Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems DSP7200 and Linn LP12

Hi

Just upgraded to the SE variant and using 210 and Roon as source.
Now have a Linn LP12, itok, klyde in storage, not used for c. 10 years is it worth reintroducing to system.
Any others using LP12 with recent DSPs?

Kevin

It Depends what you mean by recent DSP's? I use smiley 5500's with an LP12/ittok/arkiv running through a linn kairn as a phono stage and 221 mpmax 24 bit ADC. the sound character of the LP12 is preserved and I use this for a lot of my listening even when I also have the same title on digital.

Rgds
Stuart

When I first moved from a Linn tri-active set up to a Meridian DSP system (5200 non SL + G08) I continued to use the LP12 with the 5200s by using a Behringer ADC and the 'spare' digital input on the speakers. I later upgraded the Beringer to the Meridian MPmax 221. I found the CD player to be superior to the LP12+Ekos+Klyde and sold it. I then upgraded to 5200SE and 808v6 and reintroduced a TT to the system, Gyro SE+Tecnoarm+AT33ptg with a Whest phono amp. That was an upgrade over the LP12, however, I still find the replay of CD or streaming, especially MQA, to be better than vinyl.

I have a Rega RP10 plus Aria phono stage connected to my 808v6 via RCA . When I owned the 7200SEs I preferred the vinyl replay - the 808 re digitised the analogue signal and then sent it to the 7200SEs for DAC processing but it worked really well.

Hi

So do I need phono stage as well mpmax221 to go to dsps input?

Mine was from the 90s and about £150 so thought about upgrading

Kevin

I used to have an LP12 into Musical Fidelity amps. and Kef Reference speakers. I then got a Meridian 500 front end, including a 518, and DSP 5000. This was several decades ago. I was glad to get rid of my Linn and vinyl which offered constant disappointment with warped records. never mind a poor signal to noise ratio. That was several decades ago. After buying a couple of thousand CDs I now very happily stream via Tidal and Roon. I would be very surprised if any means of connecting an LP12 to DSP7k2SEs would rival streaming for sound quality.

This hasn’t been my experience with the Rega RP10. In fact all my non “hifi “ friends have preferred the sound of the Rega v streaming in my house . My wife is usually a good barometer too and she consistently preferred it too ! My original release vinyl still sounds fantastic and “unveiled “. Very pleased overall . There was a very good review of the 7200SEs from Jason Kennedy (hifi plus publication) in 2014 where he tested the speakers with the rega RP10 via an 800 series DAC / preamp and this is what prompted my buying the RP10 in the first place .

You will need a phono stage to get the signal from the TT up to line level, then it can go into an ADC then into the DSPs.

At this very moment I have a front lounge full of borrowed analogue interconnects, to see if changing the lead from the Whest to the 808 will bring the sound nearer to that of the digital replay. After that, I'll be looking into the phono stage.

I have used my 562 as an ADC when I first got it. It had phono boards but I preferred the sound of the Kairn as a phono stage.

Rgds
Stuart

100% agree, Rolex, Vacheron Constantin, Lange & Cie and Patek Phillipe are way above my cost price point for mechanical over digital timing. But this maybe just substansiates your point.

Now I remembered I bought a Distributor 1 used as means of ADC for my second system to convert Arcam outs to DSP33s. Never used it as fixed my G68 to do same job.

Could use this and go 210 to distributor 1 to 7200SE by SpeakerLink then phono stage into analogue of distributor 1. Will it just pass the 210 without degradation?

Anyone tried this?


Alternatively could just go DIGITAL PHONO from Distributor 1 leaving 210 direct to 7200SEs

Thoughts appreciated?


Then if sounds good I could upgrade phono stage and get the Linn serviced etc. maybe change cartridge. Do cartridges go off?

Kevin

Can't comment on your thoughts of using the Distributor or 210 as I have no experience of them.

It is thought that the lack of use can degrade the suspension of the cartridge cantilever.