Meridian Audio 559 User Manual

Meridian 559 Two Channel Power Amplifier  
Sales and service in the UK  
Meridian Audio Ltd  
Stonehill  
Sales and service in the USA  
Stukeley Meadows  
Cambs  
PE29 6EX  
Meridian America Inc  
3800 Camp Creek Parkway  
Building 2400  
Designed and  
manufactured in the UK by  
England  
Tel (01480) 445678  
Fax (01480) 445686  
Suite 122  
Meridian Audio Ltd  
Stonehill  
Atlanta  
GA 30331  
Stukeley Meadows  
Cambs  
World Wide Web  
Tel (404) 344 7111  
Fax (404) 346 7111  
PE29 6EX  
England  
Copyright © 19932001 Meridian Audio Ltd  
Part no: 559/1  
This guide was produced by  
Human-Computer Interface Ltd,  
ii  
Contents  
Introduction  
1
Introduces the 559 Stereo Power  
Setting up the stereo  
power amplifier  
Amplifier, and provides an overview of the  
other products available in the Meridian  
500 Series.  
7
Describes how to unpack, install, and use  
the stereo power amplifier, and explains  
what you should do if it requires servicing.  
The Meridian 500 Series ........................  
2
Troubleshooting  
17  
Sample configurations ........................... 3  
Specification and accessories ...............  
5
Unpacking ..............................................  
Connecting the stereo power amplifier..  
8
Provides suggested solutions to typical  
problems.  
9
Connecting a source.............................. 12  
Connecting speakers ............................. 13  
Troubleshooting ..................................... 18  
Maintenance .......................................... 19  
Service and guarantee ........................... 20  
Index ...................................................... 21  
iii  
iv  
Introduction  
In choosing the 559 Stereo Power Amplifier you have acquired a  
component that combines major advances in audio and engineering  
design.  
The 559 Stereo Power Amplifier uses a unique feedback topology and  
precision local error correction system. It includes two massive toroidal  
transformers, and the unit has full thermal, load, and DC protection.  
The 559 Stereo Power Amplifier can also be operated in bridge mode, for  
over three times the power output to a single loudspeaker.  
This guide is designed to enable you to obtain the best possible results  
from the unit in conjunction with the other units in your system.  
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.  
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 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.  
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.  
Each Meridian 500 Series source or controller 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.  
Professional features  
The 500 Series also provides features for professional users,  
including RS232 computer control, and balanced connections.  
The following pages give examples of two suggested  
configurations incorporating the 559 Stereo Power Amplifier, to  
illustrate the flexibility of the Meridian 500 Series.  
2
Sample configurations  
Meridian Analogue Theatre  
596  
559  
559  
559  
559  
568/561  
559 Stereo Power Amplifiers are ideal for use with the Meridian  
561 Digital Surround Controller or the 568 Digital Surround  
Processor, to drive five passive loudspeakers in a high-quality  
surround system. The recommended configuration, shown  
above, uses three 559 Stereo Power Amplifiers operating in  
bridge mode to drive the three front loudspeakers, and a fourth  
559 to drive the two rear loudspeakers. The 568 provides  
balanced outputs for the front left, right, and centre channels,  
and so is ideal for use with the balanced inputs of the 559.  
3
588 Compact Disc Player  
588  
559  
502  
The 588 Compact Disc Player is ideally suited for use with the  
Meridian 559 Stereo Power Amplifier and passive 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.  
4
Specification and accessories  
Specification  
Trigger input  
5 to 30VDC or  
5 to 30VAC peak to peak.  
Polarity independent.  
Input  
1.65V RMS.  
Output (stereo)  
Greater than 300W per channel into 8.  
Greater than 500W per channel into 4.  
Meridian Audio reserves the right to amend product  
specifications at any time.  
Output (bridge)  
Greater than 600W into 16.  
Greater than 1000W into 8.  
Greater than 1600W into 4.  
Available accessories  
The following accessories are available from your dealer:  
Distortion  
Noise  
Less than 0.05%.  
Less than -90dB.  
Power cord Europe.  
Power cord Canada and USA.  
Finish  
Black textured enamel and anodised  
front extrusion.  
Dimensions  
442mm x 174mm x 450mm  
(17.4" x 6.8" x 17.7") (W x H x D).  
Weight  
42kg.  
Consumption  
30VA quiescent, 1200VA max.  
