Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems ‘Something is coming’ vs 861v4/ID40

Is there a reason why he can't have Trifield and a 218 (with a 568 or 861?)

Cheers
Tom

Hi,

The only end point seems to be the 218.

Since the 568 plays thru the 218, you can only select either the 568 ‘input’ or the ‘network’ input ( on the 218) but not both at the same time It would be possible to add something like a MS200 to feed the 568. I’m doing that - Trifield via my MS600 to G65 and 218 for MQA directly from the 218

Brian

Thanks for that - It would be possible to get a very good Raspberry Pi playback device for non MQA/Trifield. (less than £100) .

Cheers
Tom

You can also use the 218 as a network/stream source and then go digital in your processor that can make a multichannel preset.

So the first MQA part could get unfolded via Roon through the 218 and the processor make presets like Trifield and the D/A conversation for your analogue poweramp/speakers.

Hi Robert

What would the Left/Right amp be connected to the 218 or processor?


Cheers
Tom

streaming(Roon-Tidal):

218(dig out)>>>(dig in)processor as preamp with D/A conversation(anlogue out)>>>power amp

Won't that kill some of the MQA?

Hi Tom,

Yes, it's a compromise (as M processors don't support MQA).

- 218 before 568: First unfold (96KHz) MQA with Trifield
OR
- 218 after 568: Full Fat MQA (analogue) but only two channel.

Carl, I think as long there is no RC and upsampling and enabled in the processor, MQA just get past through.
Of course only possible up to 96kHz MQA "carrier" frequency (not content) with all digital.

Maybe somebody can test that with SE DSP, but just make a simple 218 >> DSP SE >> config file, as I think when the config file include a processor, MQA gets disabled, but it's just a guess...

To my knowledge, there is no bit-perfect bypass in any Meridian processor except the 518/618. Think about speaker calibration: levels, per-channel delay, absolute phase corrections, bass management, etc.

So how do SE DSP speakers manage EBA boundary compensation, tone controls, etc. when fed MQA signals? Or is it done, dare I say it, in the analogue domain post-D2A?

Because SE speakers, including their internal DSP processing, were built to fully exploit MQA. In fact the research into MQA was the driving force behind the SE versions.

Meridian processors, could do same if the design / engineering effort was put in, but at present they don't and with no insight into Meridian's road-map we don't know if:

#1 - New processor version will.
#2 - Existing G series SpeakerLink versions will via firmware update.
#3 - Existing 800 SpeakerLink versions will via firmware update and card updates.

I think it's a good bet to assume that legacy non-SpeakerLink processors will never support MQA.

Regards,
Carl