e i d u g r e s u Meridian 559 Two Channel Power Amplifier
Meridian 559 Stereo Power Amplifier User Guide Preface i
Sales and service in the UK Meridian Audio Ltd Stonehill Stukeley Meadows Sales and service in the USA Cambs PE29 6EX Meridian America Inc England 3800 Camp Creek Parkway Building 2400 Suite 122 Tel (01480) 445678 Atlanta Fax (01480) 445686 GA 30331 Meridian Audio Ltd Stonehill Stukeley Meadows World Wide Web http://www.meridian-audio.
Contents Introduction 1 Introduces the 559 Stereo Power Amplifier, and provides an overview of the other products available in the Meridian Setting up the stereo power amplifier 7 500 Series. Describes how to unpack, install, and use The Meridian 500 Series ........................ 2 the stereo power amplifier, and explains Sample configurations ........................... 3 what you should do if it requires servicing. Troubleshooting Unpacking ..............................................
iv Preface
Introduction In choosing the 559 Stereo Power Amplifier you have acquired a component that combines major advances in audio and engineering design. The 559 Stereo Power Amplifier uses a unique feedback topology and precision local error correction system. It includes two massive toroidal transformers, and the unit has full thermal, load, and DC protection. The 559 Stereo Power Amplifier can also be operated in bridge mode, for over three times the power output to a single loudspeaker.
The Meridian 500 Series The Meridian 500 Series is a unique system of digital, analogue, 500 Series communications and video components designed to meet the demand for absolute quality, ease of use, and lasting value. The Meridian 500 Series includes a sophisticated communications link, to ensure that any configuration of units The flexibility of the Meridian 500 Series is such that you can will work together as a fully integrated system.
Sample configurations Meridian Analogue Theatre 596 559 559 559 568/561 559 bridge mode to drive the three front loudspeakers, and a fourth 561 Digital Surround Controller or the 568 Digital Surround 559 to drive the two rear loudspeakers. The 568 provides Processor, to drive five passive loudspeakers in a high-quality balanced outputs for the front left, right, and centre channels, surround system. The recommended configuration, shown and so is ideal for use with the balanced inputs of the 559.
588 Compact Disc Player 588 559 502 The 588 Compact Disc Player is ideally suited for use with the Meridian 559 Stereo Power Amplifier and passive loudspeakers, Introduction with control over the volume and source selection provided by 4 the 502 Analogue Controller. These units provide balanced inputs and outputs, allowing a completely balanced system to be created.
Specification and accessories Specification Trigger input 5 to 30VDC or 5 to 30VAC peak to peak. Input Output (stereo) Greater than 300W per channel into 8Ω. Greater than 500W per channel into 4Ω. Output (bridge) Polarity independent. 1.65V RMS. Meridian Audio reserves the right to amend product specifications at any time. Greater than 600W into 16Ω. Greater than 1000W into 8Ω. Available accessories Greater than 1600W into 4Ω. Distortion Less than 0.05%. Noise Less than -90dB.
6 Introduction
Setting up the stereo power amplifier This chapter explains how to install the 559 Stereo Power Amplifier. It describes what you should find when you unpack the amplifier, how you should connect it to your other audio equipment, and the siting You should not make any connections to the 559 Stereo Power Amplifier or to any other component in your system whilst the AC power supply is connected and switched on. Setting up the stereo power amplifier constraints.
Unpacking The 559 Stereo Power Amplifier comes in a box containing the Safety warnings following components: ❍ Do not expose the stereo power amplifier to dripping or ❍ 559 Stereo Power Amplifier. ❍ 1 power cord. ❍ 1 bridge mode link. ❍ This manual. splashing. ❍ Do not place any object filled with liquid, such as a vase, on the stereo power amplifier. ❍ Do not place naked flame sources, such as lighted candles, on the stereo power amplifier.
Connecting the stereo power amplifier Back panel Select right balanced/ unbalanced input Power and fuse Select left balanced/ unbalanced input INPUT SELECTOR INPUT SELECTOR UNBALANCED UNBALANCED ON OFF BALANCED BALANCED UNBALANCED UNBALANCED BALANCED BALANCED RIGHT TRIGGER INPUT – LEFT – LINK FOR BRIDGED MODE + + OFF ON BRIDGE MODE Right outputs Select bridge mode Left outputs Setting up the stereo power amplifier BRIDGE MODE INPUT 9
Outputs Inputs The following table gives details of the output connections: The following two alternative audio inputs are provided: Use this output To connect to this Use this input To connect to this LEFT, RIGHT Loudspeakers of 2Ω to 16Ω, using UNBALANCED A preamplifier, using phono connectors either plug or bare wire connections. Setting up the stereo power amplifier BRIDGE MODE 10 A loudspeaker of 2Ω to 16Ω; see To and high-quality screened cable.
