e i d u g r e s u Meridian 551 Integrated Amplifier
Sales and service in the UK Meridian Audio Ltd Stonehill Stukeley Meadows Sales and service in the USA Cambs PE18 6ED Meridian America Inc England 3800 Camp Creek Parkway Building 2400 Tel (01480) 52144 Fax (01480) 459934 Suite 112 Atlanta Digital Gramophone and Wireless Ltd GA 30331 Stonehill Stukeley Meadows World Wide Web http://www.meridian.co.
Contents Introduction 1 Introduces the 551 Integrated Amplifier, and provides an overview of the other products available in the Meridian 500 Using the integrated amplifier 9 Series. Provides step-by-step instructions on how The Meridian 500 Series ........................ 2 to operate the integrated amplifier, using Sample configurations ........................... 3 either the front panel or the Meridian Specification and accessories ............... 6 System Handset.
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 ..................................... 31 Maintenance .......................................... 33 Service and guarantee ........................... 34 Preface Index ........................................
Introduction In 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 on the four-character alpha-numeric display. A very high quality MC or MM phono stage is available as an option for the dedicated LP input.
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 506 20-Bit CD Player 500 Compact Disc Transport DSP5000 A500 DSP5000 A500 506 501 500 504 555 504 562 The 500 Compact Disc Transport provides a precision digital converter, providing both digital and analogue outputs. output, and can drive DSP5000 Digital Loudspeakers directly.
566 20-Bit Digital to Analogue Converter 502 Analogue Controller A500 A500 500 557 Introduction 566 4 502 The digital output provided by the 500 Compact Disc Transport The 502 Analogue Controller is a full function preamplifier for use can be decoded by the 566 20-Bit Digital to Analogue Converter with any analogue source, and includes balanced inputs to allow to provide a high-quality audio output for use with a you to take advantage of balanced sources, including the 566 conventional audio
562V Multimedia Controller DSP6000 DSP6000 Satellite Video recorder 504 Television LaserDisc 500 562V The 562V Multimedia Controller is the ideal control unit for use conventional analogue sources such as the 504 Stereo FM with the Meridian DSP6000 Digital Loudspeakers. Tuner and video sound.
Specification and accessories Specification Display Four character display for current source, volume, mute, and copy MM input option 5cm/s @ 1kHz. Overload point 47mV @ 1kHz. Cartridge load 47kΩ || 100pF. MC input option source. Sensitivity adjustable 0.5 – 3mV for Communications Two 5 pin 240° DIN sockets. Finish Black textured enamel and glass. Heatsinks black painted aluminium. Sensitivity adjustable 38 – 210µV for 5cm/s @ 1kHz. Dimensions A2 – A6 inputs Sensitivity adjustable 27 – 150mV.
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 Meridian System Remote provides access to all the facilities provided by the 551 Integrated Amplifier, including those available from the front panel controls.
8 Introduction
Using the integrated amplifier This 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 front panel or the remote.
Front panel 1 Source Selects the source. 2 Copy Copies a selected source Display to the tape output. 3 Spkrs Mutes the power amplifier. BOOTHROYD STUART 4 Mute CD65 551 Source Copy Integrated Amplifier Spkrs Mute Display V A Off Mutes the sound. Using the integrated amplifier 5 Display 10 Blanks the display. 6 V (Decrease) Decreases the volume. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 7 A (Increase) Increases the volume. 8 Off Switches to standby.
Selecting a source During normal use the integrated amplifier should be left in the For example, if you select the standby state.
Adjusting the volume The 551 Integrated Amplifier allows you to adjust the volume in To mute the sound precise steps of 1dB, where 9dB is equivalent to doubling the ● Press Mute. loudness. The current volume setting is displayed in dB on the front panel display, and can be varied in the range 1 – 99dB.
Changing the display and balance To change the display To change the balance ● Press Display. You can adjust the sound balance on the 551 Integrated Amplifier using the following procedure. Each time you press Display the display will step between the following options: Display option Source and volume. This is the usual display. Blank. Example RD65 ● Press < (remote) to move the sound to the left.
Recording a source The 551 Integrated Amplifier allows you to copy any one of the For example, to record a radio broadcast standard sources to the tape outputs, independently of the press Copy until the display shows: C RD source you are listening to. You can now listen to a CD, by selecting the CD source, without To copy a source to the tape output ● Press Copy.
Customising the integrated amplifier This 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 can configure each source individually to suit the other equipment in your system.
Choosing standard settings The 551 Integrated Amplifier provides six alternative standard To select a standard setting 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 performed, and so can be used to ● Turn off the integrated amplifier, using the power switch on the back panel.
Standard settings The following table shows the options configured by the six standard Type settings on the 551 Integrated Amplifier: Type 1 4 3 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 – ● ● ● Tape2 T2 A6 2dB – ● CDR CR A2 0dB – ● Cable Cb A5 8dB – ● ● Text TX = n/a – ● ● VCR1 V1 A6 8dB – ● VCR2 V2 A4 8dB – ● LD
Configuring the sources When the integrated amplifier is set to one of the standard To configure a source 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 configure each source individually.
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. Initial value Alternative values Explanation See page 20. Label CDCD CD, RD, LP, etc. Audio input CDA2 A1 – A6, or LV. CD1C 1C – 8C, or NC. CD1A 1A – 8A. Comms type Address Choose A1 to A6 to specify the input, or LV to use the last valid input.
