Meridian 501 manual

Meridian 501/501V Control Unit user guide[...]

Preface ii Sales and service in the UK Meridian Audio Ltd Stonehill Stukeley Meadows Cambs PE18 6ED England Tel (01480) 52144 Fax (01480) 459934 World Wide Web http://www.meridian.co.uk Sales and service in the USA Meridian America Inc 3800 Camp Creek Parkway Building 2400 Suite 112 Eastpoint Atlanta GA 30331 Tel (404) 344 7111 Fax (404) 346 7111 D[...]

iii Preface Contents Introduction 1 Introduces the 501/501V Control Unit, and provides an overview of the other products available in the Meridian 500 Series. The Meridian 500 Series ........................ 2 Sample configurations ........................... 3 Specification and accessories ............... 6 Using the Video Features (501V only) 15 [...]

Preface iv Customising the Control Unit 19 Describes how to set up the control unit in your preferred configuration. Choosing standard settings ................... 20 Configuring the sources ......................... 23 Examples of configuring the sources .................................................. 26 Programming levels .....................[...]

Intr oduction I n choosing the 501/501V Control Unit you have acquired a component that combines major advances in audio and engineering design. The 501 Control Unit is a full function preamplifier for use with high performance analogue sources. It provides six audio inputs, each of which can be individually adjusted for sensitivity, and identified[...]

2 Introduction The Meridian 500 Series The Meridian 500 Series is a unique system of digital, analogue, and video components designed to meet the demand for absolute quality, ease of use, and lasting value. The flexibility of the Meridian 500 Series is such that you can assemble a system as simple or as complex as you need, perfectly suited to your[...]

Introduction 3 500 Compact Disc Transport Sample configurations 506 Compact Disc Player 562 500 504 DSP5000 DSP5000 501 M60 M60 504 555 506 A2 A2 The 506 Compact Disc Player is an integrated CD transport and converter, providing both digital and analogue outputs. The 506 Compact Disc Player is ideally suited for use with the Meridian 555 Stereo Pow[...]

4 Introduction 563 Digital to Analogue Converter The digital output provided by the 500 Compact Disc Transport can be decoded by the 563 Digital to Analogue Converter to provide a high-quality audio output for use with a conventional audio preamplifier. The 563 Digital to Analogue Converter can also decode digital signals from other sources, includ[...]

Introduction 5 562V Multimedia Controller conventional analogue sources such as the 504 FM Tuner and video sound. It also includes video switching for CVBS and S-VHS signals, such as from a satellite receiver, LaserDisc player, or video recorder. D6000 D6000 LASERDISC VIDEO 500 562V 504 SA TELLITE TV The 562V Multimedia Controller is the ideal cont[...]

6 Introduction Specification and accessories Specification MM input option Sensitivity adjustable 0.5 – 3mV for 5cm/s @ 1kHz. Overload point 47mV @ 1kHz. Cartridge load 47k Ω || 100pF. MC input option Sensitivity adjustable 38 – 210 µ V for 5cm/s @ 1kHz. Cartridge load 220 Ω || 10nF. A2 – A6 inputs Sensitivity adjustable 27 – 150mV. In[...]

Introduction 7 Video specification (501V only) V1 – V6 inputs Composite unbalanced RCA phono 75 Ω , 0.5 – 1.5Vp/p. S1, S2 inputs S-VHS 4 pin MiniDIN. Monitor output Unbalanced RCA phono 75 Ω , 1.5Vp/p to monitor. VCR outputs 1, 2 Unbalanced phono 75 Ω , 1Vp/p to VCRs, identical signal via splitter. Main S-OUT S-VHS 4 pin MiniDIN. VCR1, VC[...]

8 Introduction[...]

Using the Contr ol Unit T his chapter provides a visual summary of the functions of the control unit in order to identify and help explain each of the controls which you will use to operate the unit. It also describes how to switch on the control unit, and use it with conventional audio sources. Unless otherwise specified, each function is availabl[...]

Using the Control Unit 10 Fr ont panel 1 Source Selects the source. 2 Copy Copies a selected source to the tape output. 3 Mute Mutes the sound. 4 Display Blanks the display. 5 V (Decrease) Decreases the volume. 6 A (Increase) Increases the volume. 7 Off Switches to standby. Source Display Copy Mute Off CD65 BOOTHROYD STUART 501 Control Unit 1234567[...]

Using the Control Unit 11 Selecting a sour ce During normal use the control unit should be left in the standby state. This uses a negligible amount of electricity, but ensures that the components of the control unit operate at maximum efficiency from the moment you start. If you are not going to use the control unit for a period of several days you[...]

Using the Control Unit 12 Adjusting the volume To decrease the volume ● Press V (front panel), or V (remote control). For example, the display will show: CD55 To mute the sound ● Press Mute . The display will show: Mute To restore the sound ● Press Mute again. Alternatively the sound will be restored if you adjust the volume. The 501/501V Con[...]

