Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Setting Up G65

Hi gents,

I decided to trade my G68s in for G65s and got a good deal from my M dealer.

The first system I'm working on has an Oppo, an MS600, 2x DSP3200s and a DSP3300.

I'm having trouble getting sound from either source. Several points

1. MS600 is connected to G65 (SL out to SL in on G65). Oddly, in Mconfig, when you insert a MS600 and choose default connection it connects using the MS600 digital out to the G65 SL. That must be a glitch.

2. The Oppo is connected to input D1 on G65. It is configured to output bitstream and limited to 96kHz.

3. The DSPs are connected in home run mode to the G65. On the back panel of the G65 it indicates to connect only one speaker to the master speaker row. In the manual it shows a multi DSP system where front left is master but shows a slave center connected to the master row. What's up with that? I tried the connections both with only the left 3200 connected to the master row and also as is shown in the manual with the 3300 center also connected to the master row but it doesn't make any difference in terms of getting sound.

4. The C15 sees the MS600 as a zone and when I play a song it turns on the G65 and to the correct input.

5. After set up and loading the .msl config into G65 I power cycled all components including the C15 and DSPs.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

The back of the G65 is indicating which row of RJ45 sockets the MASTER DSP must be connected to, SLAVE DSP's can be connected to either row.

Can you check the cabling and config are aligned with this.

You can use the G65's display to check that it is receiving a signal from the MS600.

Regards,
Carl

Without wanting to go OT I'd be interested to hear your thoughts re G68 / G65 once it's up & running.

Th G65 is not that dissimilar to the G68, I assume you compared configs?

Maybe just try the analogue or digital out of the MS00 for starters?

Are you getting sound when using the calibration function? That would confirm your speakers are hooked up correctly.

[edit]
Of course I am also curious about any differences you experience once it is all up and running?

And would suggest comparing old depth\width center Trifield settings once things are up.

I noticed in the MSL file when clicking on the G65 that it is set to type 0, which is for 7.1 all analogue. Will that be a problem given that this is an all DSP system?

I never worried about, or messed with, types in all my other set ups and it never created a problem. So I'm not sure if this matters.

OK. So I pulled out all the cables and started from scratch. I swear I must be getting senile. After re-doing the cabling all is well. SLS works via MS600 and I can listen to CDs or BRs via the Oppo with no trouble.

One thing that surprised me about the G65 is that it is more compact than the G68. I guess it is similar to the G61 in terms of size (I was told this but have never seen a G61 in person).

As for the sound quality of the G65 v the 68j it replaced? Too early to tell although I have no doubt it is an improvement. Also the last time I had this system up and running was in a totally different room. So it will be difficult to do a real comparison. In any case, after a few minutes of listening, this little set up sounds real sweet to me. I'm also happy to get rid of the AC11 and plug the DSPs directly into the processor. The equipment is in a small rack and adding more complexity with another box and additional cabling is something to which I'm getting increasingly allergic. I want great sound while keeping it simple.

I get the second G65 tomorrow and this will go into my every day HT set up. I'll probably be able to get a better sense of the sonic differences between the G65 and the G68XXV that it replaces. One of the attactions of the G65 in the second system is that I currently do not have a center channel because my wife insisted on putting the equipment rack right under the plasma. So I'm considering adding an M DSP center which I will now be able to do with the G65.

Thanks for the responses.

PS. I guess the glitch in Mconfig is something for people to watch out for as it defaults connection between the MS600 and the G65 as digital to SL when it should be SL to SL.

Nice Toys Jack D. I have been trying to audition different surround systems, and just yesterday listened to a Classe/B&W combo with 804 Diamonds FLR, HTM2 C, and 805 Diamonds RLR. Sounded great! The top of line Classe stuff is out of my $ range, but I do like the B&Ws.

The other combo I have been thinking about, but have not been able to find a full on demo would be a complete M system with 2x DSP3200 and DSP3300 previously with G61 and now with G65.

I have had a chance to listen to DSP3200s in stereo setups a few times, unfortunately came away unimpressed. The sound tended toward dry, clinical analytical and slightly bright forward midrange (the latter not a good trait with 5 speakers in 12x18 room, could quickly get ear fatigue). I understand that there are way too many variables when demoing gear at dealers, but it seems that an M system setup properly in your room could also sound great.

But, quick question. If you had to choose between your G65 full DSP speaker setup or the G65, B&W 804 type setup with a primary goal of clean music reproduction not HT, which would you choose and why?

Cheers, Al

Al,
Well I guess it depends on which full DSP set up you would be thinking about compared to BW 804s. I have been quite impressed with the DSP3200s but they are only bookshelf speakers so I don't think you can compare them to BW804s for your fronts.

One thing I discovered when I first paired my BW802Ds with a Meridian processor was that you have to get the lower frequency in order and that will affect the way you hear the entire range of the sound spectrum. So maybe the bright/forward you noticed in your test with the DSP3200s was the result of the room setup and equipment configuration.

For a full DSP set up in your main listening room you might consider all DSP3300, which I think would be much better than a mix with DSP3200s.

I absolutely have enjoyed my BW set ups but I've found that it is important to have the right amps. BW fanatics generally prefer Classe or McIntosh. As you can see from my sig, I think the McIntosh BW combo is superb. If you wanted to consider the McIntoshes I can highly recommend AudioClassics as they have great service, know their McIntoshes, and have good deals on used equipment.

So if it is between DSP3200/3300 and the BW804s with really good amps I think I would prefer the 804s. Just one caveat, as you see, I do not use the BW804s for my fronts; I've always used them as compliments to my BW802Ds or BW803Ds.

One other point for what it is worth, as I get older I increasingly like the Meridian concept of "all-in-one" speakers. No muss no fuss and great sound. Again, I absolutely love my BW/McIntosh set ups but all the hassle with interconnects, triggers, and speaker wire and moving around the massive amps... yuck!

Hope you find this useful.

Regards.

Very useful comments Jack D. Much appreciated! I also find the whole Meridian integrated concept appealing.

Enjoy your new G65s and have a great New Year.

Al