Meridian 101 pre amp needs new power amp

[RCruz]

Hi everyone

I am wondering if someone could help me interpret the following info:

I am using a meridian 101/103 setup for 30 years now and would like to upgrade the power amp.

The Meridian 101 pre output values are:
0dBm (775mV) for rated input (120mVrms at 1kHz) behind 600ohm.
Max output +20dBm
Tape output -20dBm behind 5hohm

As I can not interpret the given values, I would like your oppinion if this pre amp can be used with any of the followin power amps:
ROTEL RB 06
Audiolab 8000P
Rotel RB 870 BX

Best regards

Ricardo

[nigelwright7557]

Originally posted by RCruz
Hi everyone

I am wondering if someone could help me interpret the following info:

I am using a meridian 101/103 setup for 30 years now and would like to upgrade the power amp.

The Meridian 101 pre output values are:
0dBm (775mV) for rated input (120mVrms at 1kHz) behind 600ohm.
Max output +20dBm
Tape output -20dBm behind 5hohm

As I can not interpret the given values, I would like your oppinion if this pre amp can be used with any of the followin power amps:
ROTEL RB 06
Audiolab 8000P
Rotel RB 870 BX

Best regards

Ricardo

The usual input voltage to an amp is around a couple of volts peak to peak.

775mV might be a bit weak to be giving out the amps full output power.

[Thomo]

Hi Ricardo.

If it were me, I would service the power amp, replace all the electrolytics etc. That little amp may well surprise you.

However, if you do decide to change and want to sell the Meridian power amp, I might well be interested.

Lee.

[analog_sa]

Originally posted by nigelwright7557



775mV might be a bit weak to be giving out the amps full output power.

And why would that be? The 775mV is RMS at 120mV input. At a standard CD level input the output will be sufficient to overdrive any power amp bar the F4.

So, to answer the original question - yes, the 101 will drive to full power practically all of the listed power amps. Whether any of them will be an upgrade for the 103 is a different question.


On second thought: there might be a chance of the preamp input getting overloaded with standard CD sources. This will depend upon topology. No problem if the volume pot is at input, otherwise a simple attenuator may be added to the cd input.

[RCruz]

Originally posted by Thomo
Hi Ricardo.

If it were me, I would service the power amp, replace all the electrolytics etc. That little amp may well surprise you.

However, if you do decide to change and want to sell the Meridian power amp, I might well be interested.

Hi Lee.

When can I expect your info about the psu caps ?

Did you repair your 103 yet ?

Regards

Ricardo

[RCruz]

Originally posted by analog_sa

So, to answer the original question - yes, the 101 will drive to full power practically all of the listed power amps. Whether any of them will be an upgrade for the 103 is a different question.


On second thought: there might be a chance of the preamp input getting overloaded with standard CD sources. This will depend upon topology. No problem if the volume pot is at input, otherwise a simple attenuator may be added to the cd input.

Hi

So I can expect no real improvement changing to one of the proposed amps ?

I would apreciate your comments because I did not hear any of the amps I quoted.

The CDP sounds a little too high but does not distort.
The sound is quite good in the Tuner "buffered" input.

Regards

Ricardo

[Gordy]

Your pre-amp...

1) raises 120mV to 775mV and hence has a gain of x 6.5 . (Note that 775mV is a standard reference level in the professional audio industry, and hence this is why the Meridian is specified reference this level).

2) has a maximum output of +20dBm which is (if I recall accurately) 7.75 V across 600 Ohms.

The Rotel RB 06 and Audiolab 8000P require about 1 V for full output, so you should have no problem with driving them from your pre-amp.

Both of these amps seem to work well at their price points.

[AndrewT]

Gordy is spot on.

All your alternatives are likely to reduce quality.

Get yourself another Meridian or refurbish the 103.

What about a pair of 105s?

[nigelwright7557]

Originally posted by analog_sa




And why would that be? The 775mV is RMS at 120mV input. At a standard CD level input the output will be sufficient to overdrive any power amp bar the F4.

So, to answer the original question - yes, the 101 will drive to full power practically all of the listed power amps. Whether any of them will be an upgrade for the 103 is a different question.


On second thought: there might be a chance of the preamp input getting overloaded with standard CD sources. This will depend upon topology. No problem if the volume pot is at input, otherwise a simple attenuator may be added to the cd input.

Most amps need at least a couple of volts to get the full specced output level. My CD player puts out about 3 volts peak to peak.
If he is just playing the amp in his living room then fine, but if like me he is performing discos then he would need the correct input volts to get the most out of his amplifier.

[AndrewT]

Originally posted by nigelwright7557
Most amps need at least a couple of volts to get the full specced output level. My CD player puts out about 3 volts peak to peak......... he would need the correct input volts to get the most out of his amplifier.

The pre has a gain of +16dB (*6.5).
He doesn't need any more gain. Less would probably be better.
The 101 pre output is +10dB to +20dB more than almost any power amp needs for full power.
Has the 101 got trim pots on the inputs to balance levels between different voltage sources?