Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Multi-channel SACD/DVD-A

I am having a mental block. How are they going to do multi-channel SACD and DVD-A without a digital link - 6 analog outs? Last time I looked, i didn't see 6 analog ins on the 500 series.

Waiting for the first answer to be completely humiliated.

If I understand correctly it will use MHR (Meridian's own encryption in a digital format) over a propriety physical connection. I think I've seen rumors to using a CAT-5/RJ-45 connection. Nothing has it yet. 598 (596+Upgrade) and an Option card added to the 568.

There is also talk of an External 6 channel D/A converter thet will probably output the same MHR above. Yuck, why bother. You'll be depending on player's bass mgmt, player's DAC's, a set of ADC's and probably some bass mgmt again and another set of DACs.

I have had a chance to take home, for the weekend, a 596 from my local dealer. Until listening to this unit through my 568 I thought all digital outputs were created equal, I was wrong! Does anybody know what the upgrade path is for the 596? I have e-mailed Meridian and I got a very non-commital "there will be some type of upgrade to DVD-AUDIO". I an not sure what was meant by this, analog upgrade? digital upgrade? maybe both? It would be great if I could buy the 596 and just upgrade the digital connection along with the 568 digital connection, at a later date. My thinking is that it will still be some time before the DVD-AUDIO upgrade will happen for the 568 so why not enjoy the sound from the 596 now and (when available) upgrade both the 568 and 596 at the same time.

Thanks,
Steve

There was a photo somewhere on one of the CES 2001 reports that Meridian is going to use MMHR (multi-channel MHR) which looks exactly like a VGA cable for DVD-A. Why? Because they have to be proprietary to avoid copy protection issues (I suppose).

596 should be able to add this MMHR interface.

How does that work? No one knows! Just wait.

-Dennis