Meridian America 551 manual

Meridian 551 Integrated Amplifier 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 Atlanta GA 30331 Tel (404) 344 7111 Fax (404) 346 7111 Designed an[...]

iii Preface Contents Introduction 1 Introduces the 551 Integrated Amplifier, 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 Customising the integrated amplifier [...]

Preface iv Setting up the integrated amplifier 25 Describes how to unpack and install the integrated amplifier, and explains what you should do if your integrated amplifier requires servicing. Unpacking .............................................. 26 Connecting the integrated amplifier ...... 27 Troubleshooting ...................................[...]

Intr oduction I n choosing the 551 Integrated Amplifier you have acquired a component that combines major advances in audio and engineering design. It combines a full function preamplifier with a high performance power amplifier. The preamplifier provides six audio inputs, each of which can be individually adjusted for sensitivity, and identified o[...]

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 20-Bit CD Player 504 500 562 DSP5000 DSP5000 A500 504 506 501 555 A500 The 506 20-Bit CD Player is an integrated CD transport and converter, providing both digital and analogue outputs. The 506 20-Bit CD Player is ideally suited for use with the Meridian 555 Stereo Power Amplifier [...]

4 Introduction 566 20-Bit Digital to Analogue Converter 502 Analogue Controller A500 566 500 557 A500 502 The digital output provided by the 500 Compact Disc Transport can be decoded by the 566 20-Bit Digital to Analogue Converter to provide a high-quality audio output for use with a conventional audio preamplifier. The 566 20-Bit Digital to Analog[...]

Introduction 5 562V Multimedia Controller conventional analogue sources such as the 504 Stereo 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. LaserDisc Video recor der 500 562V Television 504 Satellite DSP6000 DSP6000 The 562V Multimedia [...]

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 Available accessories The following accessories are available from your dealer: ❍ MM phono module. ❍ MC phono module. ❍ Meridian System Remote. ❍ Power cord Europe. ❍ Power cord Canada and USA. The MM and MC phono modules convert the LP audio input (A1) for use with a moving magnet or moving coil pickup, respectively. The M[...]

8 Introduction[...]

Using the integrated amplifier T his chapter provides a visual summary of the functions of the integrated amplifier in order to identify the controls which you will use to operate the unit. It also describes how to switch on the integrated amplifier, and use it with your audio sources. Unless otherwise specified, each function is available from the[...]

Using the integrated amplifier 10 Fr ont panel 1 Source Selects the source. 2 Copy Copies a selected source to the tape output. 3 Spkrs Mutes the power amplifier. 4 Mute Mutes the sound. 5 Display Blanks the display. 6 V (Decrease) Decreases the volume. 7 A (Increase) Increases the volume. 8 Off Switches to standby. Source Display V Copy Spkrs Mute[...]

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

Using the integrated amplifier 12 Adjusting the volume 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. To mute the loudspeakers ● Press Spkrs (front panel only). The display will show: Off To restore the loudspeakers ● Pr[...]

Using the integrated amplifier 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 ba[...]

Using the integrated amplifier 14 Recording a sour ce For example, to record a radio broadcast press Copy until the display shows: C RD You can now listen to a CD, by selecting the CD source, without affecting the recording. The 551 Integrated Amplifier allows you to copy any one of the standard sources to the tape outputs, independently of the sou[...]

Customising the integrated amplifier T his chapter explains how to customise the 551 Integrated Amplifier to your preferred configuration. The simplest way of configuring the integrated amplifier 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 ca[...]

Customising the integrated amplifier 16 Choosing standar d settings The 551 Integrated Amplifier provides six alternative standard settings, called Types, which configure all aspects of the integrated amplifier into the six most commonly needed configurations. Choosing one of the six standard settings overrides any other configuration you may have [...]

Customising the integrated amplifier 17 Standard settings The following table shows the options configured by the six standard Type settings on the 551 Integrated Amplifier: 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 T[...]

Customising the integrated amplifier 18 Configuring the sour ces When the integrated amplifier is set to one of the standard settings the twelve source selection keys on the remote select the standard labels and inputs, as shown in the table on page 17. If the configuration you want is not catered for by one of the standard settings, you can config[...]

Customising the integrated amplifier 19 To change an option ● Press A or V to step between the alternative values for the option. When you have finished programming sources: ● Switch off at the back panel, and then switch on again to restore normal operation. Option Initial value Alternative values Explanation Label CDCD CD, RD, LP, etc. See pa[...]

