Meridian America Meridian 518 manual What about analogue sources?, What else do I need to know?

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Overview of 518	9

What about analogue sources?

Tuner

LP

CD Player	562
CD Player
LaserDisc
DAT

518

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.

2Setup 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.

518 User Guide

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Contents 1992, 1993 Contents Simple rules for using Appendix 4 -Resolution EnhancementAppendix 2 Hints on Mastering Sales and service in the USA Sales and service in the UKDesigned & manufactured in the UK by AcknowledgementsAbout this manual IntroductionAbout the 500 Series Conventions used in this manualGeneral precautions Installing yourUnpacking ConnectionsWhats inside a 518? Planning setupOverview as Preamp Type What else do I need to know? What about analogue sources?Overview as Resolution Enhancement Processor Type CD or LaserDisc playback improvementMeridian DSP speaker improvement Meridian Surround improvement Overview as Multimedia Processor Type Overview as Mastering Processor Type∙ Normal ∙ Standby ∙ Type ∙ Config Customising featuresStarting off with Switching onBasic operation StandbyOperating 518 as a Control Unit Type Adjusting the volumeSelecting a source OutFlat DitherShape a Shape BDisplay Advanced operation using the Remote Control Volume control Operating 518 as Resolution Enhancer TypeMuting the sound Menu KeysWith the Remote Control Operation summaryMemory Config an overview Restoring default settingsConfig control settings Customising 518, an overviewCustomising, general procedure How to customiseConfig sources and inputs How to change to Type or ConfigHow to change back to Normal Customising using TypeMaking changes to an existing setup Setting Type ControllerHow to use Config Customising using ConfigConfig Selecting TypesSetting the system address for Selecting the controller modeSetting the product address for Setting the Standby mode forSetting the Emphasis option for Setting the Blank display option forSetting the Volume mode for Setting the Volume displaySetting up sources Choosing source logosVol. dB Changing the input for a source Choosing the Comms type for a source productChoosing the address of a source product Digital audio connections ConnectionsDigital input connections Digital output connectionCommunications connections Connecting to Meridian Digital speakersTo connect to other Meridian 500 Series equipment ConMastering Processor PartAs a Mastering or Multimedia Processor Type DescriptionMeridian 500 Comms warning D1 +2ShpB +2 Emph +2Making Recordings Transfer to the final carrier Transfer to editorShaper Advantage 44.1kHz 48kHz Normal Pre-emphasis Noise shaper characteristicsTransparency in digital systems Operating BackgroundDigital Audio and Quantisation DitherNoise Shaping with dither Dynamic RangePre and De-emphasis Step-down in sample word size Simple rules for usingNo change in sample size Step up in dynamic rangeAdditional technical information SpecificationHelp Maintenance & Service CleaningNoise Part Appendix 1 Noise ShapesAbove noise spectrum for Shape B at 44.1kHz 0Hz 5kHz 10kHz 15kHz 20kHz Audible results of digital errors and editing Vulnerability of the signalAppendix 2 Hints on Mastering with noise-shaping Requirements for D/A conversionAppendix 2 Hints on Mastering Appendix 3 RS232 Handset FunctionsGoTo Functions Jitter and de-jittering Appendix 4 -Resolution EnhancementFrequency Dynamic-rangeDynamic-range optimisation with Pre-emphasis Dynamic-range optimisation with GainShowing CD pre- and de-emphasis curves Dynamic-range optimisation with Noise-shaped Dither DAC or channel enhancement by word-length matching DAC enhancement by using high-frequency ditherIndex ContentsIndex User Guide User Guide