Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems G68 alternative?

Hi All,

Having just had another G68 lose its smoke, I’m rethinking my setup. I do have a spare G68, and can easily repair the broken one, but I think I’m just over them.

Can anyone recommend something for me to use to feed my DSP5200s and DSW, all are SpeakerLink, but the mains also have SPDIF in.

Sources are G98 as a CD transport, MS200 for Roon, analogue tape deck, and analogue turntable.

I’m thinking that a 218 might work well if I use an external selector switch for the two analogue sources.

Otherwise I’m open to suggestions for a sensibly priced alternative.

Thanks,
Jason.

Get a cheap analog preamp and feed the 218.

Can't you feed the turntable via the tapedeck? Some can do that.

Yes that is technically possible, but I’d rather not have to have the tape deck powered on to play records.

It would also mean the turntable signal would be going through a number of boards in the tape deck that it doesn’t need to.

Cheers,
Jason.

I do like the 218 option Bruce.

If I was to use a 'cheap analog preamp' or similar as you say, I wouldn't really need the 218, as I could use an MPMax221 (which I already have) to digitise the analog pre-out to go to the DSP's.

Is there functionality in the 218 that I really need in this case?

Cheers,
Jason.

218 would give you more options for control of things like the DSW and inputs of the 218 via the phone app. Control of the analog preamp would be manual. Maybe an AC200 might be a better suggestion.

If buying a 218, you do not need the MS200 for Roon,
G98 routed via Coax on the 218,
Tape Deck connected to the 218's RCA inputs/outputs,
Truntable connected to a digital/external phono amplifier, and connected to the 218's optical input.
The 218 provides crossover functionality for Music or Movies for your DSW.

Might as well go for a 861 with a external MC preamp, if you look at prices for a digital MC preamp.

Or if the power supply of the G68 is the problem you could build a (external) linear power supply. You could also connect the G98 to the PSU.

A 271 and whatever you fancy?

Ok, so now I have a pretty simple setup happening,

MS200 -> DSP5200 -> DSP5200 -> DSW

all connected with one daisy chain of SpeakerLink.

I must say, this is a very neat setup, and I have better control of the DSW now via the MS200’s IP control than I ever did with the G68.

The Roon integration is great too, with volume and power control right from the iPad Roon app.

I’ve also connected the G98 directly to the D2 input of the master DSP, and that works great, but I have to use the MSR+ for that.

Thanks everyone for the comments so far.

Cheers,
Jason.

Ok, so I've now taken delivery of a 218 and plugged it all in, connected to the network, and configured it in Roon.

It's all wonderful so far.

I did have to plug the Left DSP5200 in to SpeakerLink Master, and the right DSP5200 into SpeakerLink slave, because when running them daisy chained the display on the slave DSP often didn't update to the changed source label.

It is rather nice having the new labeling ability that the 218 provides to the DSP's, I now have 'Roon' and 'Vinyl' appearing when selected. I like it.

Thanks for the input everyone.

Cheers,
Jason.