Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems decoding bitstreams in 800 vs. 861

Hi,

I have an 861 v. 4 and 800 v. 3. The manual for the 800 clearly states to leave the option of decoding in the 800 unselected if connecting to an 861 via a Meridian multi-channel link. Yet, I thought that someone at Meridian suggested decoding in the 800 (unless my notes are incorrect). Does anyone know for sure?

Thank you.

Hi Adam,
Yes you can decode bitstreams om the 800 and pass decoded PCM to 861 over the MHR (multichannel) output.

In fact it is recommened by Bob Stuart - see the quote from his 800 FAQ below

"
66 How do I connect an 800 to my 861?
You can make analogue or digital connections (or both).
If the 861 has been upgraded to version 3 then you can connect multichannel from 800 to a
suitably-configured IE42 in 861. You can also connect the 2-channel to an input and use it as
an alternate source. For example one great way to use them is to pass decoded multichannel
PCM from the Main output of 800 to 861. By doing this the discs are fully decoded in 800 and
this unleashes the full processing power of 861 to upsample and upscale with outstanding
sonic results. This connection also provides Meridian Smart Link signalling. See Q. 55.
If the 861 is not upgraded (or you are using 568 or 561) then configure the 800 to be 2-
channel and to get optimum quality enable MHR between them. See Q. 14. You would then
connect the Main Left/Right outputs of 800 to 861 in the usual way.
Multichannel analogue input cards are available for 861. You can fit IA45 or IA40. You might
do this because you prefer to have just analogue output from 800 for some reason.
Multichannel analogue inputs on 861 are also useful to connect other sources which are
always analogue like 35mm projectors, SACD or third-party DVD-Audio players.
"

Geir



[This message has been edited by geirh (edited 03-14-2004).]

Geir,

Thank you very much.

Adam