Nยบ502 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.
Audio Performance
General
Frequency Response 20Hz to 20kHz, +/– 0.1dB
Power Requirements
Digital Audio Sample Rates
120V~, 60Hz / 100/220/230V~, 50-60Hz; factory set for destination country
32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, & 192kHz
Power Consumption
175W
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.
A/D Conversion 24-bit/192kHz, PCM Multibit SD
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.
94dB ohms (Reference level: 30kHz LPF)
• Net weight: 54.5 lbs (24.6kg) • Shipping weight: 71.0 lbs (32.5kg)
Dynamic Range
Operating Environment
The Picture
Maximum Output Level 7.5V/15Vrms RCA/XLR
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.
Reference Input Level 2Vrms
95% maximum without condensation
Reference Output Level 1.5V/3Vrms RCA/XLR
Rack Mounting
Dimensions D/A Conversion 24-bit/192kHz, PCM Multibit SD Input Impedance 100k ohms THD + N
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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)
94dB (Reference level: 1kHz, 30kHz LPF)
Weight Signal-to-Noise Ratio
94dB (Reference level: 1kHz, 30kHz LPF)
Operating temperature 0º to 35ºC (32º to 95ºF) Maximum Input Level 7.5V/15Vrms RCA/XLR Storage temperature –30º to 75ºC (–22º to 167ºF) Relative humidity
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.
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)
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Nº502 Main Video Board
• Video board with twin Gennum® VXP® 10-bit broadcast quality processors for 7.8 gigaflops of processing power • ZBC technology allows the power and ground planes to act as a distributed capacitor which functions much better at high frequencies than conventional bypass capacitors. This reduces radiated emissions and helps to lower the overall noise in the system.
The Legend Continues...
• 18-Layer PCB allows more of the signals to be routed on internal layers. When signals are routed between ground and power layers, they are effectively shielded and radiate considerably less. This significantly enhances video signal to noise ratio.
Nº502
Nº502 Specifications Inputs HDMI
Control Inputs & Outputs Six HDMI Type A, Version 1.1, 19-pin connectors
Analog Video • Four component video – one BNC & three RCA connectors (Y, Pb, Pr) • Three S-video connectors • Three composite video, RCA connectors
Digital Audio • Six S/PDIF coaxial (RCA) and three S/PDIF optical (TOSlink) connectors • Coaxial and optical input connectors conform to IEC-958, S/PDIF standards • Two AES/EBU inputs, XLR connectors
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• • • •
One RS-232 port, RJ-11 connector One Ethernet port, RJ-45 connector One ML link port, RJ-45 connector Four programmable trigger outputs, 3.5mm mini plug, accepts either stereo plug (tip/ring/sleeve) or mono plug (tip/sleeve) Output Voltage: 12V Output Current: 100mA One IR receiver, on front panel One IR Input jack, 3.5mm mini plug, accepts either stereo plug (tip/ring/sleeve) or mono plug (tip/sleeve), 12V
Component Video Performance Compatibility 480/576i, 480/576p, 720p, 1080i
Analog Audio • • • •
One unbalanced 8-channel input array, RCA connectors Four unbalanced stereo pairs, RCA connectors Two balanced stereo pairs, XLR connectors Four microphone inputs, 3.5mm mini plug, accepts either stereo plug (tip/ring/sleeve) or mono plug (tip/sleeve)
A/D Conversion 12-bit, 110MHz (4x SD, 2x ED, 1x HD oversampling)
D/A Conversion 14-bit, oversampling to 216MHz
Outputs Input/Output Levels HDMI | Two HDMI Type A, Version 1.1, 19-pin connectors
• Y: 1.0Vp-p with 75 ohms load (700mVp-p video) • Pb/Pr: +/–350mV with 75W load (700mVp-p)
Analog Video • One component with three BNC connectors (Y, Pb, Pr) • One composite monitor, RCA connector
Analog Audio • • • •
One unbalanced 7.4-channel array, RCA connectors One balanced 7.4-channel array, XLR connectors Remote Zone One unbalanced stereo pair, RCA connectors
S-Video and Composite Video Performance Compatibility NTSC/PAL
A/D Conversion 12-bit, 110MHz (4x SD, 2x ED, 1x HD oversampling)
Composite Input Level HDMI Formats HDMI Input • Video: 480/576i, 480/576p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p • Audio: Dolby Digital, DTS, and PCM (32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192kHz)
HDMI Output • Video: 480/576i, 480/576p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p • Audio: Dolby Digital, DTS, and PCM (32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192kHz)
