Aim the remote control toward the Nº32 when using the remote. For the best results, the remote should be within ±45° of a line that is perpendicular to the faceplate of the Controller. At more severe angles (nearly parallel with the faceplate), try bouncing the remote’s signal off a wall or other surface instead so as to have it enter the display window of the Controller at a reasonable angle.
6 Mono Button Pressing this button will toggle the Nº32 in and out of the mono mode, having the same effect as pressing the front panel mono button. Mono mode normally activates circuitry which combines Left and Right input signals, and sends the resulting monophonic signal to both Left and Right outputs. This circuit is particularly useful when listening to older, monophonic source material, at which time significant noise reduction may be realized.
10 Select Up and Down Buttons These buttons provide remote selection of the various inputs of the Nº32. The select buttons are also used when accessing the setup menu system in the Nº32. For more information on what you can do with these menus, please see “Customizing Your Nº32” later in the manual. 11 Volume Up and Down Buttons Raises the volume at either low speed for fine adjustments or higher speeds for larger changes. The Nº32 will slowly raise its output for the first 1.
Customizing Your Nº32 setup overview The Nº32 Preamplifier has many provisions for custom-tailoring the system’s operation to match your preferences.
Offset= 0.0 Bal= <-0.0-> 20Hz HPF=ON R Load=100 C Load=.01uF Set Phono 2 Name= PH/MM 2 Ph Gain= +40 Gain= +12 dB Offset= 0.0 Bal= <-0.0-> 20Hz HPF=ON R Load=47k C Load=100pF Teach IR Mute = -20.0 MaxVol= 80.0 Trig.= 12v,L Sw 1.07 1.02 (the software version numbers) The Nº32’s extensive menu system allows you to customize the way the preamplifier operates, to better suit the needs of your system and your personal preferences.
available input names INPUT UNUSED SSP EQ DAT VCR CASS RtoR MD CD-R SAT LD CD TUNER AUX DAC TAPE DVD No30 No30.5 No30.
input programming tip You can take advantage of a shortcut to the settings of the specific input to which you are currently listening. By pressing and holding the setup button on either the remote control or the front panel for a few seconds, you will be taken directly to the first menu item for that particular input (its name). You may change anything pertaining to that input, and when you leave that level of the menu (by pressing setup again), you will leave the menu system entirely.
Important note: naming an input “EQ” Make sure that the volume on your surround processor is turned down before changing the input name on your Nº32 to SSP. When the preamp effects this change, it abdicates its control over the volume of your front left and right speakers, allowing the surround processor to handle it instead.
to make the Nº32 behave as though each input had the preamplifier “all to itself.” With some non-standard sources having outputs as high as 9 volts, the last thing you need is gain in the line stages of the preamplifier. On the other hand, a low output moving coil might need as much as eighteen decibels of gain beyond the gain available in the phono preamplifier. Being able to customize this setting by input gives you the flexibility you need to fully optimize your system.
setting record out The Nº32 gives you the ability to associate any of the three provided record outputs with any of the eight line level inputs. This allows you to organize your sources in whatever order you deem most convenient, while using the record outputs with whatever might need them.
As you can see, much of it looks like any other input, but several phono-specific items are added that may be adjusted to optimize the phono preamp for your system. As with the rest of the menu system, you navigate to these items using the select knob and enter, alter their setting with the volume knob, and save the changes with enter. (For more detailed information on how to navigate to this item, see the point-by-point description under “changing input names.
depending on whether it seems needed for a particular cartridge/arm combination. One way to determine this is to play a quiet passage of a recording at a relatively high level with your speaker grilles off. Watch your woofers. If they are moving in and out noticeably without there being a clearly correlated low bass sound, you should probably engage the 20Hz HPF.
manual. Please see that section for additional details. For now, it is enough to know that the Nº32 can teach any of its infrared commands to a learning remote control by broadcasting the appropriate code from its display window. Even if you were to lose the Nº32 remote, you could teach everything you need to another remote control (or order a replacement remote from us, of course).
If you are not sure what the receiving component needs for a trigger signal, please ask your Mark Levinson dealer for assistance. checking the software version Although we do not anticipate frequent software updates for the Nº32 (after all, it does not have to contend with the ever-changing standards for digital audio decoding), it has been designed to readily accept new software should it become available.
Using the Nº32 with Learning Remote Controls using the teach ir menu The teach ir menu within the setup menu lists all of the custom infrared commands available for the various functions of the Nº32 Reference Preamplifier. In every case where a “toggle” command exists, both the normal toggle function and positive control commands for the multiple states are provided.
A complete list of the available IR codes may be found below.
Modes of Operation normal operation The majority of time you spend with your Nº32 will be spent in normal operation. During normal operation, the display indicates the name of the input you have selected and the listening volume (in decibels). The volume knob increases or decreases the volume in 0.1 dB increments above 23.0 (and in 1.0 dB steps below this low level). The select knob selects the source to be listened to at any point in time.
The record outputs may be turned off by turning the select knob until NONE is shown in the main display. Turning off the record outputs eliminates even the possibility that the input impedance of a recording device could have an effect on the sound quality of the preamplifier. We recommend that record outputs be turned OFF when not in use.
Note that this “mono trick” can correct only for differences that occur after the preamplifier in the signal chain, things like asymmetrical placement of loudspeakers or slight mismatches in sensitivity between speakers. If a particular recording is out of balance, you will have to adjust the balance more subjectively, in stereo, as you normally have done. mono modes The Nº32 supports several different types of monophonic modes.
