Meridian Audio 501V, 501 User Manual

user guide

Meridian 501/501V Control Unit

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
Eastpoint

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 Digital Gramophone and

Wireless Ltd

Part no: 501/501V/1

This guide was produced by

Human-Computer Interface Ltd,

Cambridge, England.

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

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

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

Provides step-by-step instructions on how
to operate the control unit, using either the
front panel or the Meridian System
Handset.

Front panel ............................................. 10

Selecting a source ................................. 11

Adjusting the volume ............................. 12

Changing the display and balance ........ 13

Recording a source................................ 14

Using the Video Features
(501V only) 15

Provides information on how to use the
video features included in the 501V
Control Unit.

Selecting a video source........................ 16

Recording a video input ......................... 17

Preface

iii

Customising the Control
Unit 19

Describes how to set up the control unit in
your preferred configuration.

Choosing standard settings ................... 20

Configuring the sources......................... 23

Examples of configuring the

sources .................................................. 26

Programming levels ............................... 28

Specifying information about

your system ........................................... 30

Setting up the Control
Unit 33

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

Unpacking .............................................. 34

Connecting the control unit ................... 35

Troubleshooting ..................................... 39

Maintenance .......................................... 41

Service and guarantee ........................... 42

Index ...................................................... 43

Preface

iv

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.

In addition, the 501V Control Unit provides video switching for up to eight
video inputs.

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 501/501V Control Unit you should first turn
to the chapter Setting up the Control Unit, page 33, which explains how to
unpack and install the control unit correctly.

The Meridian 500 Series

Introduction

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 Handset 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 handset, and ensures
that your commands from the handset are interpreted
unambiguously. Any unit can be designated as the controller for
the system, allowing you to position the other units out of range
from the handset beam if desired. It also allows all the units to
be switched off from the front panel of any unit in the system.

Professional features

The 500 Series also includes features for professional users,
including RS232 computer control (501, 562, and DSP5000), and
balanced outputs (563).

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

2

Sample configurations

506 Compact Disc Player

A2A2

506

501 M60 M60504 555

The 506 Compact Disc Player is an integrated CD transport and
converter, providing both digital and analogue outputs.

The 506 Compact Disc Player is ideally suited for use with the
Meridian 555 Stereo Power Amplifier and A2 Loudspeakers, with
control over the volume and source selection provided by the
501 Remote Control Preamplifier.

500 Compact Disc Transport

500

504

562

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 FM Tuner, and provide
source selection between up to 12 different analogue or digital
sources.

DSP5000 DSP5000

Introduction

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

3

563 Digital to Analogue Converter

VIDEO

LASERDISC

501V Control Unit

Introduction

4

The digital output provided by the 500 Compact Disc Transport
can be decoded by the 563 Digital to Analogue Converter to
provide a high-quality audio output for use with a conventional
audio preamplifier.

The 563 Digital to Analogue Converter can also decode digital
signals from other sources, including LaserDisc players and
Digital Audio Tape.

501V500 563

M60 M60

The 501V Control Unit is a full function preamplifier for use with
any analogue source, and includes video switching for complete
control of systems that include video sources such as a
LaserDisc player and video recorder.

It provides a high-quality audio output ideal for use with the
Meridian M60 Active Loudspeakers.

562V Multimedia Controller

SATELLITE

VIDEO

504

500 562V

LASERDISC

The 562V Multimedia Controller is the ideal control unit for use
with the Meridian D6000 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

TV

D6000 D6000

conventional analogue sources such as the 504 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

Specification

MM input option Sensitivity adjustable 0.5 – 3mV for

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

MC input option Sensitivity adjustable 38 – 210µV for

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

A2 – A6 inputs Sensitivity adjustable 27 – 150mV.

Input impedance 20kΩ.

Tape output Output 1.5V.

Main outputs Output 1.4V rms, 3V rms maximum.

Headphone output 2V maximum.

Distortion Less than 0.01% input to output.

Noise and hum Less than -90dB for high-level

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

Display Four character display for current

source, volume, mute, and copy
source.

Communications Two 5 pin 240° DIN sockets, RS232

interface.

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.

Introduction

6

Video specification (501V only)

Available accessories

V1 – V6 inputs Composite unbalanced RCA phono

75Ω, 0.5 – 1.5Vp/p.

S1, S2 inputs S-VHS 4 pin MiniDIN.
Monitor output Unbalanced RCA phono 75Ω, 1.5Vp/p

to monitor.

VCR outputs 1, 2 Unbalanced phono 75Ω, 1Vp/p to

VCRs, identical signal via splitter.

Main S-OUT S-VHS 4 pin MiniDIN.

VCR1, VCR2 S-OUT S-VHS 4 pin MiniDIN, two function

select outputs for SCART.

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

The following accessories are available from your dealer:

❍MM phono module.
❍MC phono module.
❍Meridian System Handset.
❍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 Handset provides access to all the
facilities provided by the 501/501V Control Unit, including those
available from the front panel controls. In addition, it allows you
to control any other 500 Series units in your system.

Introduction

If you have problems purchasing these items, you can order
them direct from Meridian Audio Limited, who can also supply a
range of cables suitable for connecting the 501/501V Control
Unit to other equipment.

7

Introduction

8

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

BOOTHROYD STUART

501

Control Unit

Display

CD65

Source DisplayCopy Mute Off

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.

Using the Control Unit

10

1234567

7 Off

Switches to standby.

Selecting a source

During normal use the control unit should be left in the standby
state. This uses a negligible amount of electricity, but ensures
that the components of the control unit operate at maximum
efficiency from the moment you start.

If you are not going to use the control unit for a period of several
days you should switch the unit completely off, at the rear panel,
and disconnect it from the AC power supply.

To switch on from standby

● Press Source (front panel), or select a source by pressing the

appropriate source key on the remote control.

If the 501/501V Control Unit is part of a Meridian system, it will
automatically switch on any other unit in the system, such as the
CD player.

To select a source

● Press Source (front panel) until the display shows the source

you require, or press the appropriate source key on the
remote control.

The display shows the source, and volume setting.

For example, if you select the
CD input the display will show:

By default, the following six sources are available:

Source Label Input

CD CD A2

Radio RD A3

LP LP A1

TV TV A5

Tape1 T1 A4

Tape2 T2 A6

CD65

To switch to standby

● Press Off (front panel) or Standby (remote control).

The display will show:

If you have other Meridian 500 Series equipment connected to
the control unit, these units will also switch to standby.

.

Using the Control Unit

11