Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Recommended Record Decks through DSP5000s?

Sorry to dare to suggest this but is anyone out there using their Meridian kit to listen to Vinyl records AND getting good results?

I have an 18 bit DSP5000 Trifield system with 565 Z3 and a 562V with phono stage.

When I bought the 562V, I added the phono stage because I had a record deck and about Vinyl 100 records. I was however very disappointed with the sound.

The record deck I was using was a Sansui 222Mk2 with Grado cartridge. I know this wasnt the highest quality turntable at the time but was part of my old system.

Project RPM decks seem to be the rage now. Anyone have any opinions, know costs and how would a Vinyl record compare with the same CDs.

Hi Tim

You can enjoy excellent music from vinyl with your system. The weak link is the phono stage in the 562. A modest Musical Fidelity XLPS will outperform it comfortably. Whatever phono stage you choose, connect it to one of the line level inputs on the 562 and adjust the input sensitivity to accommodate a loud passage from a known LP.

A few years ago, I used a Linn LP12/RB300/AT-F5 via the MF XLPS to a 561 and then 18 bit 5000s, and it sounded far better than the same source through Rotel's range topping 995 pre > RB980 power > Tannoy DC3000s. Even though I've upgraded the rest of the Meridian kit, I still have the LP12 and now an XLPv3, and I'm looking forward to getting it all connected again once the current backlog of DIY (post house extension) is complete!

Don't give up on your vinyl...it will sound first rate when you get the system set up properly.

Cheers

George

Hi Tim,

I had an LP12/Ekos/Klyde combination from my legacy active Linn set up, so I bought a Cambridge phono amp and a Behringer Ultramatch to use an ADC. The digital output from the Behringer was fed straight into the 2nd digital input on the DSP5200s. It was a much better sound than when used in the Linn active system, but not as good as the CD replay via a G08. So I decided to sell the Linn and the vinyl and started rebuying albums on CD. A chance encounter with a Michell Gyro SE reversed the descision and I now use that with a Tecnoarm and Denon DL160 through the Cambridge/Behringer. It sounds superb (but I still prefer the sound of the CD) and looks stunning!

I'm hoping to try Meridian's ADC, the Max211, some time to see if that can bring the sound nearer to the CD.

I've got a Pro-ject RPM6, Denon DL-304 MC cartridge and a Pro-ject PhonoBox SE. Sounds rather wonderful into my F80. I'm sure it would be equally nice into D5Ks.

I've yet to find an ADC that can convert my vinyl (Michel Orbe Millenium/Koetsu Red Signature) in a completely transparent way - thus I still maintain an analogue system for vinyl playback.

Having said that, with the advent of digital room correction and servers for use with my digital sources I find it increasingly difficult to listen to analogue as I am increasingly aware of its limitations versus digital. So I tend now to only listen to stuff that I don't have in a digital format.

Mark

I use a Project box with one of my Technics SL-10s with excellent results... alas the use they get (mostly novelty value) means they're all going on eBay soon!

Hi Mark

I think you're in the rarified atmosphere of fairly high end vinyl with that combo, and as you point out, the shortcomings of A>D stages do become apparent.

Tim's still using the same budget turntable I bought in 1980, so he has some way to go yet before the ADC becomes the limiting factor.

Cheers

George

Thanks everyone for the replies. Lots to investigate.

I assumed when buying my 562V with phono, that the limitation was all due to the A to D to A conversion going on. I also assumed that as the phono stage was Meridian, it would be as good as was needed. Oh well!

The Sansui 222 Mk2 that I have was going to be replaced because it has this fault that when you switch it off on the deck switch, after about a couple of minutes, it mysteriously starts turning again!!! And I assumed the deck was the problem with the sound.

I think what I might do now however, is to try a seperate phono with the Sansui deck to start off with, just to see if I can hear any difference between that and the Sansui through the 562V + Meridian phono stage and go from there.

Having said that, if anyone knows of a combo that costs less than �500 that would be worthwhile considering, let me know!

For the first time in ages, I tried my old LP12 deck last night and I was pleasantly surprised at how good it sounded.

I realised I haven't really used it since getting a 568 and getting rid of a 562v3.
I remember the sound not being very good through the 562 and put it down to the old cartridge being worn out.
I used the same external phono preamp in both systems, so the only real difference is the ADC. The 562s have a 16bit ADC with level matching to try and get the most out of it, whereas the 568 has a 24bit ADC with a fixed input.
The sound was much better through the 568, a lot smoother without any loss in frequency response or dynamics. I spent the rest of the evening going through many a black disc.

I was going to get rid of the turntable (well, remove it from the system) when I re decorate and re wire my listening room, but now I think it'll be staying and I might even get a new cartridge for it! I got the LP12 (second hand) in 1989 so it's coming up for 20 years with me and must be the longest bit of kit I've owned.

On another note, I did convert some vinyl to digital files using a Edirol USB ADC, 24 bit 96KHz samples. They didn't sound very good either, so the ADC in the 568 must be very good.

Steve.

Try here very good phono stages and fair prices.

http://www.gspaudio.co.uk/preamps/analogue_audio_products.htm

Robert

Some Japanese Meridian 800 / 861 owners are using the EMT 950 or EMT 948 turntable with the EMT TSD15 moving coil cartridge.
This professional turntable has an RIAA preamp and the balanced +4db output matches the Meridian IA10 balanced input card well.

I first caught on to Meridian in the early '80s with pre amps/amps to Swallow Acoustics! Great sound then. All that remains now is the 101 preamp, connected between a 1980s Technics SL10 (with low end Grado) and G91A into DSps listed below.

Vinyl sounds great, far better in all ways than I remember before getting Meridian DSP. It's a nice change from digital for my old ears.