Meridian 559 User manual

Background
Meridian amplifier technology has been developed over many years with some
remarkable landmark innovations. The core design of 559 employs a radical
new amplifier topology which was created specifically to meet the demands of
new audio formats, and which was first featured in Meridian’s DSP8000
flagship loudspeaker.
The design goals for 559 were uncompromising. In particular superb linearity,
stability and dynamic range are essential to do justice to high resolution source
material from new formats like DVD-Audio and SACD.
Meridian 559
The 559 is an extremely powerful amplifier with an unruffled ability to
continuously drive loads down to 1 ohm, and the capability of output current
bursts exceeding 150 Amps.
The power supply features a proprietary soft-start system, two low-noise high-
mass 1.2kVA transformers and more than 80,000µF of audiophile-grade
smoothing capacitance.
Single-ended inputs are balanced using our proprietary ‘super bal’ input
topology before being fed to the power amplifier. The amplifier design
emphasizes ultra-low noise and distortion and zero output impedance before
any feedback is applied. Each channel uses twenty 16-amp output devices in a
super-class-A output stage and features Meridian’s proprietary dynamic bias
system. These techniques result in sound which is secure and open on a wide
variety of loudspeakers.
Technical Specification
Power output: 2 channels at 300W into 8 ohms, or
1 channel at >1500W into 4 ohms (bridged).
Distortion: <0.05%
Signal/Noise: > –100dB
Inputs: Balanced on XLR and unbalanced on phono.
Outputs: Twin outputs for bi-wiring.
Construction: 20 pairs of 16-amp output devices per channel and 80,000µF
of audiophile-grade smoothing capacitors.
Ultra-low impedance error-corrected output stage.
DC coupled.
Dimensions: 199.25mm (7.84) Height including feet, 480 (18.90) Panel
width, 441 (17.36) Case width, 482 (18.98) Depth
Weight 37kg (82lbs)
Soft start and thermal management in main assembly.
Controls: Front-panel control for power Standby (bias down).
Rear-panel controls for balanced or single-ended input,
Bridge/Stereo Mode.
559
300W Two Channel Amplifier
Sales information
1st December 2001
•300W into 8 ohms
•Over 1,500W of available
power in bridge mode
•Twin high mass low noise
1.2kVA transformers
•Switchable balanced and
single-ended inputs
•Rack mountable
•Trigger input AC or DC
control
•Standby control using trigger
output from 562V.2, 561, 800
or 861
•Dual gold-plated high-current
binding posts
•Internal wiring by Van den Hul®
•Output stage bias down in
standby mode
Meridian Audio Limited
Stonehill, Stukeley Meadows
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire PE29 6EX
T [phone]
F [phone]
Meridian America Inc.
Suite 122, Building 2400
3800 Camp Creek Parkway
Atlanta GA 30331
T [phone]
F [phone]
www.meridian-audio.com