Meridian 559 User manual

Meridian 559 Two Channel Power Amplifier
user guide

i
Preface
Meridian 559 Stereo
Power Amplifier
User Guide

Preface
ii
Sales and service in the UK
Meridian Audio Ltd
Stonehill
Stukeley Meadows
Cambs
PE29 6EX
England
Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]
World Wide Web
http://www.meridian-audio.com
Sales and service in the USA
Meridian America Inc
3800 Camp Creek Parkway
Building 2400
Suite 122
Atlanta
GA 30331
Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]
Designed and
manufactured in the UK by
Meridian Audio Ltd
Stonehill
Stukeley Meadows
Cambs
PE29 6EX
England
Copyright © 1993–2001 Meridian Audio Ltd
Part no: 559/1
This guide was produced by
Human-Computer Interface Ltd,
http://www.interface.co.uk

iii
Preface
Contents
Introduces the 559 Stereo Power
Amplifier, and provides an overview of the
other products available in the Meridian
500 Series.
Describes how to unpack, install, and use
the stereo power amplifier, and explains
what you should do if it requires servicing.
Provides suggested solutions to typical
problems.
Introduction 1
The Meridian 500 Series ........................ 2
Sample configurations ........................... 3
Specification and accessories ............... 5
Setting up the stereo
power amplifier 7
Unpacking .............................................. 8
Connecting the stereo power amplifier.. 9
Connecting a source.............................. 12
Connecting speakers ............................. 13
Troubleshooting 17
Troubleshooting ..................................... 18
Maintenance .......................................... 19
Service and guarantee ........................... 20
Index ...................................................... 21

Preface
iv

Introduction
1
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.

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 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.
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 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.

Introduction
3
Sample configurations
Meridian Analogue Theatre
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
568/561
596
559
559 559
559
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.

4
Introduction
588 Compact Disc Player
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.
502
588
559

Introduction
5
Specification and accessories
Trigger input 5 to 30VDC or
5 to 30VAC peak to peak.
Polarity independent.
Meridian Audio reserves the right to amend product
specifications at any time.
Available accessories
The following accessories are available from your dealer:
❍Power cord Europe.
❍Power cord Canada and USA.
Specification
Input 1.65V RMS.
Output (stereo) Greater than 300W per channel into 8Ω.
Greater than 500W per channel into 4Ω.
Output (bridge) Greater than 600W into 16Ω.
Greater than 1000W into 8Ω.
Greater than 1600W into 4Ω.
Distortion Less than 0.05%.
Noise Less than -90dB.
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.

6
Introduction

Setting up the stereo power amplifier
7
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.

Setting up the stereo power amplifier
8
Unpacking
The 559 Stereo Power Amplifier comes in a box containing the
following components:
❍559 Stereo Power Amplifier.
❍1 power cord.
❍1 bridge mode link.
❍This manual.
You are advised to retain the packing in case you need to
transport the unit.
The 559 Stereo Power Amplifier weighs 42kg. Do not
attempt to lift it without assistance.
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 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.
Safety warnings
❍Do not expose the stereo power amplifier to dripping or
splashing.
❍Do not place any object filled with liquid, such as a vase, on
the stereo power amplifier.
❍Do not place naked flame sources, such as lighted candles,
on the stereo power amplifier.
To avoid overheating
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.
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 restrict airflow through the top and bottom vents.

Setting up the stereo power amplifier
9
Back panel
Connecting the stereo power amplifier
OFFON
INPUT SELECTOR
BALANCED
UNBALANCED
BALANCED
UNBALANCED
+
–
BRIDGE MODE
TRIGGER
INPUT
RIGHT
INPUT SELECTOR
BALANCED
UNBALANCED
BALANCED
UNBALANCED
OFF ON
BRIDGE
MODE
INPUT
+
–
LEFT
LINK FOR
BRIDGED MODE
Right
outputs
Select bridge
mode
Power
and fuse
Select right balanced/
unbalanced input
Left
outputs
Select left balanced/
unbalanced input

Setting up the stereo power amplifier
10
Outputs
The following table gives details of the output connections:
Use this output To connect to this
LEFT, RIGHT Loudspeakers of 2Ωto 16Ω, using
either plug or bare wire connections.
BRIDGE MODE A loudspeaker of 2Ωto 16Ω; see To
wire to a passive loudspeaker in bridge
mode, page 14.
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.
Alternatively, for loudspeakers providing a single pair of inputs,
either of the output terminals can be used.
Inputs
The following two alternative audio inputs are provided:
Use this input To connect to this
UNBALANCED A preamplifier, using phono connectors
and high-quality screened cable.
BALANCED A balanced analogue output, using
XLR connectors:
1 (Green) = GND
2 (Red) = +ve
3 (Black) = -ve
Select the appropriate input using the INPUT SELECTOR for
each channel.

Setting up the stereo power amplifier
11
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.

Setting up the stereo power amplifier
12
To connect to each channel of a 568
Digital Surround Processor
559 Stereo Power Amplifier
568 Digital Surround Processor
RIGHT CREAR-L
REAR-R
LEFT
ON
BALANCED
2 x 559 Stereo Power Amplifiers
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.
●Switch the BRIDGE MODE switches to the ON position.
●Fit the supplied bridge mode link between the left and right
negative terminals.
●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.
To connect to a stereo preamplifier
(eg Meridian 501)
559 Stereo Power Amplifier
501 Analogue Controller
OUTPUT
OFF
UNBALANCED
●Switch the BRIDGE MODE switch to the OFF position.
●Connect the sockets marked UNBALANCED on the back
panel of the stereo power amplifier to the outputs from your
preamplifier.
●Switch the INPUT SELECTOR switches to the UNBALANCED
position.
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 dealer’s advice on the best type of cables
for your system.
Connecting a source

Setting up the stereo power amplifier
13
To connect to passive loudspeakers
559 Stereo Power Amplifier
OFF
●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.
To bi-wire to passive loudspeakers
559 Stereo Power Amplifier
OFF
BALANCED
●Set the BRIDGE MODE switch to the OFF position.
●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.
Connecting speakers

Setting up the stereo power amplifier
14
To wire to a passive loudspeaker in
bridged mode
559 Stereo Power Amplifier
ON
Input
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.
●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.

Setting up the stereo power amplifier
15
●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
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.
●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.
To bi-amp to two passive
loudspeakers
559 Stereo Power Amplifier
559 Stereo Power Amplifier
OFF
OFF
Input
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.