Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 861v6 experiences

Am I correct in thinking that the 861 was still apodizing even without upsampling?

No....apodizing only works when it upsamples. So, you must turn u/s off in the 800 to get the 861 to do it.

Hi Robert
I have 1 meter lenghts of SL from 861->AC12 (4 AC12's behind 861) then approx. 35 feet SPDIF from AC12-> 8000 and 5500HC inwall. Also 1m SL between 861 and HD621.
I know to be fair I need to go back and check 800 with upsampling off vs. Oppo.

Nick
Thanks for the info on upsampling and apodizing working together. I know this has been discussed in the past but what is the 861 doing when the 800 says 88k and the 861 says 88K?

Regards
Joe

I have set my 800 up so that the main output (the 3xSPDIF) upsamples and plays out DVD-A, wheras the aux output just sends out 44khz to the 861v6 where the latter can apodize. Downside is it uses up a fourth digital input on the 861v6, but so be it. Does it strike anyone as strange that the optional ID26 board just adds additional optical inputs. I would have preferred a couple more coax inputs.

Haven't had a chance to calibrate the 861v6, nor run room correction, so no useful opinion yet on v6 versus v4.

"When you turn on the diagnostic display in the Mconfig,
you can look for the audio stream.
When you play a CD, you can see on the display if the HD621 make the apodizing upsample or the 861V6."

Robert
Not sure what you mean by this. If you mean turning upsampling on in the HD621(HY-Yes)-- then yes it was on. The 861 is saying "MHR Music2 96K". I am assuming that means the HD621 is upsampling and apodizing as the v4 said the same thing. I think the difference in sound quality I hear is because of the SL connection between HD621->861v6 but that is total speculation on my part. I need to turn off the upsampling in the HD621 and listen to hear the difference. It sure would be nice if the HD621 had a front display.
Regards
Joe

When the 861v6 receives a 88k signal it simply apply MRC and redithers the signal, nothing else.

Well, I have finally had a chance to fully setup my 861v6 and put it through, at least, its intial paces. A few observations:

1. Last year, upon purchasing the HD621, I had compared 2-channel CD between my Oppo BDP83 through HD621 into 861v4 versus 800D directly into v4. I went back and forth a bit in terms of my preference, but ultimately stuck with the 800 as I felt the Oppo remained a bit harsh (although perhaps what is 'harsh' to me is 'more detailed' to somebody else - more on this below). Making the same comparison now, with upsampling off in the 800 and the benefit of apodizing in the 861v6, I find the Oppo clearly inferior.

2. Upon initial listen, I find the v6 quite different from the v4. One of the things I always liked about the v4 was its smoothness and ease of sound - although sometimes it was too smooth, and one got the sense it was not always a faithful reproduction of the source. But it always sounded great. The v6 is not as smooth, but I think it is closer to a faithful reproduction of the source. Piano, for example, is startling in its clarity and accuracy.

3. My initial reaction to the v6 was 'gee, its sounds a bit harsh'. As I pointed out before, I felt the same way about the Oppo as a CD player, so perhaps I am hearing 'more detail' as 'harsh'. As I spent more time listening, details started to pop out that I did not recall hearing quite so clearly from some of my favorite recordings. I do think the v6 is a considerable improvement on the v4, even if some of the latter's smoothness is now gone. Time will tell whether is was worth the upgrade cost (and that may depend also on whether v4 gets apodizing or not).

To be continued ....

Simon

Hi Simon, thanks for updating.

What you describe hearing as a difference is what many of us have detected with the +3dB tweak. Greater detail in the sound.

Pure speculation but I wonder if the v6 is coded differently in this respect so that 0dB = 0dB by default.

It would be helpful to see what HQ thought about this.

I was thinking exactly the same thing when I read his review. All processors have the problem of using digital speaker calibration. But all processors may not have the -3dB. I think enough folks have confirmed V4 has that -3dB compared to direct wired. But someone should check a V6. Very easy to do. Just a spl meter and a test tone on a CD or music server.

Calibrate v6 to all 0, large
Set speaker to any level, say 70
Measure test tone in direct DSP preset mrc bypassed
Now unplug left/right main and connect direct to source.
Measure again with speaker at 70

If it measures higher by 3dB it can use the tweak.

In fact I would suggest targeting as close to 0dB until someone measures it on V6.

I just tried configuring a V6 in MConfig and Trfield still defaults to EQ1 (which needs 3dB of headroom). So if a V6 is 0dB = 0dB it's center channel would clip. But they could have changed the EQ curves as well in V6.

I'm not using DSP speakers, so no way for me to tell.

PS - near as I can tell nothing new about the MSR+ that comes with the v6 (other than a black rather than silver facia). Still no button for Bluray nor remote code support for the Oppo players.

Another 861v6 with analogue speakers, doh!
Still waiting for some 861v6 with DSPs reports.

Come on chaps, get listening and then get typing

Regards,
Carl.

PS Simon, thanks for reporting back, it's good to know about analogue setups as well.