Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Meridian 271 and 251

The 271 has been designed to integrate 3rd party processors to Meridian DSP loudspeakers whilst simultaneously outputting analogue audio for use with passive amplification in a hybrid system. For example the 3rd party processor could be a 6 channel processor (5.1) or one with 16 channels (Atmos) or more with the addition of another 271. In theory it is irrelevant to the amount of used channels on the input as the 271’s job is to route the input channels to the corresponding output channels.

The 271 can be configured to select any one of its inputs in the same theoretical fashion as you are used too with your G68. Eg ‘Disc’ as found on your MSR could select at Input 1 (unbalanced analogue) and ‘DVD’ could select Input 4 (DB25 connector)

The inputs of the 271 are:
Input 1: 16x Unbalanced analogue audio channels
Input 2: 16x Balanced analogue audio channels
Input 3: 16x Digital audio channels on two RJ45 connectors
Input 4: 16x Digital audio channels on a DB25 connector
Input 5: 2x Digital audio channels via SpeakerLink

The outputs of the 271 are:
Output 1: 16x SpeakerLink channels with an additional 4 mapped channels - For example these mapped channels gives you the ability to run another 4 subwoofers from the subwoofer discreet input channel.
Output 2: 16x Discreet unbalanced analogue audio channels with an addition of 4 mapped channels. (same concept as above)

(please note those input and output number allocations are intended for clarity within this email only, they are not official allocations)

As I understand it you have legacy Meridian speakers so an AC12 will be required for every paired speaker, eg front Left and Right will need a minimum of 1x AC12. As I said at the start of the email you can ‘mix and match’ Meridian DSP loudspeakers with passive loudspeakers as you can utilise the analogue outputs for such an occasion.

In conclusion you could use a G68 or G65 via its analogue outputs to one of the analogue inputs on the 271 and the other spare analogue input of the 271 could be used with your 3rd party processor.

Going back to your previous email where you mentioned the 218. The 218 would connect via SpeakerLink to the 271 and would be routed directly to the front two loudspeakers. This setup is perfect if you want to unfold the highest resolution available of the system when playing MQA to a pair of Meridian SE DSP loudspeakers.