Inverted Polarity Indicator, Output Level

operating modes is given by the Mode Indicators below the Alphanumeric Display. (See 3, above.)

5INVERTED POLARITY INDICATOR

The polarity (sometimes inaccurately called “absolute phase”) of the output of the Nº38 may be inverted via the Nº38 remote control, in which case this LED will light as confirmation. A second press of the Polarity button on the remote control will restore the polarity of the output to its original, non-inverted state.

6OUTPUT LEVEL

This control is normally used to adjust the listening volume, and does not effect the level of the signal being sent to the Record Outputs. When in Balance Mode, this knob is used to vary the relative output of the Left and Right channels. It is also used during set-up for various adjustments; see “Set-up and Installation.”

7MONO BUTTON

This button toggles between Stereo and Mono operation. When in Mono, it activates circuitry which combines Left and Right input signals, and sends the resulting monophonic signal to both Left and Right outputs. This circuit is particularly useful when listening to older, monophonic source material, at which time significant noise reduction may be realized.

8SOURCE SELECTOR BUTTONS

Inputs 1–6 are selected by pressing their respective buttons. When in the Monitor Mode, pressing one of these buttons will select the source to be heard (i.e., sent to the main outputs); when in Record Select Mode, pressing one of these buttons will select the source to be recorded (i.e., sent to the record outputs).

9MUTE BUTTON

Pressing the Mute button will reduce the main output level of the preamplifier by a user-modifiable amount, ranging from 1 to 60 decibels. Pressing the Mute button a second time without adjusting the volume will return it to its previous setting. If you adjust the volume with either the output control knob or the remote control while in the Mute mode, the preamplifier will adjust its volume from the muted volume and disengage the Mute function. The factory default setting of the Mute circuit is -20 dB. (See “Set-up and Installation” for information on changing the factory default setting.)

10STANDBY BUTTON

Toggles the Nº38 between normal operation and Standby, wherein the display is turned off, the outputs are disconnected, and all controls are inoperable. All critical circuitry remains powered-up during Standby to ensure immediate, optimal performance when you are ready to listen to music. The LED above the Standby button will blink slowly when the Nº38 is in Standby, indicating that power is still being provided to the unit. (If the Nº38 is Linked to other Mark Levinson components which are also in Standby, they will blink in unison.)