e i d u g r e s u Meridian 501/501V Control Unit
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 Suite 112 Fax (01480) 459934 Eastpoint Designed and manufactured in the UK by Digital Gramophone and Wireless Ltd Atlanta Stonehill GA 30331 Stukeley Meadows Tel (404) 344 7111 PE18 6ED World Wide Web http://www.meridian.co.
Contents Introduction 1 Introduces the 501/501V Control Unit, and provides an overview of the other products available in the Meridian 500 Series. Using the Control Unit 9 The Meridian 500 Series ........................ 2 Provides step-by-step instructions on how Sample configurations ........................... 3 to operate the control unit, using either the Specification and accessories ............... 6 front panel or the Meridian System Using the Video Features (501V only) 15 Handset.
Customising the Control Unit 19 Describes how to set up the control unit in your preferred configuration. Setting up the Control Unit 33 Choosing standard settings ................... 20 Configuring the sources ......................... 23 Describes how to unpack and install the Examples of configuring the control unit, and explains what you should sources .................................................. 26 do if your control unit requires servicing. Programming levels ............................
Introduction In 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 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 Compact Disc Player 500 Compact Disc Transport A2 A2 506 504 500 501 M60555 M60 504 562 DSP5000 DSP5000 The 500 Compact Disc Transport provides a precision digital converter, providing both digital and analogue outputs. output, and can drive DSP5000 Digital Loudspeakers directly.
563 Digital to Analogue Converter 501V Control Unit VIDEO LASERDISC Introduction 500 4 563 501V M60 M60 The digital output provided by the 500 Compact Disc Transport The 501V Control Unit is a full function preamplifier for use with can be decoded by the 563 Digital to Analogue Converter to any analogue source, and includes video switching for complete provide a high-quality audio output for use with a conventional control of systems that include video sources such as a audio preamplifier.
562V Multimedia Controller SATELLITE VIDEO 504 TV LASERDISC 500 562V D6000 D6000 The 562V Multimedia Controller is the ideal control unit for use conventional analogue sources such as the 504 FM Tuner and with the Meridian D6000 Digital Loudspeakers. video sound.
Specification and accessories Specification Display Four character display for current source, volume, mute, and copy MM input option source. Sensitivity adjustable 0.5 – 3mV for 5cm/s @ 1kHz. Overload point 47mV @ 1kHz. Communications interface. Cartridge load 47kΩ || 100pF. MC input option Sensitivity adjustable 38 – 210µV for 5cm/s @ 1kHz. Finish Black textured enamel and glass. Dimensions 88mm x 321mm x 332mm (3.46" x 12.64" x 13.07"). Cartridge load 220Ω || 10nF.
Video specification (501V only) Available accessories V1 – V6 inputs The following accessories are available from your dealer: Composite unbalanced RCA phono 75Ω, 0.5 – 1.5Vp/p. ❍ MM phono module. S1, S2 inputs S-VHS 4 pin MiniDIN. Monitor output Unbalanced RCA phono 75Ω, 1.5Vp/p ❍ Meridian System Handset. to monitor. ❍ Power cord Europe. VCR outputs 1, 2 Unbalanced phono 75Ω, 1Vp/p to VCRs, identical signal via splitter. Main S-OUT S-VHS 4 pin MiniDIN.
8 Introduction
Using the Control Unit This 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 available from the front panel or the handset.
Front panel 1 Source Selects the source. 2 Copy Copies a selected source Display to the tape output. 3 Mute Mutes the sound. BOOTHROYD STUART 4 Display CD65 501 Source Copy Control Unit Mute Display Off Blanks the display. 5 V (Decrease) Decreases the volume. Using the Control Unit 6 A (Increase) 10 Increases the volume. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 Off Switches to standby.
Selecting a source During normal use the control unit should be left in the standby For example, if you select the state. This uses a negligible amount of electricity, but ensures CD input the display will show: CD65 that the components of the control unit operate at maximum efficiency from the moment you start.
Adjusting the volume The 501/501V Control Unit allows you to adjust the volume in To decrease the volume precise steps of 1dB, where 9dB is equivalent to doubling the ● Press V (front panel), or V (remote control). 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 501/501V Control Unit 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. Source only (full label). Example RD65 ● Press < (remote control) to move the sound to the left.
Recording a source The 501/501V Control Unit 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. Each time you press Copy the control unit will step between the following options: Display Option CSrc Copy Source.
