Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Advice please for my first M system

Its taken me a while to get here, but I'm now considering dipping the toe into a Meridian system. Previously I have had all manner of set ups, big speakers, small ones, components from Krell, Audio Research etc etc. For the past few months I have been enjoying the simplicity and performance from an active speaker set up, which got me thinking about Meridian DSP.

My existing set up is no CD player, all music ripped to HDD and played either via a Mac Mini into USB DAC and then preamp into studio active monitors, or via a Slimdevices transporter direct into said monitors. I also own a TT and plenty of vinyl so would want to be able to still play those even though 90% of my listening is currently digital.

My room is dedicated to listening, but on the small side (11'x10'), however I have tamed some pretty big speakers in the past and despite the small room enjoyed a big and expansive soundstage. Depth of soundstage and 3D imaging are more important to me than scale but obviously nice to have both.

So I was initially thinking of a pair of 5200s, but also considering 6000, 7000 and 7200, albeit probably needing room correction to help tame bass issues.

I was also assuming that I would initially be able to use the Slimdevices co-ax output into the DSP speakers, or use a USB/SPDIF straight out of the Mac Mini?

I would be grateful for -

1. Comments and advice on the speaker options.
2. Advice on the different input choices utilising existing kit.
3. Advice on potential benefits of buying additional Meridian kit which would a) improve SQ and b) provide room correction.
4. Advice on options which enable me to play my records via the TT.
5. Comments on the relative importance/ merits of SpeakerLink (or not).

Much appreciated.

You could dip your toe into the water with a pair of 2nd hand 24/96 DSP5000s for around �1000 to see if you like the Meridian house sound. You will lose practically nothing on resale if you decide you don't, or if you decide to trade up to some of their bigger or newer siblings.

You can plug the Transporter directly into them and it will sound *great*.

D

6000's will be too big for the room, IMO in terms of height and maybe bass. The heads are very high and you really have to sit quite far'ish away to "get it all" compared to 5k's or smaller Meridians.

You can get a 24/96 ADC for your vinyl and use it into the speakers if you don't want to get a Meridian processor to do the ADC, as the speakers have 2 digital inputs - one for the Transporter and one for the ADC from your TT.

Hi Crimson and welcome to the forum.

What turntable and cartrdge do you use and do you have a separate phono stage?

Some Meridian processors (562, 861) have optional MM or MC phono cards/modules if you prefer the integrated/fewer boxes solution. Alternatively you could plug your phono stage of choice into a line-level analogue input on any Meridian processor. The A2D quality will vary by model from 16/44.1k (562) to 24/96 (depending which cards you have fitted) on the 861.

If you only have one analogue source, the line-level MP221 (now out of production) can do the job at 24/96.

I use the 562/MM card solution which, perhaps more by luck than judgement, works very well with a Roksan Corus Black cartridge.

Hello Crimson,

Based on my route and setup I would agree with Duncan and politely disagree with Rodney. Sorry to muddy the waters but the forum does have different opinions.

As per my list below, I went into M with a pair of used 5200's. As Duncan said it was a very easy and they became my rears.

You sound like my kind of guy with a "need" for big speakers. I have 8k's in a 12' x 18' room. Many people suggest that they are too big for my room size. For me, they are wrong, I would not have it any other way.

On the 6k's you can "tilt" the heads (do a search, there is lots on the subject) to easily eliminate the height problem as I did. If you are at all like me, you would love the effortless easy full bass that only big boxes can give. Just make sure that they will physically fit with some rear and side clearance. I cheated on the rear clearance, but they are still physically big boxes.

I think that one of the moderators, VirusKiller, posted that used 6k's are presently the best M value on the market. If I quoted him directly, I agree.

Depending on the availability on the used market, I would also consider 5500's. Unfortunately the ones on Audiogon now are on the wrong side of the pond for you.

Now to put it in my opinion perspective. Any M DSP speakers are a delight, after that it is icing on the cake to fine tune it your way.

Good luck,

There's a pair of DSP5500 for sale in the restaurant!

No problem disagreeing with me

I paid then equivalent of GBP 1500 for my immaculate 24/96 DSP's over here in South Africa which indeed was an amazing bargain. Just as an aside, I found the bass of the 5500's more prodigious and more difficult to get right than the 6000's.

I'm afraid I have to disagree as well. My 6ks are in a 11' x 11' basement room and they sound magnificent - SERIOUSLY better than 5ks. Yes the image is high, but I quite like that - it seems to add a "stage realism". I'm also sitting only about 7' away!

I find the image height low to my taste with my 5000's

This may then support the view that 6000's image height may be better

Regards I

Thanks for all the advice and comments guys - keep em coming

Hey VK, I'd be interested in how you have managed to get your 6000's sounding cool in in a small space - did you have enough adjustment on the speakers, and/or do you use MRC or similar?

What's the consensus on 6000s vs 5200s?

Furthermore 7000s seem to go for relatively little compared to 7200s, but would they still be better than 6000s?

I think your going to have to do some serious demo's anytime soon. Enjoy, Chris

I own 5ks, 5k2s and 6ks. The 6ks are in a league of their own. I have heard 7ks and I don't think they compare to 6ks. I think you have to go to 7k2s or 8ks to equal or beat them.

As far as image height, my previous listening chair was quite low and I tilted the 6k heads forward a bit with very good results. My current chair is higher so I have them in their standard position now.

Ken