Mark Levinson No512

Mark Levinson No512

Highlights:
A memory buffer and a Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) circuit reduces jitter and allows for only one clock to control the internal timing of digital signals
Connects directly to a preamplifier or power amplifier
Two digital outputs - one AES (XLR) and one S/PDIF (RCA)
24-bit D/A converters yield better signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range
Two balanced XLR analog outputs
Completely separate power supplies for both the digital and analog circuitry
Two single-ended RCA analog outputs

The Nº 512 offers the finest in two-channel SACD playback for even greater dynamic range and natural sound. Thousands of SACD titles have been released, allowing audiophiles an even better musical experience. The Nº 512 extracts the most from both CDs and SACDs, allowing you to rediscover your CD collection and to enjoy even greater musical fidelity on SACD.

A critical design element in any digital device is the digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion process. In the Nº 512 , extremely high-quality 24-bit D/A converters in differential or dual mode are used. In other words, each channel utilizes two D/A converters instead of one. This is a more costly design solution, but it yields significantly better signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range, revealing more of the music playing through the device. In addition, the D/A converters themselves are equipped to convert audio with Direct StreamDigital (DSD) encoding from Super Audio CDs in the native format, avoiding any degradation that could be caused by converting the signal to accommodate D/A converters that are not DSD capable. By avoiding this conversion step, the analog output much more closely matches the original signal on the disc. Additionally the DAC PCB is built on six-layer, high-speed Nelco® N4000-13 SI laminate for increased audio purity and sonic fidelity.

To preserve the purity of audio output, the Nº 512 has two separate power supplies with independent, custom-designed, high-quality toroidal transformers. One power supply is dedicated to the digital circuitry and the other to the analog circuitry. Having completely independent power supplies safely isolates the delicate analog circuits from any potential noise or interference generated by the digital circuits, which would be detrimental to audio quality. Mark Levinson engineers have also completely enclosed the analog output board in a separate metal sub enclosure, and physically placed inherently noisy components as far away from it as possible. The analog signal is available on balanced or unbalanced outputs. There are also AES and S/PDIF digital outputs for sending PCM digital signals from conventional CDs to other devices. In addition, the Nº 512 features a metal loader assembly for greater durability.

Frequency Response +0.0dB/–0.2dB PCM/CD; +0.0dB/–0.5dB DSD/SACD
Height: 4.56 in (116mm)
Width: 17.39 in (442mm)
Depth: 17.63 in (448mm)
Weight: 32.5 lb ( kg)
Communication and Control: one Ethernet port; one RS-232 port; one IR port, 3.5mm mono mini plug; one 3.5mm mono (tip/sleeve) mini plug trigger input, 12V; one 3.5mm mono (tip/sleeve) mini plug trigger output, 12V; three-pin IEC standard power connector
Analog Audio Outputs: two balanced XLR analog outputs; two single-ended RCA analog outputs
Maximum output level: 16V (balanced), 8V (single-ended)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 108dB
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): 92dB PCM/CD; 99dB DSD/SACD
Output impedance: 10
Power Requirements: 100/120/220/230–240V∼, 50/60Hz, factory set for destination country