Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 2x LR front outputs 861v6 - possible ?

Hi

Is there any way to get to 2x LR outputs on the 861v6, using the OE14 & OA08 as need to add a subwoofer & or low bass speaker pair for LR front.
Can't really use the sub out and haven't decided if it needs low bass or sub bass yet, will test. Low bass not sub probably. Sub elsewhere.

The front speakers would be DSP5200.2 via the OE14 and then a 2nd output pair LR via RCA with the OA08 to a subwoofer / low bass pair powered by a Yamaha power amp.

On a 861v4 I split the RCAs from the unbalanced output card via a splitter into 4 outputs so not an issue.
But with the Digital card 0E14 and an OA08 I couldn't get it to work in the Config file, could only get one set of LR outputs and the other normal channels, sides, rears, sub, centre etc.

Google search and it's AI says it's possible and brings up another forum where the poster has various front outputs, but doesn't explain how. Perhaps there's a secret way of doing it?

Otherwise might have to buy a 218 as it might be possible this way to get another RCA output pair for the front, while using the DSP5200 fronts, but the 218 might add some delay?

Any help appreciated.
Thanks

Yes, it is possible to run two sets of front L/R speakers.

One would need to be digital (i.e. your DSP5200) and the other analogue from the OA08.
Make sure the OA08 is configured correctly (check the jumper links on the actual card).
Configure the unit for Analogue fronts; the digitals will work by default. Volume for the digital speakers is controlled inside the speaker via comms (so they are fed with a fixed digital signal).

Ignore what the configuration program makes you do...

If you needed to run two pairs of analogue fronts, then if you had two OA08s or OA18s (or a mix), you could configure the jumpers the same on both cards, and they would both produce front L/R, etc.

Let us know how you get on.

Cheers,

Steve

Hi thanks a lot for the solution, speakers arrive at the weekend so hopefully try it out next week.
Spent a few hours with the Config program and couldn't figure it out.

Forgot to add.
Before the yamaha amp, the input goes into a behringer dcx2496 digital crossover, which also has a AES/EBU digital input, although have never used the digital input before, was wondering can the 861 v6 output AES/EBU any way ?

Thanks very much.


Edit.
Seems there's a cable to convert SPDIF to AES/EBU, although not sure how we convert SpeakerLink to AES/EBU.
Perhaps a magic box to convert SpeakerLink to SPDIF ? for those with 1st gen DSP speakers with digital in only using a newer SpeakerLink system ?
Thought the AC11 might do it, but is the wrong way around, perhaps there was another box in the past ?

You may be lucky with timings. Bear in mind that the DSP5200s will have some delay due to internal processing, but I'd expect it to be commensurate with that of the OA08 and Behringer crossover...

SpeakerLink is effectively AES (Balanced digital), so you can probably make up some cables if you want to have a play. If you look at the Wiki at the top of the page, that should point you in the direction of which pins do what on the SpeakerLink output and how to connect to an AES XLR connector.

Cheers,

Steve

As a matter of interest, what sources are you using for the analogue input vs the digital? Ironically everything passed through the 861v6 is digital anyway. Surely a parallel analogue system is better if you want that output.

Thanks for getting back again

I'm a bit old for making up cables any longer, used to make up many back in the day but old eyes won't really allow it anymore.
Perhaps someone sells the cables on eBay or could commission a cable somewhere.

Thanks

Only really use a digital out from a PC into digital in via the 861 input, when the PC will allow a digital output, an Asus Xonar Essence STX, but the software is rubbish, need to wipe the pc again for the digital out to work, analogue out still works but is not quite as good.

Have got a HD621 but never used it, was hoping it could replace the Asus via HDMI out on the pc.

The old system was mostly analogue, far too many amps and speakers, have binned most of it for an almost empty room.
Forgot how nice space can be, so now going minimalist.

The extra low bass speakers a necessity probably, as we all love bass too much.
Was going to buy some 7200s, but besides the cost they are too big, but still need more bass so need to compromise with the space.

In your case you could take a speakerlink output from one of the 5200 and via a rj45 to xlr aes ebu cable (self made) to the Behringer. You then have both channels into the Behringer.

Why not bin the analogue, coax from the Asus into a WiiM and then RCA into the 861?

Because topicstarter needs beside the two digital outputs for the 5200 an extra l/r analoque output to feed his analoque subwoofers.

Hi

Thanks for all the suggestions, didn't realize it was actually possible.
Lots to think about.

The Behringer is stereo digital input so an RJ45 to XLR could hopefully work.
The ASUS should hopefully work again after a clean install.
I was testing some graphics cards, the drivers are possibly conflicting with the ASUS drivers, good card, bad drivers, why ASUS made such an item is a mystery.

Thanks again.