Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 568.25mm connecting a HD621

Hi

I'm just about to buy the HD621 to enable me to get HD sound formats via PCM from my Cambridge Audio Blu-ray player to output via my 5.1 system.

What I don't know is how I connect the HD621 to the 568mm, so can someone advise me what cable I need.

I understand that it needs A 15 pin connector on one end (for 568), but does it just need one phono connector on the other end or 6 (one for each channel)?

Ta

It's all in the Wiki here

Your BD player will send Multichannel Linear PCM over HDMI (you need to configure it to do so, instead of 'bitsream' HD Audio).

Then HD621 will take this from HDMI, separate from video signals that follow its path, add Meridian magic sauce (dejitter, upsample, apodise) and sends in SPDIF format (coax) to the processor.

As there are 6 channels, there will be 3 cables (SPDIF sends 2 channel per cable, like you use in stereo from CD to DAC). No 6 cables (analog will do this), the good thing here is this all happens in digital, ok?

The 3 cables (SmartLink) are coaxial from HD621, and 'VGA' connector in 568: you need this adapter/cable (buy or made DIY).

Then you need to configure (legacy Meridian software) the 568 so that it knows it has the multichannel board inside, and activate it as an input/source.

And you are ready to enjoy everything now

Any other past century processor able to let you enjoy HD Audio? (and so cute btw)

Lots of detailed info around here anyway...

Hi,

Easiest thing to do is to get a VGA to component (video) cable from Amazon. Just get a cheap one for starters (to get you going) and then you can look around for a better quality one afterwards.

Brian

Thanks for all your prompt replies, I now totally get it.

Let's hope I feel the sound benefit is worth the outlay otherwise the HD621 will be back up for sale again...

Hi Col,

If you decide that you want a quality custom built cable (at a very fare price) contact fellow HHker Ian MI' see this photo.

Regards,
Carl

Thanks, I will do that.

Regards

Ok I think I have now got my head around this, so to clarify;

- Select PCM on all audio sources
- Connect all sources to correct HDMI inputs on HD621
- HD621 then does its magic and releases the finished product via its digital outputs to the SmartLink digital input on the 568.25mm

So does this mean that I no longer require the digital coaxial cable at all, as all audio from all my sources are now passed over HDMI or should I leave it connected between each source and 568 so that I can do sound comparisons?

Regards

You can do it so that you can compare if you like to play with your system a bit
(or say let the coaxial for some source/s only for that purpose).
Enjoy!

Ok I have my cable but I can't work out which numbers on the output on the HD621 I connect the different colours too?

Help please

Ta

Extract from the wiki:

Red = Front L/R
Green = Centre/Sub
Blue = Rear L/R

Thanks Tatum, I have done it now but I needed to find which colour coincided with the channel numbers on the back...

I just need a Meridian 500 comms lead now to connect 568 and HD621 together for HDMI switching...