Integrating today’s plethora of entertainment sources into an easily accessible system demands a central controller with extraordinary flexibility,  but a myriad of inputs and outputs is today’s bare minimum. In addition, we need a clear, powerful, and flexible user interface that simplifies access; a variety of ways to facilitate custom-installation; communications capabilities with other “whole house” subsystems like security and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning); the ability to control or be controlled by touch-screen remote systems, etc. To those ends, the Nș 40 HD Media Console offers a remarkable array of connectivity and usability options.


Input/output flexibility
The Nș 40’s modular design accommodates many possible system configurations. Its standard configuration meets the needs of almost all prospective owners:

•    3 composite video inputs
•    6 S-video inputs
•    3 component inputs
•    6 S/PDIF digital audio inputs via RCA connectors
•    1 S/PDIF digital audio input via BNC connector
•    4 TOSlink™ digital audio inputs
•    2 AES/EBU digital audio inputs via XLR connectors
•    8 channels main audio outputs (both balanced and single-ended)
•    Composite, S-video and Component main outputs
•    2 ?R Zone? (Remote or Record) audio and video outputs


In addition, several "card slots" in each chassis provide room for further growth or incorporation of new technologies as they become available: more I/O (Inputs/Outputs), secure digital audio or video interfaces, advanced video processing options, or additional DSP resources.


Graphic User Interface (GUI)
The Video Processor’s front-panel LCD screen brings the full benefit of the Nș 40?s intuitive GUI to your immediate attention. The GUI (also available at the monitor output or overlaid on the main video output) makes setting up even a complex system relatively straightforward as it leads you through the process in a logical manner. The Nș 40’s GUI is digitally generated for exceptional clarity and incorporates several proprietary technologies. Its hierarchical structure is logical, easy to navigate, and presented in a manner that instantly identifies where you are in the menu structure.


Intelligent Schizophrenia
Although the Nș 40 HD Media Console is remarkably powerful, it is also remarkably approachable. This results directly from our determination that the Nș 40 should appeal to both the, power user, and the novice. Satisfying such a potentially diverse audience was a major challenge for Mark Levinson engineers as the level of sophistication demanded by power users might well intimidate a more casual approach to the technology. Aside from the fact that both types often share the same home, we assumed (correctly, we feel) that almost everyone appreciates a truly fine home entertainment experience.

Even competent products often evidence tradeoffs between three opposing factors:
•  Functionality (does it do what it should do?)
•  Ease of use (is it simple and intuitive in day-to-day use?)
•  Ease of setup (is it "plug and play" in the best sense of that often-overused term?)

Most products display real strength in only one area. Exceptional products extend their reach to two. With the Nș 40, we feel comfortable in declaring reasonable success in all three areas. Rest assured, however, that we are very much aware that functionality and ease of use are day-to-day criteria. Setup is, at most, an occasional exercise.


Power Supplies
Even the best circuits perform poorly if their source of operating current and voltage isn’t sufficient, accurate, and stable. Insuring that each circuit has what it needs is the power supply’s job. For all intents and purposes, a power supply is the heart of any piece of home entertainment equipment.

To maximize audio and video processing, both components of the Nș 40 HD Media Console use hybrid linear/switching supplies that combine a linear supply’s low-noise advantage with the efficiency and reduced thermal output typical of a switching supply.

As with all Mark Levinson products, we start with a low noise transformers, low switch-noise rectifiers, and massive, high-grade storage capacitors. The voltages from the transformers, secondary windings are then changed to the exact voltages required by different circuits by regulator circuits designed by Mark Levinson engineers for minimal supply voltage ripple and lowest RF noise. The switching portion of the supply benefits from inherently low noise topologies (both forward converter and Cuk,  pronounced ?chook?) as well as advanced switching regulator ICs, torroidal inductors, and new, high value ceramic capacitors. Consequently, these switching supplies achieve noise levels typical of linear designs. Their high efficiencies meet the Nș 40?s substantial power requirements without excessive heat or sensitivity to varying line voltages.

These supplies allow us to meet our goal of pure DC power to all stages in less space and with lower operating temperatures than allowed by an exclusively linear supply. This, in turn, allowed us to reduce both chassis size and operating temperatures.



The Digital Signal Path
All analog audio input signals are converted to digital by new high resolution analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) operating at the 24-bit/96 kHz level. Thus the Nș 40 exceeds the performance levels of almost all analog preamplifiers. The ADC card has its own local regulation for both the analog circuitry and digital ICs. A local low-jitter oscillator clock provides the ADCs with an ideal operating reference. In addition, the ADCs themselves are high-density, surface mount devices that greatly reduce susceptibility to interference and noise. To further eliminate the last possible chance of RF or magnetic noise being introduced or radiated, the ADC module is enclosed in its own mu-metal shielded box. Data from the ADC card are transmitted via a Low Voltage Differential Signal (LVDS) transmission scheme on a controlled impedance back plane to the DSP card, reducing jitter across the widest range of conditions.