1.0Vp-p with 75 ohms load
S-Video Input Level • Y (Luma): 1.0Vp-p with 75 ohms load (700mVp-p video) • C (Chroma): 300mVp-p with 75W load
Composite Monitor Output Level • 1.0Vp-p with 75 ohms load
The Experience Perhaps the most unexpected aspect of the Nº502 is the impressive graphical user interface (GUI). Utilizing a separate graphics engine with bit-accurate graphics for all output resolutions, setting up and using the Nº502 is an absolute joy. Set-up can be accomplished by using the remote control and the screen in the theater, or by using the buttons and the screen on the front panel. The GUI on both is the same, so if you can’t access the screen in the theater for whatever reason, you can still use the front panel and benefit from the same beautiful GUI. This is essential for systems where the Nº502 is located out of sight from the screen in the theater. It also facilitates easier configuration of other components connected to the Nº502 that also utilize on-screen menus for set-up. The hierarchal structure of the menus makes it easy to navigate and further simplify its use. Each screen displays a menu path, ensuring that you know where you are in the menu system at all times. Controls are duplicated on both the remote control and the front panel, so access is convenient whether the Nº502 is within reach or out of sight. All custom setup features are stored, and the custom configuration can even be saved to a personal computer through an Ethernet port for additional peace of mind. The Nº502 is equipped with a state-of-the-art auto calibration system that accurately calculates speaker distances, output levels and full room equalization in less than ten minutes. Automatic calibration is available for every speaker configuration and improves sound quality by removing the interference of sound reflections that are caused by the room itself. These reflections, or room modes, can be detrimental to your listening experience by making the sound appear too loud or too soft at various frequencies and cause lingering resonances which mask the finer details in the sound. The Nº502 room equalization effectively eliminates these room modes and makes the entire system, including the room itself, sound more neutral and true to the original recording. Once
set-up, the Nº502 is a breeze to use. Day-to-day controls are kept separate from set-up controls and all you need do is select an activity such as; “Watch a film,” “Listen to music,” or “Watch TV” and adjust the volume. Each activity automatically loads a speaker configuration, an audio profile and a video profile. This allows the Nº502 to essentially reconfigure itself automatically to provide the desired listening and viewing experience for each and every activity. Control of the Nº502 is accomplished in a number of different ways. There is the backlit, metal remote control, which feels both substantial and elegant in your hand and was designed with a minimal amount of buttons to make it easy to use. There are the front panel controls for when you are within reach of the Nº502. But perhaps the most extensive way to control the Nº502 is by utilizing its RS-232 port in conjunction with a third party controller, such as those available from Crestron or AMX. This allows true two-way control of the Nº502 and if the control system also has video input capability, the ability to send the picture that is normally displayed on the front panel of the Nº502 directly into the control system. This puts the GUI of the Nº502 and the preview feature right into the touch-screen controller itself, allowing these features to be used wherever the controller is. In addition, the Nº502 includes a proprietary Mark Levinson protocol called ML Net which utilizes Ethernet to provide additional functions when other ML Net equipped devices are connected to the Nº502.
The Final Word The Nº502 is a remarkably powerful and flexible media console for the ultimate home entertainment system and is designed in every detail to provide the absolute best in film and music reproduction. It is this meticulous attention to detail that makes a Mark Levinson product stand above the rest. It sets a new standard for audio and video performance, control and flexibility in a single chassis design. Using only the finest materials and parts, the Nº502 honors the Mark Levinson tradition and is sure to satisfy even the most demanding enthusiast.