Using the Control Unit 13 Changing the display and balance To change the display ● Press Display . Each time you press Display the display will step between the following options: Display option Example Source and volume. This is the usual display. RD65 Source only (full label). Rad Blank. To change the balance You can adjust the sound balance on[...]

Using the Control Unit 14 Recording a sour ce The 501/501V Control Unit allows you to copy any one of the standard sources to the tape outputs, independently of the source you are listening to. To copy a source to the tape output ● Press Copy . Each time you press Copy the control unit will step between the following options: Display Option CSrc [...]

Using the V ideo Featur es (501V only) T his chapter explains how to use the video features in the 501V Control Unit to select the video source you want to watch, or to choose which video source to copy to a video recorder. Note that these instructions do not apply to the 501 Control Unit, which does not include the video option.[...]

Using the Video Features (501V only) 16 Selecting a video source With the 501V Control Unit you select the video source you want to watch in exactly the same way as selecting an audio source. On the 501V Control Unit each source can be associated with both audio input, and a video input. For example, by default the TV source selects audio input A5 [...]

Using the Video Features (501V only) 17 Recording a video input When Copy is set to anything other than Copy Source the Copy indicator is illuminated on the front panel. For example, to record a TV programme press Copy until the display shows: C TV The TV sound and picture will now be fed to the tape and VCR outputs, respectively. You can then sele[...]

Using the Video Features (501V only) 18[...]

Customising the Control Unit T his chapter explains how to customise the 501/501V Control Unit to your preferred configuration. The simplest way of configuring the control unit is to choose one of the standard settings, which are designed to cater for the six most common configurations of sources and inputs. Alternatively, you can configure each so[...]

Customising the Control Unit 20 Choosing standar d settings The 501/501V Control Unit provides six alternative standard settings, called Types, which configure all aspects of the control unit into the six most commonly needed configurations. Choosing one of the six standard settings overrides any other configuration you may have performed, and so c[...]

Customising the Control Unit 21 501 standard settings The following table shows the options configured by the six standard Type settings on the 501 Control Unit: Type 5143 Source Label Input Gain Comms ●●●● CD CD A2 0dB 1 ●●●● Radio RD A3 2dB 2 ●●●● LP LP A1 2dB – ●●● TV TV A5 8dB – ●●●● Tape1 T1 A4 2dB –[...]

Customising the Control Unit 22 501V standard settings The following table shows the options configured by the six standard Type settings on the 501V Control Unit: Type 5413 Source Label Input Gain Comms C-video input S-video input FNSEL ●●●● CD CD A2 0dB 1 == = ●●●● Radio RD A3 2dB 2 == = ●●●● LP LP A1 2dB – BL == ●●?[...]

Customising the Control Unit 23 When the control unit is set to one of the standard settings the twelve source selection keys on the remote control select the standard labels and inputs, as shown in the table on page 21. If the configuration you want is not catered for by one of the standard settings, you can configure each source individually. The[...]

Customising the Control Unit 24 To configure a source ● Turn off the control unit, using the power switch on the back panel. ● Turn on the power again while holding down the Display key on the front panel. The display will show: Conf ● Press Source until the left-hand pair of characters identifies the source you want to configure. For example[...]

Customising the Control Unit 25 Option Initial value Alternative values Explanation Label CDCD CD, RD, LP, etc. See page 26. Audio input CDA2 A1 – A6, or LV. Choose A1 to A6 to specify the input, or LV to use the last valid input. Comms type CD1C IC – 8C, or NC. Choose IC for a Meridian CD player, 2C for a Meridian FM Tuner, or NC otherwise. Ad[...]

Customising the Control Unit 26 Examples of configuring the sour ces The following examples illustrate how you can configure the source options to your own requirements. To change a source label ● Display the source you want to configure, together with its current label, as described in the previous sections. For example, to configure the Radio s[...]

Customising the Control Unit 27 To change the video input for a source ● Display the source you want to configure, together with the current video input, as described in the previous sections. For example, to configure the CD video input choose: CDLV ● Press V or A to choose the video input. For example, if you always want the TV picture when y[...]

Customising the Control Unit 28 The 501/501V Control Unit allows you to program the level of each source independently, to suit your other equipment, so that when you switch between sources the volume stays the same. When you are programming levels the control unit operates as a preamplifier with a fixed volume setting equivalent to 65. This level [...]

Customising the Control Unit 29 ● Use the A and V keys to change the sensitivity. For example, the display will show: 12dB ● Switch between the source you are changing and the reference source until they sound equally loud. ● Repeat the procedure for your other sources. ● When you have finished programming levels, switch the power off and o[...]

