Meridian America 559 dimensions Background, Meridian, Technical Specification

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 +44 (0) 1480 445678

F +44 (0) 1480 445686

Meridian America Inc.

Suite 122, Building 2400

3800 Camp Creek Parkway

Atlanta GA 30331

T (404) 344 7111

F (404) 346 7111

www.meridian-audio.com