Mark Levinson N40 - Manual (Page 14)

1-6
Getting Started Mark Levinson
Digital to analog conversion
Digital to analog conversion is also done at an extraordinarily high
level, as you would expect. The main zone uses a special Levinson-
developed implementation of the Analog Devices AD1853, a new
multibit Sigma/Delta converter. In fact, each of the eight main
output channels uses two fully balanced channels of these DACs, in
a dual differential configuration. The output of these DACs is then
converted from current back to a voltage by a custom-designed
Levinson I/V converter with superlative rise time and bandwidth
characteristics. This approach, normally reserved for critical
medical and scientific instrumentation, yields distortion and noise
levels that are vanishingly low.
Even the remote zones are fully 24-bit, 192 kHz capable, and will
easily surpass the main zone audio performance of any other
surround processor now on the market.
Analog volume control
Once the signal is analog, we use precision solid-state stepped
attenuators to control the volume. Having digital control over an
analog attenuator provides the best of both worlds: the conve-
nience of comprehensive system control with the performance of
state-of-the-art analog volume.
Specifically, the volume control circuitry of the Nº40 provides 0.1
dB resolution of its volume control over an 80 dB range, and 1.0 dB
resolution over the bottom 20 dB of its range.
Significantly, the Nº40 maintains the full performance of its
remarkable DACs at all levels, something impossible with digital
volume controls.
State-of-the-art output buffer
Finally, the output buffer circuitry used in the Nº40 employs the
same topology used in the Mark Levinson Nº32 Reference Preampli-
fier. This circuit has proven itself both sonically transparent and
exceptionally immune to adverse interactions with interconnecting
cables and unusual input impedance characteristics of power ampli-
fiers. While we would hope you would consider matching Mark
Levinson power amplifiers to go with your Nº40, we recognize our
responsibility to preserve your choice in the matter. Providing this
singularly robust output stage does just that, allowing the Nº40 to
make the most of whatever cables and amplifiers you elect to use.
THX Ultra2™
Processing
THX is an exclusive set of standards and technologies established
by the world-renowned film production company, Lucasfilm Ltd.
THX grew from George Lucas' personal desire to make your experi-
ence of the film sound track, in both movie theaters and in your
home theater, as faithful as possible to what the director intended.