Customising the Control Unit 30 In addition to configuring the sources, and programming their levels, you can configure many other aspects of the operation of the 501/501V Control Unit to suit the way your system is set up, and the way in which you want to use it. Note that any settings that you configure are reset to standard values when you choos[...]

Customising the Control Unit 31 These settings are configured automatically to appropriate values when you choose one of the standard Type settings, and you should not normally need to alter them; see Choosing standard settings , page 20. To choose fixed output ● Press Copy to choose the volume control option. The display will show the normal var[...]

Customising the Control Unit 32[...]

Setting up the Contr ol Unit T his chapter explains how to install the 501/501V Control Unit. It describes what you should find when you unpack the control unit, how you should connect it to your other audio equipment, and the siting constraints. Before you begin installation, you should ensure that your control unit is the correct voltage for your[...]

Setting up the Control Unit 34 Unpacking The 501/501V Control Unit comes in a box containing the following components: ❍ 501/501V Control Unit. ❍ 1 power cord. ❍ 1 500 Series communications lead. ❍ This manual. You are advised to retain the packing in case you need to transport the unit. To position the control unit Do not place the control[...]

Setting up the Control Unit 35 Rear panel Connecting the contr ol unit OFF ON COMMS RS232 Headphones FN-Select 21 RS232 connection Audio inputs Comms connections T ape outputs Audio outputs Head- phones S-VHS outputs S-VHS inputs Video inputs VCR outputs Monitor output Monitor TECH S-Out S-In VCR2 VCR1 Main S2/VCR2 S1/VCR1 VCR Out V6 Cable/V4 VCR2/[...]

Setting up the Control Unit 36 Video connections (501V only) The following table gives details of the eight video inputs: Use this input To connect to this V1 to V6 Composite video signals, using phono connectors. S1 or S2 S-VHS signals, using miniDIN connectors. The following table gives details of the six alternative video outputs: Use this outpu[...]

Setting up the Control Unit 37 To connect to other Meridian 500 Series equipment ● Connect one of the COMMS sockets on the rear panel of the control unit to one of the COMMS socket on another 500 Series unit (excluding the 563), using the 500 comms lead provided with the other unit. The sequence in which you connect the units is not important. CO[...]

Setting up the Control Unit 38 ● Turn off the control unit, using the power switch on the back panel. ● Turn on the power again while holding down the Off key on the front panel. The display will show the current Type setting: Ty 1 ● Press A or V on the front panel to change the Type setting. If your system includes a Meridian CD player selec[...]

Setting up the Control Unit 39 T r oubleshooting This section describes problems you may encounter when using the control unit, and includes suggested solutions. If these suggestions fail to cure the problem, please contact your Meridian dealer for further assistance. No lights are displayed when switching on ❍ Check that your AC power supply is [...]

Setting up the Control Unit 40 There is interference on the radio and/ or television when the control unit is switched on Before following the steps below, ensure all units are switched off. If this equipment does cause or suffer from interference to/from radio or television reception then the following measures should be tried: ❍ Reorient the re[...]

Setting up the Control Unit 41 reconnect the plugs at least once a year. A proprietary contact cleaner can be used to some advantage. To change the mains fuse Fuse Spare ● Remove the mains connector, and pull out the drawer next to the power input to access the fuses. Before replacing a blown fuse, if possible ascertain the cause of the failure. [...]

Setting up the Control Unit 42 Service and guarantee Service The Meridian 500 Series of hi-fi components have been carefully designed to give years of untroubled service. There are no user- serviceable parts inside the case, nor do the units require any form of maintenance. In the unlikely event that your control unit fails to function correctly, i[...]

43 Index Configuration options (continued) volume control 30 volume mode 30 Configure the control unit 30 Configuring sources 23 address 25 audio input 25 comms type 25 FNSEL output 25 label 25 S-VHS input 25 video input 25 Connecting to a 555 Stereo Power Amplifier 38 to a tape recorder 36 to Meridian 500 Series equipment 37 to Meridian 600 and 20[...]

Index 44 Meridian 500 Series 2 500 Compact Disc Transport 3 501 Remote Control Preamplifier 3 501V Control Unit 4 504 FM Tuner 3 506 Compact Disc Player 3 555 Stereo Power Amplifier 3 562 Digital Controller 3 562V Multimedia Controller 5 563 Digital to Analogue Converter 4 communications 2 Meridian 500 Series operation, setting 37 Meridian 600 and [...]

45 Index Standard settings 501 21 501V 22 selecting 20 Standby mode 11 Switching on from standby 11 Switching to standby 11 T Tape recorder, connecting to 36 Troubleshooting 39 Types 38 501 21 501V 22 selecting 20 U Unpacking 34 Using the control unit 9 V Video connections 36 Video features 15 Video sources changing label 26 configuring 23 copying [...]

Index 46[...]