Meridian Analogue Controller 502 User manual

Background
Meridian has established a strong reputation for preamps. The Meridian 502 is
by far the highest specification and best sounding preamp from this
distinguished high-end company.
Meridian 502
The 502 has been designed as a reference quality partner to the 557 and 505
Power Amplifiers, which also feature balanced operation and dual-mono
construction. This preamp is ready to receive balanced inputs from Meridian’s
588 CD Player or 566 D–A Converter and when used with 557, 505 or a
Meridian Active Loudspeaker, it completes a fully balanced analogue system.
Balanced operation has always been used in professional audio because it
can bring very substantial improvements in dynamic range by reducing
inadvertent system noise from cabling or ground-loops. In a music system,
balanced operation guarantees that the very best sonics are obtained from a
combination of components.
The 502 brings the very best sonic and musical results to an all-analogue hi-fi.
Seven sources can be controlled –four connected as unbalanced on phono,
the other three provide fully balanced operation with XLR inputs.
502 provides balanced (XLR) and unbalanced outputs so it can be used with
either balanced or single-ended power amplifiers or active speakers.A
balanced tape output is also provided to allow sophisticated connection for ‘Pro’
recorders and processors or balanced operation in a two-room setup.
502 is constructed in a dual-mono format; there are separate isolated printed
circuits for the left and right channels. Each channel has its own high-
performance power supply which employs linear techniques, massive storage
with audiophile-grade capacitors and multiple ultra-low-noise linear active
regulation.
No expense has been spared in the construction –the 502 uses very high
quality components including high-grade gold-plated connectors, Nichicon and
polypropylene audio-grade capacitors, ultra-linear amplifier stages, four-layer
PCB construction and a low-flux toroidal transformer. For vinyl lovers, two ultra-
high-end mono phono modules can be fitted as an option (one for each
channel).
Preamps that integrate analogue audio systems need to have a wide range of
operating levels and gains. The 502 has enormous overload capacity and will
accept and deliver over 4V rms single-ended (8V rms balanced). The gain
setting allows a ±12dB variation; this gain setting is user-adjustable for each
input and automatically remembered by the preamp. Like all the Meridian 500
Series, 502 has full remote capability and it can control a Meridian system when
used with the MSR system remote. The on-board controller also has RS232
access for sophisticated system integration and computer control.
502
Analogue Controller
Sales information
1st December 2001
•Completes a fully balanced
analogue system when used
with 500 Series amps or
Meridian Active Loudspeakers
•Constructed in dual-mono to
match the 557 power amp
•Two tape outputs
•User adjustable sensitivity
•Phono option with MC or MM
plug-in modules for each
channel
•Large low-field ultra-linear
power supply
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

Technical Specification
Distortion: Less than 0.01% input to output.
Signal/Noise: Better than–96dB CCIR (1V output, normal input) Less than
–70dB for MM input and–60dB for MC.
MM option: Sensitivity adjustable 0.5–17mV for 5cm/s @1kHz. Overload
point 47mV @ 1kHz. Cartridge load 47k ohms + 100pF.
MC option: Sensitivity adjustable 38–1200µV for 5cm/s @1kHz.
Cartridge load 220 ohms + 10nF.
Inputs: 4 unbalanced on phono, 27–840mV rms (impedance 20k
ohms).
3 balanced on XLR, 27–840mV rms (impedance 20k ohms).
Outputs: 1 unbalanced on phono, 1.4–3V rms (impedance 47 ohms).
1balanced output on XLR, 1.4–3V rms (impedance 47 ohms).
Tape outputs: Two unbalanced 1.5V rms (impedance 47 ohms).
Construction: Two-channel dual-mono construction.
High-grade components used throughout.
Phono option with new moving-coil or magnetic plug-in
modules for each channel.
Large low-field ultra-linear power supply.
Black textured enamel and glass finish.
Dimensions: 88mm (3.46in) H, 321 (12.64) W, 332 (13.07) D.
Weight 5kg (10lbs).
Controls: Front panel controls for Source, Copy, Mute, Display, Volume
up/down, Off. Volume control: 99 steps of 1dB with balanced
mode.
Remote control, Meridian 500-Comms and RS232 operation
Two Room Plus compatible.
Front display: 8-character dot-matrix LED display.
502
Analogue Controller
Sales information
1st December 2001
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(404) 346 7111
www.meridian-audio.com