Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Legacy DSP’s with Sooloos and optical input only

Since I’ve had my MS600 I’ve not played a CD on my G91A. Aesthetically the G91A matches the MS600 perfectly but it only really gets used to convert the optical out from my TV (and this TV is only used for computer games). It seems a little overkill for this alone so I was wondering what my options are.

I guess the cheapest controller with a Sooloos endpoint would be an 861v4 with an ID40 card which could replace the lot, but wouldn’t make sense cost wise, or I could just use the 2 inputs on my 5K’s with a cheap optical to coax converter (which I already have).

In this case what ‘type’ should I set the 5K’s to for this? Alternatively is there another option I’ve not considered? I don’t want a 500 series pre as this won’t match the MS600 in terms of looks.

I’m in no rush to make any changes but it just seems a massive waste to use the G91A as an optical converter only.

Have you considered a 218?

It was probably the one thing I should have mentioned that I looked at but wasn’t sure about. I know it’s got optical in as well as an end point but I don’t know how well it works as a controller (especially with an MSR and 5Kks). Also I’d need a converter from SL to legacy comms but that’s no a show stopper. The 218 ain’t no looker but it’s small enough to be hidden out of sight.

You have to take a look on the 218, it has SpeakerLink and RCA digital outputs for you beside the analog ones.

You have a "IP control" app for your tablet which works smooth.

So would I still need a Reviver or AC12 for comms? Also would I still be able to use the MSR to turn the system on for the optical input and adjust the volume or would the MSR be completely redundant?

You can have both with a Reviver.

MSR+ remote and IP both work.

Hi,

With the Reviver, you can use your MS600 and 'optical/coax' source with your DSP speakers via the MSR (need comms between the MS600 and the master speaker). Sorry, I can't remember the speaker type off hand, but I suspect it's the same type as you'll have with the DSP5000/G91 combination.

The 218 would allow you to replace your MS600 (it has the advantage of the optical input and MQA) but you'd still need to add a reviver for comms with the master speaker.

Brian

If you only need comms, ie still utilising the digital coax out for audio, then some dealers have made a very basic comms only dongle available to customers. Not sure which dealers though.

Get the 218 and you have your best optical input.
Then you have that choices:

1) Take a 75 ohm coax cable between the "digout" from the 218 and your master DSP. A S5-lead or slave cable from the master to the slave DSP.
So you audio go from your TV over 218 and volume control via the MSR.
Type the DSP for usage with non Meridian source.

2) Similar to 1) but add a "SL to comms" cable between your 218 SL Master out to the comms-in of the master DSP.
You only need the comms wires-not audio as using just wires for audio is a disadvantage for the sound. The audio runs still over the 75 ohms cable.
The advantage here is that you can use the "IP control" app for the 218 if you like, where you can do a lot things>> Read the manual.

3) Similar to 1) and 2).
Buy the 218 and a AC12 or Reviver that gets connected between the 218 SL Master output and your RCA input and comms on your master DSP (and of course still need the S5-lead between the DSP`s)

So you can use the 218 app and have one Cat cable that carry the audio and controls and sounds slightly better then with coax.

4) Or add to 3) a second cat cable between the 218 SL slave output and the slave DSP and remove the S5 lead between the DSP's.
Then you just have to use two Cat cables between the 218 to the DSP.
No cable between the DSP and the two revivers hangs up behind the DPS`s with integrated short (8") cables.

You can do that also with AC12 but need (short) M5 and S5 cables as the AC12`s are best behind the DSP's.

With 3) and 4) you are future proofed and have the best sound of the choices.

All these solutions are cheaper as a 861v4.

Thanks everyone for your input, plenty of food for thought and some reading up to do as well.