Meridian 502 User Manual

Meridian 502 Analogue Controller

user guide

Preface

ii

Sales and service in the UK

Meridian Audio Ltd

Stonehill

Stukeley Meadows

Cambs

PE18 6ED

England

Tel [phone]

Fax [phone]

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 [phone]

Fax [phone]

Designed and

manufactured in the UK by

Digital Gramophone and Wireless Ltd

Stonehill

Stukeley Meadows

Cambs

PE18 6ED

England

Copyright © 1993–1996

Digital Gramophone and Wireless Ltd

Part no: 502/2

This guide was produced by

Human-Computer Interface Ltd,

Cambridge, England.

iii

Preface

Contents

Introduction 1

Introduces the 502 Analogue Controller,
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
analogue controller 13

Describes how to set up the analogue
controller in your preferred configuration.

Choosing standard settings................... 14

Configuring the sources......................... 16

Examples of configuring the

sources .................................................. 19

Programming levels ............................... 20

Specifying information about

your system ........................................... 22

Using the analogue
controller 7

Provides step-by-step instructions on how
to operate the analogue controller, using
either the front panel or the Meridian
System Remote.

Front panel............................................. 8

Selecting a source ................................. 9

Adjusting the volume ............................. 10

Changing the display and balance ........ 11

Recording a source................................ 12

Preface

iv

Setting up the
analogue controller 23

Describes how to unpack and install the
analogue controller, and explains what you
should do if your analogue controller
requires servicing.

Unpacking.............................................. 24

Connecting the analogue controller....... 25

Setting up a two-room system .............. 29

Troubleshooting ..................................... 30

Maintenance .......................................... 32

Service and guarantee ........................... 33

Index ...................................................... 35

Introduction

In choosing the 502 Analogue Controller you have acquired a component

that combines major advances in audio and engineering design. The 502
Analogue Controller is a dual mono preamplifier with a fully balanced
signal path and an extremely high-quality power supply for ultra low
distortion and noise. It provides seven audio inputs; four for sources with
unbalanced outputs, and three for balanced sources. Each source can be
individually adjusted for sensitivity, and identified on the eight-character
alphanumeric display with a name of your choice. A very high quality MC or
MM phono stage is available as an option for the dedicated LP input.

This guide is designed to enable you to obtain the best possible results
from the unit, and it includes information about customising the unit to
your own requirements.

If you have just purchased the 502 Analogue Controller you should first
turn to the chapter Setting up the analogue controller, page 23, which
explains how to unpack and install the analogue controller correctly.

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 musical and environmental requirements,
and with the ability to add to it or change it at a later date should
your requirements change. The 500 Series is also compatible
with the existing Meridian 200 Series and 600 Series
components.

Each Meridian 500 Series component is housed in a matching
slim line case. Front panel controls provide access to the most
important functions, and the full range of functions is available
from the Meridian System Remote using a simple and intuitive
control interface.

500 Series communications

The Meridian 500 Series includes a sophisticated
communications link, to ensure that any configuration of units
will work together as a fully integrated system.

The 500 Series communications system allows you to control
any combination of units using a single remote, and ensures that
your commands from the remote are interpreted unambiguously.
The communications system also allows you to extend your hi-fi
system into two or three rooms, with the ability to control the
sources in one room from the controller in another room.

Professional features

The 500 Series also includes features for professional users,
including RS232 computer control and balanced connections.

The following pages give examples of four suggested
configurations to illustrate the flexibility of the Meridian 500
Series.

Introduction

3

500 Compact Disc Transport

Sample configurations

508 20-Bit CD Player

504

500

562

DSP5000DSP5000

A500

504

508

502

557

A500

The 508 20-Bit CD Player is an integrated CD transport and
converter, providing both digital and analogue outputs.

The 508 20-Bit CD Player is ideally suited for use with the
Meridian 557 Stereo Power Amplifier and A500 Loudspeakers,
with control over the volume and source selection provided by
the 502 Analogue Controller. These units provide balanced
inputs and outputs, allowing a completely balanced system to
be created.

The 500 Compact Disc Transport provides a precision digital
output, and can drive DSP5000 Digital Loudspeakers directly.

A 562 Digital Control Unit can be added to cater for conventional
analogue sources, and provide source selection between up to
12 different analogue or digital sources.

The 504 Stereo FM Tuner is an ideal addition to the system if
radio reception is required.

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
Analogue Converter can also decode digital signals from other
sources, including LaserDisc players and Digital Audio Tape.

The 502 Analogue Controller is a full function preamplifier for use
with any analogue source, and includes balanced inputs to allow
you to take advantage of balanced sources, including the 566
20-Bit Digital to Analogue Converter. It provides balanced
outputs which are ideal for use with the 557 Stereo Power
Amplifier.

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

504

Satellite

DSP6000 DSP6000

The 562V Multimedia Controller is the ideal control unit for use
with the Meridian DSP6000 Digital Loudspeakers.

It provides direct digital inputs for digital sources, such as the
500 Compact Disc Transport and LaserDisc sound, together
with precision Delta Sigma Analogue to Digital Conversion, for

6

Introduction

Specification and accessories

Specification

MM input option Sensitivity adjustable 0.5 – 17mV for

5cm/s @ 1kHz.
Overload point 47mV @ 1kHz.
Cartridge load 47kΩ || 100pF.

MC input option Sensitivity adjustable 38 – 1200µV for

5cm/s @ 1kHz.
Cartridge load 220Ω || 10nF.

A2 – A7 inputs Sensitivity adjustable 27 – 840mV.

Input impedance 20kΩ.

Tape output Output 1.5V rms.
Main outputs Output 1.4V rms, 3V rms maximum.
Communications Two 5 pin 240° DIN sockets, RS232

interface.

Noise and hum Less than -96dB for high-level

analogue inputs.
Less than -70dB for MM input.
Less than -60dB for MC input.

Distortion Less than 0.01% input to output.

Display Eight character display for current

source, volume, mute, and copy
source.

Finish Black textured enamel and glass.
Dimensions 88mm x 321mm x 332mm

(3.46" x 12.64" x 13.07").

Weight 5kg (10lbs).
Consumption 20VA.

Available accessories

The following accessories are available from your dealer:

❍MM mono phono modules.
❍MC mono phono modules.
❍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.

Using the analogue
controller

This chapter provides a summary of the functions of the analogue

controller in order to identify the controls which you will use to operate the
unit.

It also describes all aspects of using the analogue controller, from
switching on and selecting a source, to recording a source.

Unless otherwise specified, each function is available from the front panel
or the remote.

Using the analogue controller

8

Front panel

1 Source

Selects the source.

2 Copy

Copies a selected source
to the tape output.

3 Mute

Mutes the sound.

4 Display

Blanks the display.

5 V (Decrease)

Decreases the volume.

6 A (Increase)

Increases the volume.

7 Off

Switches to standby.

Source Display VCopy Mute A Off

Radio 65

BOOTHROYD STUART

502

Analogue Controller

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