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Owner’s Manual
Nº 320S
Preamplifier
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Important Safety Instructions Read all instructions and precautions carefully and completely before attempting to operate this component. 1. NEVER clean or make/break connections to this component unless it and all associated components are powered off and disconnected from electrical outlets. 2. ALWAYS terminate this connection with a three-conductor AC power cord that includes an earth-ground connection. To prevent shock hazard, all three connections must be used. 3. AC power extension cords a
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Notice This component has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in residential installations. This component generates, uses, and radiates radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by p
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Introduction Mark Levinson Table of Contents Documentation Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iv Section 1: Getting Started Special Design Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-1 Highlights • Product Registration Installation Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-4 Unpacking • Placement • Remote Control Batteries Power Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-7 Warm-Up & Break-In Period • Continuous Operation Quick St
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Nº 320S Introduction Section 4: Controls & Modes Standby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-1 SLEEP Display Intensity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-2 Polarity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3 Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3 Mono Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5 MODE • L + R Balance Control Tip •
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Introduction Mark Levinson Documentation Conventions This document contains general safety, installation, and operation instructions for the Nº 320S Preamplifier. It is important to read this document before attempting to use this product. Pay particular attention to safety instructions. Appears on the component to indicate the presence of uninsulated, dangerous voltages inside the enclosure – voltages that may be sufficient to constitute a risk of shock. Appears on the component to indicate imp
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Getting Started 1 Special Design Features Thank you for purchasing the Nº 320S Preamplifier. A direct descendant of the Nº 32 Reference Preamplifier, the Nº 320S features audio circuits, controls, architecture, and optional phono modules based on the critically acclaimed Nº32. In fact, some audio circuits, such as the proprietary discrete volume attenuators, are identical to those found in the Nº 32. With a single-chassis design, the Nº 320S achieves separation of audio circuit, control circuit,
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Getting Started Mark Levinson Special Design Features (continued) An advanced dual-mono design allows the Nº 320S to achieve exceptional channel separation. Both audio channels use independent power supplies, communication circuits, and audio circuits. In fact, each channel’s audio circuits are located in a separate area of the chassis. This innovative approach isolates each channel, allowing the Nº 320S to produce vividly detailed, three-dimensional sonic images. To maximize channel separation,
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Nº 320S Getting Started adjustments in 1.0dB increments up to 23.0dB and in 0.1dB increments above 23.0dB. Unlike most stereo preamplifiers, the Nº 320S is designed to integrate with multi-channel surround sound processors without the complications associated with competing stereo and multi- channel master volume controls. SSP (surround sound processor) mode allows the Nº 320S to deactivate its master volume control to send line-level input signals to the associated processor. With no interferen
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Getting Started Mark Levinson Highlights (continued) • Balanced conversion for single-ended input signals • Mono or stereo playback • Selectable output signal polarity • Balance control • Intuitive Set Inputs menu • Sleep timer (standby) • Large front panel display • Selectable display intensity • 2 Mark Levinson Link communication ports • Configurable trigger output connector (12 or 5V) • ir input connector • RS-232 port • Optional phono modules Product Registration Please register the Nº 320S
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Nº 320S Getting Started Item Quantity Detachable AC power cord 1 Link communication cable 1 1/8-inch hex key 1 Phillips-head screwdriver (size 1) 1 Nº 320S remote control * 1 White gloves (pair)** 1 Warranty & Product Registration Card 1 * The remote control comes with two AAA batteries, which should be replaced as needed. ** The white gloves are provided to assist with the initial unpacking and installation of the Nº 320S. Placement • DO install the Nº 320S on a solid, flat, level surface such
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Getting Started Mark Levinson Placement (continued) • DO NOT install the Nº 320S near unshielded TV or FM antennas, cable TV decoders, and other RF-emitting devices that might cause interference. • DO NOT place the Nº 320S on a windowsill or in another location in which it will be exposed to direct sunlight. • DO NOT obstruct the IR receiver located in the front panel display. When the Nº 320S is not using the ir input connector, the remote control IR transmitter must be in line-of-sight with th
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Nº 320S Getting Started 5. Insert two AAA batteries as shown in the illustration to the left. Make sure the batteries are correctly inserted observing the proper polarity. 6. Align the battery compartment cover with the guide on the back of the remote control. 7. Replace the three screws that were removed in step 2. 8. Properly dispose of the old batteries (if applicable). Power Requirements The Nº 320S can be powered with a standard 15amp AC power line. If other components are also connected to
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Getting Started Mark Levinson Warm-Up & Break-In Period (continued) After this initial period, performance will remain consistent unless power is disconnected from the ~ac mains connector. Power is disconnected from the ~ac mains connector when the Nº 320S is powered off with the front panel power button; the power cord is disconnected from the ~ac mains connector or the electrical outlet; or an extended power failure or power outage occurs. Power is not disconnected from the ~ac mains connector
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Nº 320S Getting Started CAUTION NEVER MAKE OR BREAK CONNECTIONS TO THE Nº 320S UNLESS IT AND ALL ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS ARE POWERED OFF AND DISCONNECTED FROM ELECTRICAL OUTLETS. To begin using the Nº 320S: 1. Make sure the Nº 320S and all associated components are powered off and disconnected from electrical outlets. Note The Nº 320S offers balanced (XLR) and single-ended (RCA) stereo connections. For best performance, use balanced (XLR) connections whenever possible. A balanced connection betwee
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Getting Started Mark Levinson Quick Start Guide (continued) 4. Reconnect the Nº 320S and all associated components to electrical outlets. Then, power on the Nº 320S and all associated components. It is recommended to power all power amplifiers on last. 5. Rotate the Nº 320S front panel select knob or press the remote control select ± buttons to select the Nº 320S input that corresponds to the Nº 320S stereo input connectors selected in step 2. • The Nº 320S front panel display indicates the nam
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Basic Operation 2 3 5 4 6 7 IR Receiver polarity mono select volume PREAMPLIFIER Nº 320S standby power setup enter display intensity balance mute 2 1 8 9 10 11 12 The numbers in the Nº 320S front panel illustration shown above correspond to the numbered items in the Front Panel Overview section that begins below. 2-1 Front Panel Overview Unless otherwise specified, the numbered items in this section indicate the commands the front panel performs during normal operating mode. Refer to Section 3:
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Basic Operation Mark Levinson Front Panel Overview (continued) 2. standby button & LED Places the Nº 320S into standby and takes the Nº 320S out of standby, which allows the Nº 320S to remain warmed-up to deliver optimal performance at all times. The front panel standby LED blinks red to indicate that the Nº 320S is in standby and lights red to indicate that the Nº 320S is not standby. Note Power is still connected to the ~ac mains connector when the Nº 320S is in standby. 3. select knob Selects
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Nº 320S Basic Operation 7. volume knob Adjusts master volume level. Rotating the volume knob increases (clockwise) and decreases (counterclockwise) master volume level in 1.0dB increments up to 23.0dB and in 0.1dB increments above 23.0dB. The minimum master volume level setting is OFF. The MaxVol parameter can be used to determine the maximum master volume level setting in 0.1dB increments between 40.0 and 80.0dB. The factory-default maximum master volume level is 80.0dB. The Offset parameter ca
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Basic Operation Mark Levinson Front Panel Overview (continued) 10. display intensity button Controls the illumination level of front panel display characters and the front panel standby LED. Refer to Display Intensity (page 4-2) for additional information. 11. balance button & LED Opens and closes the balance control, which can be used to control the left-to-right channel balance of the main output connectors. The front panel balance LED lights red to indicate that the balance control is open. R