Customising the integrated amplifier 20 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 source label choose: RDRD ● [...]

Customising the integrated amplifier 21 To set up a system with two CD players ● Configure the source you are going to use for the first CD player. For example: Source CD, Label C1, Audio input A2, Comms type 1C, Address 1A. ● Configure the source you are going to use for a second CD player, with a different address. For example: Source CDR, La[...]

Customising the integrated amplifier 22 Pr ogramming levels The 551 Integrated Amplifier 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 integrated amplifier operates as a preamplifier with a fixed volum[...]

Customising the integrated amplifier 23 ● 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 o[...]

Customising the integrated amplifier 24 In addition to configuring the sources, and programming their levels, you can configure many other aspects of the operation of the 551 Integrated Amplifier to suit the way your system is set up, and the way in which you want to use it. Note that these settings are configured automatically to appropriate value[...]

Setting up the integrated amplifier T his chapter explains how to install the 551 Integrated Amplifier. It describes what you should find when you unpack the integrated amplifier, how you should connect it to your other audio equipment, and the siting constraints. You should not make any connections to the integrated amplifier or to any other compo[...]

Setting up the integrated amplifier 26 Unpacking The 551 Integrated Amplifier comes in a box containing the following components: ❍ 551 Integrated Amplifier. ❍ 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 integrated amplifier Du[...]

Setting up the integrated amplifier 27 Back panel Connecting the integrated amplifier Use this input To connect to this A1 A turntable pickup with optional MM/MC module. A2 to A6 Other audio sources. Audio connections The audio connections should be made using high-quality screened cable, taking care to connect the left and right channels correctly[...]

Setting up the integrated amplifier 28 The following table gives details of the audio outputs: Use this output To connect to this Right/Left Output Loudspeakers of 4 Ω to 15 Ω , using either banana plug or bare wire connections. Pre-amp Out An additional power amplifier or active loudspeakers. Tape Out Tape recorder output. To connect to a tape[...]

Setting up the integrated amplifier 29 This is the unit that will respond to the remote. All the other units will be configured as non-controllers, and display: NCon Your system is now set up and ready for use. ● If, for any reason, the automatic setup does not give the configuration you want, restore the default operation by selecting Type 1 as [...]

Setting up the integrated amplifier 30 ● Switch the power off and on again to restore the integrated amplifier to normal operation. ● To return to 500 COMMS operation repeat the above procedure, and select Type 1, 3, 4, or 5. For more information see Choosing standard settings , page 16. To connect to Meridian 600 or 200 Series equipment If you[...]

Setting up the integrated amplifier 31 T roubleshooting This section describes problems you may encounter when using the integrated amplifier, 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 p[...]

Setting up the integrated amplifier 32 Communication is not working between the 551 Integrated Amplifier and other Meridian products ❍ Check that all products are interconnected using the correct comms leads. ❍ If the installation includes 200 Series or 600 Series units, check that all 500 Series units are set to 200 mode. There is hum on the L[...]

Setting up the integrated amplifier 33 To clean the audio connections The audio sockets on the back of the integrated amplifier are gold-plated and need no cleaning if gold-plated phono plugs are used. Otherwise, it is recommended that you unplug and reconnect the plugs at least once a year. A proprietary contact cleaner can be used to some advanta[...]

Setting up the integrated amplifier 34 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 integrated amplifier fails to funct[...]

35 Index Configuration options (continued) volume control 24 volume mode 24 Configuring sources 18 address 19 audio input 19 comms type 19 label 19 Configuring the integrated amplifier 24 Connecting to a tape recorder 28 to A500 Loudspeakers 29 to Meridian 500 Series equipment 28 to Meridian 600 and 200 Series equipment 30 Copy Attenuate option 14 [...]

Index 36 Meridian 500 Series 2 500 Compact Disc Transport 3, 4 501 Control Unit 3 502 Analogue Controller 4 504 Stereo FM Tuner 3 506 20-Bit CD Player 3 555 Stereo Power Amplifier 3 557 Stereo Power Amplifier 4 562 Digital Controller 3 562V Multimedia Controller 5 566 20-Bit Digital to Analogue Converter 4 communications 2 Meridian 500 Series opera[...]

37 Index U Unpacking 26 Using the integrated amplifier 9 V Volume changing 12 display 12 muting 12 restoring 12[...]