Owner’s Manual Nº436 Nº434
Important Safety Instructions 1. Read these instructions 2. Keep these instructions. 3. Heed all warnings. 4. Follow all instructions. 5. Do not use this apparatus near water. 6. Clean only with a dry cloth. 7. Do not block ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. 8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or another apparatus that produces heat. 9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug.
FCC Notice This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Introduction Mark Levinson Table of Contents Introduction Important Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ii FCC Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iii Documentation Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vi Section 1: Getting Started Special Design Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nº436/434 Introduction Appendix Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-1 Declaration of Conformity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-3 Dimensions, Nº436 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-4 Dimensions, Nº434 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction Mark Levinson Documentation Conventions This document contains general safety, installation, and operation instructions for the Nº436/434 Power Amplifiers. It is important to read this document before attempting to use these components. Pay particular attention to safety instructions. Appears on the component to indicate the presence of uninsulated, dangerous voltages inside the enclosure – voltages that may be sufficient to constitute a risk of shock.
Getting Started Special Design Features Thank you for purchasing the Nº436/434 Monaural Power Amplifier, combining the massive power and strength of a large power amplifier with the elegance and finesse of a small power amplifier. This section describes some of the design features that make this unique combination possible.
Getting Started Mark Levinson Special Design Features (continued) True Voltage Source The Nº436/434 operates as a true voltage source, maintaining the appropriate voltage within its rated voltage output according to the demands of the source material rather than the current demands of the loudspeaker. As a result, the Nº436/434 doubles its power output each time loudspeaker impedance is cut in half. For example, the Nº436 offers rated power at 350W per channel at 8Ω and 700W per channel at 4Ω.
Nº436/434 Getting Started In addition, the Nº436/434 uses state-of-the-art protections to guard against the following fault conditions: • Signal-related faults, including the presence of DC (direct current) signals at the output and demands for excessive current at the output (indicating a short-circuit). If a signalrelated fault is detected, the front panel indicator LED blinks rapidly, remaining lit and unlit for equal intervals.
Getting Started Mark Levinson Unpacking Warning! DO NOT attempt to lift or move the Nº436/434 without adequate assistance. Failure to follow the procedures included in this section may result in personal injuries and/or product damage. The Nº436 and Nº434 are massive power amplifiers. The Nº436 ships at 95 pounds (43.2kg) and the Nº434 ships at 65 pounds (29.5kg). Rear panel handles are provided for safe, convenient lifting and moving. Proper lifting requires at least two people.
Nº436/434 Getting Started Placement • DO review “Important Safety Instructions” and “Power Requirements” before installing the Nº436/434. • DO place the Nº436/434 on a solid, flat, level surface such as a table, shelf, or floor OR bolt the Nº436/434 into a rackmounting system. Use a purpose-built rack-mounting system to accommodate the weight of the power amplifier. Refer to “Rack-Mounting” for additional information.
Getting Started Mark Levinson Ventilation The Nº436/434 uses a sophisticated ventilation system that combines passive convection and active, fan-driven cooling to maintain normal operating temperatures under a wide range of conditions. Heat sinks are crosscut to allow for both horizontal and vertical airflow, ensuring that the Nº436/434 delivers maximum performance and reliability at all times.
Nº436/434 Getting Started Power Requirements When shipped, the Nº436/434 is configured for 100V, 120V, 220V, 230V or 240V AC power operation at 50 or 60Hz based on the country for which it is manufactured. Before operating the Nº436/434, make sure the ~ac mains connector label indicates the correct operating voltage for the current location. Caution! DO NOT attempt to adjust the operating voltage.
Getting Started Mark Levinson Warm-up & Break-in Period (continued) After this initial period, performance will remain consistent unless power is disconnected from the Nº436/434. Power is considered disconnected when the Nº436/434 is powered off using the power button; the power cord is disconnected from the ~ac mains connector or the electrical outlet; or an extended power failure or power outage occurs. Power is not disconnected when the Nº436/434 is in standby or sleep mode.
Nº436/434 Getting Started Note The Nº436 and Nº434 are designed to run somewhat warm without causing a safety hazard. The Nº436 dissipates about 175W of heat energy when powered on or idle (not in standby), and the Nº434 dissipates about 130W of heat energy when powered on or idle (not in standby). Continuous Operation The Nº436/434 should be unplugged during lightning storms and extended periods of non-use. Otherwise, it is designed for continuous operation.
Basic Operation MONO AMPLIFIER Nº436 standby power 3 1 2 2-1 Front Panel The numbers in the front panel illustration shown above correspond with the numbered items in this section. 1. Power Button Powers the Nº436/434 on and off when the power cord is connected to the ~ac mains connector and an electrical outlet. Note • When the Nº436/434 is powered on, pressing the power button disconnects power from the Nº436/434.
