Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Using a 602 with DSP33s via a pre-amp

Good evening all,

Once again I would like your expert advice, as I need to connect my 602 to a pair of DSP33s via a 'pre-amp' so that I can control the volume via an MSR and am not sure which pre-amp unit might be best/best value ie inexpensive!

I had thought of using my 551 pre-amp, but of course the 602 only has a digital output and the 551 only has analogue inputs.

I have a 203 DAC that I could connect from the 602 to the 551 pre-amp inputs, but:
a. That adds another box into the 'loop'
b. Not sure if it would work and didn't want to try it in case I damage something!

So, I've considered a 562/562V; 561; 565; 568; 541; 518 and the DSP33 handbook mentions a 512 Remote Eye, which I've never come across before, or ever seen for sale on fleabay etc.

Your advice and suggestions would be very gratefully received.

Many thanks
Stephen

Steve

There'd be no problem in taking the coaxial digital output from you 602 into one of the digital inputs of the DSP33s directly but you would need some way of controlling the volume of the speakers. The simplest would be to track down a 512 but as you noticed these aren't too common. A WTB in the restaurant might be successful however there's a G12 that does the same thing I believe but had a different power supply requirement I believe. There were a few 512s sold through eBay a while back, somebody was selling 3 together IIRC. There was also a problem with the correct cables but I believe the correct pin-outs are now on Duncs site now.

Any (?) of the 500 series components would control volume for you but it would be overkill for a simple CD transport / DSP33 system.

An MS200 can also be a system controller but an expensive solution to your problem if you don't already have a Sooloos system.

Richard

Connect the 602 SPDIF out to the DSP33s.

Connect the 551 comms only to the master DSP and use it as a remote control IR receiver and controller.

Not tidy but should work.

Hi Richard
Many thanks for your super-fast response.
Firstly, glad to hear that any of the 500 'pre-amps' I mentioned would do the job - probably overkill as you say, but at least there are many around.
I will try a WTB for a 512 - good idea, but not heard of a G12 either before now.
I do have a Sooloos system with an MC200 & Control:15, but in my main 'listening room' and I wanted to use the 602/DSP33s in a different room upstairs.

Thanks again - much appreciated.
Regards
Stephen

Many thanks Gianni too for your super-fast response - this sounds a very neat solution which I'll try setting up tomorrow and could save a lot of time/cost etc
Regards
Stephen

Your welcome (hope it works as it should in theory).

Looking at your signature there is another way:

- Use the 507 digital out and comms into the DSP33s

- Use the 602 into the 203 into the 551 into the M30s. IIRC, you can set the MSR to 200/600 comms with internal jumpers and set the 551 to 200/600 comms through config so a complete remote control solution.

Can someone confirm that the DSP33's do not have a 200 comms mode like I think my DSP5000's have/had?

This is where someone tells me that 200 and 600 comms mode are not compatible even if the 33's were able to accept 200 comms.

Steve,

Is there a PC in the same room as the DSPs?

If so you can control them using the Meridian Control Window using RS232 (you'll need a USB-RS232 null modem unit, these are not expensive).

Alternatively you can use vMSR if you buy a Global Cache iTache IP2SL and null modem cable.

There's no 200/600 comms choice in the DSP33 setup windows in Legacy Config'. You can choose between surround controller OR RS232, 512 or non surround controller (just to clarify that's only two choices).

Richard

Hi,

Many thanks for responding, but there isn't a PC in the same room as the DSPs - it's upstairs in the 'study'.
However, I will look into a Global Cache iTache, which I've never heard of before, which is one of the great things about this wonderful forum - you always learn something new !

Best wishes
Steve

TBH sounds like an MS200 may offer a good long term solution.

I agree, it gives IR control AND another Sooloos zone.

Regards,
Carl