Meridian America Digital Audio Processor Meridian 518 - Manual (Page 9)

Overview of 518 9
518 User Guide
What about analogue sources?
562 518
CD Player
LaserDisc
DAT
LP
Tuner
Using 518 with a 562
Analogue sources need to be converted to digital before passing through
518. Meridian make the 562 and 562V digital controllers, both of which
have very high quality delta-sigma analogue–digital converters.
By adding a 562 to the system you will be able to feed 7 analogue
sources (like radio, tape, even LP) in addition to 5 digital sources. A 562
also provides full tape copy and 2-room facilities.
518 and 562 work together seamlessly through the Meridian 500 Comms
system.
2
What else do I need to know?
This is a high-performance system, and to be successful, there are a few
things to consider.
•
Use a high-quality DAC. Preferably look for at least 18 bit precision.
The Meridian 563 is an 18 bit converter and is a very good choice. Of
course, 16 bit DACs will work, and the sound quality improvements
from 518 will be evident: the drawback is that 16 bit DACs may give
an audible background hiss when connected directly to a power
amplifier. The extent of this noise depends on the sensitivity of the
power amplifier and speaker used – and of course will be no more
than the noise the DAC currently gives you at high listening levels.
If the power amp has some adjustment, set its gain to the lowest
value that also allows 518 to give you the loudest result you need. As
a guideline, an 18 bit DAC should be quiet enough for a system where
the DAC maximum output (normally 2V) is well matched to the power
amp sensitivity.
•
Make sure that the maximum output of the DAC (normally around 2V)
suits the maximum input level of the power amp. Your dealer will
advise on this.
•
As there is no volume control between the DAC and power amp, it is
important that either the DAC you use does not have a serious turn-
on/off thump, or that you always turn the power amp on last and off
first.
•
Preferably, the DAC will use analogue de-emphasis.
2 Setup details: set 518 to Type 0, set 562 to Type 1. Either can be the
system controller. Autoconfigure (see page 30) makes 562 the controller.
Make 518 the controller if you want to use the Menu keys on MSR.