Nº390SCD PROCESSOR

The Nº390S is the successor to the Nº39 CDProcessor and delivers a remarkable improvementin sonic performance over the original design. TheNº390S features a complete redesign of the Nº39Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) and AnalogOutput Module. Borrowing heavily from thedesign of Nº40 Media Console and Nº32Reference Preamplifier, the Nº390S incorporatesour latest advances in DAC design, output bufferand volume control technologies, all implementedon a four-layer Arlon® circuit board.

Fully Balanced DesignThe Nº390S is fully balanced in both the analogand digital domains. Information from the discand single-ended digital inputs are immediatelyconverted to balanced signals and routed tobalanced DACs by a Low Voltage DifferentialSignal receiving circuit. This design technique,borrowed from Mark Levinson digital processors,incorporates our Closed Loop Jitter Reduction™

technology to preserve the precise timing of thedigital audio signal.

A four-layer Arlon® printed circuit board providesthe foundation for the critical analog audio circuit.First used in the Nº32 Reference Preamplifier, thismaterial offers superb dielectric properties andhelps the Nº390S achieve remarkable perform-ance with complex, low-level audio signals.

Design of the fully balanced DAC/analog outputmodule follows the Mark Levinson tradition ofrigorous component selection. An unusual hybriddesign approach incorporating both advancedsurface-mount and “through-hole” technologies,allows us to utilize the optimum part at each loca-

tion in the circuit, without the constraints onparts selection normally associated with tradition-al PCB assembly practices. Every active device hasbeen painstakingly selected for top technicalperformance, with final device selections deter-mined by numerous, controlled sonic evaluations.

Advanced Digital Filter TechniquesJust as with Mark Levinson Digital AudioProcessors, the Nº390S incorporates advanceddigital filter techniques carefully chosen to opti-mize the sonic performance of its on-board digitalprocessor. Whether playing a CD, or decoding adigital signal received through an auxiliary input,sample depth is increased to 24 bits and samplerate increased to 352.8kHz or 384kHz (input ratedependent) before conversion to an analog signal.This sophisticated processing of the digital signalbefore conversion (often referred to as “upconver-sion,” “upsampling,” or “oversampling”) is afundamental contributor to the excellent soundachieved by all Mark Levinson digital processors.The Nº390S confirms its internal conversion rateon its front panel display each time a disc isloaded, or an auxiliary input is chosen and locked.

The Nº390S also incorporates High DefinitionCompatible Digital® (HDCD) decoding to take fulladvantage of the resolution available from HDCD-encoded 16-bit CDs. By encoding informationmore efficiently within the 16-bit space availableon the disc, the HDCD format retains more of theresolution inherent in modern high-resolutionrecordings.

Digital-to-Analog ConversionDigital-to-analog conversion within the Nº390Sfeatures a Mark Levinson-developed, balancedimplementation of a high-performance DAC. Thismulti-bit Sigma/Delta DAC device delivers superbtechnical performance. In addition to its unusualmulti-bit architecture and unlike typical Sigma/Delta devices, this DAC has a differential currentoutput stage, which allows us to optimize the crit-

Nº390SCD PROCESSOR

ical current-to-voltage conversion stage with dedi-cated operational amplifiers possessing superlativerise time and bandwidth characteristics.Following this, an active analog filter circuit,implemented in a differential amplifier, sums bothhalves of the balanced signal and provides superbcommon mode noise rejection in addition tooutstanding filtering.

This approach to the DAC circuit block yieldsextraordinarily low distortion and noise levels andcontributes greatly to the natural sound of theNº390S.

Balanced Analog Volume ControlRather than use the digital attenuator on boardthe DAC, the Nº390S incorporates a fullybalanced analog volume control similar to thatfound in Mark Levinson preamplifiers. When acti-vated, the output of the Nº390S can beattenuated in precise 0.1dB steps through most ofthe range. Significantly, the Nº390S maintains thefull performance of its remarkable DACs at allvolume levels — something impossible withdigital volume controls, regardless of what tech-niques may be employed to mask the sonicconsequences of that design approach.

State-of-the-Art Output BufferThe balanced discrete output buffer circuitry usedin the Nº390S employs the same topology used inthe remarkable Mark Levinson Nº32 ReferencePreamplifier. A hallmark of Mark Levinson pream-plifier and digital processor design, this circuit hasproven to be both sonically transparent andexceptionally immune to adverse interactionswith interconnecting cables and unusual inputimpedance characteristics of power amplifiers orpreamplifiers. The Nº390S features an ultra-compact implementation of the Mark Levinsonoutput buffer circuit, pushing noise coupling andparasitic effects to vanishingly small levels. Thisexceptionally robust output stage allows theNº390S to make the most of any combination ofpreamplifier, power amplifier, and cables used.

Sound QualityThe Nº390S successfully builds on the strengthsof the popular Nº39 CD Processor. The namechange is intended to convey the level of sonicimprovement that can be expected. It doesn’tsound like an improved Nº39 – it sounds like acompletely new and significantly better product.The many design refinements in the Nº390S haveresulted in a significant reduction in the alreadyvery low noise levels present in the Nº39. Low-level musical details that were previously maskedare now revealed. High-frequency clarity andextension are improved. Low-frequency detailand drive is improved. Imaging and spatial infor-mation are substantially improved, with a greatersense of depth and width, providing an almostholographic quality to the presentation.

All of this musical information was always presenton the CDs. Once again, significant sonicimprovements were attained by better implemen-tation of an existing technology. The Nº390Sacheives that goal.

Specifications are subject to change without notice.Mark Levinson® is a registered trademark of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.

Not responsible for typographic errors.

Part # 072-16155

Nº390S CD ProcessorFrequency Response: 10Hz - 20kHz, +0dB, -0.3dBTotal Harmonic Distortion:(THD) 0.002% @ 1kHz, 0dBFS (10Hz - 30kHz)Dynamic Range: 96dB (10Hz - 30kHz)Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 105dB (10Hz - 30kHz)Channel Separtion: Better than 110dBIntermodulation Distortion:(SMPTE IMD) Less than 0.005%Maximum Output: 4.45V balanced(0 dBFS signal) 2.225V single-endedVolume Control:(attenuation) Range 61.2 to +12dBDigital-to-AnalogConversion: Dual differential 24-bit DACsConversion Rate: 352.8kHz or 384kHz (input signal dependent), 24-bitAnalog Filter: Bessel-tuned, linear phase to 40kHzLow-level Linearity: Deviation less than 2dB to below -90dBFS less than 2dB to below -102dBFS w/20-bit inputOutput Impedance (analog): 10ΩDirect Digital Output, XLR: AES/EBU 110Ω, 3.5VDirect Digital Output, RCA: S/PDIF 75Ω, 0.5VMains Voltage: 100V, 120V, 200V, 220V, 240V, factory set for destination countryMains Frequency: 50 or 60Hz, factory set for destination countryPower Consumption: 36 watts maximumOverall dimensions: width: 15.75" (40cm)

height: 3.84" (9.75cm)depth: 14.3" (36.3cm)

20.56" (52.21cm) with loader openInput Complement: (1) EIAJ digital input

(1) S/PDIF (RCA) digital inputOutput Complement: (2) male XLR balanced audio outputs

(2) RCA single-ended audio outputs(1) AES/EBU (XLR) digital output(1) S/PDIF (RCA) digital output

Other I/O: (2) RJ-45 modular Communication Links(1) 3.5mm external IR input jack(1) IEC AC mains connector

Shipping Weight: 50lbs (23kg)

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