Meridian 502 Analogue Controller (Pre-Amp) / Meridian System Remote (MSR)

Meridian 502 Analogue Controller
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.
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.

Features

• 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 System Remote
The Meridian System Remote (MSR) control is the centrepiece of a new communication system for all Meridian products. 500 series products have been designed around a new control software which provides a very high level of functionality with ease of use.
Earlier Meridian product ranges such as 200 series and 600 series can be controlled by the MSR by operating an internal switch. In a mixed system of 200 series and 500 series components the latter can be configured to work in "200 mode".
Many powerful and interesting features are controlled by the green menu keys on the MSR. Primary functions such as volume and source selection are arranged to provide easy and intuitive control with the internationally standard Play, Stop, Pause controls arranged centrally.
Dimensions: 187 (W) x 127 (D) x 35 (H) mm

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
Distortion: Less than 0.01% input to output
Signal/Noise:
Better than - 96 dB CCIR (1V output, normal input)
Less than - 70 dB for MM input and - 60 dB for MC
MM option:
Sensitivity adjustable 0.5 - 17 mV for 5 cm/s @ 1 kHz
Overload point 47 mV @ 1 kHz. Cartridge load 47 k ohms + 100 pF
MC option:
Sensitivity adjustable 38 - 1200 μV for 5 cm/s @ 1 kHz
Cartridge load 220 ohms + 10 nF
Inputs:
4 unbalanced on phono, 27 - 840 mVrms (impedance 20 kΩ)
3 balanced on XLR, 27 - 840 mVrms (impedance 20 kΩ)
Outputs:
1 unbalanced on phono, 1.4 - 3 Vrms (impedance 47 Ω)
1 balanced output on XLR, 1.4 - 3 Vrms (impedance 47 Ω)
Tape outputs:
Two unbalanced 1.5 Vrms (impedance 47 Ω)
Construction:
Two-channel dual-mono construction
High-grade components used throughout
Large low-field ultra-linear power supply
Black textured enamel and glass finish
Dimensions: 321 (W) x 332 (D) x 88 (H) mm
Weight: 5.0 kg

Turnaround

Orders will usually dispatched within 2 working days of receiving cleared payment.

Shipping Rates

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Carriers

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Order Tracking

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