5
6
Setting up the stereo  
power amplifier  
This chapter explains how to install the 559 Stereo Power Amplifier. It  
describes what you should find when you unpack the amplifier, how you  
should connect it to your other audio equipment, and the siting  
constraints.  
You should not make any connections to the 559 Stereo Power Amplifier or  
to any other component in your system whilst the AC power supply is  
connected and switched on.  
Unpacking  
The 559 Stereo Power Amplifier comes in a box containing the  
following components:  
Safety warnings  
Do not expose the stereo power amplifier to dripping or  
splashing.  
559 Stereo Power Amplifier.  
1 power cord.  
Do not place any object filled with liquid, such as a vase, on  
the stereo power amplifier.  
1 bridge mode link.  
This manual.  
Do not place naked flame sources, such as lighted candles,  
on the stereo power amplifier.  
You are advised to retain the packing in case you need to  
transport the unit.  
To avoid overheating  
The 559 Stereo Power Amplifier weighs 42kg. Do not  
attempt to lift it without assistance.  
During normal operation the internal heatsinks may become  
quite hot. The stereo power amplifier should therefore be  
positioned to allow a free flow of air through the cooling vents  
from the base to the top.  
Before connecting power  
Before you begin installation you should ensure that your stereo  
power amplifier is set to the correct voltage for your local AC  
supply. If it is not, do not try to install the unit, and contact your  
dealer.  
Do not place the stereo power amplifier:  
In direct sunlight.  
Near heat sources, eg a radiator.  
Stacked with any other audio products, as the heat it  
generates may damage the other products.  
Do not make connections, or insert or remove plugs, while  
the unit is connected to the supply and switched on, as the  
transients generated could damage the loudspeakers.  
Do not restrict airflow through the top and bottom vents.  
8
Connecting the stereo power amplifier  
Back panel  
Select right balanced/  
unbalanced input  
Power  
and fuse  
Select left balanced/  
unbalanced input  
INPUT SELECTOR  
UNBALANCED  
INPUT SELECTOR  
UNBALANCED  
BALANCED  
ON  
OFF  
BALANCED  
UNBALANCED  
BALANCED  
UNBALANCED  
BALANCED  
BRIDGE  
MODE  
INPUT  
RIGHT  
LEFT  
TRIGGER  
INPUT  
LINK FOR  
BRIDGED MODE  
+
+
OFF  
ON  
BRIDGE MODE  
Right  
outputs  
Select bridge  
mode  
Left  
outputs  
9
Outputs  
Inputs  
The following table gives details of the output connections:  
The following two alternative audio inputs are provided:  
Use this output  
To connect to this  
Use this input  
To connect to this  
LEFT, RIGHT  
Loudspeakers of 2to 16, using  
either plug or bare wire connections.  
UNBALANCED  
A preamplifier, using phono connectors  
and high-quality screened cable.  
BRIDGE MODE  
A loudspeaker of 2to 16; see To  
wire to a passive loudspeaker in bridge  
mode, page 14.  
BALANCED  
A balanced analogue output, using  
XLR connectors:  
1 (Green) = GND  
2 (Red)  
= +ve  
Each channel of the 559 Stereo Power Amplifier provides twin  
outputs for bi-wiring. This allows separate connections to be  
made to the bass/mid and tweeter units on speakers that allow  
bi-wiring, for optimum sound quality.  
3 (Black) = -ve  
Select the appropriate input using the INPUT SELECTOR for  
each channel.  
Alternatively, for loudspeakers providing a single pair of inputs,  
either of the output terminals can be used.  
10  
Standby  
Once set up, the stereo power amplifier can be left in standby as  
it consumes negligible power in this mode.  
To bring the amplifier out of standby press the button on the  
front panel. Alternatively, the 559 can be brought out of standby  
automatically using the TRIGGER INPUT; see below.  
If you are not going to use the stereo power amplifier for a  
period of several days you should switch the unit completely off,  
at the back panel, and disconnect it from the AC power supply.  
Trigger input  
The TRIGGER INPUT can be used to bring the stereo power  
amplifier out of standby by applying a signal from a control unit.  
The trigger input should be an AC or DC signal of between 5 and  
30V. Suitable trigger signals are provided by the Meridian 561,  
562, 800, and 861.  
