Nº 502 Media Console Product Details

Nº 502 Media Console

The Sound
Mark Levinson products have always been highly regarded for their sound quality and the Nº502 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.

Starting with the chassis, it was designed to double as an integrated radio frequency (RF) shield providing immunity from the RF emissions that are 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. Another way for noise to enter a system is 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 Nº502, the input and output connectors are physically isolated from the chassis.

Inside the chassis, the Nº502 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 ensure that they do not interfere with them. 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 Nº502 which offer an adjustment range of 120dB, preserving the full resolution of the signal. Fewer passive components were employed to reduce noise and distortion, 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, common in many other less rigorous designs.

The Nº502 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 important detail is the Nº502’s bass management system which utilizes phase-matched signal paths to prevent signal cancellation. Whenever two signals are combined, 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 Nº502 ensures that you hear every detail, the way it was intended, regardless of the speaker configuration.

The Picture
Although Mark Levinson products are known for their superlative sound quality, the Nº502 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 Nº502 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 Nº502 includes advanced noise reduction and detail enhancement. Combined with the built-in scaler, standard definition sources look like true high-definition sources. The Nº502 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 Nº502 readily handles 1080p/24Hz video inputs and outputs with ease.

The Nº502 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 to HDMI outputs, so it can alternately drive two different displays. Combined with the impressive video processing capabilities, the Nº502 sets a new standard for picture quality, even when compared to dedicated, stand-alone processors.

Nº502 Video Board

Twin Gennum VXP 10-bit broadcast quality processors for 7.8 gigaflops of processing power.
ZBC technology allows the power and ground planes to act as a distributed capacitor which functions much better at high frequencies than conventional bypass capacitors. This reduces radiated emissions and helps to lower the overall noise in the system.
Eighteen-layer PCB allows more of the signals to be routed on internal layers. When signals are routed between ground and power layers, they are effectively shielded and radiate considerably less. This significantly enhances video signal to noise.

The Experience
Perhaps the most unexpected aspect of the Nº502 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 Nº502 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 Nº502 is located out of sight from the screen in the theater. It also facilitates easier configuration of other components connected to the Nº502 that also utilize on-screen menus for set-up.

The hierarchal structure of the menus makes it easy to navigate and to 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 Nº502 is within reach or out of sight. All custom set-up 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 Nº502 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 cused 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 Nº502 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 Nº502 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 Nº502 to essentially reconfigure itself automatically to provide the desired listening and viewing experience for each and every activity.

Control of the Nº502 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 was designed with a minimal amount of buttons to make it easy to use. There are the front panel controls for when you are within reach of the Nº502. But perhaps the most extensive way to control the Nº502 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 Nº502 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 Nº502 directly into the control system. This puts the GUI of the Nº502 and the preview feature right into the touch-screen controller itself, allowing these features to be used wherever the controller is. In addition, the Nº502 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 Nº502.

The Final Word
The Nº502 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 Nº502 honors the Mark Levinson tradition and is sure to satisfy even the most demanding enthusiast.