Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 861v6 relay sync and drop issues

Greetings hitchhikers

I've got the new 861v6 up and running, and have been "refining" it over the last few weeks. I had a 861v4. In any event, my setup currently is pretty simple, a blu-ray and direcTV box going thru the HD621 and video to Plasma and audio of course to the 861. I also have an 800 v4 (not v12) going directly into the 861v6 via multiple digital coax.

I have an annoying issue with the audio on the 861v6 sync-ing and dropping and re-syncing. Each time it's about a one second drop out. It happens regardless of source-- even occasionally with the 800, which is not handshaking w/ HDMI. Frequency ranges from once every 30 minutes, to as frequently as 2-3 times a minute. For several weeks I've tried everything I know to do, including replacing all of the HDMI cables, replacing the Cat6 cable, reseating everything, adding a power supply to try and stabilize the power and prevent spikes (PS audio), trying different power cables, turning off components not in use, reconfiguring multiple times thru mconfig program (on both the HD621 and 861v6), and probably lots of other things.

Before I go and send the unit back, was wondering if anyone out there had run across this issue. I recall many moons ago my 861 (not sure which version at the time) had this issue, and I think a "fupdate" fixed it. I didn't have this issue with the v4 I replaced with the v6, but I hadn't used extensively in the configuration with the HD621 extensively before upgrading. Unless I'm missing something else, I can't "fupdate" the 861v6 as I don't see the firmware in the mconfig program.

If anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears.... Thanks!

It sounds like your 861 has a problem.

It may ultimately be a firmware fix but doubtful since no other reports of this type.

Not that this is final solution Try setting poor digital source on any source that has problems.

One other thought is a ground loop can cause odd issues like this. On a digital link if it's bad it can cause a drop out (instead hum). So try applying normal ground loop solutions (first being try disconnecting DirectTV from the system). In fact try disconnecting everything and try one source at time.

It's long shot but worth checking.

Thanks George for the advice. I tried to isolate, one by one, but never could get to go away. I even tried floating all of the grounds, and again, it didn't solve the issue. Alas, I think my 861 needs to be "fupped".

I'm sending a message to Meridian to see if they will allow me to try and fupdate before sending the unit in. Wish me luck. Thanks again for your advice.