Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Oppo BDP-83 SACD Playback into 861

Hee hee! Obsessive-compulsives make the best audiophiles - and the worst! Now that I know what the problem is and that it will be fixed, it actually doesn't bother me all that much... which actually makes no sense, ah well.

Now if Meridian would just fix the remote so I can't hear the backlighting through my speakers I'd be a happy camper.

Kal - Have you used your BDP-83 to play SACD via its analog output into your 861? If so, I assume you did not hear the kind of soft popping sounds that I am getting? [/quote]I cannot recall hearing it via the analog to the Meridian but that audition was brief and some number of weeks in the past.

Kal

yep, I love my audio, but I am that way about video, nothing but a high-end modified 9" CRT will please me and oh what I go thru to get to use and enjoy it

there are no better out there at fixing things like this than Oppo, they don't let problems linger

I use the Oppo with an HD HD621 and G68. I haven't heard any pops on SACDs but I have not listened to more than, say, 15 SACDs with this set up.

Sorry to ask a stupid question:
Does the Opp output a PCM on the HDMI?
Or where is the conversation from DST(SACD Datastream) to PCM(for M) is made?
Or how its working?

Robert

It may be that they are not there over the HDMI connection. I wouldn't know since I have chosen to go the modded-Oppo route rather than the HD621 for now. As I mentionned in another thread, a short-term solution to the 'soft pops' over Gary's mod is to just unplug the HDMI cable from the back of the Oppo - this solves the problem, although as soon as you reconnect the cable they come back. Very strange.

The Oppo gives you the choice to output SACD as either DSD or PCM over the HDMI wire. With Gary's mod, the output is always PCM.

Yes Oppo can be configured to do PCM over HDMI.

Simon/Gary just to confirm this:
you always get PCM via 3xSPDIF AND HDMI outputting DSD or PCM depending on the option selected for Multi-CH SACDs, no?

What's the output on the SPDIF: 24/88k for DSD or 24/96? is it selectable or fixed?

how about DVD-A on the 3xSPDIF? do we get 24/96? for all channels?
What does the 3xSPDIF interface does on a stereo track @ 24/192 downsample to 24/96 on output 1?

Sorry for the detailed questions, but I feel it is important for everyone to know.

Thanks

Frederick

The SPDIF interface is an interface and no audio converter, it sends out whatever PCM signal format you send in, meaning that since a 24/192 can't be handled by a Meridian processor you need to chose another track. Or downsample it on a computer to 24/96.

With any luck fedex will deliver my unmodified BDP-83 tomorrow. I'll be plugging it into a 568.2mm through a Shawn Fogg Octava. I'll absolutely report about popping if it 'pops' up.
Cheers,
Sam

I received my 4xSPDIF modded BD83 last Friday and finally had time to try it out in my 2 channel system. I had been running a Shawn modded Oppo 980 directly into my 96/24 DSP5k's with good results. The BD83 is better. I've played 3 SACD's, 2 DVD-A's 2 HDCD's and 4 redbooks. The BD83 is smooth but detailed and, I think, a bit more focused. I also noticed the gain is more equal with the different CD formats than with the 980. This weekend the BD83 is going in my HT system where it will be played through a G68J. We'll see how it does there in surround. BTW, I am able to switch back and forth quite quickly between the 980 and BD83 in my 2 channel system so I think the odds are the difference I'm hearing is real. And FWIW I'm from the "spinners are pretty much equal" camp.

Ken

Ok, silly question, assuming the 4xSPDIF mod, how do you interface that to the 861? Current I am bringing 2 channel analog from my Sony 777ES into an IA45 card.