Mark Levinson N32 - Manual (Page 55)

4-11
Nº32 Reference Preamplifier Controls and Modes
and right channels, leaving the center, surround, and
subwoofer channels unaffected.
Different techniques have been used to compensate for this,
including marking a calibrated point on the preamplifier
volume control or using Dolby Pro Logic for volume level
adjustments. But these techniques are crude, time consuming,
and imprecise, resulting in an inconsistent performance at best.
Sending stereo preamplifier output signals to a multi-channel
processor interferes with some Dolby noise reduction process-
ing. Processors that feature Dolby Pro Logic decoding some-
times also feature a form of Dolby noise reduction similar to the
Dolby B noise reduction found in cassette decks. Designed to
respond to input sources based on their strength, Dolby noise
reduction requires input sources to be calibrated to Dolby stan-
dards. Variable preamplifier output signals cause Dolby noise
reduction to mis-track and, in extreme cases, Dolby circuits to
overload.
To avoid these problems, SSP mode allows input sources to pass
through the Nº32 without interference. When SSP mode is
activated:
The front panel display indicates that the Nº32 is sending line-
level input signals to the associated processor.
The Gain parameter for the selected input is set to a fixed level
of +0dB for inputs using balanced connectors and +6dB for
inputs using unbalanced connectors.
All Nº32 volume controls are deactivated to prevent the Nº32
from distorting channel balance. As a result, the processor
controls the relative volume level of all channels while main-
taining its calibrated output levels.
To setup and select SSP mode:
1. Make sure the Nº32 and all associated components are powered
off and disconnected from electrical outlets.
2. Connect the output connectors on the surround sound source
component to the input connectors on the surround sound
processor .
For example, if the source component is a DVD player, connect
the output connectors on the DVD player to the input connec-
tors on the surround sound processor.
3. Connect the center, surround, and sub woofer output connec-
tors on the processor to the appropriate input connectors on
the power amplifier(s).