Using the Video Features (501V only) This 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.
Selecting a video source With the 501V Control Unit you select the video source you want To select a source to watch in exactly the same way as selecting an audio source. Using the Video Features (501V only) ● Press Source (front panel) until the display shows the source 16 On the 501V Control Unit each source can be associated with you require, or press the appropriate source key on the both audio input, and a video input. remote control.
Recording a video input With the 501V Control Unit you can copy the audio and video When Copy is set to anything other than Copy Source the Copy components of a source to the tape and VCR outputs, indicator is illuminated on the front panel. independently of the source you are listening to. For example, to record a TV programme C TV To copy a video source press Copy until the display shows: ● Press Copy. The TV sound and picture will now be fed to the tape and VCR outputs, respectively.
18 Using the Video Features (501V only)
Customising the Control Unit This 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 source individually to suit the other equipment in your system.
Choosing standard settings The 501/501V Control Unit provides six alternative standard To select a standard setting settings, called Types, which configure all aspects of the control unit into the six most commonly needed configurations. ● Switch off any power amplifiers that are connected to the control unit. Choosing one of the six standard settings overrides any other configuration you may have performed, and so can be used to reset the configuration of the control unit.
501 standard settings The following table shows the options configured by the six standard Type settings on the 501 Control Unit: 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 LD
501V standard settings The following table shows the options configured by the six standard Type settings on the 501V Control Unit: Customising the Control Unit Type 22 5 4 1 3 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 = = = ● ● ● ● TV TV A5 8dB – v5 ● ● ● ● Tape1 T1 A4 2dB – ● ● ● ● Tape2 T2 A6 2dB – ● ● CDR CR A2 0dB – = = =
Configuring the sources When the control unit is set to one of the standard settings the For each source you can configure: twelve source selection keys on the remote control select the standard labels and inputs, as shown in the table on page 21. ❍ The label used for it on the front panel display, from 45 If the configuration you want is not catered for by one of the ❍ The audio input it selects. standard settings, you can configure each source individually.
To configure a source To change an option ● Turn off the control unit, using the power switch on the back ● Press A or V to step between the alternative values for the panel. option. ● Turn on the power again while holding down the Display key on the front panel. The display will show: Conf Customising the Control Unit the source you want to configure. 24 source the display initially shows: ● 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 page 26. Audio input CDA2 A1 – A6, or LV. Choose A1 to A6 to specify the input, or LV to use CD1C IC – 8C, or NC. Address CD1A 1A – 8A. Video input* CDNv V1 – V6, Nv, or BL. CDNS S1 – S2, or NS. CDFO F0 – F2, or NF. Comms type FNSEL output* * 501V only. Choose IC for a Meridian CD player, 2C for a Meridian FM Tuner, or NC otherwise. Allows you to have up to eight of each source type.
Examples of configuring the sources The following examples illustrate how you can configure the For example, to configure the source options to your own requirements. Radio source label choose: To change a source label ● Press A or V to step between the alternative labels. ● Display the source you want to configure, together with its For example, to use the label FM current label, as described in the previous sections.
To change the video input for a source When you select the source you have configured you will get radio sound and a TV picture, as required for simultaneous broadcasts. ● 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 To set up a system with two CD players ● Configure the source you are going to use for the first CD player. ● Press V or A to choose the video input.
Programming levels The 501/501V Control Unit 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. ● Switch off any power amplifiers that are connected to the control unit. When you are programming levels the control unit operates as a preamplifier with a fixed volume setting equivalent to 65. This level is chosen to be comfortably loud on average sources.
● 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. ● When you have finished programming levels, switch the power off and on again to restore the control unit to normal operation.
Specifying information about your system In addition to configuring the sources, and programming their The table below shows the options you can configure. 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, Option Initial Value and the way in which you want to use it.
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.
32 Customising the Control Unit
Setting up the Control Unit This 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 local AC supply. If it is not, do not try to install the control unit, and contact your dealer.
Unpacking The 501/501V Control Unit comes in a box containing the Radio interference following components: FCC Warning: This equipment generates and can radiate radio ❍ 501/501V Control Unit. frequency energy and if not installed and used correctly in ❍ 1 power cord. accordance with our instructions may cause interference to ❍ 1 500 Series communications lead. radio communications or radio and television reception. It has ❍ This manual.
