Mark Levinson 390S Owner's Manual

Owner’s ManualNº390SCDProcessor

10A Quick Start . . .We recognize that many people are understandably eager to beginlistening to their new components, and that reading the manualis o

11Although no damage is likely to result to either CD player orpreamplifier, the sound will be badly distorted and the volume maybe much louder than y

12Special Design FeaturesCongratulations on your purchase of the Nº390S CD Processor.The design team is confident you will enjoy the outstandingperfor

13Digital Servo Control The laser mechanism used in the Nº390S uses all digital servocontrols of its operations. Critical functions such as focus andt

14Convenience Features Too often, high performance CD players have eschewed conveniencein the hopes of seeming more “performance-oriented.” While ther

15Design of the fully balanced DAC/analog output module followsthe Mark Levinson tradition of rigorous component selection. Anunusual hybrid design ap

16Balanced Analog Rather than use the digital attenuator on-board the DAC, theVolume Control Nº390S incorporates a fully balanced analog volume contro

172. Infrared Transceiver (within display)Infrared commands transmitted from the remote control arereceived by a receiver behind this section of the d

185. Time IndicatorThe time section of the display can be set to display any ofthe following four indications of time in minutes and seconds:• time el

19function. For example, mode + would either: add a track to aplay list; select the next digital input; advance to the nexttime indication; or raise t

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DONOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.CAUTIONRISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCKDO NOT OPENCAUTION

2010. mode – and mode + buttonsUsing these two buttons in conjunction with the mode button,any of four different Nº390S functions can be controlled fr

2113. track repeat LEDThis LED is lit when the Nº390S is set to repeat a single trackendlessly. This feature is accessed using the repeat button (seen

2217. play buttonAs you might guess, press this button in order to play a disc. Ifa programmed sequence of tracks exists for that particulardisc, the

2319. Standby & Standby LEDAssuming that the Nº390S is connected to AC power and themain power switch on the rear panel is in the “|” position (se

24Rear Panel, Nº390S1. AC power input and switchThis input accepts AC power from the AC mains (via the sup-plied AC cable).Warning! The Nº390S is set

25Caution: Do not switch power off and on rapidly, as this interrupts thenormal power-up sequence. We advise waiting at least fiveseconds between powe

263. digital inputsThese inputs accept digital audio signal (DAS) via cablesequipped with either EIAJ optical or RCA (S/PDIF) coaxialconnectors from d

275. single-ended analog outputsThese outputs provide single-ended line-level analog audio(via cables equipped with RCA-type connectors) to a preampli

287. communication portsThese communications ports allow the Nº390S to “link” tocertain compatible Mark Levinson components. (See “SpecialFunctions.”)

29Electrically, the Link connection between the preamplifier andthe power amplifier(s) in the system is independent of anddistinct from the communicat

Please read all instructions and precautions carefully and completely before operating your MarkLevinson preamplifier.Important Safety Instructions1.

30Remote Control, Nº390S1. IR Transmitter windowThe Nº390S’s Remote Control sends infrared (IR) commandsthrough its projection lens, and the Nº390S re

31• stop/dwr ()Press to stop play. The same button will operate the drawerif stopping the disc has no relevance (e.g., if it is alreadystopped, or if

325. Numeric KeypadThe numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 may be used todirectly access individual track numbers of discs played by theNº390S. F

336. Other Operational Buttons• timePressing this button (followed by appropriate numbersfrom the numeric keypad) allows direct access to anyparticula

34• (+) volumePressing this button on the Nº390S remote control willtransparently and automatically raise the volume of aLinked Mark Levinson preampli

35Conditions that Affect IR communication between the Remote Control and the Nº390SIR Performance can be affected by:• direct sunlight• interior light

36Setup and InstallationCaution! For your protection, review “Important Safety Instructions”before you install your Nº390S. Connecting AC Mains Plug t

