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

In previous communication with M tech, long time ago so detail may be forgotten...

The relay, or thyristor in some series, is used to ground output particularly when a new DSP program is being loaded (and iirc when there is no digital lock). I believe that the relay was more suitable for the application than the solid state thyristor - I think reliability was mentioned but cannot remember what context.

Maybe someone with in depth electronics knowledge will explain why relays are better than solid state. I did once read something about relays producing less electrical noise and having better electrical stability.

My old G68 was a right old clatter box at times, my previous 568 was totally silent - assumed that 568 used thyristors. I ran mixed DSP/analogue.

My G68XXV (all analogue) only clicks the first time you bring it out of standby after a hard power off. Once the relays have done whatever they do you never hear them again even on preset or source change.

I'm well used to it by now. Most of the clicks come when a new lock is required on an audio signal I think. This is common when a broadcast transmission that might have been in DD moves to advertisements. If the soundtrack on those is a mixture of DD and PCM then there will be more clicks. I also see it frequently on DVD/BR discs in the various trailers/announcements before the feature starts.

I don't perceive it as a problem, but clearly some people find it annoying. There are plenty of processors that do it though.

I remember when I temporarily defected to Lexicon for a few years, initially I was freaked out by the complete absence of relay clicks!

It'll be for audio quality reasons, the lifetime of a thyristor is practically infinite, that of a relay is probably a few thousand cycles.

EDIT: That should be taken as a warning against fetishising 'modern design'.

Yes I sure do!
There is no reason why there should be mechanical relays in a piece of gear. Do you want to hear clicking between CD's? I don't.
IMO a product should be mechanically dead silent. When I first received my 818 and heard the relay I was absolutely dumbfounded that M designed the piece like this. Then again, it wasn't surprising at all! I dread the day when the relay seizes up which you know it will do.

Sonically, it's a joy and huge upgrade from the lesser Sooloos products.

Hmm, yes but bear in mind the use of the relays you're slamming may be partly responsible for the sound quality you love...

That I HIGHLY doubt.
In thinking about it the 800 series chassis is an old design.

The chassis may be an old design, however the contents are continuously upgraded, both hardware and software, this is the fatal attraction of the modular design. I am not aware of a competitor that offers this proposition with or without "clicking".
Satisfied Hector

My G68 did not click. As others have stated it's worse when adverts come on or when you flick through the channels. I see there are different types of relays, are the ones used in the 861 the long life ones or in an analogue set up are they likely to die?

I don't have any clicking between CDs - at least not on G61/G68. Is it an 8xx series feature?

I could probably put you into a coma by expounding on leakage currents through P-N junctions, due to thermal and quantum effects.