Examples of configuring the sources source options to your own requirements. To change the audio input for a source To change a source label ● Display the source you want to configure, together with the The following examples illustrate how you can configure the current audio input, as described in the previous sections. ● Display the source you want to configure, together with its current label, as described in the previous sections.
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. player, with a different address. For example: Source CDR, Label C2. Audio input A3, Comms type 1C, Address 2A. The remote will now automatically control whichever of the CD players you have selected with the CD or CDR source keys.
Programming levels The 551 Integrated Amplifier allows you to program the level of To balance input levels each source independently, to suit your other equipment, so that when you switch between sources the volume stays the same. ● Turn off the integrated amplifier, using the power switch on the back panel. When you are programming levels the integrated amplifier operates as a preamplifier with a fixed volume setting equivalent to 65.
● Use the A and V keys to change the sensitivity. If you know the output level of your sources you can probably set the gains by calculation. The following table shows the 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. power off and on again to restore the integrated amplifier to normal operation.
Specifying information about your system In addition to configuring the sources, and programming their The following table shows the options you can configure: levels, you can configure many other aspects of the operation of the 551 Integrated Amplifier to suit the way your system is set Option Initial Value up, and the way in which you want to use it.
Setting up the integrated amplifier This 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 component in your system whilst the AC power supply is connected and switched on.
Unpacking The 551 Integrated Amplifier comes in a box containing the Before connecting power following components: Before installation you should ensure that your integrated ❍ 551 Integrated Amplifier. amplifier is set to the correct voltage for your local AC supply. If ❍ 1 power cord. it is not, do not try to install the unit, and contact your dealer. ❍ 1 500 Series communications lead. ❍ This manual.
Connecting the integrated amplifier Back panel Headphones Output (R) Output (L) OFF Headphones Pre-amp Out ON Fuse 3.15A FST Tape 2 Tape Out Right Output Min 8Ω Load TV Tape 1 Left Output Min 8Ω Load Radio CD Fuse 3.
The following table gives details of the audio outputs: Use this output To connect to this Right/Left Output Loudspeakers of 4Ω to 15Ω, using either banana plug or bare wire connections. Pre-amp Out An additional power amplifier or active To connect to other Meridian 500 Series equipment ● Connect one of the COMMS sockets on the back panel of the integrated amplifier to one of the COMMS socket on another 500 Series unit, using the 500 comms lead.
This is the unit that will respond to the remote. All the other units will be configured as non-controllers, and display: NCon To connect to A500 Loudspeakers A500 Loudspeaker A500 Loudspeaker Your system is now set up and ready for use.
To connect to Meridian 600 or 200 Series equipment If your system includes any Meridian 600 or 200 Series units, with 600 COMMS or 200 COMMS sockets, you should set all the 500 Series units to 200 COMMS operation using the following procedure: ● Turn off the integrated amplifier, using the power switch on Setting up the integrated amplifier the back panel. 30 ● Turn on the power again while holding down the Off key on the front panel.
Troubleshooting the integrated amplifier, and includes suggested solutions. The sound has cut out and the display shows DC If these suggestions fail to cure the problem, please contact This indicates that the power amplifier has turned off due to a your Meridian dealer for further assistance. DC offset on the output. No lights are displayed when switching on ❍ Unplug the source. This section describes problems you may encounter when using If this restores normal operation check the source.
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. Setting up the integrated amplifier There is hum on the LP input 32 The LP input is the most sensitive input on the integrated amplifier.
Maintenance Cleaning To clean the audio connections When cleaning the integrated amplifier bear in mind that the The audio sockets on the back of the integrated amplifier are front of the integrated amplifier is plastic, and the display panel gold-plated and need no cleaning if gold-plated phono plugs are and lid are glass. used. Otherwise, it is recommended that you unplug and reconnect the plugs at least once a year. A proprietary contact Disconnect the power cord before cleaning the unit.
Service and guarantee Service Guarantee The Meridian 500 Series of hi-fi components have been carefully The 551 Integrated Amplifier is guaranteed against defects in designed to give years of untroubled service. There are no user- material and workmanship for 2 years from the date of purchase. serviceable parts inside the case, nor do the units require any form of maintenance.
Index A Accessories 7 Configuration options (continued) Display 13 Adjusting volume control changing 13 balance 13 volume mode volume 12 Configuring sources address B 24 24 audio input 19 Balance comms type centring 13 label 13 19 22 G Guarantee 34 H Heat generated during amplifier operation 26 24 Hot display 31 Connecting C CD players, using two 21 to a tape recorder Changing the display 13 to A500 Loudspeakers Cleaning 33 to Meridian 500 Series the audio and video con
Meridian 500 Series 2 Muting the loudspeakers 500 Compact Disc Transport 3, 4 Muting the sound Sound (continued) 12 restoring 12 12 501 Control Unit 3 restoring the loudspeakers 12 502 Analogue Controller 504 Stereo FM Tuner O 4 3 Outputs, audio 28 Sound has cut out 31 Overheating Source labels 20 26 506 20-Bit CD Player 3 Sources P Phono modules changing label 20 557 Stereo Power Amplifier 4 MC 7 configuring 18 562 Digital Controller MM 7 555 Stereo Power Amplifier 3 3 copyi
U Unpacking 26 Using the integrated amplifier 9 V Volume changing 12 display 12 muting 12 restoring 12 Index 37
