Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Tri-Stereo, will I end up with Meridian Trifield now?

Triolli,

Several people have now suggested that you try the 568 feeding your speakers direct to see what Trifield can do and how good it is on its own. Why not give this a go? Many or all of us are speaking from long experience of coming from other systems, and different ways of doing things, yet find the Meridian processors and systems are extraordinarily good in practice. You have nothing to lose by trying, and remember to give yourself a little time to adapt to a different sound when you make any major system changes.

Thanks for each of your further replies, even that not everyone does not have the full appreciation or sympathy what I'm trying to archive with integration of the Meridian 568.2.... I can understand that.

Yes, I only can use analogue inputs of the 568.2 actually, because the NAD M66 is my only real source I got - and this will remain for sure. And there is no digital out...
I guess NAD decided to leave this out because in general it wouldn't make sense because they use the ESS ES9038PRO DAC why should someone use any different? I don't know. But I now need to integrate another ADA processing.... NAD would get as well!

During Dirac measurement/correction process and Trifield activated phase of mains and subs are connected to different devices, with different calculation latencys - anyhow Dirac is correcting phases as well of the overall sound behavior on freq. response AND phase. Respectively sub signal now is delyad now to fit to the mains signals and is in phase (measurement shows approx. 16 ms!!!). So, Rick7 - you were absolute right!

And to be honest, beside the "mechanical" room measures I did so far, Dirac room correction was a blast of an improvement. And yes, I do not have any close to a perfect listening room and environment. I guess only a few have.....

I found a compromise now of sound level of any device and that humming on mains is acceptable for now - and I will give this configuration a try for a couple of days now.

It's not a question of appreciation or sympathy in what you're trying to achieve, it's that I simply don't believe your setup will achieve what you said you wanted, which is Meridian Trifield. Trifield is a very specific way of processing two-channel audio in order to extract information for a centre channel (and surrounds, if present). It does this by extracting phase and amplitude information which it then distributes on a frequency-dependent basis, according to proprietary algorithms.

Not only are neither your NAD, nor Dirac designed with this in mind, they are not even three-channel capable. What you are attempting is analogous to strapping a jet engine on the back of a Ferrari and then asking if it will corner as Maranello intended. You will get something, you might even find it enjoyable, but it will be unpredictable at very best, and certainly nothing to do with what the designer intended. If I understand correctly, you haven't even listened to Trifield as it was intended yet, so how would you judge whatever results you are getting - you have no reference.

Honestly, I would say either stick with what you have with your very nice NAD/Dirac setup -which I'm sure is excellent- OR try your 568 as it was intended, to see if you like it and in which case explore it further, or look at higher-end Meridian options, such as 861, which have Meridian's own room correction built in, which was designed to integrate correctly with all the processing modes the unit offers.

Okay, won't get it apparently ... maybe because I'm not native English speaker or just missing brainpower.

I've never heard of any 3 channel music source - so input to any Tri(-whatever) processing will remain Stereo - right? This is also intended. So, what is wrong with the intention of usage of Trifield like I do? And I have almost 7 or 8 years of reference now in using other 3 channel expand stereo - why do you think I couldn't evaluate or deal with the result?

I even didn't get the allegory - is the NAD/Dirac the jet engine, or the Ferrari (Meridian Trifield)? Anyhow - you know, no propulsion device is relevant for max corner speeds! There are other subsystems in a vehicle that are relevant for cornering (accept the mass & COG of it...). Is the acceleration the stereo music result or is it the cornering speed? Vehicle dynamics is my profession and I'm doing racing as well - so I need a better, more precise allegory when you use it that way!

Is the main complaint that I don't use the digital input of the 568.2? Or do you think it's a drawback to linearize amplitude, correct phase behaviour of mains, subs the stereo signal (to avoid some of the room weaknesses, modes...) BEFORE using Trifield processing - I really didn't get it. The Stereo input - yes it is analogue - is optimized for my room. You really think it's useless to process the stereo signal previously?

I promise if I don't get it this time I will give it up and leave the wonderful forum and will never ask again.