Mark Levinson 431 Owner's Manual download pdf (Page 7)

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Special Design Features

Thank you for purchasing the Nº436/434 Monaural Power

Amplifier, combining the massive power and strength of a large

power amplifier with the elegance and finesse of a small power

amplifier. This section describes some of the design features that

make this unique combination possible.

Massive Power Supply The Nº436/434 uses a large, robust power supply with a high-

capacity, low-noise toroidal transformer and four large, low ESR

(Equivalent Series Resistance) capacitors. Specifically, the Nº436

uses a 2372 VA transformer with 80,000µF total capacitance, while

the Nº434 uses an 801 VA transformer with 72,000µF total

capacitance.

Heavy, oxygen-free copper bus bars enhance the efficiency of

power distribution with the power amplifier, eliminating variances

caused by wiring harnesses, which are commonly found even in

high-performance power amplifiers. High-frequency power supply

bypass is accomplished on individual PC boards by five types of

components. As a result, a uniformly low power supply imped-

ance is seen by various circuits within the power amplifier provid-

ing the foundation for a rare combination of massive power and

extraordinary finesse.

Balanced Design A truly balanced input topology eliminates the need for an input

buffer amplification stage, allowing the source to directly drive

the first stage differential amplifier. Matched impedances are pre-

sented to the source as both signals travel identical circuit paths.

Meticulous attention to detail, including careful mirror-imaging of

circuits, minimizes magnetic field distortions that can be caused

by such a massive power delivery system. Balanced input signals

remain balanced throughout voltage gain stages, achieving rejec-

tion of common mode noise and distortion in the final, current

gain stage.

Getting Started

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Mark Levinson 431 Owner's Manual Page 7