Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 3x S/PDIF modded HD-DVD player in the works...

Bees can fly, both in theory and practice. Bumblebees can only fly in practice.

But, I was more thinking about 3*SPDIF than UFO's...

However, not so much in an Oppo (or a Gefen, but a bit bigger chance there...)

Because:

• I already have a G98 to play my DVD-Audios
• I have so few SACDs I can continue play them over analogue - or continue not tio play them...
• I'm interested in multi-channel iTrax tracks, mainly the coming with 720p video and lossless audio
• I have two SB3's and woul like a similar convenience also for multi-channel audio

This means I'm interested in a computer solution. Still interested in Shawn Fogg's card, it's not worth the hassle getting the parts yourself and building for a series of one. Especially when I'm no Soldering Tarzan...

Shawn answer to my inquiry:

I suppose this is the first part of what's needed, here's the pinout for the Audigy sound cards that send the signals digitally to a Front Panel Bay:

http://www.driverheaven.net/audio-g...laster-live-audigy-1-2-x-fi-pinouts.html

Using the free Kx drivers, Audigy cards won't resample everything to 48kHz.

". Still interested in Shawn Fogg's card, it's not worth the hassle getting the parts yourself and building for a series of one. Especially when I'm no Soldering Tarzan..."

If that pinout is accurate you have no need of my card, it already has 3 SPDIF outputs on pins 17,19 and 22.

Shawn

Shawn:

I haven't forgotten the player -- it has a technical issue and it's being worked out...

Cheers,

OK, so it would be to build something like on this picture, but with the TOTX 179's replaced and the resistors added (somewhere)...



If it was very easy to add the "sfogg mod" to an Oppo 980 it would still be interesting fro my SACD's - could even buy a few more of them. But since it's a pretty difficult mod and the additional cost for shipping a ready-made unit over the Atlantic + customs + VAT (on total unit price + shipping + customs...) + "Customs & VAT Payment Fee" is high, it may be a soundcard mod + a modded Gefen switch.

" so it would be to build something like on this picture, but with the TOTX 179's replaced and the resistors added (somewhere)..."

You would need to look at the sound card itself to see what is has on those SPDIF outputs. It may need nothing more then wiring those pins (and the grounds) to 3 RCA jacks. If it isn't terminated properly then you would need a resistor or two and possibly a capacitor for each output.

Shawn

Hi John,

Thanks for the update. Whenever you are ready is fine.

Shawn

Thanks. he figure indicates a serially 390ohm resistor and a 91 ohm to ground, I don't know if the capacitor from the Toslink example should be removed or not though. BTW, would 0,6W resistors be fine?

" he figure indicates a serially 390ohm resistor and a 91 ohm to ground, I don't know if the capacitor from the Toslink example should be removed or not though. BTW, would 0,6W resistors be fine?"

Those resistors would set the output impedance and voltage assuming the card itself isn't already doing that. The capacitor is just for decoupling of the power supply to the Toslink transmitters, that doesn't apply for the coax output. 0.6w resistors are more then enough, 1/4w units would be fine too.

Shawn

Vince,

Any update on how the mod works yet? Don't tell me you still don't have the board yet.

Ron

I can comment on this. It works superbly. While I cannot comment on how it compares to a Meridian DVD-A source, since I do not have one at present, the sound from SACDs and DVD-As is cleaner and more spacious than from the other two much more expensive players I have compared it to. Also, I have very few DVD-A discs. Even in 2 channel, it has become my go-to disc player.

Kal

Thanks Kal! I guess I would like to know how it works out watching movies recorded in TrueHD on the XA2.

Hey Ron,

Indeed the ID20 card did finally arrive about a week ago. It is installed and the 861 is now sitting idle in the rack, along with my other gear as I've torn my room up some. You see I got so tired of twiddling my thumbs I decided to get to work on a couple of other projects which I'd been planning for in my "man cave".

I decided to really dial in the room acoustics. This required moving my CD storage into an adjacent closet then adding some diffusion to the broadband absorptive room treatment devices already in place. Here are a couple of "DIY build threads" detailing the construction of these devices:

DIY 2D QRD "Skyline" Diffusor

DIY Poly (Poly-Cylindrical) Diffuser

In addition I've really been jonesing for a great gear rack solution to house my big rig for a long while. Over the years through experimentation and reading I've developed pretty strong opinions about isolation and support for hi-end audio electronics. I've been somewhat frustrated by my inability to source a rack that integrates all the features I consider important... So I designed my own. Although I could easily conceptualize the rack, realizing it myself is well beyond my capabilities. (Danger Will Robinson, Danger! If you don't believe the support racking under your gear can make a positive or negative sonic contribution to the sound of your system, DON'T CLICK THIS LINK.) Here is a thread following the story of the rack's conception, design, and soon to occur build:

The Ultimate Gear Rack

Happy Trails!
Vince@Freewheelcycle.com