Standby Once set up, the stereo power amplifier can be left in standby as it consumes negligible power in this mode. To bring the amplifier out of standby press the button on the front panel. Alternatively, the 559 can be brought out of standby automatically using the TRIGGER INPUT; see below. period of several days you should switch the unit completely off, at the back panel, and disconnect it from the AC power supply.
Connecting a source To connect to a stereo preamplifier (eg Meridian 501) To connect to each channel of a 568 Digital Surround Processor 559 Stereo Power Amplifier 559 Stereo Power Amplifier UNBALANCED 501 Analogue Controller 568 Digital Surround Processor BALANCED REAR-L RIGHT C LEFT OUTPUT OFF REAR-R ON Setting up the stereo power amplifier 2 x 559 Stereo Power Amplifiers 12 ● Switch the BRIDGE MODE switch to the OFF position.
Connecting speakers To connect to passive loudspeakers 559 Stereo Power Amplifier To bi-wire to passive loudspeakers 559 Stereo Power Amplifier BALANCED OFF ● Set the BRIDGE MODE switch to the OFF position. ● Set the BRIDGE MODE switch to the OFF position. ● Connect one of each pair of the red and black terminals from ● Remove the links bridging the LF and HF terminals on the the appropriate channel of the 559 Stereo Power Amplifier to back of each loudspeaker.
To wire to a passive loudspeaker in bridged mode ● Connect the loudspeaker between the BRIDGE MODE terminals. You can bi-wire in bridge mode by using the other pair of BRIDGE MODE terminals to connect separately to the loudspeaker treble unit. Setting up the stereo power amplifier 559 Stereo Power Amplifier Input ON You can use the 559 as a mono power amplifier, to obtain more than three times the power output, by wiring it in bridge mode. ● Switch the BRIDGE MODE switch to the ON position.
To bi-amp to two passive loudspeakers ● Switch the BRIDGE MODE switch on both amplifiers to the OFF position. ● Connect the left audio output from the preamplifier to both inputs on one amplifier. ● Connect the right audio output from the preamplifier to both inputs on the other amplifier. ● Remove the links bridging the LF and HF terminals on the 559 Stereo Power Amplifier back of each loudspeaker. on one loudspeaker to the red and black terminals on each channel of one stereo amplifier.
16 Setting up the stereo power amplifier
Troubleshooting This chapter provides suggested solutions to typical problems that may occur when setting up or using the 559 Stereo Power Amplifier. If you are still not able to resolve a difficulty with the help of this guide and the suggestions in the following pages, please contact your Meridian dealer or Meridian Audio Ltd.
Troubleshooting No front panel indicator is shown The sound has cut out ❍ Check that your AC power supply is connected correctly. The 559 Stereo Power Amplifier includes a thermal shutdown, ❍ Check that the ON OFF switch on the back panel is in the ON which mutes the output if the amplifier becomes too hot. The position. Standby LED will also become red.
Maintenance Cleaning To clean the audio connections When cleaning the stereo power amplifier bear in mind that the The audio sockets on the back of the stereo power amplifier are front of the unit is brushed aluminium and the case is metal. gold-plated and need no cleaning if gold-plated phono plugs are used. Otherwise, it is recommended that you unplug and Disconnect the power cord before cleaning the unit. reconnect the plugs at least once a year.
Service and guarantee Service Guarantee The Meridian 500 Series of hi-fi components have been carefully The 559 Stereo Power Amplifier is guaranteed against defects in designed to give years of untroubled service. There are no user- material and workmanship for two years from the date of serviceable parts inside the case, nor do the units require any purchase. form of maintenance.
Index A B bi-amp connection 15 bi-wire connection bridge mode C I accessories 5 inputs 10 T thermal protection 18 installing 8 trigger input introduction 1 troubleshooting 11 17 10, 13 10, 14 cleaning 19 L lifting the 559 8 U unpacking 8 M maintenance 19 X XLR connectors the audio connections 19 Meridian 500 Series 2 the case 19 588 Compact Disc Player 4 components 8 communications 2 connecting to Meridian Analogue Theatre 3 a 502 Analogue Controller 4 Meridian System Remote
22 Index
