G Series Power Amplifier Installation Guide G Series Power Amplifier 1 9/5/06 11:59:26 am
ii Preface Important safety instructions • Read the instructions. • Keep these instructions. • Follow all instructions. • Do not use this apparatus near water. • Clean only with a dry cloth. • Install only in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. • Refer all servicing to approved service personnel.
iii Contents Introduction Contents 1 Provides information about the power amplifier models, a description of each product, and technical specifications. Power amplifier models 1 Specifications 4 Installing the power amplifier 5 Describes how to install the power amplifier and connect it to the other equipment in the system. Unpacking Inputs Outputs Troubleshooting 5 6 13 23 Provides suggested solutions to problems while installing or operating the product.
iv Preface Copyright and acknowledgements Sales and service in the UK Sales and service in the USA Meridian Audio Ltd Meridian America Inc Latham Road 8055 Troon Circle Huntingdon Suite C Cambridgeshire Austell PE29 6YE GA30168-7849 England USA Tel +44 (0)1480 445678 Tel +1 (404) 344 7111 Fax +44 (0)1480 445686 Fax +1 (404) 346 7111 World Wide Web – http://www.meridian-audio.
1 Introduction Introduction This guide provides full information about unpacking the power amplifier, and connecting it to the other equipment in the system. Power amplifier models This Installation Guide applies to the G55 Five-channel Power Amplifier, G56 Two-channel Power Amplifier, and G57 Two-channel Power Amplifier.
2 Introduction General features Each of the G Series power amplifiers is based on modules that feature a symmetrical design with fully electronically-balanced inputs. Both balanced and unbalanced inputs are provided, but in fact the unbalanced inputs are converted to balanced before they enter the amplifier itself, using Meridian’s proprietary ‘superbal’ technology.
3 Introduction G55 Five-channel Power Amplifier The Meridian G55 is a five-channel unit, and delivers a solid 100W RMS per channel continuous into 8Ω. The outer pairs of channels can be operated in bridge mode by actuating a back-panel rocker switch on the channel 1 and/or channel 5 modules, in which case the first channel input of the pair becomes the bridged input and the upper output terminals are linked, power being derived from the lower terminal pairs.
4 Introduction Specifications G55 G56 G57 Distortion Less than 0.01%. Less than 0.01%. Less than 0.01%. Signal/Noise Better than -100dB. Better than -100dB. Better than -100dB. Inputs Balanced on XLR and unbalanced on phono. Sensitivity 1.0V RMS phono/per leg balanced. 1.0V RMS phono/per leg balanced. 1.4V RMS phono/per leg balanced. Input 16kΩ phono, 32kΩ balanced. 16kΩ phono, 32kΩ balanced. 16kΩ phono, 32kΩ balanced. Outputs Twin outputs for bi-wiring. Twin outputs for bi-wiring.
5 Installing the power amplifier Installing the power amplifier This chapter explains how to install the power amplifier. It describes what you should find when you unpack the product, and how you should connect it to the other equipment in the system. You should not make any connections to the product or to any other component in the system while the AC power supply is connected and switched on.
6 Installing the power amplifier Inputs G55 Five-channel Power Amplifier ���������� ���������� �������� �������� �������������������� �������������� ������������� ��������������� ��������� ���������� �������������� ��������� �������� ������������������ ��� ��� ��� ����������� ���������������������� �������������������� �������������� �������������������� � ������������������� ��� ���������� ���������� �������� �������� ��� �������������������� �������������� ������� ��������� ��������
7 Installing the power amplifier To connect the G55 to an unbalanced preamplifier (eg G01 Control Unit) G55 Five-channel Power Amplifier G01 Control Unit OFF OFF PRE OUT AUDIO LEAD AUDIO LEAD • Switch the BRIDGE MODE switch for channels 1/2 to the OFF • Switch the corresponding channels to the UNBALANCED position. position. • Connect the UNBALANCED sockets on the power amplifier to the outputs from the preamplifier.
8 Installing the power amplifier To connect the G55 to a G68AXV Digital Surround Controller G68AXV Digital Surround Controller SIDE LR REAR LR A/B LR G55 Five-channel Power Amplifier OFF OFF LEFT RIGHT CENTRE SUB • Switch the two BRIDGE MODE switches to the OFF position. • Connect the LEFT, RIGHT, and CENTRE balanced outputs from the G68AXV to the channel 1, 2, and 3 BALANCED inputs on the G55. • Switch channels 1, 2, and 3 to the BALANCED position.