All data and clock signals carrying the digital audio information to the digital-to-analog converters (DACs) are sent via a balanced LVDS transmission line from the DSP circuits to the DACs. The LVDS ICs used are among the highest speed and lowest jitter digital transmission devices available and have been thoroughly proven in demanding telecommunications applications. In addition, Mark Levinson has previously used these same devices with considerable success in our own No30.6 and No360S Processors.

Digital signals enter the Nș 40 via a programmable DIR (Digital Interface Receiver) first used in the No.30.6 Reference Processor. This DIR locks onto any digital signal from 32kHz to 96kHz. As future needs arise, it can be programmed to handle any DVD-based audio signal, including those with a 192 kHz sampling rate.

The Intelligent FIFO (First In, First Out) is a proprietary digital input buffer that has been consistently improved since its first appearance in the Nș 30.5 Reference Processor. This jitter reduction strategy encompasses a Direct Digital Synthesis circuit with a very high frequency reference clock used in such a way that the circuit’s overall jitter performance is limited only by the jitter characteristics of the original signal. Another advantage is that the buffer does not introduce time delay artifacts that might cause lip-sync problems with video images.


Digital Audio Processing
In the main zone, digital signal processing is performed by four powerful SHARC DSPs, each capable of 32-bit fixed-point and 32- and 40-bit floating-point calculations to process data with 256 times the accuracy of conventional 24-bit processors. This enormous processing power allows the Nș 40 to perform the following functions simultaneously in real time:


•    Signal decoding (e.g., Dolby Digitalź , DTSź , MPEG, Dolby Pro Logic IIź), etc.
•    Various music and film surround mode processing to provide a multi-channel experience from two-channel material
•    Second-level decoding like Dolby Surround EX and DTS ES 6.1
•    Matrix processing
•    Speaker crossovers and bass redirection/management
•    Post-processing (e.g., the latest THX algorithms)


There is also computational power left over for future applications. As further insurance against obsolescence, another four SHARCs may be added to the existing set.

No-Compromise Audio
As befits the first multi-channel, audio/video product to carry the Mark Levinson name, the Nș 40 HD Media Console offers no-compromise audio performance that is worthy of its heritage. Extraordinary measures have been taken in both design and manufacturing to ensure that the sounds you enjoy from your Nș 40-based system will be emotionally involving and rewarding, whether you are enjoying conventional stereo recordings, multi-channel music or the latest blockbuster movie.


The Analog Signal Path
The Nș 40 HD Media Console combines a full roster of proprietary Mark Levinson preamplifier and digital processor design techniques. The fully balanced Mark Levinson preamplifier stage handles analog signals prior to digital conversion. Balanced and single-ended analog audio signals are buffered as balanced signals and selected by relays on each audio input card.

The balanced audio signal drives the input of a high performance MDAC attenuator (the same as is used for the Nș 40’s output cards. This scales the audio signal to the optimum level for the ADCs without any resolution loss. Current-to-voltage (I/V) converters drive the output of the MDAC attenuators to a balanced instrumentation-grade amplifier which integrates common mode rejection, gain/level shift, and filter functions to drive the ADC?s balanced input. Passive audio path components include metal film resistors (rare in the surface mount packages we specify) and high-grade polypropylene or polyphenylsulfide capacitors.


Digital-to-Analog Conversion
The Nș 40’s digital-to-analog converters are new hybrid designs from Analog Devices and combine the best performance features of ladder type multi-bit and sigma-delta single-bit converters. The differential current output stage allows us to optimize our own I to V stage for best performance. As a further refinement, we sum the outputs of two balanced DACs per channel for improved noise performance. These DACs feature integrated digital oversampling filters with performance comparable to the best outboard digital filters available and are another reason why the Nș 40 performs so well.

A matched pair of I to V converters follow the DACs. They use what are arguably the best dual operational amplifiers currently available for audio applications. A new dual-differential active filter circuit follows the I to V stage. This is a three-pole, linear phase filter at 80 kHz with the same characteristics found in other Mark Levinson DACs. Here, it is implemented in a differential amplifier that sums both halves of the balanced signal and provides common mode noise rejection.


Analog Output/Preamp Stage
Following the post-DAC filter, audio signals pass through the Nș 40’s volume control built around a dual MDAC12-bit ladder attenuator that is derived from the No.32 Reference Preamplifier. In the Nș 40’s case, however, there are several circuit innovations. New power supply filtering techniques reduce noise to a few microvolts (millionths of a volt). A new cross-coupled I to V circuit allows additional gain and common mode noise rejection. A single bulk metal foil trim element sets the level for both halves of the balanced output to better than 1/100th of a decibel for unprecedented accuracy.