11  
Connecting a source  
To connect to a stereo preamplifier  
(eg Meridian 501)  
To connect to each channel of a 568  
Digital Surround Processor  
559 Stereo Power Amplifier  
559 Stereo Power Amplifier  
UNBALANCED  
BALANCED  
501 Analogue Controller  
568 Digital Surround Processor  
REAR-L RIGHT C LEFT  
OUTPUT  
REAR-R  
OFF  
ON  
2 x 559 Stereo Power Amplifiers  
Switch the BRIDGE MODE switch to the OFF position.  
Three 559 Stereo Power Amplifiers can be used in bridge mode  
for each of the front channels of a 568 Digital Surround  
Processor, which are provided as balanced outputs.  
Connect the sockets marked UNBALANCED on the back  
panel of the stereo power amplifier to the outputs from your  
preamplifier.  
Switch the BRIDGE MODE switches to the ON position.  
Switch the INPUT SELECTOR switches to the UNBALANCED  
position.  
Fit the supplied bridge mode link between the left and right  
negative terminals.  
You should either use a twin-screened audio cable, or a pair of  
single-screened audio cables. These cables can have a  
considerable effect on the quality of the sound, and you are  
advised to seek your dealers advice on the best type of cables  
for your system.  
Connect the LEFT, RIGHT, and CENTRE balanced outputs  
from the 568 to the BRIDGE MODE inputs on the 559.  
Switch the INPUT SELECTOR switches to BALANCED.  
12  
Connecting speakers  
To connect to passive loudspeakers  
To bi-wire to passive loudspeakers  
559 Stereo Power Amplifier  
559 Stereo Power Amplifier  
BALANCED  
OFF  
OFF  
Set the BRIDGE MODE switch to the OFF position.  
Set the BRIDGE MODE switch to the OFF position.  
Connect one of each pair of the red and black terminals from  
the appropriate channel of the 559 Stereo Power Amplifier to  
the red and black terminals on the passive loudspeakers.  
Remove the links bridging the LF and HF terminals on the  
back of each loudspeaker.  
Connect the LF red and black terminals from each  
loudspeaker to the red and black terminals on the appropriate  
channel of the 559 Stereo Power Amplifier, using twin  
loudspeaker cable.  
Connect the HF red and black terminals from each  
loudspeaker to the other pair of red and black terminals on  
the appropriate channel of the 559 Stereo Power Amplifier.  
13  
To wire to a passive loudspeaker in  
bridged mode  
Connect the loudspeaker between the BRIDGE MODE  
terminals.  
You can bi-wire in bridge mode by using the other pair of  
BRIDGE MODE terminals to connect separately to the  
loudspeaker treble unit.  
559 Stereo Power Amplifier  
Input  
ON  
You can use the 559 as a mono power amplifier, to obtain more  
than three times the power output, by wiring it in bridge mode.  
Switch the BRIDGE MODE switch to the ON position.  
Fit the supplied bridge mode link between the left and right  
negative terminals.  
Connect the audio inputs to the BALANCED or  
UNBALANCED BRIDGE MODE input, as appropriate.  
14  
To bi-amp to two passive  
loudspeakers  
Switch the BRIDGE MODE switch on both amplifiers to the  
OFF position.  
Connect the left audio output from the preamplifier to both  
inputs on one amplifier.  
Connect the right audio output from the preamplifier to both  
inputs on the other amplifier.  
Remove the links bridging the LF and HF terminals on the  
559 Stereo Power Amplifier  
back of each loudspeaker.  
Connect the red and black terminals from the LF and HF units  
on one loudspeaker to the red and black terminals on each  
channel of one stereo amplifier.  
OFF  
Likewise, connect the LF and HF units from the other  
loudspeaker to the red and black terminals on each channel of  
the other stereo amplifier.  
559 Stereo Power Amplifier  
Input  
OFF  
Extremely high sound quality can be achieved using two  
separate 559 Stereo Power Amplifiers, one to drive each  
loudspeaker. The two channels in each 559 Stereo Power  
Amplifier are used to drive the LF and HF units in each  
loudspeaker.  
15  
16  
Troubleshooting  
This chapter provides suggested solutions to typical problems that may  
occur when setting up or using the 559 Stereo Power Amplifier.  
If you are still not able to resolve a difficulty with the help of this guide and  
the suggestions in the following pages, please contact your Meridian  
dealer or Meridian Audio Ltd.  