Basic Operation Mark Levinson Front Panel (continued) 2. standby button Places the Nº436/434 into standby or sleep mode and takes the Nº436/434 out of standby or sleep mode. • • When the Nº436/434 is powered on, pressing the standby button places the Nº436/434 into standby or takes the Nº436/434 out of standby, allowing it to remain warmed-up to deliver an optimal performance at all times. Pressing and holding the standby button for four seconds places the Nº436/434 into sleep mode.
Nº436/434 1 Basic Operation 3 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 trigger in ~ ac mains 1 MA R K LEVINSON MONO AMPLIFIER Nº 436 S/N inputs communication 2 1 slave in slave out RS-232 trigger out Rear Panel The numbers in the rear panel illustration shown above correspond with the numbered items in this section. Caution! Never make or break connections to the Nº436/434 unless it and all associated components are powered off and disconnected from electrical outlets.
Basic Operation Mark Levinson Rear Panel (continued) 2. fan outlet Provides an outlet for active, fan-driven cooling. A 1/4-inch (6.4mm) inlet between the front panel and the chassis provides air intake for the forced-air cooling system. See “Ventilation” for additional information. 3. loudspeaker binding posts (main outputs) Provide audio output. Two custom-made, gold-plated, highcurrent binding posts labeled + (positive) and – (negative) are available.
Nº436/434 Basic Operation Caution! DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN the Nº436/434 binding posts. The innovative design of these binding posts provides more leverage than more traditional designs. Tight, high-contact pressure connections can be achieved with finger-tightening. Special tools are not needed. DO NOT FORCE the Nº436/434 binding post “wings” up and over a bent or oversized connector. Doing so may result in binding post damage.
Basic Operation Mark Levinson Rear Panel (continued) 6. Link communication ports Provide “links” to compatible Mark Levinson preamplifiers and power amplifiers, allowing the Nº436/434 to share Link controls with these components. Two 6-pin modular RJ-11 jacks labeled slave in and slave out are available.
Nº436/434 Basic Operation 9. ~ac mains connector Provides power to the Nº436/434 through the supplied power cord when the supplied power cord is connected to the ~ac mains connector and an electrical outlet. One IEC-standard AC mains receptacle labeled ~ac mains is available. Note Before operating the Nº436/434, make sure the ~ac mains connector label indicates the correct operating voltage for the current location.
Basic Operation Mark Levinson Linking Linking is available for all Mark Levinson components with Link or communication ports, including master, slave in, and slave out communication ports. These communication ports “link” compatible Mark Levinson components in a slave chain, allowing them to share Link controls. The Nº436/434 offers two Link communication ports labeled slave in and slave out.
Nº436/434 Basic Operation Constructing Link Communication Cables Note Link communication cables can be constructed using an 8-conductor modular telephone cable with the appropriate plug crimped on each end. • Use an 8-pin RJ-45 plug when connecting to a preamplifier. RJ-45 plugs provide an 8-pin connection. • Use a 6-pin RJ-11 plug when connecting to the Nº436/434 or another power amplifier. RJ-11 plugs provide a 6-pin connection in which connector pins 7 and 8 are not used.
Basic Operation Mark Levinson Creating a Slave Chain (continued) Note The slave chains in this section include preamplifiers and power amplifiers. However, slave chains can also include digital audio processors and digital transports. Refer to the appropriate owner’s manual for information about including these Mark Levinson components in a slave chain. The table below indicates slave chain requirements for preamplifiers and power amplifiers.
Nº436/434 Basic Operation Sample Slave Chain Nº320S Preamplifier Step A: Connect the (slave out) communication port on the preamplifier to the slave in communication port on the first power amplifier. slave in slave out Nº436 Power Amplifier If desired, connect the slave out communication port on the first power amplifier to the slave in communication port on another power amplifier.
Basic Operation Link Controls Mark Levinson Linking Mark Levinson components allows them to share Link controls. The table below provides a general description of controls the Nº436/434 shares with linked preamplifiers and power amplifiers. Some controls may not be available for certain component combinations. Other Mark Levinson components may share additional controls. Refer to the appropriate Mark Levinson owner’s manual for additional information.
Troubleshooting & Maintenance Troubleshooting Incorrect operation is sometimes mistaken for malfunction. If problems occur, refer to this section for troubleshooting information. If problems persist, contact your authorized Mark Levinson dealer. 1. No audio and the indicator LED is not lit. Warning! • Examine ~ac mains connections to ensure the power cord is connected to the ~ac mains connector and an electrical outlet. • Make sure the Nº436/434 is powered on using the power button.
