Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems output digital data from the Meridian 861

Hi Jan

You would need to set up the 861 in the config programme with "non 96/24" DSP speakers. You will then get 44/48k unencrypted (ie non MHR) output.

Cheers

George

PS You mentioned the legacy programme above....it won't work with the 861v4, it has to be Mconfig which is used.

Hi George,

And how can I set up the 861 with “non 96/24” DSP speakers?.
Where must I looking for this option?
In the Meridian Configuration Program I don`t find this option. In “Products”: “Speakers” I only found “Analogue(active)”, “Analogue(passive)” and several Meridian Speakers. Which of them are “non 96/24” DSP speakers?


Regards,

Jan

Hi Jan

I'll need to look into Mconfig to see how they are described these days. I last used it a year ago, and wasn't looking for that option at the time, so I can't remember! Will get back to you in a little while.

Cheers

George

Hi again Jan

Got it now. You need to set up with DSP speakers from the list on the left. Use one of the big DSP models, I can't remember if there are any changes to bass management if you selected small ones (ie '33s or 3100s). When you have the speakers in place in the diagram area, right click on one of easch pair to select "properties". You will then get a dialogue box coming up, and under the "General" tab, remove the tick from "96kHz/24 bit capable". That will force the system to 44/48. Just do this for one of each speaker pair, and the settings will be applied to the other in that pair.

Cheers

George

If I recall you need to pick DSP speaker that came in non-24/96 models. For example 5k's. I think if you choose 33 or 3100 you won't be given the option.

George's recollection is correct.

BTW: My previous post in this thread was from observations when I had 18 bit 5K rears. I'll have to have a play again now all my DSPs are 24/96 versions.



Regards,
Carl.

Hi George,

Many thanks,
I have tried with DSP 7200 and DSP 6000. The first always is 96/24 and there is not that option, but the DSP 6000 can remove the "96kHz/24 bit capable".
First I will try with only DSP 6000 and then I will combine the two speakers, because according the user's manuals "Specifies whether the digital output uses Meridian High Resolution for all sources, or only when necessary. This option is only available if the left, right, and centre speakers are 96.24 DSP types".

Regards,

Jan

Hi Jan

George and Carl make a good point, which occurred to me only well after I'd posted....some DSPs were only ever available as 96/24, so you would need to choose 5000s, 5500s or 6000s. The best thing would be to add these DSP speakers all around (7 of them) to "open up" each SPDIF output to provide 44/48 non MHR digital output. That way you can ignore any other MHR settings, as they won't apply.

I think all of M's subwoofers were 96/24, so there's no point adding a DSP sub.

Cheers

George

Hi George,

No problem with the subwoofer, I don`t need it because I will configure as 7.0 and the front and rear speakers will be full range.

Regards,

Jan

I asked Meridian tech support in Atlanta whether the 861 could output digital data to an outboard DAC a few weeks ago. Meridian informed me that the 861 could only output 44 or 48. Furthermore, in such a case, the output would not be subject to the 861's volume control. They told me that when the 861 is hooked up to digital speakers (or thinks it is hooked up to digital speakers), volume must be controlled by the speaker. Consequently, if you use the 861 to channel a signal to an outboard DAC using the 861's digital outputs, you will have to either have a DAC with volume control or have the DAC hooked up to a preamp. This could present problems, depending on the number of channels you are attempting to drive with the digital outputs.

If anyone has tried this and discovered the 861 v4 can control volume for a 44 or 48 khz digital output, please let me know.

FWIW, older Meridian products could control volume on digital outputs. Meridian apparently changed that with the v4 upgrade.

There is a trick that if you configure it for Analog Speakers ONLY through front panel then it will digitally attenuate the digital outputs. As soon as you use MConfig it will either mute them or set them fixed. At least that's my recollection. But there is disadvantages to attenuating digitally and combining that with limitation of 44/48 why bother with an 861 in the first place.