To reset all settings of the Nº32 to the original factory settings, 1. Turn off power on the Controller You may either unplug it from the ac mains or use the front panel power button; standby will not do. Wait for a few seconds for the power supply to drain., 2. Restore power while holding both the record out and setup buttons. This process takes a few seconds, as a guard against accidental restoration of factory defaults. 3.
Using Surround Sound Processors The Nº32 Reference Preamplifier incorporates a special surround sound processor mode which makes it uniquely capable of integrating the highest performance audio with surround sound—that is, a dualpurpose music and movie system. In order to better understand the value of this design, it is essential to understand a bit about the nature of a surround sound processor.
output levels of the decoder out of adjustment, changing the volume of the Left and Right speakers while leaving the Center and Surround speakers unaffected. One could attempt to restore the proper balance by marking a “calibrated” point on the preamplifier’s volume control and then using only the Pro-Logic decoder to adjust the volume of the system, but this method is both crude and imprecise, yielding inconsistent performance at best.
The simplest way of solving this problem is to break the cable company’s ground by using an isolation transformer on the incoming cable line, before it reaches your television or VCR. If you cannot find a 75Ω-75Ω baluns (isolation) transformer, you can easily construct one from the adaptors which probably came with your VCR and television, as shown below.
Linked Functions The Nº32 has the ability to “link” several of its functions to certain compatible Mark Levinson components (such as the Nº30.6 or Nº360S digital processors, the Nº31.5 and Nº37 CD transport, or any of the current Mark Levinson power amplifiers). Note: To take advantage of linked functions, you must connect the Nº32 to the other, compatible Mark Levinson components via their communication ports. (See “Rear Panel” and “Setup and Installation.
port and (basic) preamp functions. Pressing and holding the select button will toggle between switching digital inputs vs. switching analog inputs; simply clicking the button moves you to the next input in the bank of inputs currently being controlled. Note that for Select Linking to work, you must have named the associated digital processor properly to match the appropriate name from the Name List. Thus a Nº30.6 should be named No30.6; a Nº360S should be named No360S, and so forth.
Care and Maintenance To remove dust from the cabinet of the Nº32, use a feather duster. To remove dirt and fingerprints, we recommend isopropyl alcohol and a soft cloth. Apply the alcohol to the cloth first and then lightly clean the surface of the Nº32, going with the grain of the brushed aluminum. Warning! 56 At no time should liquid cleaners be applied directly to the Nº32, as direct application of liquids may result in damage to electronic components within the unit.
U.S. and Canadian Warranty 90-day limited warranty This Mark Levinson® product is warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of purchase. To extend the warranty of this Mark Levinson product, return the warranty registration card along with a copy of the original receipt of purchase to Madrigal Audio Laboratories, Inc., P. O. Box 781, Middletown, CT 06457.
Obtaining Service We take␣ great pride in our dealers. Experience, dedication, and integrity make these professionals ideally suited to assist with our customers’ service needs. If your Mark Levinson component must be serviced, please contact your dealer. Your dealer will then decide whether the problem can be remedied locally, or whether to contact Madrigal for further service information or parts, or to obtain a Return Authorization.
Specifications The correlation between published specifications and sonic quality is unreliable. A list of numbers reveals virtually nothing. All technical measurements must be subject to qualitative as well as quantitative interpretation. Measurements of the Nº32 yield excellent results by any standards. However, only those specifications that apply to its actual operation are included here.
■ Residual noise 20 Hz to 20 kHz, input terminated: ■ Frequency response, 10 Hz-40kHz: less than -120 dBV ±0.1 dB For more information, see your Mark Levinson dealer, or contact: Madrigal Audio Laboratories, Inc. P. O. Box 781, 2081 South Main Street Middletown, Connecticut 06457 USA phone fax internet 60 (860) 346-0896 (860) 346-1540 www.madrigal.
Dimensions, Nº32 Controller 19.5" 49.5cm polarity mono select 2.75" 6.99cm volume MADRIGAL AUDIO LABORATORIES 3.03" 7.68 cm REFERENCE CONTROLLER Nº32 power record out display intensity setup enter balance mute standby .275" .699cm 1.875" 4.76cm 15.75" 40.01cm 1.875" 4.76cm 19.5" 49.5cm 1.7" 4.32cm 61 11.375" 28.89cm 7.675" 19.49cm 2.0" 5.08cm 1.58" 4.01cm 4.025" 10.22cm 9.525" 24.19cm 5.95" 15.11cm 12.96" 32.
Dimensions, Nº32 Preamplifier 19.5" 49.5cm 3.99" 10.1cm 3.187" 8.09cm MADRIGAL AUDIO LABORATORIES REFERENCE PREAMPLIFIER Nº32 0.18" 0.46cm 1.875" 4.76cm 15.75" 40.01cm 1.875" 4.76cm (leave extra room for cables, of course) ≈ 0.5" ≈1.2cm 1.71" 4.34cm 11.385" 28.92cm 7.675" 19.49cm 2.0" 5.08cm 1.875" 4.76cm 15.75" 40.01cm 1.875" 4.
Madrigal Audio Laboratories, Inc. 2081 South Main Street, P.O. Box 781 Middletown, Connecticut 06457 USA Telephone: (860) 346-0896 Fax: (860) 346-1540 www.madrigal.com R MADRIGAL AUDIO LABORATORIES is a registered trademark of Madrigal Audio Laboratories, Inc. a Harman International company 630349-2 © 3/1999 Madrigal Audio Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
