Mark Levinson N 320S owner manual Getting Started, Special Design Features

1	Getting Started
	Special Design Features
	Thank you for purchasing the Nº 320S Preamplifier. A direct
	descendant of the Nº 32 Reference Preamplifier, the Nº 320S
	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 Nº 32.
	With a single-chassis design, the Nº 320S achieves separation of audio
	circuit, control circuit, and power supply sections similar to that of
	the dual-chassis Nº 32. The internal structure of the Nº 320S 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 Nº 320S relies	1-1
	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 Nº 320S 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 Nº 320S uses two active voltage regulation stages
	for audio circuit sections. A high-power stage absorbs line-voltage
	and temperature variations, while a second high-performance
	stage provides local, high-speed, low-noise power for audio
	circuits.

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