Meridian America 504 User Manual

user guide

Meridian 504 Stereo FM Tuner

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: 504/2

This guide was produced by

Human-Computer Interface Ltd,

Cambridge, England.

Contents

Introduction 1

Introduces the 504 Stereo FM Tuner, and
provides an overview of the other products
available in the Meridian 500 Series.

Using the FM tuner 7

The Meridian 500 Series ........................ 2

Sample configurations ........................... 3

Specification and accessories ............... 6

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

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

Selecting a station ................................. 9

Tuning manually..................................... 10

Selecting stereo or mono....................... 11

Defining preset stations ......................... 12

Choosing the display ............................. 14

Setting up the FM tuner ......................... 15

Setting up the FM
tuner 17

Describes how to unpack and install the
FM tuner, and explains what you should
do if your FM tuner requires servicing or
cleaning.

Unpacking.............................................. 18

Connecting the FM tuner ....................... 19

Troubleshooting ..................................... 23

Maintenance .......................................... 25

Service and guarantee ........................... 26

Preface

Index ...................................................... 27

iii

Preface

iv

Introduction

In choosing the 504 Stereo FM Tuner you have acquired a component that

combines major advances in audio and user interface design. The 504
Stereo FM Tuner uses dual-gate MOSFET RF amplifiers for high sensitivity,
together with a Walsh function stereo decoder for low distortion and extra
HF bandwidth. The eight-character display can be programmed to show
station names for ease of access, and all functions can be remotely
controlled from the Meridian System Remote.

This guide is designed to enable you to obtain the best possible results
from the unit, whether your requirements are simply to listen to music, or
to configure the unit to your preferences.

If you have just purchased the 504 Stereo FM Tuner, you should first turn
to the section Setting up the FM tuner, page 17, which explains how to
unpack and install the FM tuner correctly.

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

2

Sample configurations

506 20-Bit CD Player

A500

506

504

501

555

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 use with the
Meridian 555 Stereo Power Amplifier and A500 Loudspeakers,
with control over the volume and source selection provided by
the 501 Control Unit. The 504 Stereo FM Tuner is an ideal
addition to the system if radio reception is required.

A500

500 Compact Disc Transport

DSP5000DSP5000

500

504

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

A 562 Digital Controller can be added to cater for conventional
analogue sources, such as the 504 Stereo FM Tuner, and
provide source selection between up to 12 different analogue or
digital sources.

562

Introduction

3

566 20-Bit Digital to Analogue Converter

502 Analogue Controller

Introduction

4

500

566

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.

A500

557

A500

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.

562V Multimedia Controller

DSP6000 DSP6000

Satellite

Video recorder

504

500

LaserDisc

562V

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

Television

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.

Introduction

5

Specification and accessories

Introduction

Specification

Sensitivity 1.5µV mono, 23µV stereo, 100µV ult.
Distortion <0.2% mono, <0.4% stereo.
Noise -70dB.
Display Eight character alphanumeric dot

matrix display for station name,
frequency, and preset.
Stereo indicator.

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

(3.46" x 12.64" x 13.07").

Weight 6.4kg (14lbs).
Input 87.0 – 108MHz.

FM 75Ω unbalanced.

Outputs Analogue: 2V.
Communications Two 5 pin 240° DIN sockets.
Consumption 20VA.

Meridian Audio reserves the right to amend product
specifications at any time.

Available accessories

The following accessories are available from your dealer:

❍Meridian System Remote.
❍Power cord Europe.
❍Power cord Canada and USA.

The Meridian System Remote provides access to all the facilities
provided by the 504 Stereo FM Tuner, including those available
from the front panel controls. In addition, it allows you to control
any other 500 Series units in your system.

If you have problems purchasing these items, you can order
them direct from Meridian Audio Limited, who can also supply a
range of digital cables suitable for connecting the 504 Stereo FM
Tuner to other equipment.

6