Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Upgrading legacy DSP system with SpeakerLink sources -- Advice needed

I decided to upgrade my video to 4K projector.

My DSP speakers have legacy inputs and will not change at least for now.

I think I blew the power on my 800v3 DVD player so now I have a 800v4.

I initially bought and set up a Vertex to split the HDMI when I discovered that the HD621 would not pass UHD video which seemed to work well but I knew my wife would not find this setup user friendly.
Soon to arrive is a 861v6 and UHD722. This should simplify control considerably.

I am a bit perplexed as to the best way to connect the SpeakerLink out from the 861v6 to the speakers. I have studied the various cable recommendations and would love to find revivers but that seems unlikely. AC12's would work but hoping to avoid that expense. I am capable of making cables as suggested with a resistor network but it seems like some are suggesting using a transformer and that is not clear to me.

Any suggestions?
Thanks for the help,
Paul

Since your system is 5.1, you don't need the 861v6.

The UHD722 still has the 4x RCA SmartLink outputs, and you can configure them to match up to MD1/MD2 inputs on the 861v4.

Alternatively, if you want to use the 861v6, I believe it still has digital output ports and the digital comms output to connect it to legacy speakers using Meridian's comms cables and digital SPDIF (I seem to recall the speakers originally came with Van den Hul SPDIF cables):

Rear 861v6 panel

This is likely easier than making up your own or buying SpeakerLink to SPDIF and comms convertor cables. That said, you may need to source some replica comms cables as the originals are likely to be thin on the ground, if you don't already have them. Audio Images may be able to help here.

Hi,
Unfortunately that's not correct, 861v6 only has SpeakerLink (and optional Analogue outputs).

Some form of SpeakerLink to SPDIF converter will be required in order for it to drive legacy DSP speakers.

Options (one per legacy DSP speaker pair):

- Meridian AC12
- Reviver (RobertW doesn't supply any more, thus only available on the used market this days)
- Custom cable (see, SpeakerLink used as Digital Out (XLR or SPDIF) plus COMMS and RS232

Regards,
Carl

When I bought my G61R SL from Rick on here it came with some SL - Legacy converters & I'm sure they weren't Revivers. Rick knew I had a legacy-only system & he supplied them. They'd have been ~ 8cm long I guess, and very neat. One per channel.

I use an AC11 that can be used to do the job.

Pieter dVR

Thanks Carl. Time to get out the soldering iron!
Paul

That's a pity. Does anyone know how to request www.meridian-audio.info gets updated?

Hi again,

I can help with that …

Specifically which 861v6 / 861v8 reference needs reviewing?

Regards,
Carl

Sorry, Carl - my mistake, I just blew up the picture in my link above and now see the card says 'Digital Input'. I'd assumed the RCA ports were the digital outputs.

I'm surprised they left the comms on there for legacy equipment, but removed the digital outputs.

For 3rd party source devices to be connected.