Page 3 - TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS Overview 2 Installation 4 Unpacking, Placement and ventilation 4 Power requirements, Operating states 5 Connections 6 Rear panel overviews 6 External component connections 7 Quick Listen 11 Control 11 Front-panel overview 1...
Page 4 - Industrial Design; OVERVIEW
2 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL OVERVIEW Congratulations on your purchase of the Mark Levinson ® N 0 5206 Preamplifier. You now possess one of the finest audio reproduction devices in the world, a product that will provide an exceptional music listening experience for years to come. The N 0...
Page 5 - Analog; or balanced XLR outputs; Outputs; software updates
3 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL OVERVIEW Highlights Digital • 32 bit/384 kHz DAC with 4x DSD capability• Digital inputs: 1 x USB (asynchronous), 2 x coaxial S/PDIF, 2 x optical S/PDIF, and 1 AES/EBU XLR balanced • Bluetooth audio input including aptX-HD support• MQA Full Decoding Analog • P...
Page 6 - UNPACKING; INSTALLATION
4 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL INSTALLATION UNPACKING When unpacking your N 0 5206: • Save all packing materials in case you need to ship your preamp in the future. • Inspect your preamp for signs of damage during shipment. If you discover damage, contact your authorized Mark Levinson ® de...
Page 7 - POWER REQUIREMENTS
5 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL INSTALLATION POWER REQUIREMENTS The N 0 5206 is configured at the factory for 100, 115, or 230 VAC power operation at 50Hz or 60Hz. Before operating the amplifier, ensure that the power label on the rear panel near the AC input connector indicates the correct...
Page 8 - CONNECTIONS
6 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS REAR-PANEL OVERVIEW AC Mains Inlet Fuse Compartment (see rear-panel labeling for value) Line Out Single Ended RCA USB A for Updates Ethernet RS232 DB9F IR In Trigger In and Out Line Out Balanced XLR Two Balanced XLR Analog In Two Singl...
Page 9 - EXTERNAL COMPONENT CONNECTIONS; 206 and all associated components are powered off and
7 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL CONNECTIONS EXTERNAL COMPONENT CONNECTIONS CAUTION: Before making connections, make sure the N 0 5206 and all associated components are powered off and disconnected from electrical outlets. Main Drive headphone output (front panel): Connect any headphone equi...
Page 10 - Moving Coil; Loading
8 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL The phono inputs are balanced. Setting the ground switch to the up position references the input to ground which is sometimes useful if there is excessive noise or hum present. Be sure to use the ground switch designated for the connected input. 1 2 3 4 5 6 ...
Page 11 - Digital inputs
9 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL Digital inputs The N 0 5206 has six digital audio input connectors: an AES/EBU-format XLR connector (labeled AES/EBU), an asynchronous USB-B digital audio connector (labeled with a USB icon ), two optical (TOSLINK) S/PDIF connectors (labeled T1 and T2), and t...
Page 13 - CONTROL
1 1 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL QUICK LISTEN / CONTROL CONTROL The N 0 5206 is highly flexible and allows a variety of means of setup and control including front panel control knobs, IR remote, available Mark Levinson 5Kontrol smart device app (iOS and Android), as well as integration wit...
Page 14 - Standby button and LED:
1 2 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL CONTROL The Mark Levinson team designed the N 0 5206 for elegant simplicity and ergonomics; therefore, the knobs perform a variety of functions depending on the operating mode. There are two modes of operation, Listening mode and Setup mode, and three modes...
Page 15 - REMOTE CONTROL; REMOTE CONTROL OVERVIEW; Bluetooth transport control
1 3 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL CONTROL REMOTE CONTROL REMOTE CONTROL OVERVIEW Standby: Press this button to put the N 0 5206 into and out of the Standby mode. Press this button twice to wake up unit from green Standby mode. Input +/-: Press these buttons to select the desired input. Allo...
Page 16 - REMOTE CONTROL OPERATION; Battery Installation; KONTROL SMART-DEVICE APP
1 4 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL REMOTE CONTROL OPERATION Battery Installation Your N 0 5206 remote control comes with two AAA alkaline batteries. To install the batteries, use the included hex tool to remove the battery cover, insert the batteries and replace the battery cover and hex scr...
Page 18 - SETUP MENU NAVIGATION; Remote and Front Panel Operation; SETUP
1 6 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL SETUP SETUP MENU NAVIGATION The Setup menus on your Mark Levinson preamplifier allow you to customize and configure the unit for higher performance, power economy, and convenience. There are two means for accessing and navigating the Setup menu: via the fro...
