Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems URGENT Question regarding 861 and 621 Smart Link hook up as well as OA13 outputs

I'm confused about the information given by the configuration program. The old configuration program for the version 2.X actually told you EXACTLY which OA13 output to use for Center, Left, Right, L Sub, R Sub, L surr, R surr, etc...

This configuration program says:

OA13#1: X1-2 [C]
OA13#1" X1-2 [L]

Ummmm.... Why the hell doesn't say if the Center or the Left is number 1 or number 2 ??? They are all that way! They say 1-2 or 3-4, but don't tell you which one?? What kind of nonsense it that??

Also, 861 to HD621 Smart link connections: where does 1/2, 3/4, and 5/6 hook up to?? I know it goes to D4, D5, and D6, but it does not say which one goes to which... again, what the heck is that nonsense.

Anyone know? I have no idea why Meridian configuration program would not say which goes to which....

Dunno about the OA13 connections off hand but the HD621 to 861 connections are described in the little manual that comes with the HD621.

I looked at the manual before posting and it does not explain.

The problem is that the HD HD621 coax outputs are labeled 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8

The Meridian configuration software shows"

DL/R ---> D4

DC/LFE ---> D5

DSurr ---> D6


There is an indirect reference of the L/R = 1/2

So one can GUESS that 3/4 = DC/LFE

and that Dsurr = 5/6


But nowhere is this stated in the Manual, I would be guessing.


The problem for the OA 13 cards remains. This was not an issue with the older configuration program that clearly said: OA 13 #1, OA 13 #2, OA 13 #3, OA 13 #4

This whole goofiness with 1-2 and 3-4 makes no sense in the configuration program. It should say exactly which one.

By the way, it was Meridian technical support, Jason, that walked me through the configuration sofware and had me use D4-D6. I don't think it matters if you use D1-3 or D4-6

Here's how mine is configured.
OA13 1,2 are FL and FR
OA13 3,4 are C and Sub
OA13(#2) 3,4 are SL and SR

For the input to the IE42:
DL/R are D4
DC/LFE are D5
DSurr are D6

The setup instructions are a bit opaque. This is what the online HD621 manual states:

SmartLink Output - These four phono sockets each carry a pair of digital audio channel signals at up to 96 kHz sample rate: 1/2, 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8. These are encrypted to Meridian High Resolution (MHR) specifications when carrying high resolution data.
Detail of SmartLink output section.

There is no indication which channel is associated with each cable. The thread mentioned did not correspond to my config as it had D1/D2/D2 hooked to inputs that are associated with MD1 AND MD2 without fully filling either.

The OA13 outputs are listed in my config as OA13 #1 card Front/Centre/Sub with the connections as
X1/X2 into my 5 channel amp A1-2 which I assume is L/R. X3/X4 should be center and sub while my second AO13 shows X3/X4 for my surround speakers and I assume this is L/R also.

The HD621 User-Guide states:

"So, for example, if you have a 2-channel system and limit the PCM output here to 2-channel, you only need to connect the “1/2” SmartLink output from the HD621 to the system."

So we now 1/2 is for Front Left / Front Right. However, the relationship of the others is implied and not stated (M should update the manual to clarify this!)

This is how I have it setup and it works.

HD621 (3 * SPDIF) --> 861 MD1-123 (or MD2-456)

DL/R 1/2 ------> D1 (D4)
DC/LFE 3/4 ---> D2 (D5)
DSurr 5/6 -----> D3 (D6)

Plug them all in and then play a channel ident test disk to confirm all is well.

Regards,
Carl.

Not to beat a dead horse, but Kal uses MD2 and Health Nut was told by Meridian tech support to use D4/D5/D6 while Carl's configuration is fine with MD1. Does anyone have a theory as to why MD2 would be preferred over MD1?

Presumably, if one already has an IE42 installed, MD1 is already in use.

Kal

Historical and Long Known potential issues with Crackling on MD1. Long acknowledged by Meridian, which is why they point users to MD2 rather than MD1

And I (and many others) get Crackling from Speakers when connecting any Multi-Channel Device to the MD1 of our IE42 Cards on our 861's. (Happens when connecting an 800DVD; 3 by SPDIF Modified Panasonic and also my HD621)

Connect the same Device to the MD2 and nirvana ensues. It's never been an issue as connecting other Single SPDIF Players to D1-D3 of MD1 never exhibits any problems or crackling. The problem only raises its head with Multi-Channel devices, which until about 12 months ago was the 800 or G98 only

This has been discussed here many times down thru the years and the "advice" from Meridian has never varied. I plan to replace my IE42 card soon, but at my expense as it's been in there (with the same issue) since about 2003/4

My advice would be to connect to the MD2 of your IE42 / 861 unless you already have another Multi-Channel device connected to it

Hi Dave,

For those only using one MC digital input Meridian recommend using MD2 in preferance to MD1 as MD1 has had reports of crackling when switching to it.

It's a 50/50 call for me which way round they are as I'm using both inputs.
Apart from a slight low dB "bump" when switching inputs I have no problems with either.

Regards,
Carl.