37Connecting the Digital The Nº390S incorporates AES/EBU and S/PDIF electrical outputAudio Outputs connectors for use with either digital recorders or

38Basic OperationBefore operating your Nº390S, take a minute to become familiarwith its controls and their locations. (See “Front Panel, Nº390S”and “R

39Navigating the Disc You may skip to another track any time while a CD is playing. Tomove to another track, press next (to go forward) or previous (t

4“Mark Levinson” and the Mark Levinson logo are registered trademarks ofHarman International Industries. U.S. patent numbers and other worldwidepatent

40Alternatively, you might want to set the Nº390S to play music fora specific period of time. Say you’d like to listen to music until theevening news

41A-B Repeat To repeat (continuously) a specific phrase or passage on a CD(when learning how to play a favorite solo, for example), pressA–B on the re

42The Nº390S’s memory can store play lists for thousands of differentCDs. Saved play lists remain in memory when you place theNº390S into standby, whe

43Programming by If you want to play most of a CD, and just “omit” a few tracks,Omission you may want to use this shortcut:1. Load a CD, and wait for

44Note: If you try to review a nonexistent play list, the display willshow NO PGM.4. To view the next selection, press mode + again, and so on.5. Afte

455. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each selection you want to add toyour program. Make sure to press mode + after each selection.6. If you would like to ma

46To complicate matters further, different portions of (or instrumentson) the recording may experience even or odd numbers of inversions,resulting in

47displayed, and then press the positive command for program +(see Special Commands table, page 55) to revise the program.Overriding a Polarity If you

48At any point, having selected the menu item you would like tochange, use the mode + and mode – buttons to turn variousoptions on or off, respectivel

49• Locked VolumeLastly, if (and only if) the volume control circuitry is engaged,you have the option of setting a maximum volume beyondwhich the Nº39

5Table of ContentsUnpacking and Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Unpacking the Nº390S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

50• Display LinkThis links the display intensity functions of the Nº390S andthe other Linked components. When the components arelinked, all displays w

51input selection process to a simple toggle between the two usedinputs. Labeling both auxiliary inputs “N.U.” will effectively disablethe input selec

52To change between manual and timed/ automatic standby:1. Press and hold the standby button until the display readsMANUAL.2. Release the standby butt

53If you change your mind, simply don’t touch any button forten seconds and the Nº390S will return to normal operation.(Hint: you may remember that th

54These “positive control” commands in the Nº390S will place itinto a certain mode of operation regardless of its current state. Forexample, a positiv

555. Repeat the process of “teaching” new special commandsuntil all desired commands have been learned by yourremote control.If you take longer than a

56TroubleshootingIn general, refer any service problems to your Mark Levinson dealer.Before contacting your dealer, however, check to see if the probl

575. When a CD is playing, the sound "skips." The CD is severely scratched or dirty. The Nº390S is on an unstable surface or is too close

58Care and MaintenanceTo remove dust from the cabinet of the Nº390S, use a featherduster. To remove dirt and fingerprints, we recommend isopropylalcoh

59SpecificationsThe correlation between published specifications and sonic quality isunreliable. A list of numbers reveals virtually nothing. All tech

6Basic Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38Loading a CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

60Output Complement: • 2 male XLR balanced audio outputs• 2 RCA single-ended audio outputs• 1 AES/EBU (XLR) digital output• 1 S/PDIF (RCA) digital out

61Dimensions

62Installation Notes

63

3 Oak Park, Bedford, MA, 01730-1413 USA | Telephone: 781-280-0300 | Fax: 781-280-0490 | www.marklevinson.comCustomer Support: Telephone: 781-28

7Using Learning Remote Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Teaching Nº390S Front Panel Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

8Unpacking and PlacementUnpacking the Nº390S Unpack your Nº390S CD Processor and remove all accessoriesfrom the carton.Important! Keep all packing mat

9The Nº390S is designed for continuous operation—hence thestandby button on the front panel rather than a power button.However, a rear panel power swi