Troubleshooting & Maintenance Mark Levinson Troubleshooting (continued) 2. No audio and the indicator LED is dimly lit. • The Nº436/434 is in sleep mode. To take it out of sleep mode, press the standby button. The Nº436/434 will enter standby. • A power loss or power outage may have occurred. In this case, power cycle the Nº436/434 using the power button, waiting at least 10 seconds between powering the Nº436/434 off and on. 3. No audio and the indicator LED is slowly blinking.
Nº436/434 Troubleshooting & Maintenance 6. No audio and the indicator LED is rapidly blinking, remaining unlit for longer intervals. • A thermal-related fault is present, which causes the Nº436/434 to enter sleep mode. Once the heat sinks have cooled below 85°C (158˚F or 358K), the Nº436/434 can be taken out of sleep mode using the standby button. 7. No audio and the indicator LED is lit at full brightness. • The Nº436/434 is powered on, but is not passing a signal.
Troubleshooting & Maintenance Mark Levinson Care & Maintenance The Nº436/434 requires routine care and maintenance to ensure optimal performance. The bulleted items included in this section indicate maintenance procedures that should be performed on a regular basis. Note Failure to perform the maintenance procedures included in this section may void the manufacturer’s warranty and/or standard repair policies.
Appendix Specifications Nº436 rated power output: Nº434 rated power output: • 350 w/ch rms power @ 8Ω • 700 w/ch rms power @ 4Ω • 125 w/ch rms power @ 8Ω • 250 w/ch rms power @ 4Ω All power ratings from 20Hz to 20kHz @ <0.5% THD (assuming that the AC mains can deliver adequate current without its own voltage sagging). Frequency response: • 20Hz to 20kHz (±0.3dB) Signal-to-noise ratio: • better than –80dB, (ref. 2.
Appendix Mark Levinson Specifications (continued) Overall dimensions: • See “Dimensions, Nº436” and “Dimensions, Nº434” Nº436 weight: • shipping: 95 pounds (43.2kg) • net: 85 pounds (38.6kg) • shipping: 65 pounds (29.5kg) • net: 56 pounds (25.5kg) • 2 custom-designed loudspeaker binding posts • 1 balanced input connector (female XLR) • 1 unbalanced input connector (RCA) • 2 1/8-inch (3.
Nº436/434 Appendix Declaration of Conformity Application of Council Directive(s): 89/336/EEC and 73/23/EEC, as amended. Standard(s) to which Conformity is Declared: • EN 55013:2001 • EN 55020:2002 • EN 60065:1998 • EN 61000-3-3:2001 Manufacturer: Harman Specialty Group 3 Oak Park Bedford, MA 01730-1413 USA The equipment identified here conforms to the Directive(s) and Standard(s) specified above.
Appendix Mark Levinson Dimensions, Nº436 17.75” 45.09cm 7.65” 19.4cm 6.97” 17.7cm MONO AMPLIFIER Nº436 standby power 3.31” 8.4cm 5.375” 13.7cm A-4 MA R K LEVINSON MONO AMPLIFIER Nº 436 S/N inputs trigger in communication ~ ac mains 2 1 slave in slave out RS-232 trigger out “ indicates inches 6.75” 17.
Nº436/434 Appendix 17.5” 44.5cm 5.25” 13.3cm 18.5” 47cm 20.21” 51.33cm A-5 0.5” 1.27cm 0.375” 0.95cm 0.83” 2.
Appendix Mark Levinson Dimensions, Nº434 17.75” 45.09cm MONO AMPLIFIER Nº434 5.22” 13.3cm standby 5.91” 15cm power 3.31” 8.4cm 5.375” 13.7cm A-6 MARK LEVINSON MONO AMPLIFIER Nº434 S/N trigger in communication inputs ~ ac mains 2 1 slave in slave out RS-232 trigger out “ indicates inches 5.0” 12.
Nº436/434 Appendix 17.5” 44.5cm 5.25” 13.3cm 18.5” 47cm 20.21” 51.33cm A-7 0.5” 1.27cm 0.375” 0.95cm 0.83” 2.
3 Oak Park, Bedford, MA, 01730-1413 USA | Telephone: 781-280-0300 | Fax: 781-280-0490 | www.marklevinson.com Customer Service: Telephone: 781-280-0300 | Sales Fax: 781-280-0495 | Service Fax: 781-280-0499 Product Shipments: 16 Progress Road, Billerica, MA 01821-5730 USA Part No.