Volume controls are arguably the most critical part of any preamplifier. Multi-channel audio is particularly demanding. Although deliberate channel-to-channel offsets may be large, a good volume control will maintain their precise relationship over the entire control range. To accomplish this demanding task, the Nș 40 audio cards use a hybrid analog/digital attenuation scheme to achieve a remarkable 100dB control range with resolution of 0.1dB resolution for the entire range! By applying DSP-based digital attenuation only to fill in the gaps for the very lowest level volume control steps, we do not suffer the loss of converter resolution associated with pure digital volume controls.


Output buffers
The Nș 40’s output buffer topology is similar to that used in other Mark Levinson products including Reference DACs and preamplifiers. This new, ultra-compact, surface-mount implementation pushes noise coupling and parasitic effects to remarkably low levels. The proof is in measurement and listening tests. With left and right channels literally next to each other, the cross talk is comparable to other Mark Levinson products,  i.e., nearly immeasurable. A DC servo around each buffer trims DC offset to a few millivolts.

The buffers drive the XLR outputs directly and RCA outputs by the positive signal buffer through a small isolation resistor. This virtually eliminates any interaction between cables on both outputs, allowing balanced and single-ended connections to be made simultaneously when necessary.

These buffers follow in the Mark Levinson tradition of rigorous component selection mounted on a four-layer circuit board with signal traces manually routed for best performance. The board employs a segmented ground plane technique,  the two analog audio sections and the digital receiver section all have their own planes to eliminate cross talk and noise coupling. All audio path resistors are precision surface-mount metal film components.

Although conventional through-hole metal film resistors are commonplace in audio circuitry, our 0.1% metal film surface-mount parts are quite rare and cost about 10 times more than their through-hole counterpart. Their cost, however, is quite justified in light of their vastly superior performance. Audio path capacitors are also surface-mount, either metal film PPS (polyphenylsufide) or metal film polypropylene. Every active device was selected for top technical and sonic performance. Final critical device selection followed hundreds of hours of controlled listening evaluation. The resulting audio performance is significantly better than our initial design goals.


No-compromise video
If the Nș 40’s audio performance is inspiring, the Video Console’s accomplishments might be considered more so as it contains many innovations never before available to consumers at any price. Moreover, the entire system integrates these powerful features in a way that makes the system incredibly simple to use by even the most technologically-challenged family member.


High-performance video switcher
As does the Audio Console, the Nș 40’s Video Console uses a hybrid linear/switching power supply. In addition to their great efficiency, these circuits were designed and optimized for minimal supply voltage ripple and lowest RF noise.

When simply operating as a switcher, the Nș 40 offers performance comparable to the finest professional video switchers commonly found in the most prominent post-production houses. The key here is the video crosspoint switch;  the circuitry that allows any input to be routed to any or all outputs simultaneously. It has video frequency response in excess of 60 MHz ± 0.1 dB, with a signal-to-noise ratio better than 70 dB. When you look at the more traditional -3dB point, the numbers get even better; well over 200 MHz of bandwidth! This is significant because it exceeds even the highest frequencies for any HDTV system that has even been proposed much less implemented. The amazing eight-layer PC board housing the video back plane provides for routing of analog video, SDTV, EDTV, and HDTV. All of the video outputs are buffered to eliminate interaction between them.

Transcoding
The Nș 40’s video processor receives composite, S-video, and component signals and transcode them to provide all of those formats simultaneously to main zone outputs. It will convert signals "up" or "down" as needed to ensure that all outputs are active all the time, regardless of input signal. (Note, however, that the Nș 40 does not change frame rates or broadcast standards. In other words, the Media Console does not convert from 60 fps NTSC to 50 fps PAL or vice versa.
Thus, you can make whatever connection is best for your subsequent video processing or display device, and not concern yourself about switching between formats as you select sources.

In the remote zones, the Nș 40 also provides both composite and S-video connections that are always active, even when the selected source is a component signal.


System Control
The Nș 40 HD Media Console raises the bar by offering the finest audio and video performance ever achieved from an A/V component. It also facilitates control of your entire high-performance multi-channel home entertainment system in a seamless manner, including any listening or operational preferences you may desire.

As you would rightfully expect, the Nș 40 Audio and Video Consoles are in constant synchronization. In addition, the entire system offers RS-232 control ports for integration with touch-screen control systems by AMX, Crestron, and others. There are additional control ports with Mark Levinson Link communication capability for legacy products, IR inputs, and trigger outputs.


Conclusion
While the Nș 40 can be easily inserted into systems comprised of a wide range of other manufacturers' products, we anticipate that the majority of Nș 40 owners will be previous Mark Levinson customers who have anticipated this breakthrough product.

This is the Media Console that will match the performance of their Mark Levinson amplifiers, whether they be Reference models, 300 Series products, or the latest 400 amplifiers.

Will the Nș 40 be responsible for converting many diehard two-channel music lovers to multi-channel music listeners? We can’t answer that but we can confidently recommend this product to their critical attention.