Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 568 digital lead crackling?

Any suggestions?...Just connected a Sony 7700 DVD player to my new 568 using the thin blue digital lead provided. When I came to level calibration using the sound tests, there was the usual noise with lots of extra crackling over the top. Swapping this lead for a Monster digital cable seems to have got rid of this crackling.

I wondered whether this was coming from the power cables which were fairly near the digital cable... maybe the Monster cable simply has better screening?

The only other potential problem is that when the 568 unit arrived via courier, it had fallen out of its foam protectors onto the bottom of the cardboard box, so maybe it has some temperamental damage to the DACs?
Maybe I should return the unit for a replacement? I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks.

I am slightly puzzled by this as the calibration test tones are generated internally by the 568 and thus external cables should have no effect.

I have had almost the opposite problem to you in that expensive digital cables caused dropouts and were very prone to RFI in my system. The thin blue cable seems very good for general use.

It may be that the 568 has been damaged and that pulling the connectors around is making a bad connection internally. I suggest a return to the dealer.

It might be due to a break in the thin blue cable. Mine had a death grip on the RCA connector, and after some insertion/removals (maybe once pulling by the cable,) the solder connection broke. I was going to solder it back, but I thought that cable was worth probably only 10 cents.

It shoudl not be due to the power cable, but since that blue cable is probably only single shielded, you'll never know.

You could try that cable as a substitute for a composite cable in your video system. If the picture is bad, then you know it is the cable.

I have found the thin blue cables to work better than any other $$$$$ digital cables. With the expensive ones, I get audio drop outs once or twice during a film. With the blue cables, no dropouts.

I have tried some highly rated digital cables and in the end, I stick with the stock stuff.

Thanks guys, I'll try a few different cables...
sspears - I seemed to recall you saying you liked the blue cable... I'll persevere.
Malcolmw - I agree, the calibration test tones are generated internally by the 568 so I'm not sure why you'd get the crackling noise! Very strange...

I've changed these cable back over, and the problem seems to be intermittent. I presume that the unit may have had a few knocks while it wasn't packed within its foam protectors. I think it'll have to be swapped for a replacement, which is a nightmare because I ordered it two weeks before Christmas, and only received it last Thursday!!!

I think I may have the same problem: crackling on test tones, but not all the time. I haven't had a need to use the test tones lately, so I'd kind of fogotten about it. If you do send the 568 to Meridian, let us know what Meridian says about the problem.

Many Thanks,
Will

Mark,

Have you been able to try a second DVD player? Does the 7700 have an optical out? If so, try it first.

Thanks, I'll try the optical (I'm pretty certain the 7700 has one) and post an update after the weekend.

I've spoken to Meridian (John Purnell) and they're just going to swap it for a new unit... he didn't like the sound of it falling out of it's packing!

Great service! Although I wasn't as happy to learn that the 558 power amp manual is wrong stating that the 568 has a suitable trigger output to power it up. Passed on to the marketing guys apparently...
Doesn't help me and they haven't even offered me a 562V as compensation!

couldn't you setup an RS232 trigger configuration? so when you did stuff the RS232 would output a signal to some device (ocelot?) that could trigger the amp?

or someone must make simple IR receivers with trigger outputs - just set it up to respond to all the input choice keys on an MSR perhaps?

some random thoughts. cheaper than a 562.

doody.

I like both ideas Mr Doody. I had a quick look at the Ocelot info that I could find. This is just the RS232 bit right? You'd need a pronto or something to go with it? I probably need to read the instruction manual...

Does anyone know of any simple IR receivers with trigger outputs?

Thanks