Page 19 - INPUT SETUP; analog XLR
1 7 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL SETUP INPUT SETUP Setup Menu Input Setup Set Input X Input B1 ( analog XLR ) Name=XXX Volume B2 (analog XLR) Offset=XXX Power S2 (analog RCA) SSP=On/Off Display Phono PCM Filter=XXX Advanced C1 (digit al coaxial) PLL Lock= Norma l /Wide T1 (digital optical)...
Page 20 - Browser Setup Page method:
1 8 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL The following settings are available for all inputs:Name: This option offers a choice of preset names for the selected input (CD, SACD™, DVD, Blu-ray™, DAC, EQ, etc.). Additionally, the following names are available for each input: Disabled: This option rem...
Page 21 - The following settings are available only for digital and
1 9 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL Offset: The output level of audio devices can vary from brand- to-brand and model-to-model, making some devices play louder or quieter than others. The Offset adjustment allows you precisely compensate for source volume differences so that all connected dev...
Page 22 - The following setting is available only for the
2 0 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL BT Name: This displays the Bluetooth Name that will appear on your Bluetooth player device when scanning to pair. This name cannot be changed. The following setting is available only for the asynchronous USB input:DSD Filter: This setting lets you set the l...
Page 23 - VOLUME SETUP; Taper Mode 1; 206 was set to a high volume level setting when last
2 1 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL VOLUME SETUP Setup Menu Volume Input Max 80dB Volume Mute -40dB Power Turn On 40dB Display Taper Mode 1 Advanced The Volume settings let you customize the action of the N 0 5206 Volume and Mute functions. Max Vol: This setting determines the maximum volume ...
Page 24 - POWER SETUP; DISPLAY SETUP
2 2 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL POWER SETUP Setup Menu Power Input Standby Volume Auto Off Power Display Advanced The Power parameters let you customize power-related functions. Standby: This setting lets you set the Standby mode to one of the following options: Green: This mode removes p...
Page 25 - ADVANCED SETUP; Firmware; process takes at least 15 minutes
2 3 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL ADVANCED SETUP Setup Menu Advanced Input Firmware Volume Config Power Network Display Trigger Advanced Front IR The Advanced section of the Setup menu gives you access to a range of configuration and administrative settings and functions. Firmware: This men...
Page 26 - DO
24 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL Browser method: Make sure your unit is connected to a network with Internet access. Select the Home tab on the screen. Click the Software Update tab. You will be prompted for confirmation. Click OK and the unit will begin the update sequence. Please be patie...
Page 30 - NO POWER
2 8 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL TROUBLESHOOTING NO POWER Examine the power cord to ensure that it is connected to both the AC mains connector and a working, un-switched electrical outlet. Check the mains fuse accessible on the rear panel mains inlet. Examine the electrical circuit breaker...
Page 31 - AUDIO HAS A HUMMING SOUND; VOLUME CAN’T BE SET TO MAXIMUM; FRONT-PANEL DISPLAY NOT WORKING
2 9 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL TROUBLESHOOTING AUDIO HAS A HUMMING SOUND Disconnect components one at a time to isolate the problem. Once you have identified the problematic component, make sure it is properly grounded and connected to the same electrical circuit as the N 0 5206. VOLUME ...
Page 32 - ANALOG LINE STAGE; PHONO STAGE
3 0 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL SPECIFICATIONS ANALOG LINE STAGE Line Input Impedance: Balanced (XLR): 20kΩ; Single-ended (RCA): 10kΩ Volume Control: Balanced; voltage mode; digitally-controlled resistor network Gain: 8dB maximum, single-ended outputs 14dB maximum, balanced outputs Output...
Page 33 - HEADPHONE OUTPUT
3 1 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL SPECIFICATIONS MOVING-COIL MODE Input Resistance: Selectable, 37Ω to 1000Ω Gain: 69dB at 1kHz Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.01%, 1kHz, 2V RMS output; <0.05%, 20Hz to 20kHz, 2V RMS output Signal-To-Noise Ratio: >68dB, 20Hz to 20kHz, wideband, unweig...
Page 34 - GENERAL
3 2 N 0 5206 PREAMPLIFIER / OWNER’S MANUAL SPECIFICATIONS GENERAL Analog Input Connectors: 2 pairs balanced line-level inputs (XLR); 2 pairs single-ended line-level inputs (RCA); 1 pair single-ended moving-coil phono inputs (RCA); 1 pair single-ended moving-magnet phono inputs (RCA) Digital Audio Co...
