Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems HD621 settings

I know this have been discussed but I've gone thru passed threads and have not found the recommended settings for the HD621 (when connecting multi channel sources, like Dish Network, HDDVD, AppleTV).

Thanks in advances.

Javier

strongly recommend you read the manual -> http://www.Meridian-audio.info/public/HD621-userguide-a5%5B1292%5D.pdf

IMHO, it is more a matter of configuring the HDMI devices feeding the HD621 than the other way around.

+1

For most people the HD621 works out the box without any config changes.
Though of course one needs to re-config the associated processor sources to get their audio input from the chosen multi-channel input that the HD621 is feeding.

Plus all the HDMI sources, that can decode, should be configured to internaly decode and output LPMC at 44K1, 48K, 88K2 & 96K via HDMI.

Regards,
Carl

OK. I do not this this is off-topic and it has puzzled me for a while:

If you set the HD621 to upsample or to downsample (in effect, those are the only settings), how do you know what the incoming stream actually is?

Kal, you don't. I really wish that Meridian had put a display on it. I guess that information *might* be available via RS232 if Meridian enabled it (or told us how to enable it).

It'll be visible on the display of the forthcoming G18 which will do all the HD621 does and much more besides.

Sorry, I just can't resist making trouble sometimes.

I think the best way to setup is.

HD621 should ALWAYS upsample on everything.

HD621 with 861V6 only run video sources through it and audio straight to 861V6.
HD621 with 861V4/G68 only run video sources through it and audio straight to 861V4/G68. Yes same as 861V6.

It's not worth the trouble/gain of running audio through HD621. It can't handle ripped DTS/DD music, it does not add anything to Hi-Res Music, and it does not add that much to 16/44 audio anyway.

Meridian has hinted at this a few times here and there and now I'm convinced they are right. They have never recommended coercing your audio through it. You'll be all set WHEN G68V1/861V4 gets possibly better apodizing than HD621 and it's a no brainer for 861V6.

Now if your main source is the same for Movies and Music. You might be able to setup a dual HDMI SPDIF connection but I think in most situations you can't. If your source material is already hi-res apodizing won't apply in HD621 or 861V6. So it won't matter. Only combo that doesn't work optimally is a combo unit (e.g. Oppo over HDMI into HD621->861V6) when playing a CD. If you have the bucks for that get another CD spinner (easy to equal an Oppo for CD or just about any Music Server for that matter).

So with that said, who cares what the source data rate is.

As I have just made the plunge for an 861v6 (who needs two kidneys anyway!) this is interesting. I currently have my v4 going through the HD621 to get apodizing. I am also able to play 176.4 and 192 Khz files (albeit downsampled) with no problem and multichannel files (granted the only multichannel files I have are some demos I downladed from Itrax.) If I go from the PC directly into the v6 will it still downsample the 176.4 and 192 Khz files? And as for multichannel I haven't found a sound card that outputs 3 digital RCA connections for the 861. I'll probably leave both connections to compare and for the rare multichannel or super hi res file I can use the HD621. Hopefully the 861v6 will support up to 192 Khz in the future.

Thanks,
John

Agreed.

Almost all my important audio sources are mch HDMI, anyway.

Server goes direct to 861 but the Oppo/Sony/Ayre players go via the HD621. Perhaps that will be modified when my v6 arrives.

Because I need to know about what the players output in order to report it to readers who care because they, right or wrong, want to base purchase decisions on it.

Kal

I think 861V6 will still down sample.

Before I received my 861 V6 I thought that I would be doing what George is suggesting and run separate audio from my Oppo into the 861v6.

When I tested this I found that I far preferred the sound of redbook CD's from the Oppo via HDMI and the HD621 rather than direct digital coax into the 861.

Perhaps this doesn't apply when using Meridian spinners rather than the Oppo but I was unable to compare as I traded in my 800 some time ago