Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Input re upgrade path for multichannel system

I would appreciate some input...

I currently have a G68 5.1 setup feeding front DSP8K with D5.5K center and surrounds. I would like to eventual upgrade my 8Ks to SE version which then takes me down the EBA path. I also have a C10 feeding the music so I can see upgrading to an 861v6 with ID40 or ID41 being a big step up.

So if I want to leverage EBA does that beget more updating which starts to get costly to do all at once or there a sane path I could follow over time?

Also, I am thinking to use some DSP420s I have to go to 7.1 but are they EBA friendly? Since they are not used for bass I am thinking the 861v6 processor delay would work with them but then I look at the 520s on the Meridian site and they state they are EBA enabled so I am not sure what to think about the older 420s?

I love watching movies and this is located in a dedicated home theatre media room but I tend to be more picky about the sound for music should any choices have to be made in this process. Upgrading is mostly driven by my desire to improve music playback.

Any input would be welcome. Thanks
Paul

Upgrading the 8000's to SE is your biggest gain in sound quality. It is also the biggest expense. Upgrading the v6 to v8 is the next biggest benefit with LPS etc.

The DSP420 channels can have delay added in order to compensate for EBA in the 8kSE. The DSP520 will do EBA natively so they would make for a nice blend with the front end.

I would say that updating the center channel would be a bigger benefit than the 420/520 sides. Other opinions may vary.

Are you listening to music in Trifield? If you are then the center channel is very important. Of course in movies 80% of the movie sound comes from the center.

You could start with DS7200HCSE in that case, you would get a nice taste of the SE quality sound if not starting with the 8k's directly.

861v6 or v8 is a nice step up from the G68. But there will be an "861v9" within 12-14 months probably with immersive sound. So plan accordingly.

Positively from the Horses Mouth?

Possibly Neigh Neigh, at this time.

But here's Hoping Hector.

I don’t use Trifield given the 5500 center is below my screen and used with the 8Ks. I have never experienced Trifield in a more suitable setup either.

I was thinking of a 861v6 since an upgrade is coming and I am guessing it will be cheaper to go v6 to v9 vs pay for v8 and then upgrade again.

Clearly the ultimate solution is to upgrade the the 8Ks to SE, upgrade the center channel to 7200SE and replace my G68 with an 861 but my question is really about the order of things since that is too big a $ bite at once and I need step my way there. Or sell my car or kidney etc.

As with the 808v3, you have to first update to v5 and then to v6. One would assume that the same could be said in going from an 861v6 to v9. Right now the v9 is only speculation. The sonic benefits from v6 to v8 of the LPS and updated SpeakerLink outputs topped off with a five year warranty seal the deal.

I have to agree that upgrading your 8k's would provide your with the largest improvement in sound quality if you are looking to change your system over time.

You can hook your C10 directly to them using SpeakerLink and also enjoy the advantages of EBA in 2 channel. Your G68 is no slouch for movies and you can save your money for the 861v9 when it comes out.

I think the MS600 would also be an relatively inexpensive sonic improvement to the C10. Others may disagree.

Gary

First off, I really appreciate the comments and input from everyone. So thank you.

If I feed the C10 into the speakers directly how do I turn the EBA on/off easily? From my limited understanding either the Controller does this dynamically via the SL interface or I have to change the speakers config manually. Without a controller like an 861 the second options sounds doable but not ideal.

I had also thought about an 818v3 into the speakers as an upscale version of the above scenario but if I left my G68 going to one input of the speaker and the 818 going to the other I also don't know how I manage the EBA on/off? I am happy with the sound I currently have for movies and would love the ultimate sound for Music so I had given this configuration some thought but I just don't know if it is workable?

Because I am not clear on how an 8KSE upgrade with EBA by itself could work with my current system I was thinking this was my upgrade path (given I have to do it in stages)...

Stage 1 - Upgrade G68 to 861 with ID41 (I would get an improvement for music)
Stage 2 - Upgrade my 8K to SE (big step up for music)
Stage 3 - Upgrade my center to 7k2SE from 5500

EBA is a good step forward but makes for an expensive ripple effect in multi channel systems. Is this why some have gone back to stereo?

I had some of the same questions with my setup but it turns out that you can turn on EBA for the SL connection only (at least in the SEversion) and leave your G68 connected to input 1 without EBA enabled.

Are your 8k's already SL? If 8k.1 you would need to update to SL or to SE before you can take advantage of EBA. I believe if music is your biggest concern then an 818 followed by 8k to SE upgrade or the reverse would be your best bet.

The only problem with this setup is you would not have MRC with just the C10 or 818.

Gary

Gary,
Interesting, I did not know you could configure the EBA on/off based on input so I could use SPDIF for G68 surround with EBA off and the SL input with EBA on for music. Seems like I failed to read the manual properly.

Yes, no MRC for the non-SL input.

No way to know but I wonder how close the next version of the 861 will be to the 818 in terms of SQ?

You did not misread the user guide, I did. Sorry for the confusion. What I thought was a selection for EBA for the SL connection was for EBA to be controlled by an system controller such as an 861.

Gary, no worries. I appreciate the idea regardless.

So it seems i am back to the reality that upgrading to SE speakers requires upgrading the controller at the same time for existing multichannel systems.