9 Installing the power amplifier G56 Two-channel Power Amplifier ������������� ���������������������� ��������������������� ������������ ������� ����� ������� �������� ������������������������� �� ��� ������ ���� ������ ����������� ������������������������������� ������� ������ ����������� ����������� ��� ������ �������������� ������������������������������� ������������������������������� ������������������ �������������������������� ����������� ����������� �������� ���������� �� ��� ��
10 Installing the power amplifier G57 Two-channel Power Amplifier �������������������� ������������������� �������������������� ������������������� ���������������������� ��������������������� ������������������������������� �������������������� ���������� ������������������ �������������������������� ������� ������������ ������������������������������������ ������������������������������� ������ ��� �������������� �� �������������������� ����������� �������������������������������� ���������
11 Installing the power amplifier To connect to an unbalanced preamplifier (eg G01 Control Unit) G01 Control Unit G56/G57 PRE OUT OFF AUDIO LEAD AUDIO LEAD • Switch the BRIDGE MODE switch to the OFF position. You should either use a twin-screened audio cable, or a pair of • Connect the UNBALANCED sockets on the power amplifier to the single-screened audio cables. outputs from the preamplifier. • Switch the channels to the UNBALANCED position.
12 Installing the power amplifier To connect to each channel of a G68AXV or G68XXV Digital Surround Controller G68AXV/XXV Digital Surround Controller G56/G57 SIDE LR REAR LR A/B LR LEFT RIGHT CENTRE SUB ON 2 x G56/G57 Two-channel Power Amplifiers Three G56 or G57 Two-channel Power Amplifiers can be used in bridge mode for each of the front channels of a G68AXV or G68XXV Digital Surround Controller, which are provided as balanced outputs. • Switch the BRIDGE MODE switch to the ON position.
13 Installing the power Outputs amplifier G55 Five-channel Power Amplifier ���������������������� �������������� ������������������������������������ ������������������� ������������������ ���������� ���������� �������� �������� �������������������� �������������� ������������� ��������������� ��������� ���������� �������������� ��������� �������� ��������� ������������������ ��� ��� ��� ���������� ���������� �������� �������� ��� ������ �������� �������������������� ��������������
14 Installing the power amplifier To connect to passive loudspeakers Loudspeaker Loudspeaker G55 Five-channel Power Amplifier Treble OFF OFF Treble Bass/mid Bass/mid • Set the BRIDGE MODE switches to the OFF position. • Connect one of each pair of the red and black terminals from the appropriate channel of the power amplifier to the red and black terminals on the corresponding loudspeaker.
15 Installing the power amplifier To wire to passive loudspeakers in bridge mode Loudspeaker Loudspeaker G55 Five-channel Power Amplifier Treble ON Bass/mid INPUT ON Treble Bass/mid INPUT You can wire channels 1/2 and 4/5 in bridge output mode, to obtain more than twice the power output. • Switch the BRIDGE MODE switches to the ON position. • Connect the supplied bridge mode links between the black (–) CHANNEL 1/2 and CHANNEL 4/5 terminals, as marked on the back panel.
16 Installing the power amplifier To bi-amp to two passive loudspeakers Loudspeaker Loudspeaker G55 Five-channel Power Amplifier Treble OFF Bass/mid INPUT OFF Treble Bass/mid INPUT Extremely high sound quality can be achieved using two separate channels of the power amplifier to drive the LF and HF units in each loudspeaker. • Switch the BRIDGE MODE switches to the OFF position. Important: Remove the links bridging the LF and HF terminals on the back of each loudspeaker.
