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

Thank-you. For the OA13 cards, not surprisingly it followed my 861 V2 which is stilling besides the brand new 861 V4. The HD621 is very nice.

Just not sure why the configuration program doesn't specifically say slot 1, 2, 3, or 4 (like the older configuration program). Makes no sense to call it 1-2 or 3-4. Why on the earth they would do that makes no sense.

I haven't uploaded my new configuration into the new unit, but whatever defaults were on the Meridian 861 V4 and HD621 worked, albiet not optimized yet.

By the way, doesn't it come with a microphone? How am I supposed to do the room correction? I think I have one that came with a Denon Receiver, but for 20,000.00, don't they throw in a mic? I got a mic on my 500.00 Pioneer receiver for the bedroom...

I guess I have to find my radio shack level meter now also... I want to upload my configuration but looks like you set levels and do room config before finishing... I have a com port on a silent HTPC I use in that room, but it is running VISTA. I plan on upgrading to Windows 7... I wonder if I should do that first, I installed Window 7 on my laptopr and other computer, just not the HTPC. I think Windows 7 also has an XP compatability mode which may be useful.

Meridian recommends using a Radio Shack sound pressure meter for MRC calibration. You'll need one to set your speaker levels as well.

You can use an SPL meter, the same one you need to calibrate the speaker levels.
For more information on MRC see Wiki.

Regards,
Carl.

I have the rat shack meter, but don't you need a microphone to run the automated room correction? You mean there is an output on the rat shack meter to use it as an external microphone? I guess from what you say there is... I remember seeing a little mini plug hole. I have to find that rat shack meter now... any reason not to use the Denon mic that came with an expensive receiver? Not sure why they wouldn't just throw in a microphone that they are familiar with...

Wow! I never heard or heard of this. I have been using MD1 for the 3xS/PDIF input for some time and not had any problems. That is the reason that I used MD2 for the HD621.

Kal

Hi again Health Nut,

Yep the SPL meter has an output, you can connected it to the 861 and use it as a mic. This is what M use and recommend. There are other options and you can use your mic from the Denon. Have a read in the Wiki there is a lot of information in there on this subject.

Regards,
Carl.

I expect Meridian made a running change to the production card.

The Wiki you refer to is on Meridian's website?

Thank-you all for helping.

Of course not! That would be very unlike Meridian. It's this forum's wiki: Link at the top of any forum page.

http://www.meridianunplugged.com/wiki/index.php/HomePage

I expect Meridian made a running change to the production card. [/quote]
Unfortunately, not necessarily the case Joel

I've heard "new" 861's with the same problem. Likewise, new IE42 cards in "problematic" 861's has not resolved the problem

One important point to note: The Crackling problem ONLY arises if the following conditions are met
a) A High Res Multi-Channel Device is connected to the MD1 of the 861 AND
b) The Sources was "playing" a High Res Multi-Channel track

That is:
** No issues with playing CD's into the MD1 on the 861, even when connected by MD1 / Smartlink.
** No issues when playing High Res 2-ch DVD-V's or DVD-A's into the MD1 of the 861
** Not surprising, given that CD and 2-ch High Res only uses the D1-2 connection of the MD1

Like I said, when Meridian came out with their DVD-A Smartlink Connection, they spent some time trying to resolve problem, but it was one of those inconsistent problems that affected some 861's and not others. Because there were 2 Multi-Channel connections on the IE42 card, it was far simpler to tell customers to just connect to the MD2, which has been the consistent advice for years now. It's really only since the advent of the HD621 (i.e. a 2nd 3 by SPDIF Device) that it's began to raise it's head again.

In addition, many 800 / G98 users have moved away from "Spinning" DVD-A's altogether, so the above conditions are not being met too often

Thanks Ronnie. I have to say that I am completely unsympathetic with Meridian's position, it having known about it for 5+ years. Meridian should have swapped out a known problem unit with a replacement and resolved the problem.

I'm happy to have the Version 4 and HD621, but a version 5 would be nice.

I would like to be able to change the CROSSOVER (Hz) settings from the front panel, on the fly. I'd also like to change otehr attributes quickly without having to do a type change and make a whole bunch of types which makes no sense.

I'm sure there are a lot of improvements and refinements that could be made. I wonder what could be done if they did a new unit from the ground up... A new cost no object processor, what would be done differently. You'd think being software based, it doesn't rely on other peoples 'chips'. they could be updating the software however they want. I don;t know of any other processor that is so software based. I guess all of the digital filters, the crossovers, everything is software based? Whereas other manufactures use 'chip' based solutions...?