Page 3 - Contents; Introduction
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 ........
Page 6 - The Meridian 500 Series; 00 Series communications
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 o...
Page 7 - 00 Compact Disc Transport; Sample configurations
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...
Page 8 - 02 Analogue Controller
4 Introduction 566 20-Bit Digital to AnalogueConverter 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 aud...
Page 9 - 62V Multimedia Controller
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 recorder 500 562V Television 5...
Page 10 - Specification and accessories; Specification
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 ...
Page 11 - Available accessories
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...
Page 14 - Front panel
Using the integrated amplifier 10 Front 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 Swit...
Page 15 - Selecting a source; To switch on from standby; To switch to standby
Using the integrated amplifier 11 Selecting a source 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 y...
Page 16 - Adjusting the volume; To mute the sound; Mute; To restore the sound; Off; To restore the loudspeakers
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 s...
Page 17 - Changing the display and balance; To change the display; Rad; To change the balance
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...
Page 18 - Recording a source; C RD; To copy a source to the tape output; CSrc
Using the integrated amplifier 14 Recording a source 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 sour...
Page 20 - Choosing standard settings; To select a standard setting; Type
Customising the integrated amplifier 16 Choosing standard 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 setting...
Page 21 - Standard settings
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 5 1 4 3 Source Label Input Gain Comms ● ● ● ● CD CD A2 0dB 1 ● ● ● ● Radio RD A3 2dB 2 ● ● ● ● LP LP A1 2dB – ● ● ● TV TV...
Page 22 - Configuring the sources; To configure a source; Conf
Customising the integrated amplifier 18 Configuring the sources 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 fo...
Page 23 - To change an option; CDCD
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 ...
Page 24 - To change a source label; RDRD; Examples of configuring the sources
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 co...
Page 26 - Programming levels; To balance input levels; Gain
Customising the integrated amplifier 22 Programming 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 amplif...
Page 28 - To configure the integrated amplifier; Specifying information about your system; Auto
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...
Page 30 - Unpacking; To position the integrated amplifier; Radio interference
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 uni...
Page 31 - Back panel; Connecting the integrated amplifier; Audio connections
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 car...
Page 32 - To connect to a tape recorder
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 ...
Page 33 - NCon; To connect to A500 Loudspeakers
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, resto...
Page 35 - Troubleshooting; The sound has cut out
Setting up the integrated amplifier 31 Troubleshooting 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 dis...
Page 36 - There is hum on the LP input
Setting up the integrated amplifier 32 Communication is not workingbetween the 551 Integrated Amplifierand 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 unit...
Page 37 - To clean the audio connections; Cleaning; Maintenance
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 propr...
Page 38 - Service and guarantee; Service
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 e...
Page 39 - Index
3 5 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 an...
