Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems DSPs and multi-channel audio using a computer as source

Hi,

Only the G68SL has the USB input. As the USB is not asynchronous, it isn’t considered very good and the suggestion would be to use a separate asynchronous DAC and feed a digital output from that into one of the D inputs on the G series processor.

USB inputs on Meridian components are only stereo and I’m not sure if you can send multichannel over USB? Not something i’ve ever looked into but happy to be corrected.

Given you current speaker set up (non-SL) an earlier G6x processor might be a better choice. G series processors can have some issues with their power supplies but that’s going a bit off topic.
Whatever processor you end up with, you should be able to upgrade you speakers gradually while retaining an analogue output to feed your D600’s

Multichannel from Bluray is usually set to pcm output in the source via HDMI. The HD621 will strip the pcm audio output from the video and output 3 (L/R, C/sub, surround L/R) digital channels to the G6x or 568.2mm processor.

Brian

I have not seen a DAC that takes USB from a computer and output 6 channels other than to analogue.

I am using multichannel over USB but to analogue outputs.

That is what I had hoped. The G6X will not take multi-channel USB from the computer.

Bluray, DVD and CD drives in the computer. The CD has a cable to the unused internal sound card - the other drives do not. Single out of all media is from the computer.

The UHD722 looks possible but I feel it will be redundant within a few years. I originally wanted an all new 500 Series system. S-Video was the standard. Then Meridian produced HDMI 1.4 which is an out of date standard already. I could never work out what components of a 500 system I needed. And the G6X series does not do what I need.

Thanks Brian, most helpful.

Hi,

I don’t think there is anything that will do everything that you want but there is the MiniDSP UD-108 (not sure if that’s 108 or IO8?) which will do multichannel output. Also look at comments on the UD-108 by Kalman Rubinson in Stereophile. (Sept 2018)

Other than Meridian most manufacturers don’t have any use in keeping things digital, hence the 5.1 as analogue.

The HD621 is an earlier version of the UHD722 except that it doesn’t support UHD video but they are cheaper second hand than the 722.

Brian

FWIW, for playing back multi-channel movies, an AppleTV4K connected to your audio processor via HDMI will facilitate 7.1 playback. It will also access stored content on your computer via Ethernet.

Even so, I would still buy a Meridian 210 for playing hi-res music from your computer.

I use the miniDSP to feed 5.1 SPDIF to my DSP surround system. A player such as Audirvana or Roon will convey up to 8 channels from your USB port to this $325 device with great sound and reliability.

In addition to DSP5200s, you may want to also consider DSP5000s, or DSP5500s, both of which can be found at pretty rock bottom prices these days.

Thanks for the help.

Using the miniDSP and choosing speakers with optical inputs rules out the M6 but could use Meridian 5000, 5500, 5200 or 5200.2 with just a remote from my computer similar to what I am now doing with analogue active speakers.

D600 (1989) analogue and optical coax input, M60 (1988) analogue with the smiley face 3rd version in 2001.

Prices as recently on eBay.

DSP5000.1 1994 (£400, £800)
DSP5500 1996 (£1380-2000)
DSP5000.2 2001
DSP5500.2 2001 (£1800)
DSP5200 2004 (£1200, £2000, £5000)
DSP5200.2 2015

DSP5000C
DSP5500HC
DSP5200HC (£1100)

DSW
D1500
D2500

What if any the 16 plus year old speakers can still be repaired by Meridian, perhaps 5200?
Meridian, in an interview, suggest 12 year old speakers can be upgraded.

Hi

None of the DSPs have optical or analogue inputs, so you'd need a controller of some kind as suggested earlier.

Although Meridian themselves no longer support older models, the excellent MrTechGuy company are the official legacy support service. Ex Meridian service dept staff, so they have the expertise to do the job properly.

There are still some upgrade kits for DSPs floating around, but as it's all used market kit now, you'd be better looking for the spec you need, rather than an older model and hoping to upgrade it (usually more expensive to do that anyway).

Cheers
George

Yes,

I wouldn’t rule out the M6. If you end up with a SpeakerLink (SL) processor, then they can be connected directly. If you have a non-SL processor there are adapters available (AC11,12 and Reviver) to use.

Non-SL processors have coax digital outputs to connect to your current speakers, so you should be able to upgrade gradually and someone somewhere may have a wiring diagram for the K-lead.

Brian

M6 don't, SpeakerLink only. DSP5200.2 has two SPDIF digital inputs, Meridian SpeakerLink RJ45 in and out

miniDSP IO8 has SPDIF outputs.

Devialet Phantoms are optical - TOSLINK.

Yes, sorry. I should have said digital coaxial inputs like the D600 have.

If DSP speakers had analogue inputs I would have simply upgraded to the newest model I could afford years ago.

The problem is with parts and one issue hiding another as more parts fail. I need an LCD controller chip for one of the D600. Thanks I'll contact them if HighviewVideo has not done so already when repairing my speakers last time.

Plus some method to control?

What's your budget for the overall system at this stage?