Connecting the control unit Rear panel S-VHS outputs FN-Select 2 OFF S-VHS VCR inputs outputs VCR Out 1 S-Out TV/V5 Video inputs Monitor output LD/V3 VCR1/V1 S-In TECH ON VCR2 VCR1 Main S2/VCR2 V6 S1/VCR1 Cable/V4 VCR2/V2 Monitor COMMS RS232 L Headphones R Main Out RS232 connection Comms connections Headphones Tape Out Audio outputs Tape2/A6 TV/A5 Tape1/A4 Radio/A3 Tape outputs CD/A2 LP/A1 Audio inputs The following table gives details of the audio outputs: The following
Video connections (501V only) The composite video connections should be made with highquality 75Ω screened cable. We do not recommend the use of The following table gives details of the eight video inputs: audio cables, which do not have adequate shielding or the correct impedance, or cables intended for UHF applications, as Use this input To connect to this V1 to V6 Composite video signals, using phono connectors. S1 or S2 these do not provide adequate shielding in the 1-30MHz region.
To connect to other Meridian 500 Series equipment This is the unit that will respond to the handset. All the other units will be configured ● Connect one of the COMMS sockets on the rear panel of the as non-controllers, and display: NCon control unit to one of the COMMS socket on another 500 Series unit (excluding the 563), using the 500 comms lead Your system is now set up and ready for use. provided with the other unit.
To connect to a 555 Stereo Power Amplifier 501 Control Unit 555 Stereo Power Amplifier Main Out INPUT ● 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. INPUT L R The display will show Audio lead ● Connect one pair of the sockets marked Main Out L and R on the current Type setting: Ty 1 ● Press A or V on the front panel to change the Type setting.
Troubleshooting This section describes problems you may encounter when using There is hum on the LP input the control unit, and includes suggested solutions. The LP input is the most sensitive input on the control unit. If these suggestions fail to cure the problem, please contact your Meridian dealer for further assistance. ❍ Check that the tone arm is connected to the technical ground of the control unit.
There is interference on the radio and/ or television when the control unit is switched on Communication is not working between the 501/501V Control Unit and other Meridian products Before following the steps below, ensure all units are switched ❍ Check that all products are interconnected using the correct off.
Maintenance Cleaning reconnect the plugs at least once a year. A proprietary contact cleaner can be used to some advantage. When cleaning the control unit bear in mind that the front of the control unit is plastic, and the display panel and lid are glass. To change the mains fuse Disconnect the power cord before cleaning the unit. Fuse Spare Note: Do not use abrasive cleaners on any part of the control unit. To clean the case, display panel, and keypad the power input to access the fuses.
Service and guarantee Service Guarantee The Meridian 500 Series of hi-fi components have been carefully The 501/501V Control Unit 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) Adjusting volume control balance 13 30 35, 36 13 changing 13 Configure the control unit 30 Configuring sources 23 F Fixed output, choosing 31 address 25 Front panel controls adjusting 13 audio input 25 Fuse, replacing 41 centring comms type 25 Balance 13 Balancing input levels 28 FNSEL output 25 label C Digital output Display volume mode 30 volume 12 B D S-VHS input 25 Changing the display 13 video input 25 Cleaning 4
O Optical EIAJ output 35, 36 Setting up the control unit Outputs for 500 Series operation 37 audio 35 for 600 and 200 Series operation 501V Control Unit 4 digital Simultaneous broadcasts, 504 FM Tuner optical EIAJ 35, 36 Meridian 500 Series 2 500 Compact Disc Transport 3 501 Remote Control Preamplifier 3 3 506 Compact Disc Player 3 555 Stereo Power Amplifier 35, 36 Sound video 36 muting 12 3 P restoring 12 562V Multimedia Controller 5 MC 7 Source labels 26 563 Digital to Analogue C
T Standard settings FNSEL output 25 501 21 recording 17 501V S-VHS input 25 22 selecting 20 selecting 16 Standby mode 11 video input 25 Switching on from standby 11 Video version (501V) Switching to standby 11 connections 36 specification 7 Tape recorder, connecting to 36 video features 15 Troubleshooting Volume Types 39 38 decreasing 12 501 21 display 501V fixed output 31 22 selecting 20 12 increasing 12 muting 12 U Unpacking 34 restoring 12 Using the control unit
46 Index