17 Installing the power amplifier To connect two G55s to a seven-channel surround system G55 Five-channel Power Amplifier ON Main right input Main right G55 Five-channel Power Amplifier ON Side right Main left Side right Rear right input input Main left Rear left input input Rear right OFF Rear left ON Side left Side left input Centre input Centre Two G55 Five-channel Power Amplifiers can be used as the basis of a superb seven-channel surround system, taking advantage of bridge mode operation
18 Installing the power amplifier G56 Two-channel Power Amplifier ��������������������� ������� ����� ������������ ������� �������� �� ��� ������ ���� ������ ����������� ������������������������������� ������� ������ ����������� ����������� ��� ������ �������� ���������� �� ��� ���������� �������� �������� ���������������������������������� �������������������������������� ���������������� ����������������������� ����������������������������������� ���������������������������������������
19 Installing the power amplifier G57 Two-channel Power Amplifier ��������������������� ������������������������������� �������������������� ���������� ������������������ �������������������������� ������� ������������ ���������������� ������������������������������������ ������������������������������� ������ ��� �������������� �� �������������������� ����������� �������������������������������� ���������� �������� ����������������������������������� ��������������������������������������� ��
20 Installing the power amplifier To connect to passive loudspeakers Loudspeaker Treble Loudspeaker G56/G57 Bass/mid Bass/mid OFF • Set the BRIDGE MODE switch to the OFF position. Treble • Connect one of each pair of the red and black terminals from the appropriate channel of the G56/G57 to the red and black terminals on the loudspeakers. To bi-wire to passive loudspeakers Loudspeaker Loudspeaker G56/G57 Treble Treble Bass/mid • Set the BRIDGE MODE switch to the OFF position.
21 Installing the power amplifier To wire to a passive loudspeaker in bridge mode Loudspeaker Treble Bass/mid G56/G57 ON INPUT You can use the G56/G57 as a mono power amplifier, to obtain more than twice 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.
22 Installing the power amplifier To bi-amp to two passive loudspeakers ����������� ����������� ������� ������� ������ �������� ������ ��� ��� ����� Extremely high sound quality can be achieved using two separate G56/G57 Two-channel Power Amplifiers, one to drive each loudspeaker. The two channels in each G56/G57 Two-channel Power Amplifier are used to drive the LF and HF units in each loudspeaker.
23 Tr o u b l e s h o o t i n g Troubleshooting We expect you to achieve superb results with the power amplifier. If, however, you encounter any problems, either when installing it, or during operation, please check the following pages for suggested solutions. If these suggestions fail to cure the problem, please contact your Meridian dealer for further assistance. No front-panel indicator is shown The sound has cut out • Check that the AC power supply is connected correctly.
24 Tr o u b l e s h o o t i n g Maintenance Cleaning To clean the case • Disconnect the power cord before cleaning the unit. The exterior surfaces of Meridian G Series products are made from solid anodised aluminium, powder coated steel, thermoplastic rubber, and glass. They are designed to be easily wiped clean with a dry, lint free To change the mains fuse • Remove the mains connector, and pull out the drawer above the power input to access the fuse.
25 Service and guarantee Tr o u b l e s h o o t i n g Service Guarantee The Meridian G Series of hi-fi components has been carefully The product is guaranteed against defects in material and designed to give years of untroubled service. There are no user- workmanship for two years from the date of purchase. serviceable parts inside the case, nor do the units require any form of maintenance.
26 Tr o u b l e s h o o t i n g G Series Power Amplifier 26 9/5/06 12:00:07 pm
27 Index A G55 Five-channel Power Amplifier (continued) bridge mode 15 accessories 5 connecting to speakers 14 inputs 6 B outputs 13 balanced preamplifier, connecting to seven-channel surround system 17 G55 7 G56 or G57 11 bi-amping specifications 4 G56 Two-channel Power Amplifier 1 bi-amping 22 G55 16 bi-wiring 20 G56 or G57 22 bridge mode 21 bi-wiring connecting to speakers 20 G55 14 inputs 9 G56 or G57 20 outputs 18 bridge mode G55 15 G56 or G57 21 specifications 4 G57 Two-channel
28 Index L S loudspeakers, connecting to safety warnings ii G55 14-16 seven-channel surround system, connecting to 17 G56 or G57 20-22 specifications 4 standby 5 M mains fuse, changing 24 models 1 stereo preamplifier, connecting to 11 T trigger input 5, 9, 10 O outputs 13 P troubleshooting 23 U unbalanced preamplifier, connecting to 7 preamplifier, connecting to 11 G Series Power Amplifier 28 9/5/06 12:00:08 pm