Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 7.1 DDDA

Hello everyone.
I'm redistributing my components in my systems and I'm thinking to complete my 500 series with two extra speakers to have 7.1 full Meridian speakers set up.
I have available now
right and left: DSP5000
center:DSP5000c
rear: M60 MK2
If I buy two more DSP5000 and I put them as side speakers, I have the rear/side speakers mixed between analog and digital
The 568.2 setup is defining rear/side speakers with a single letter (A or D), but my side/rear setup will be half digital, half analog.
Do you know if a solution exists?
It feels that the easiest way will be to use the M60s as left and right and have a full digital read/side. This way the system can be described as 7.1 ADD, but
1-I don't want to risk to have a less timbrical correct front end mixing analog and digital. Is it a risk in my case? Difference is limited: may be I'm creating to myself a non existing problem
2-My 568,2 is on the back of the system and not in front. Having analogs in front I need loooong analog cables: espensive and probably able to effect the timbre of the front end.
3-I'm using front panel configuration since, as Mac user, for me is not easy to have a windows portable machine, but if the software can really help me solving my problem I can move a Microsoft desktop from my office to do the job,
Any suggestion from the hitchhikers tribe?
Thanks and ciao!

Hi Mauro, you lucky person.
I dont know, but i think what ever you do it will sound great.
It would be best to at first try whatever is simplest to wire up, then listen and make decisions based on that as opposed to decisions based on theory and opinion.

Enjoy 7.1 today.

Cheers, Chris

Ciao Chris!!
Still chasing for a well priced set of dsp5000, or may be it's better to look for another set of M60s solving my 7.1 DDDA problem. I hope to find a good price and to be able to implement this soon.
What I think is good of this system is that everything is based on one tweeter and one mid bass loudspeaker, with a very simple signal path. Probably a 'symmetrical' approach will give me a very good dynamic with low distortion and a great timbrical coherence, that is what I really like. My other dream is to put a set of DSP5500 in front, but I think that to have this system balanced I need to sell my dsp5000c for a dsp5500c, making globally a huge hole in my pocket and creating serious problems to my marriage. Better now try this and listen to it, then, I'll see.
Ciao!

Welcome to the club, Mauro!



George

Mauro, I'm not sure about the 568.2 config settings, but if you go for another pair of D5Ks, I think I'd make them the rears and move the M60s to the sides. Best for 5.1 multichannel music.

Hi!
The point, for what I understood, is that 568.2 Does NOT allow to config side and rearspeakers in a multichannel 7.x setup mixing analogs with digitals.
Both of them must be digital. Or analog.
I had an idea.
What if I configure the system as 7.1 DDD and I use the 263 I already own to convert digital output for the sides to analog to feed my M60.2?
For sure the DAC in the 568.2 is much more up to date, but this way I lose something only on the sides, having a pure digital management for right, left, centers and rears.
It's just an idea... :-)

Hi Mauro

Something tells me you may well have a problem with the 263 outputing full, uncontrolled volume...

To my shame, I gave bum advice to Rodders about a year ago when he tried to do a similar thing with a Bel Canto DAC and a G91 (I think). He nearly blew the speakers, as there turned out to be no volume control for the DAC. I had assumed that the processor would send out a variable digital signal, but it's actually the DSPs which control the volume. A standalone DAC can't do that, so proceed with caution if you are going to try it....

Cheers

George

The 568.2 can be setup for any combination of digital and analog speakers. Even between side and rears. I just checked the config program to confirm it.

Ron

Hi Mauro,

Just to support what Ron just said, I had previously run a system similar to what you are comtemplating using a 568.1. I had 5500's across the front, 5000's as rears and a pair of M33's as the sides. The setup was done via computer, but it was very easy to do.

BTW, I am a huge fan of 7.1 vs. 5.1! Good Luck.

Rudy

Mauro, you can do what you want but you need to use the PC configuration routine. I know moving the desktop PC.is a pain but it's the only way, overall.

Regards,
Steve

Thanks Ron, thank everyone.

Ok, so the limitation in side and rear speaker type is relatve only to the setup done on the front panel!
Great. Thanks so much: I'll do che config with a PC. Maybe It's more convenient to buy a small old Windows portable on eBay just for M configs since this is solving the problem in the best way.
Now, chasing for a pair of DSP5000 :-)
Rudy, I have the feeling that 7.1 is much better tha 5.1 especially for movies: your system is my target configuration, it must sound awesome as 7.1!
For music, after several esperiments with multichannel patterns, I'm always back to Trifield when I really want to enjoy it.
Ciao!

Hi Mauro,

I use an old Windows 95 system for my setups. The last version of the Mconfig program still works great with Windows 95.

Ron