Meridian G51 User manual

The Meridian G51 is the rst integrated receiver
ever manufactured by the company, and forms
a perfect complement to the rest of the G Series
range with its super-high-quality reproduction
of analogue signals. Although Meridian is today
best-known for its digital circuitry, it is a compa-
ny built on analogue roots, and indeed, superb
analogue circuit design and implementation are
important parts of all Meridian products.
Including a stereo preamplier, controller and
a power amplier that features a unique low-
feedback topology and extremely low output
impedance, the G51 stereo receiver provides no
less than seven stereo analogue inputs plus, of
course, an AM/FM tuner with RDS/RDBS capabil-
ity. The inputs are nominally designated Aux,
CD, TV, Tape, Disc (Phono), DVD and VCR, but
can be recongured. The G51 can be ordered
with either moving coil or moving magnet
stereo phono input modules.
Two sets of stereo tape outputs are provided,
along with two preamp out pairs, one of which
is normally jumpered to the adjacent power
amplier input sockets. These jumpers can be
removed to connect an analogue surround de-
coder, for example, while the additional preamp
output allows for biamping with an additional
2-channel amplier such as the G56.
A front-panel volume knob (press to mute)
activates a specially-designed dual differentially-
balanced volume control circuit. This ensures
perfect stereo tracking and full frequency range
performance at all volume levels.
AM/FM RDS/RDBS receiver
with 2 x 100W amplication
Separate pre and power
amps in a single unit
Dual differential volume
control with knob
Input level matching
Separate pre out and amp
in connectors for maximum
exibility
Seven stereo analogue in-
puts & dual tape outputs
MM/MC option
Power amp developed from
agship DSP8000 speakers
Trigger output for external
device control
G51 Integrated AM/FM Stereo Receiver
Meridian’s G Series line of high performance
digital & analogue consumer audio components
feature a stylish cabinet design in traditional
black or a sleek silver nish.
Designed to be either free-standing or rack-
mounted, G Series components build on their
predecessors, the multi-award-winning 500 and
our agship 800 Series, and include entirely new
circuitry developed specically for the G Series.
Multi-layer boards reduce system noise and
improve performance. In products which include
video capabilities, broadcast-quality, wide-
bandwidth video components are employed for
maximum image integrity.
G Series units are easy to use. Where appropri-
ate, a knob is included to control volume. The
positive-action front-panel keys are software-
dened: their legends are presented in the
vacuum uorescent display and change
intelligently according to context.
Full installation conguration of many G Series
components is achieved by running a special
setup program on a Windows computer,
connected to the G Series unit via a serial link,
or direct from the front panel.
G Series products also include serial ports for
remote operation and conguration, along with
infra-red sensor input and trigger capabilities,
plus Meridian communications ports. A compre-
hensive back-lit learning/programmable remote
is included with products other than ampliers.

The two channel amplier includes the latest
power amp developments from Meridian,
utilised in the agship DSP8000 digital loud-
speaker systems.
The ampliers feature active bias control
throughout, with thermal sensing that carefully
manages the temperature and current ow at
different volume levels. Fully DC-coupled, the
signal path contains no capacitors, while those
in the power supplies are audiophile grade
components.
The ampliers are of a unique low-feedback
design for minimum transient and interface in-
termodulation distortion, offering superb clarity
and transparency right across the audible range,
with an output impedance that is close to zero
and delivers a solid 100W continuous mean
power per channel into 8Ω suitable for virtually
any high-quality passive loudspeaker system.
The amplier, when in standby mode, maintains
a standing voltage on the power rails, reducing
the time taken for optimum performance to be
delivered after power-up from tens of minutes
to virtually instantaneous.
Two sets of outputs per channel are provided on
sturdy binding posts colour-coded for easy refer-
ence. The output terminals are connected to the
ampliers by Van den Hul silver-strand cable to
avoid signal losses.
In addition to the main outputs, a stereo head-
phone socket is provided on the rear panel for
personal listening, A ‘speaker off’ facility is also
included.
Outline Specications
Distortion: Less than 0.01% input to output
Signal/Noise: Better than –90dB for high-level analogue inputs.
Better than –70dB for MM input. Better than –60dB
for MC input
MM option: Sensitivity adjustable 0.5–3mV rms for 5cm/s @ 1kHz.
Overload point 47mV @ 1kHz. Cartridge load 47kΩ +
100 pF
MC option: Sensitivity adjustable 38–210µV rms for 5cm/s @ 1kHz.
Cartridge load 220Ω + 10nF
Tuner: AM (Long/Medium Wave, 150–285/525–1605 kHz);
FM (VHF Band II, 87.5–108 MHz), sensitivity 2.0µv.
Congurable channel spacing & de-emphasis for
US/EUR/ Japan, etc
Inputs: 7 unbalanced on phono, 0.5–2.5V rms (impedance
20kΩ) in four steps
Main Output: 2 outputs, 100W per channel into 8Ω
Pre Output: 2 unbalanced on phono, 0–3V rms maximum, 47Ω
impedance
Tape Output: 2 unbalanced on phono, 1.5V rms, 47Ω impedance
Headphone: 2V rms maximum output
Comms: Two 5-pin 240° DIN sockets, BNC socket, RS232 and
USB comms interfaces
Construction: Meridian black or silver nish in metal & glass
Dimensions: Width: 440mm (17.32in); Depth: 350mm (13.78in)
plus connectors; Height: 90mm (3.54in)
Rack Mounting: Kit available from Meridian authorized dealers
Weight: 13.5 kg (29.7 lbs)
Controls: Front-panel soft keys include control of Source,
Copy, Mute, etc. Power and Display buttons, volume
control. Full remote control of all features via MSR+.
Meridian Comms, IR in, RS232, USB
Trigger: 12V trigger output allows switching of external
devices
Display: Multi-character dot-matrix Vacuum Fluorescent
Display
Power: Versions: 100, 110, 115, 220, 230, 240 Vac, 50/60Hz.
Standby 12VA, Idle 50VA, Both channels driven
326VA
G51 rear panel
Meridian Audio Limited
Stonehill, Stukeley Meadows
Huntingdon, Cambridge PE29 6EX
UK
Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]
Meridian America Inc
3800 Camp Creek Parkway
Building 2400 Suite 122
Atlanta GA 30331 USA
Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.meridian-audio.com
G51 Integrated AM/FM Stereo Receiver
Information contained in this data sheet is
correct as far as possible, but Meridian Audio
accepts no liability for errors or omissions.
Trademarks are the property of their respective
owners. Meridian Audio reserves the right to
amend product specications at any time.
Further technical details, images, product
reviews and company history are available
from Meridian Audio or from our web site,
www.meridian-audio.com
©Text & images 2003 Meridian Audio Ltd.
G51DS v3.0 • 17.10.03 RE
The G51 receiver is the perfect choice for the heart of a
compact, integrated analogue system. With the addition of a
CD player such as the G07, and third-party passive analogue
speakers, it’s all you need for high quality stereo listening.