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The Mark Levinson design team has made hardware and software design choices in these processors to prepare them for whatever DVD-based audio standard(s) may evolve. The No.360 and No.360S are the first Levinson processors capable of handling 24-bit/96 kHz signals from input to output. In fact, the Madrigal DIR can be programmed to handle 192 kHz signals (or other possible formats such as Direct Stream Digital
and the like) if that becomes necessary.
Despite the future-oriented nature of these new designs, many of their performance advancements are evident using standard 16-bit/44.1 kHz compact disc recordings. We believe the Mark Levinson No.360 and No.360S set a new standard for digital playback, regardless of price. Listen to compact disc sources through these new processors and you will hear a more detailed, rich and dynamic sound than ever before. Using 24-bit/96 kHz recordings from DVD, these models demonstrate the awesome potential of digital recording and point to an exciting future.
Layout of the chassis is similar to the older models, allowing upgrade paths for both the No.36 and the No.36S. Digital processing occurs on the main board in the center of the chassis. Shielding is used to prevent the noise byproducts of digital processing from contaminating the analog signals. Left and right channel digital to analog conversion and output circuitry is performed on separate circuit boards located on the left and right sides of the chassis. Each audio board is equipped with independent power supply regulators.
The master power supply is shielded internally with a steel enclosure (to contain/ground low frequency electromagnetic noise). The AC cord plugs in from the underside to minimize 50/60 Hz noise. Two transformers maximize isolation between digital and analog circuits. Maximum channel separation is achieved using separate secondary windings from the analog supply transformer.
Six digital inputs offer a variety of connector options. Separate (new) low-voltage digital receivers are dedicated to each input, improving the impedance match for each source as well as maximizing isolation between inputs. All input paths employ high quality connectors and high-bandwidth pulse transformers for best performance.
Digital interface receivers (DIRs) are incorporated in Mark Levinson products for the first time in the No.360 and No.360S. The DIR is the first "smart" component in the path; it processes the incoming signal, sending the various segments to the proper destinations (display, digital filter, etc.). The broad bandwidth of this DIR allows the No.360 and No.360S to receive very high-speed signals, exceeding the maximum data rate from DVD-based sources. In other words, the No.360 and No.360S DIRs can handle anything a DVD player can output. Other processors using "off-the-shelf" DIR circuits are not forward compatible in this way.
SHARC 32-bit digital signal processors follow the DIR in the signal path. SHARC processors (from Analog Devices) are at the heart of the new digital architecture. In addition to Madrigal-designed digital filtering, algorithms such as HDCD are decoded on this DSP platform. In the future, multiple DVD-based "super audio" formats may be decoded in our DSPs. Of particular note, the No. 360 uses two SHARC DSPs and the No.360S has four, allowing the No.360S owner more future upgrade options.
Intelligent FIFO jitter reduction is again employed to buffer and re-clock digital audio signals for highest resolution. While this feature shares its concept with the older No.36 and No.36S, several important improvements yield smoother and more accurate performance. The result is higher resolution and a smoother, more detailed high frequency performance
Low Voltage Differential Signal (LVDS) drivers transmit balanced digital signals from the digital processing board (center section) to the audio boards for conversion. First used in the No.36S, these high performance parts are now employed at the No.360 price level as well, with substantial sonic benefits.
24-bit multi-bit DACs (Burr Brown PCM 1704s) are used in both models. The No.360 and No.360S use two matched DACs per channel to convert the balanced digital signal into analog. The No.360S uses the same DACs as the No.360, but gain is matched by hand-trimmed bulk metal foil resistors. In the case of the No.360, gain is set using a hand-trimmed Vishay trim pot. The use of true 24-bit multi-bit DACs offers the highest performance possible today.
Balanced circuitry is used extensively by the processors, to deliver the lowest noise and distortion possible. Balanced outputs ensure the best possible connection for high performance music systems. As with the No.36S, the analog pc boards in the No.360S are four-layer Cyanate Ester, offering optimum power, ground and signal path routing as well as an ultra low dielectric constant.
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