Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Ways to control the Distributor 3

Hi everyone,

I’m about to buy a Distributor 3 to integrate my M speakers with my Arcam processor.

Currently, I’m using two 218 units to convert the processor’s analog output and send the signal via coaxial output to the LCR speakers (DSP7k and DSP5kc).

With the addition of the Distributor 3, I’ll be able to add six extra channels to my system, allowing me to use only M speakers in the bed layer (DSP7k as LR, DSP5kc as center, DSP5k 18 bits as rears or use a pair of M6).

but detailed information about this accessory is quite hard to find.

I’d like to know the following:

Is there an auto-sense function where the Distributor powers on automatically when it starts receiving an analog signal?

Can I control all three zones of the Distributor using a single RS232 port, or will I need three Global Cache units to send RS232 commands to power on each zone and select the analog input?

Can I control the Distributor through the 218’s SpeakerLink IN connection (from SpeakerLink In of the 218 to SpeakerLink In of the Distributor)? By “control,” I mean powering it on and selecting the analog input.

Is it possible to choose between 48 kHz and 96 kHz for the analog-to-digital conversion? Can I disable MHR to use an older pair of DSP5k 18-bit speakers?

I’ve already downloaded and read some manuals listing the RS232 commands.

The product will take a while to arrive in my country, so I can’t yet test or see what configuration options are available through the USB input and the M Windows software.

Thanks!

ThePioneer Has just done the same thing. It’s not quite as easy as you think because the distributor expects a master speaker for each zone, so getting all the speakers as slave to the main pair is the principal complexity with Speakerlink. If you work through it as if it were legacy comms and then get the splicing kit out it can be done, but you can’t control the distributor (master/5c comms) and slave speakers at the same time by just connecting Speakerlink standard cables:-(

Hi Julian,

With the exception of the M6, all my speakers are legacy models, so I’m only looking for an analog-to-digital interface — I won’t need to use comms from either the SpeakerLink or the Distributor.

I plan to daisy-chain the comms of all the legacy speakers and use the Distributor’s coaxial output. Do you think it will work that way?

I tried — without success — to make a cable to convert SpeakerLink comms to M5, but I was only able to control the master speaker when using the 218 as the controller. To make the 218 control both speakers, I had to set both of them as masters; this way it works fine, but I wasn’t happy with that solution.

Does the Distributor require any SpeakerLink connection in order to operate?

Thanks!

Hello,

The Distributor only needs power to work. That power can be deliverd from connected speakerlink speaker or via USB. In your case you would need to feed three USB inputs with a powersource. Could be a simple 3 port USB phone charger.

The distributor must be programmed to all sources analoque so it will never do anything other then A/D conversion. Because you can't feed a mastercomms signal into the unit it will not switch sources. You need to program each of the three sections cause they are separate units.

I use it with speakerlink speakers only so I need comms as well. Got that sorted out but for your situation you can daisychain the comms together or use a 511 slave patch box for comms.

You can't use the 218 speakerlink in for comms cause it is only an input and it doesn't output any comms.

You can't use RS232 for source switching cause it only can be done via the speakerlink output of a master speaker.

I haven't found a setting for ajusting the digital output format.

Quick thought (apologies if it doesn't work) - but isn't what you really need a (second hand) Meridian 271 ?

Arcam AVR -> 271 Analogue in -> Speakerlink or Analogue output -> Meridian Speakers ?

Selling a couple of 218's might fund an - admittedly rare - 271.

The problem with the 271 for topic starter is that he needs coax out for his speakers and not speakerlink outputs.

For me it would be a solution but the price here is 3750 euro and haven't seen them second hand.

Like topicstarter I have an 218 and a Distributor 3 so 8 channels can be used with an analoque preamplifier. For most people that is enough.

Could not justify to spend 2850 euro more on a 271 for that. Here in The Netherlands it is olso hard to find a dealer for new or used gear. So mostly has to come out of other countries. There are some good dealers in the UK and within the EER region. The last is most handy for the people within Europe. We can buy there without paying import taxes.

Legacy comms does make this (mostly) easier, but that would rule out the M6 rears without a bit of soldering..


That should work fine - the speakers won't know anything about the distributor and the distributor will be just doing A/D conversion.


If you're using legacy comms cables after the master speaker, the comms connection to the master speaker input should be ONLY RJ45 pin1 to DIN pin 5 and RJ45 pin2 to DIN pin 2 and shield - no connection to DIN pin 1 at all. The Wiki diagram is OK for a slave speaker, but the commoning of 1 and 5 on the DIN connector will push master comms to the slave speaker if it's a master connection.


I don't think it's required. Looks like it just passes comms through between s/l in and S/l master out. It's unlikely to have any on/off function of its own.

Completely agree with you - it was just a thought I had - oh well !

And yes, used 271's are quite rare - they do pop up from time to time though - and more often in the USA than in the EU or UK. I use HiFiShark (if it's ok on this forum to mention them) to auto-search globally for items that I'm looking for - and it works well.

I was able to get a 'demo' unit from a friendly Dealer inside the EU - but I was very lucky to find it.

I was looking for exactly this kind of clarification — thank you so much!

Did you program each of the sources using the USB port and the Meridian Configuration Program?

In the software, is it possible to choose a startup input? That way, I wouldn’t need an RS232 controller, right?

Could using a USB phone charger degrade the sound quality? If so, do you have any other suggestions? I only have a pair of M speakers with SpeakerLink (M6).

Cheers!

Yes, the 271 could be a future solution, but for now I mainly have legacy speakers — only one pair has SpeakerLink.

As I live in Brazil, it’s almost impossible to find newer versions of Meridian speakers. First, the market here is really small compared to the UK, Europe, and the USA. Second, it seems that the official dealer has stopped importing Meridian products. They still have M DVD players brand new for sale!

Here in Brazil, the 271 would cost around 6/7k dollars, considering they asked a little more than 3 thousand dollars for the 218.

Last year, I tried to buy the speakers that were used in the dealer’s showroom — basically a pair of 7200.2s, which are not a new model — and even used, they were asking around 38,000 USD!

I love my M speakers and want to keep using it and improving my setup, but I need to be rational, knowing that once something failed it's game over 'cause no one knows how to fix it.

Thanks for the suggestion.

If I decide to use the M6 I could use one of the 218 was the source and controller. Today, I turn on my LCR an set it to volume 82 because I calibrated the system with the JL Audio subs at this volume, but to control volume I use the Arcam. As I recall the 218 setup page allow me to set a start-up volume and source.

I will give it a try. Unfortunately I don't recall all the possibilities I tried in the beginning of this year, I remember that I could control the master speaker from the 218 SpeakerLink Master output, but it doesn't send the commands to the other speakers in the daisy chain.