Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems How to get Hi Res formats into 861v6/861v8 - Without a UHD722

Another solution instead of UHD722 is :
HD621 AND
HdFury integral2
or HdFury Vertex2
or Feintech VAX01202

Another option is HD621 with a Lumagen Radiance processor. I use these in my setups.

Reading through the information here, things are becoming more clear. Thanks to those who gave detailed answers. I think the question I have remaining is:

Can DTS-HD and Tru-HD, assuming I've got it decoded to LPCM, be sent to the 861v8 via the optical or coax digital inputs or must it somewhere be converted and sent via MHR?

Thanks.

I has to come in MHR through an HD621 or UHD722.

It can, as long as you use the multi-channel digital coax out of the HD621 or UHD722 like Bruce said. Only those or Meridian DVD-Audio players are capable of sending multi-channel MHR signals. The 3x digital coax connection will be limited to 5.1 though. If you only need one input, have no plans on adding more and send video to a TV separately, then you can easily pick up a used HD621 for cheap. It would do the same job as a UHD722 audio wise, no difference.

The MMHR output of the HD621/UHD722 supports 7.1 which I presume is what you want. MMHR is the last gen connection Meridian developed which uses 1 simple cable link, any Cat 5 ethernet cable would work. Only the G65 and 861v8 can take advantage of the MMHR input.

Optical SPDIF cannot carry multi-channel MHR. Despite using the same Toslink plug, consumer Optical is not like the professional ADAT link which can send 8-channel audio. Optical will be limited to 2ch PCM up to 96kHz, or lossy bitstream DD, DD-EX, dts or MPEG signals.

If you use the digital coax link with 3 cables, you will be limited to DTS-HD/TrueHD 5.1 audio. MMHR link supports the full 7.1.

DTS-HD MA and TrueHD audio sound the best I've ever heard it is via Meridian's MHR link into their processors. And I've owned some of the pre-pros since the late 2000s.

There is the Vanity Pro too to replace an UHD722.

The Vanity Pro is a very cool device, not cheap, but definitely not a 'replacement' for the UHD722 per se as it's single source only, not a video switcher, no MHR, no MPEG decoder onboard and no link for Meridian comms.

It does however appear to be a very nice new high end device for people looking at bespoke dedicated digital methods for multi-channel music disc playback/extraction for non-Meridian systems.

At 2300 Euros new including the external PSU, with a 568.2mm, G series or 861 I'd rather have a UHD722v2 for the same price.

I might have to try this thing with my Accuphase VX-700 though, which I use my old HD621 with.

I have a UHD722 v1 so not HDR10+ compatible and sometimes strange behaviour with DV.

I like the UHD722 for an integrated solution and ease of switching source via the MSR+ and 861. If I were to change to the HDFury Vertex (or the others mentioned) I presume I would have to switch that separately between sources or is there a more sophisticated way?
My family like the simple source selection so I'm tempted to go the UHD722 v2 route.

Any advice would be useful.
Thanks
Bob

Thank you. Do you know if there is a way to identify a v1 vs v2 UHD722?
Is there a version number in the details of the model info on the back or box? A date code? A serial number cutoff?

The serial number would start with 2.

Superb info, thanks.