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Meridian G68 and MiniDSP

I am currently running speakers in which I use a MiniDSP for crossovers and room EQ.  I use a Marantz 7701 as a pre/pro and am not crazy about having my digital signals converted from digital to analog to then proceed through the MiniDSP where the signal is converted back to digital to apply filters then to analog again headed toward my amplifiers.  In theory, using the digital outs on the G68 would only require one digital to analog conversion in the MiniDSP.  Anyone have any idea if this would produce better sound?  I have read that Meridian components really don't shine unless they are a part of an all Meridian system.
hooper_ke

Showing 2 responses by auxinput

auxinput
2,920 posts
 
the Meridian G68 digital outputs are proprietary and are meant to be conected to Meridian active loudspeakers.  In addition to the digital signal, they require a secondary communications link that probably does things such as control volume.

The Mini-DSP module is more of a low cost band-aid if you want to enhance a current system.  I think you're better off just replacing the Marantz 7701 with another processor that does all the EQ / Crossover / Room Correction that the Mini-DSP does.  Emotiva XMC-1 (possibly with Dirac room control)? 

Outlaw 976 has 10-band parametric EQ for each channel.

There are lot's of others, but depend on your budget and if you want automatic room correction of some sort.
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Ah, you did not explain what you were trying to accomplish.  The Meridian G68 is a HT processor just like the Marantz 7701.  However, the G68 also has digital outputs with communication outputs.  Generally, digital outputs are full volume signals of the waveforms, so I am assuming that Meridian uses the comunications connections to have the Meridian active speaker control the volume by adjusting the amplifier gain.  This is all prioprietary from Meridian.

If you are tri-ampliying your speakers and want to improve over your Mini-DSP, I would look at high end active "pure analog" crossovers.  Here are a few:

Marchand Electronics (several models and configurations, include a tube crossover)

Ashly XR1001

Rane AC23S
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