Mark Levinson products have always been highly regarded for their sound quality and the N°502 is no exception. Towards that end, every part of the audio path from the input to output was carefully considered and designed to ensure optimal sound quality.

Mark Levinson engineers designed the chassis to double as an integrated radio frequency (RF) shield providing immunity from the RF emissions commonly radiated by other devices. These emissions are a common source of noise that can find its way into the sensitive audio circuits and degrade sound quality. Noise can also enter a system through the input and output connectors which are usually connected directly to the chassis, providing a direct path for noise to get in. To prevent this from occurring in the N°502, the input and output connectors are physically isolated from the chassis.

Inside the chassis, the N°502 utilizes two AC power transformers to completely isolate the digital and analog signal paths. A digital power transformer is used to power the digital circuits, and a toroidal power transformer is used to power the analog circuits. In addition, both power supplies are carefully shielded in a chamber inside the chassis to further prevent transformer noise from leaking into the delicate analog circuits and degrading sound quality.

Another method employed to reduce noise is the use of eighteen-layer circuit boards with minimal surface etches. They help to lower radiated emissions from inside the chassis. We also isolate the control signals from the audio signals to eliminate interference. In the event that any common mode noise is present inside the system, all of the analog audio signals are routed inside the chassis as differential (balanced) signals to cancel this noise out.

To reduce jitter and digital noise, a specially designed low-voltage differential signaling circuit is utilized. A proprietary direct digital synthesizer frequency lock loop controls the audio master clock resulting in extraordinary jitter performance. This closed-loop control algorithm improves bandwidth and resolution.

Great care was also taken in the implementation of the level controls for the N°502 which offer an adjustment range of 120dB, preserving the full resolution of the signal. In order to reduce noise and distortion, fewer passive components were employed, and digital quantization noise is exceptionally low, even at the lowest volume settings. This ensures that the level controls do not significantly degrade the sound of the audio passing through them — a common problem in many other less-rigorous designs.

The N°502 features Harman International’s proprietary Logic7 technology in addition to the standard suite of Dolby and DTS listening modes. Logic 7 is widely regarded in the industry as the best surround-sound process available. In simple terms, Logic7 works by utilizing a unique algorithm that engages all of the speakers in a system to enhance the realism of the sound. By analyzing the spatial cues included in the original sound, Logic7 presents them in a manner that makes the overall experience much more engaging and enveloping.

Another notable feature is the N°502’s bass management system which utilizes phase-matched signal paths to prevent signal cancellation. Whenever two signals combine, as occurs in all bass management systems, the potential for signal cancellation increases, which will significantly alter the sound. By phase matching the signal path, the N°502 ensures that you hear every detail as it was intended, regardless of the speaker configuration.

Although Mark Levinson products are known for their superior sound quality, the N°502 also establishes a new benchmark for picture quality. In addition to providing an array of analog and High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) inputs and outputs, the N°502 also includes a state-of-the-art video processor that can convert all of the inputs into a single output and scale them to the optimum resolution for driving the display device. This simplifies the overall system configuration while providing the absolute best picture quality possible.

To clean up and sharpen compressed images from sources such as standard DVD and satellite/cable TV broadcasts, the N°502 includes advanced noise reduction and detail enhancement. Combined with the built-in scaler, standard-definition sources look like true high-definition sources. The N°502 also includes motion-adaptive video de-interlacing with edge interpolation for improving both standard-definition and high-definition sources. And for the highest quality video sources currently available today, the N°502 readily handles 1080p/24Hz video inputs and outputs with ease.

The N°502 features an impressive six HDMI inputs, each with its own receiver to deliver exceptionally fast HDMI switching and the ability to “preview” one HDMI input while watching another. It also features two HDMI outputs, so it can alternately drive two different displays. Combined with impressive video processing capabilities, the N°502 sets a new standard for picture quality, even when compared to dedicated, stand-alone processors.

 

Perhaps the most unexpected aspect of the N°502 is the impressive graphical user interface (GUI). Utilizing a separate graphics engine with bit-accurate graphics for all output resolutions, setting up and using the N°502 is an absolute joy.

Set-up can be accomplished using the remote control and screen in the theater or by using the buttons and the screen on the front panel. The GUI on both is the same, so if you can’t access the screen in the theater for whatever reason, you can still use the front panel and benefit from the same beautiful GUI. This is essential for systems where the N°502 is located out-of-sight from the screen in the theater. It also facilitates easier configuration of other components connected to the N°502 that also utilize on-screen menus for setup.

The hierarchal structure of the menus makes it easy to navigate and further simplify its use. Each screen displays a menu system at all times. Controls are duplicated on both the remote control and the front panel, so access is convenient whether the N°502 is within reach or out-of-sight. All custom setup features are stored, and the custom configuration can even be saved to a personal computer through an Ethernet port for additional peace of mind.

The N°502 is equipped with a state-of-the-art auto calibration system that accurately calculates speaker distances, output levels and full room equalization in less than ten minutes. Automatic calibration is available for every speaker configuration and improves sound quality by removing the interference of sound reflections that are caused by the room itself. These reflections, or room modes, can be detrimental to your listening experience by making the sound appear too loud or too soft at various frequencies and cause lingering resonances which mask the finer details in the sound. The N°502 room equalization effectively eliminates these room modes and makes the entire system, including the room itself, sound more neutral and true to the original recording.

Once set up, the N°502 is a breeze to use. Day-to-day controls are kept separate from set-up controls and all you need to do is select an activity such as; “Watch a Film,” “Listen to Music,” or “Watch TV” and adjust the volume. Each activity automatically loads a speaker configuration, an audio profile and a video profile. This allows the N°502 to essentially reconfigure itself automatically to provide the desired listening and viewing experience for each and every activity.

Control of the N°502 is accomplished in a number of different ways. There is the backlit, metal remote control, which feels both substantial and elegant in your hand and features a minimal number of buttons for maximum user-friendliness. There are the front-panel controls for when you are within reach of the N°502. But perhaps the most extensive way to control the N°502 is by utilizing its RS-232 port in conjunction with a third party controller, such as those available from Crestron or AMX. This allows true two-way control of the N°502 and if the control system also has video input capability, the ability to send the picture that is normally displayed on the front panel of the N°502 directly into the control system. This puts the GUI of the N°502 and the preview feature right into the touch-screen controller itself, making these features accessible wherever the controller is. In addition, the N°502 includes a proprietary Mark Levinson protocol called ML Net which utilizes Ethernet to provide additional functions when other ML Net equipped devices are connected to the N°502.

The N°502 is a remarkably powerful and flexible media console for the ultimate home entertainment system and is designed in every detail to provide the absolute best in film and music reproduction. It is this meticulous attention to detail that makes a Mark Levinson product stand above the rest. It sets a new standard for audio and video performance, control and flexibility in a single chassis design. Using only the finest materials and parts, the N°502 honors the Mark Levinson tradition and is sure to satisfy even the most demanding enthusiast.