Meridian Audio 508 Owners manual

user guide

Meridian 508 20-Bit CD Player

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: 508/2

This guide was produced by

Human-Computer Interface Ltd,

Cambridge, England.

Contents

Introduction 1

Introduces the 508 20-Bit CD Player, and
provides an overview of the other products
available in the Meridian 500 Series.

Using the CD player 7

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

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

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

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

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

Switching on and off .............................. 9

Playing a disc......................................... 10

Stopping, pausing, and repeating

play ........................................................ 11

Programming a selection ....................... 12

Disc information and scanning .............. 14

Using index points ................................. 15

Changing the absolute phase ................ 16

Setting up the
CD player 17

Describes how to unpack and install the
CD player, and gives information about
cleaning and servicing your CD player.

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

Connecting the CD player......................19

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

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

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

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

Preface

iii

Preface

iv

Introduction

In choosing the 508 20-Bit CD Player you have acquired a component that

combines major advances in digital audio and engineering design. The 508
20-Bit CD Player incorporates a three-beam laser CD mechanism, for
superb sound quality and disc playability. The precision-engineered
turntable combines the advantages of drawer loading with the superior
disc clamping normally associated with top loading players. The digital
signal is decoded using the latest 20-bit dual-differential Delta Sigma
digital to analogue converter, combined with a discrete class A output for
superlative audio performance.

This guide is designed to enable you to obtain the best possible results
from the unit, whether your requirements are simply to play a disc or to
programme a selection of music.

If you have just purchased the 508 20-Bit CD Player, you should first turn to
the section Setting up the CD player, page 17, which explains how to
unpack and install the CD player 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

508 20-Bit CD Player 500 Compact Disc Transport

A500

A500

DSP5000DSP5000

508

504

502

557

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.

500

504

562

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.

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

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

562V

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

Specification

THD Less than -93dBFS.
Noise Less than -93dBFS.
Mechanism Three-beam laser.
Conversion Dual differential 20-bit Delta Sigma.
Display Eight character dot-matrix display for

track, time, and index.

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

(3.46" x 12.64" x 13.07").

Weight 6.4kg (14lbs). Audio output 2V fixed, class A. Balanced outputs XLR sockets, 1=ground, 2=positive

phase output, 3=negative phase
output.

Digital outputs Co-axial, optical.

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 508 20-Bit CD Player, 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 508 20-Bit CD
Player to other equipment.

Introduction

6

Communications Two 5 pin 240° DIN sockets.
Consumption 20VA.