Meridian AC200

Meridian
AC200 Audio Core 200 Stereo Audio Controller(USED)

 

This unit is in perfect working condition.

***
There is one issue with the unit that does not affect operation of the unit as
you can see some of the pictures some there is a line through just the upper
portion of the OLED screen but the unit still works perfectly.***

 

Inspired by the advanced technology in Meridian’s popular
808.3 Signature Reference CD 

Player, the Meridian Audio Core 200 is a compact stereo audio controller with
a 

wide range of digital and analogue inputs. 

The AC200 is designed as the perfect complement to any pair
of 

Meridian’s DSP Loudspeakers, such as the DSP3200, DSP5200 or DSP420 in-wall
loudspeakers, 

with which it can be used to build a complete system. 

Two Meridian SpeakerLink connectors are provided for
simple, 

straightforward connection to Meridian DSP Loudspeakers via Cat 5 cables. 

Speakers can be connected either via the ‘home run’ technique
(recommended) 

straight from the Master (lower) and Slave (upper) connectors, or they can
be 

daisy-chained. The outputs include Meridian High Resolution (MHR)
encryption 

and operate at high sample rates (88.2/96kHz).

The AC200 also offers a 3.5mm stereo mini-jack headphone
output 

for personal listening. This output may be configured to turn the
loudspeakers 

off when headphones are connected, if desired. 

 

Inputs 

On the input side, the AC200 provides a wide range of 

possibilities. The SpeakerLink input can be used, for example, to connect
a 

Sooloos Control 15 or similar product, or other Meridian products with 

SpeakerLink outputs. 

Two S/PDIF coax digital inputs are provided, and these operate
at 

sample rates up to 96kHz. Two 3.5mm mini-jack inputs are also included
and 

these offer both analogue line level and optical digital interfaces. 

A mini-DIN connector is provided for connecting an i80 iPod
dock 

to the AC200. Connecting an i80 not only allows an iPod to play back
through 

the loudspeakers connected to the AC200: it also charges the iPod –
without 

requiring a separate charger – and enables it to be controlled either from
the 

AC200 front panel or from across the room with the remote control provided.

A USB B-type connector is provided allowing the AC200 to
be 

connected to a computer system and used as an external sound card. 

Two stereo analogue inputs are provided on gold-plated
phono 

connectors. 

Power input to the unit is 12v DC at up to 300mA, provided by
an 

external wall-mounted universal voltage power supply (included).

The rear connector panel is recessed and effectively hidden by
the 

enclosure.

 

Audio processing

The Audio Core 200 features high-quality audio processing
which 

provides treble and bass tone controls and a stereo width control.
Analogue 

inputs are converted to digital at 96kHz sampling and all input signals
are 

processed with Meridian’s exclusive ‘apodising’ filter that ensures
maximum 

audio quality and can even clean up the results of poor digital filtering
at 

previous stages in the recording process, such as in the case of historic 

digital recordings. Digital inputs accept signals up to 96kHz and this is
also 

the case with the SpeakerLink input, thus allowing the replay of high 

resolution files from a Meridian Sooloos Digital Media System. 

 

Controls

The AC200 features nine front panel keys. The middle five
are 

software-defined with their functions indicated above the buttons according
to 

context. In addition there are four fixed function keys: the far left Home
key 

returns to the Home display and the far right Display key cycles through 

different sets of information shown on the display, including turning the 

display off entirely. The two remaining keys cycle through the available 

functions left and right. The interface is a development of that used on
the 

M80 Compact Entertainment System. 

The display is an advanced OLED design and has an
automatic 

brightness control that adjusts the display to suit ambient light levels. As
a 

result it’s always visible – or you can turn it off completely.

A large knob controls the volume and may be pushed to mute
the 

loudspeakers.

The Audio Core 200 communicates fully with Meridian DSP 

Loudspeakers, making it possible to access control features of the
loudspeakers 

from its front panel, such as boundary gain compensation, which allows speakers 

to deliver the very best performance irrespective of their position or 

orientation in the room.* 

A stereo width control feature allows the stereo soundstage to
be 

optimised irrespective of the loudspeaker positions, increasing
soundstage 

width when the speakers are located close together, and optimising it for
best 

envelopment and imaging when more ideally placed.*

 

Enclosure

The Audio Core 200 is presented in an elegant compact
enclosure 

with a recessed connector panel. The curved sides and top echo the curves
of 

Meridian’s M80 and DSP Loudspeakers. 

 

 Product highlights

Unifies all of your audio sources, 

and forms an elegant stereo system with any pair of Meridian DSP
Loudspeakers. 

Outstanding preamplifier quality, 

coupled with powerful audio enhancement technologies for the very best
audio 

quality from any source.

Easy connection with the widest 

range of audio sources, including CD player, radio tuner, set-top box,
games 

console, media player, PC audio replay via USB, and a Meridian SpeakerLink 

input for single-wire connection to a Meridian Sooloos Digital Media System.

Fully compatible with Meridian’s 

i80 Dock for iPod. Replay your iPod via Meridian DSP speakers while it
charges, 

and control what you hear via the front panel or remote.

Intelligent front-panel controls 

feature smart buttons for intuitive control, and an auto-dimming OLED
display 

that’s always at the right brightness for maximum readability.

Simple, single-wire connection to 

Meridian DSP Loudspeakers with easy access to the DSP features that enable
you 

to get the best sound in any environment.

Stereo width control optimises the 

stereo stage, freeing the sound from the loudspeakers, making it even
bigger 

and more open.

Ideal for 

listening to multiple sources with Meridian DSP Loudspeakers for maximum 

performance in a stereo system.

Outline Technical 

Specification

Inputs

• Meridian SpeakerLink (RJ45)

• 2 x S/PDIF coax (phono)

• 2 x mini-optical (3.5mm jack)

• USB for use as external computer sound card

• i80 connector (Mini-DIN)

• 2 x Stereo Analogue (phono)

• 2 x Stereo Analogue (3.5mm jack) (same connectors as
optical 

digital)

Outputs

• Twin Meridian SpeakerLink (Master & Slave, RJ45) with MHR

• 3.5mm Stereo Headphone out (optionally mutes speakers)

Processing

• Upsampling to 2xfs (88.2/96 kHz). (Output is always high 

resolution)

• Meridian ‘Apodising’ filter cleans up muddiness in
digital 

recordings

Control

• Allows access to DSP speaker functions such as Treble,
Bass, 

Stereo Width, Loudness, etc

• Nine front-panel keys, five of which are
context-defined. 

• Large knob for volume control and muting

• IR remote control (included)

• USB connector for serial control and maintenance

Display

• OLED (Organic LED) display with automatic brightness
feature 

(can also be dimmed/brightened/disabled manually)

Power

• 12v DC, <=300mA, provided by external wall-mounted
universal 

supply

Weight

• 2.7 kg (6 lbs)

Dimensions

• 280 x 280 x 

91mm (11 x 11 x 3.6 in)including feet but not including control knob (WHD