Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Meridian 502 - HT bypass?

Apologies if this has been asked before but I wonder if anyone knows if there are settings on the 502 so that it can be used in a home theatre bypass mode? I want to keep the 502/557 separate for stereo music but be able to utilise them from the front pre outs on an A/V amp to drive the stereo speakers as front left/right speakers in a 5.1 surround set up as well, with the A/V amp then controlling volume if watching a film: is this possible to do on the 502?

I don't beleive it's possible I'm afraid. I had a very similar setup to you and just used to set the 502 to a specific volume when watching HT stuff. At least it's easy to always set the 502 to the same volume as used when you configured the A/V amp.

Thanks for your reply, I thought that was the case as I couldn't find reference to it anywhere but thought I'd check.

Hey Dex,

The Australian made Arx RS-1 12v triggered, relay driven XLR switchbox is an excellent (and audibly transparent) alternative to a stereo preamp equipped with a HT pass-through. I use two of these clever little blue pro audio "problem-solver" boxes to share both my front L & R ATC actives and my Seaton subwoofers between my otherwise independent stereo signal chain and multi-channel signal chain. They are completely seamless in use. Stereo input #1 is the default pass-through input on the RS-1. You plug your 502 stereo preamp's XLR outs into that. Stereo input two is used for the front L & R balanced outputs of your HT pre-processor. Then you run a 12v trigger cable from the HT pre-pro to the RS-1 and configure the trigger to be on when the pre-pro is switched on. It works brilliantly. Better yet I don't have to waste expensive vacuum tube life on my tubed stereo linestage pre when I'm watching movies or gaming.

Be well,
Vince