Troubleshooting  
No front panel indicator is shown  
The sound has cut out  
Check that your AC power supply is connected correctly.  
Check that the ON OFF switch on the back panel is in the ON  
position.  
The 559 Stereo Power Amplifier includes a thermal shutdown,  
which mutes the output if the amplifier becomes too hot. The  
Standby LED will also become red.  
Check that the fuse on the stereo power amplifier back panel  
and the fuse in the units power plug have not blown; see To  
change the mains fuse, page 19.  
Leave the amplifier for a few minutes to cool down, the  
Standby LED will turn green.  
The amplifier can then be taken out of standby using the front  
panel button or the TRIGGER INPUT.  
The 559 Stereo Power Amplifier also includes a power circuit  
breaker to protect the loudspeakers. This is also triggered if the  
mains supply is interrupted.  
Check the system for the cause of the cut out.  
Switch off, wait 5 seconds, then switch on to reset the power.  
18  
Maintenance  
Cleaning  
To clean the audio connections  
When cleaning the stereo power amplifier bear in mind that the  
front of the unit is brushed aluminium and the case is metal.  
The audio sockets on the back of the stereo power 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 proprietary contact  
cleaner can be used to some advantage.  
Disconnect the power cord before cleaning the unit.  
Note: Do not use abrasive cleaners on any part of the stereo  
power amplifier.  
To change the mains fuse  
To clean the case  
Fuse  
Spare  
Use a slightly damp cloth.  
Ensure that no water is allowed to get inside the case, and do  
not reconnect the power until you are certain that the stereo  
power amplifier is completely dry.  
Remove the mains connector, and pull out the drawer next to  
the power input to access the fuses.  
Before replacing a blown fuse, if possible ascertain the cause of  
the failure.  
The fuse drawer includes a spare fuse. This should be replaced  
by one of the same rating.  
19  
Service and guarantee  
Service  
Guarantee  
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.  
The 559 Stereo Power Amplifier is guaranteed against defects in  
material and workmanship for two years from the date of  
purchase.  
The guarantee is void if the 559 Stereo Power Amplifier has been  
subject to misuse, accident, or negligence, or has been  
In the unlikely event that your stereo power amplifier fails to  
function correctly, it should be returned, in its original  
packaging, to your Meridian dealer.  
tampered with or modified in any way without the written  
authorisation of Meridian Audio Limited. Attempted servicing by  
unauthorised people may also invalidate this guarantee. Labour  
and carriage charges are not covered unless by local agreement.  
In case of difficulty within the UK or USA please contact the  
appropriate sales and service address shown on page ii.  
Outside the UK, local warranty liability is restricted to equipment  
purchased within the territory. Our agents abroad are only under  
contractual obligation to service under guarantee equipment  
sold through them. They are entitled to make a non-refundable  
charge for any service carried out on other equipment.  
In case of difficulty outside the UK or USA, contact the importing  
agent for the territory. A list of Meridian agents abroad is  
available from Meridian Audio.  
No responsibility can be accepted for the stereo power amplifier  
whilst in transit to the factory or an agent, and customers are  
therefore advised to insure the unit.  
This guarantee does not limit your statutory rights within the  
United Kingdom.  
When seeking service under guarantee, proof of the date of  
purchase will be required.  
20  
Index  
I
inputs 10  
installing  
A
B
accessories  
5
T
thermal protection 18  
trigger input 11  
8
bi-amp connection 15  
bi-wire connection 10, 13  
bridge mode 10, 14  
introduction  
1
troubleshooting 17  
L
lifting the 559  
8
U
X
unpacking  
8
M
maintenance 19  
C
cleaning 19  
XLR connectors 10  
Meridian 500 Series  
2
the audio connections 19  
the case 19  
588 Compact Disc Player  
communications  
4
2
components  
8
Meridian Analogue Theatre  
Meridian System Remote  
3
connecting to  
2
a 502 Analogue Controller  
4
a 568 Digital Surround Processor 12  
a stereo preamplifier 12  
O
P
S
overheating 8, 18  
passive loudspeakers 13, 14  
two passive loudspeakers 15  
positioning  
8
safety warnings  
service 20  
8
F
G
H
fuse, replacing 19  
guarantee 20  
sound has cut out 18  
specification  
switching on 11  
5
heat during use  
8
21  
22  

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