Mark Levinson N 326S - Manual (Page 9)

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Special Design Features
Thank you for purchasing the Nº326S Preamplifier. The Nº326S
features audio circuits, controls, architecture, and optional phono
modules based on the critically acclaimed Nº32. In fact, some
audio circuits, such as the proprietary discrete volume attenuators,
are identical to those found in the Nº32. The Nº326S is similar to
the Nº320S, but the main circuit board has been replaced with an
Arlon® board that responds more quickly to transient signals in
both the high and low frequency regions. The Arlon also presents
a deeper imaging that reveals more of the subtle nuances of a
recording, imparts a more engaging texture to the high frequen-
cies, and presents more of the ambience of a recording. All of
these properties work together to yield a sonic signature that is
wider, deeper, warmer, and clearly superior.
With a single-chassis design, the Nº326S achieves separation of audio
circuit, control circuit, and power supply sections similar to that of
the dual-chassis Nº32. The internal structure of the Nº326S separates
these sections, while a steel shield box protects the power supply
and other circuits against electrostatic and magnetic interference.
Filtered AC power is routed outside audio circuit sections, providing
audio circuits with the quiet, shielded environment essential for
superior sound.
Like most high-performance audio components, the Nº326S relies
on clean, noise-free AC power to deliver maximum performance.
Unfortunately, most AC power does not meet these standards.
Common household appliances such as refrigerators, TVs, and
computers often contaminate AC power lines with line noise,
spikes, and other irregularities that make it difficult for audio
circuits to perform up to their full potential.
To compensate for this, the Nº326S offers a series of highly effective
noise suppression and isolation techniques that begin filtering AC
power for noise as soon as it enters the chassis. Audio and control
circuit sections use independent power supplies, each with its own
low-noise toroidal transformer. The audio circuit power transformer
includes a Faraday shield between the AC power line and low-
voltage secondaries for improved isolation.
In addition, the Nº326S uses two active voltage regulation stages
for audio circuit sections. A high-power stage absorbs line-voltage
Getting Started
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