Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Confused Newbie

Hi there, my first post so treat me gently!

Currently my system comprices of 200/203 into Naim 62/140 with Shahinian Arcs, ok its a bit flat earthy but I like it. However...

I have some other digital sources, DVD, DAB and an analogue source (Sky) that I would like to route through the system and have a pre-amp with a remote control!

I was thinking of going along the lines of replacing the 62 and its associated power supply with a 518, and putting the 203 after the 518 and before the Power Amp.

Some Questions

1) The 518 from the handbook will give me a volume control and so I belive this would work. Correct?

2) Could I use a 562 instead. the handbook for a 562 or 562V implies that it doesn't have a volume control, is this right?

3) What other variations of early(ish) 500 equipment could I use and how much should I expect to pay for them?

4) Does anyone know how the Arcs will work with a Meridian Power Amp? Any users here?

Thanks in advance for your help

Mr Perceptive

Hi Mr Perceptive

Can't comment on how your Arcs will sound but I can tell you that I had a pair of Shahinian obelisks fed by a 561 through a 557 amp and it sounded fantastic. Don't have this setup now cos my wife hated the sight of the obelisks and they had to go in favour of 'discreet' Def tech. mythos 2's (with a rel stadium for base of course).
I do miss my obelisks but Arcs are good so I'm sure you won't be dissapointed

Rod

Correct. The 562/562v does not have a volume control in its own right, but it can be used to control the volume of other kit that responds to master volume - DSP speakers, processor etc. I don't know whether the 518 or 500 series DACs would fall into this category just incase you decided to pair a 562v with a 518 or 500 series DAC.

Actually, I would like to know the answer regarding whether DACs can respond to master volume as this could be really useful in a second zone.

-Ian

[This message has been edited by idhutt (edited 08-04-2004).]

Thanks so far

So a 562 is out, unless I have something else downstream, I don't need surround, Shahinian speakers fill rooms anyway! I believe a 518 would do the job. How much s/h?? Anyone have one spare??

Maybe then I would look at a Meridian Power/Amp as well. So for the time being my supply chain would go 200 -> 518 -> 203 ->Power Amp. Would this work?

Rodders, what speaker cable did you use? Shahinians are wired internally with Kimber, currently I use Naim NACA5.

Mr Perceptive

i don't know what a 203 is, but assuming it's a DAC then, yes, absolutely.

i used to run a 500 into a 518 which i used for digital volume control feeding a 566 into an acurus amp to B&W speakers. my first Meridian setup. i LOVED it.

this should work with any power amp.

in theory you should be able to feed your various inputs into a 562 and then feed that into the 518 for volume and then into the 203 DAC and and then to your amp.

i've never tried that, but it should work. you might end up in an odd controller situation where the remote control might have to be set to run the 562, but volume will have to be done with the function-volume keys to talk to the 518 - or something like that. or maybe it'd just do the right thing - i dunno.

g/l!

doody.



[This message has been edited by MrDoody (edited 08-04-2004).]

I used to have a 200/203 and had a 518 on loan from a dealer to do what you're wanting to do and can confirm it will control the volume. Can't remember if there were any issues using the remote control.

Regards
Gary

>So a 562 is out...

You said you have an analog source.

If you put a 562 in the chain you can connect all of your digital and analog (which will be converted to digital in the 562) sources to it, feed its output to the 518 to 203 to Power amp and you will have a killer 2 ch system.

going this route... you should consider trying out better DACs, the 203 is a fine DAC but it is pretty dated compaired to the newer ones..

Marc

Mr Perceptive

Good question on speaker cables for the shahinian obelisks. I tried several test cables including Kimber (which I found flat and lifeless) before settling on Van den Hul 'the wind'. There was an unbelievable improvement in sound quality (but it aint cheap at �40 per metre). Try to get hold of a test kit if you can !

Rod

Thanks for the responses.

I've had some Kimber interconnects which I also found to be a bit lifeless. NACA5 obviously suits my current amplification.

I'm now getting interested in replacing all my Naim gear with Meridian. If I buy carefully s/h I won't loose and money if I decide to resell if I don't like it.

I still have one analogue source (Skybox) but the Sky+ box has a digital o/p and we were going to upgrade anyway so the 518 will probably suit.

So how much for a s/h 518, anyone have one?

Mr Perceptive