Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Using a HD621 into a 568.2mm

Just got myself a 568.2mm to replace a 562V (possibly), 518 & 565Z3. Rest of system downstream is a full-fat 5.1 DSP5000.

Upstream sources are Oppo 93, Humax 1100S, Chromecast, and occasionally Nintendo Switch (when the daughters visit).

All of the above use HDMI for video to a 421 switcher then off to our vintage Pioneer 504 plasma.

Audio is by direct cabling from the source units to the 562V. Lots of cables, sometimes needing “optical-digital converters”.

In the interests of reducing complexity & cabling, I’m wondering whether I could take advantage of the Smartlink input on the 568 by replacing the 421 with a HD621 and stripping the audio from the selected HDMI stream, thus doing without the 562V altogether.

From my reading of the HD621 user manual, it appears that I should set the audio output (via HDMI) to PCM mode. OK, that’s fine for the Oppo, but I’m not sure whether I can do that on the Humax or Chromecast, and the Nintendos are currently in London & Plymouth!

Therefore my question is whether, if the source audio via HDMI is not PCM, does the audio stream still get passed from the HD621 over the SmartLink to the 568?

The HD621 will pass Dolby Digital and DTS audio to the 568 and the 568 will decode it natively. You will only need to convert to PCM audio for high resolution formats not supported by the 568 (Dolby TrueHD, DTSMA, Dolby Digital Plus, Atmos, DTSX, etc). Those formats are predominantly associated with Bluray discs. Occasionally some of the new streaming devices will support Dolby Digital Plus but you can usually send the Dolby Digital source instead.

Best,

Nick

Hi Nick,

Thanks for the info. It does look most promising.

Cheers
Chris

The Bluray supports high definition audio that will sound night and day different through a HD621/568.2mm combo compared to MP3 quality DTS and Dolby Digital. I had a HD621/586.2mm with 5.1 DSP5k set up and the difference was stunning compared to SPDIF-transportable formats.

Well, that's the sort of thing I like to hear, coz I've ordered the HD621 from Audio Images in Sheffield, who are kindly including the multichannel cable.

Don't know what the delivery will be under the current situation, but what the heck, I'll just go and plant some more tomatoes