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Meridian 557 200W Stereo Power Amplifier

Meridian have maintained a strong reputation for their power amplifier technology for over 15 years. Until now, their power amp developments have concentrated on high-transparency low-power models or on the custom amplifiers in their renowned active and digital speaker designs.

Product/557 Power

 

The 557 takes the Meridian 500 Series into new territory – with 200W of clean clear power – for the first time allowing the option of a complete Meridian front end for large passive speakers.

The Meridian 557 can be used with the 502 or 501 preamps, or with a Meridian DSP Surround Processor. The Meridian 557 houses two powerful amplifiers in a dual mono construction. The amplifiers are both rated at 200W into 8 ohms. Each over-specified output stage uses 8 high-power transistors. These, combined with a massive low-noise 1.6kVA toroidal transformer, permit this amplifier to deliver currents in excess of 30A, ensuring no loss of performance even into loads that dip below 2 ohms. The massive power delivery of this amplifier makes it ideal for driving difficult loudspeaker loads.

557 can be operated in bridged mode giving power in excess of 680W into 8 ohms, 1000W into 4 ohms.

The 557 provides balanced and unbalanced inputs as well as twin outputs for bi-wiring.

The topology of 557 is very much in the Meridian tradition. A high-precision fast DC-precise input stage is combined with a fully complementary amplification and output stage. Also, the 557 uses Meridian’s well established self-adjusting bias and error-correction output topology.

The 557 is fully protected against DC and thermal overload. A proprietary Meridian soft-start circuit is also fitted.

Dual-mono 200-watt design

Balanced and unbalanced inputs

Massive low-noise 1.6kVA toroidal transformer

Current delivery of over 30A into difficult loads below 2 ohms

Fully protected against DC and thermal overload

Soft start using proprietary Meridian circuit

Technical Specification

Power output: 200W into 8 ohms 680W into 8 ohms Bridged 1000W into 4 ohms Bridged

Distortion: <0.05%

Signal/Noise: –90dB

Inputs: Balanced on XLR – Sensitivity 3.00V rms (2.21V rms bridged). Unbalanced on phono – Sensitivity 1.44V rms (1.34V rms bridged).

Outputs: Twin outputs for bi-wiring.

Construction: Two-channel dual-mono construction – Stereo and Bridged. 4 pairs of output devices per side. 4 high quality smoothing capacitors per side. Error corrected output stage. Idealised magnetic circuit design. Dynamic bridge front end gives fully balanced input operation. Fully protected against DC and thermal overload. Soft start using proprietary Meridian circuit.

Dimensions: 174mm (6.85in) H, 385 (15.16) W, 306 (12.05) D. Weight 27kg (60lbs)

Controls: Rear-panel controls for Power On/Off, Bridge/Stereo Mode.

Front display: Power indicator lamp.

Use 557 with:

501 Preamplifier

502 Preamplifier

561 Surround

568 Surround

861 Surround

504 FM Tuner

MSR Remote

 

 

User Manual

Data Sheet

Brochure

 

© 2003 Meridian Audio
18 August 2008