11
optical output uses a high-bandwidth Hewlett Packard
®
part for superior perfor-
mance.
All digital interfaces have been carefully optimized to deliver the finest perfor-
mance each interface standard allows. As a direct result, the Nº37 performs opti-
mally with any digital processor, without having to resort to techniques which
would limit its compatibility to other Mark Levinson products.
Industrial Design
The Nº37 shares the handsome industrial design of other Mark Levinson compo-
nents such as the Nº36 digital audio processor. The combination of the hand-
brushed, black-anodized aluminum faceplate and bead-blasted custom-machined
buttons make operating the Nº37 a tactile as well as a sonic pleasure.
A large, easily read display provides information as to the operational status of the
Nº37 from across the room, making the supplied remote control more genuinely
useful than on products lacking such a display.
In keeping with its sophisticated design, the Nº37 also incorporates a Madrigal-
designed loading mechanism. Contrasting strongly with the bulky, plastic drawers
commonly used, the slim
1
⁄
8
inch drawer is machined from a solid piece of alumi-
num and rides on highly polished bearings. Its variable-speed design opens and
closes quickly, but without jarring the disc contained within, nor risking a jam
from dislodging it.
Convenience Features
Too often, high performance CD transports have eschewed convenience in the
hopes of seeming more “performance-oriented.” While there were good argu-
ments for such a “minimalist” design in the days of analog turntables, the time is
long gone when the audiophile needed to give up operational convenience for
musical performance. After all, convenience features in a digital product are
largely a matter of writing appropriate software, and have no affect on the quality
of the digital data itself.
The Nº37 also supports custom programs, including “delete programming”
wherein selected tracks are omitted from the playlist. This allows the user to skip
the one or two songs on an otherwise good disc that have been overplayed
ad
nauseam
. The Nº37 will remember such programs for thousands of discs, should
you want to save that many programs.
Communications Links
As with all Mark Levinson 30-series components, the Nº37 incorporates a sophis-
ticated inter-component communications bus. Unique among high performance
audio systems, Mark Levinson 30-series components offer a degree of system in-
tegration that makes even complex systems easy to use.
For example, bringing the Nº37 CD transport out of standby will also bring the
Linked digital audio processor, preamplifier and power amplifier(s) out of
standby, and select the appropriate inputs on both processor and preamplifier so
that a CD can be enjoyed. Even a sophisticated system with any components can
thus offer one-button simplicity of operation.
In short, the Mark Levinson Nº37 establishes a new standard for performance and
practicality among high end CD transports and should be auditioned by anyone
who desires the finest in digital audio.
