Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Meridian 218 : Set-up tips & tricks etc.

No that doesn't seem possible.

Hi Winot,

Very strange!

Does this crackle happen on both sources all the time, or just when selecting the source or just at the beginning of a track?

How about if you disconnect the speakerlink output from the 218 to DSP3200? Does that cure the crackle?
(Not suggesting this as a solution, but interesting diagnostics)

How about if you subsequently 'mute' the now disconnected DSP3200?

Thanks,

Rick

It happens with both sources all the time.

I just unplugged the 3200s and it carried on. When I muted the unplugged speakers it stopped!

So presumably the Mojo is getting something it doesn't like via the digital output of the 218 and mute stops it because it's muting the audio output of the 218. The 3200s would appear to be a red herring?

Yes I think that's right. I have just tried using a different headphone amp and using the digital output from the 218 into the amp produces the same effect. But using the 218 audio outputs into the headphone amp does not produce any crackle.

If possible, check the earth and whether the digital out you are using is somehow switched to earth or not with the action of the mute.

Reason I suggest checking this is the cracking can be induced with a floating signal and difficulty in syncing. Also check that the digital cable you are using is fully connected at both ends making sure the earth is continuous throughout - some cables do have one end floating.

John

Do we have a better way of hooking the 218 since the new firmwares for the 218 and the SE speakers?

Is it possible to add 218 as a source to the 861v8 via SL and pass-through the stream to the SE speakers so they can still do the final unfold?

I am going to have a go at it tomorrow, but might save a lot of time if someone has already figured out a way .

Steve

In short, no. The 861 will not pass the signal unmolested. Even in direct mode.

Thanks Bruce. You have just saved me a lot of time mucking around tomorrow.

I just like to summarise what how I setup my system today, as it is the only way that it seems to work (for me anyway :)) to save others time:

1. 861v8 L/R Master SpeakerLink Out to 218 SpeakerLink In
2. 218 Master SpeakerLink Out goes to Left Speaker (usually this is set to Master)
3. Left Speaker (Master) SpeakerLink Out goes to the Right Speaker (Slave)
4. Right Speaker (Slave) SpeakerLink Out goes to the 861v8 L/R Slave SpeakerLink Out
5. On the 218, select an unused source and change that to Sooloos. Rename all other sources to match it as per 861v8, set all of them to SpeakerLink. I have set all Comms Type to 4C but not sure if that's necessary. Change all unused Sources to Off.
6. Set both Controller for 861v8 and 218 to Auto

Everything works perfectly, and the only additional step is that you need to press "Off" before switching from 861v8 to 218 so that the 218 takes over the controller. I have my Roon via ID41 on one button, and I have another that will run through 218. So, I can do Trified when I am listening non MQA material directly through the 861v8.

I have tried other configurations, but the only way I can get it working is to have the Left Speaker daisy chaining to the Right Speaker otherwise it will lose communication. Neither the Right Speaker connecting to Slave of the 218 running Slave back to 861v8 nor connecting to 861v8 and have the 218 Slave back to the 861v8 works.

I haven't got a chance to run Room Correction again yet, but I guess that would be the last step if you want to align everything again.

MQA through the 218 definitely has an edge over the 861v8 with Roon setup as a Decoder. However, the difference really is minimal but I guess that would really depend on the source material.

Hi,

I was under the impression that the 3.16 speaker firmware would allow DSP speakers to accept MQA on their second (coax) input as well as the SL input. Happy for Bruce to correct me on this, if it's not the case.

If that is the case, then couldn't you use the 218 in 'parallel' with the 861 rather than 'in series' and after the 861?

861 would connect as normal via SL to allow use of the ID41 & Trifield. 218 would connect via coax for MQA.

I'm not sure if you're set up for 'surround' (or just stereo) but with the 218 in series after the 861 you'll also need to adjust the speaker 'distances' to accommodate the additional processing delay in the 218.

Also, I'm not sure why you have to turn something 'off' when you change from the 861 to the 218?

Brian

I haven't got a chance to load the 3.16 firmware yet as I was missing the USB to DB9M cable so will have to get one when I got a chance and I will give it a test and report back. I guess there shouldn't be any sonic difference between SL input or spidf?

I have used an unused source for me is "Disc" for the 218. So, when the 861 is in control the Disc button will select the correct 218 but you can see the 861 is a bit confused. If I turn the 861 off first the 218 will take over control and the 861 remains off. Interestingly, my rear speakers still comes on whilst in control of the 218.