Meridian Audio 861 User Manual

861 Reference Digital Surround
Controller User Guide

ii

Preface

Important safety instructions

Read the instructions.

•

Keep these instructions.

•

Follow all instructions.

•

Do not use this apparatus near water.

•

Clean only with a dry cloth.

•

Install only in accordance with the manufacturer’s

•

instructions.
Refer all servicing to approved service personnel.

•

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR
ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

This apparatus has been designed with Class 1
construction and must be connected to a mains socket
outlet with a protective earthing connection (the third
grounding pin).

To avoid overheating

Leave at least 10cm around the equipment to ensure

•

sufficient ventilation.

Do not position the unit:

In direct sunlight.

•

Near heat sources, such as a radiator.

•

Directly on top of heat producing equipment, such as

•

a power amplifier.

To avoid interference

Do not position the unit:

Near strong electrical or magnetic radiation, such as

•

near a power amplifier.

This apparatus uses a single-pole power switch. As
a result it is not isolated from AC mains power when
switched off at the rear panel. The apparatus may
be isolated from mains power either by unplugging
the power connector from the rear of the unit, or by
unplugging the connector at the opposing end of the
power cord or cable from its supply outlet. As a result,
either or both of these connectors should remain
accessible

Safety warnings

Do not expose the unit to dripping or splashing.

•

Do not place any object filled with liquid, such as a

•

vase, on the unit.
Do not place naked flame sources, such as lighted

•

candles, on the unit.

Radio interference

FCC Warning: This equipment generates and can

radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and
used correctly in accordance with our instructions may
cause interference to radio communications or radio
and television reception. It has been type-tested and
complies with the limits set out in Subpart J, Part 15 of
FCC rules for a Class B computing device. These limits
are intended to provide reasonable protection against
such interference in home installations.

EEC: This product has been designed and type-tested
to comply with the limits set out in EN55013 and
EN55020.

Contents

iii

Contents

Introduction 1

The 861 Reference Digital Surround Controller 2

DSP presets and layouts 4

Specifications 6

Using the 861 Reference Digital Surround
Controller 7

Front panel keys 8

MSR+ keys 9

Switching on and off 10

Selecting a source 11

Adjusting the volume 12

Changing the DSP preset 13

Changing the display 14

Customising the 861 Reference Digital
Surround Controller 15

Locking and unlocking the menus 16

Changing the DSP parameters 17

Changing treble, bass, or phase 19

Changing the listening position 20

Changing the integration of the centre 21

Changing the spaciousness of the sound 22

Changing the LipSync 23

Changing the DSP preset for a source 24

Defining your own presets 25

DSP presets 27

DSP presets for two-channel material 28

DSP presets for multichannel material 32

Installing the 861 Reference Digital Surround
Controller 35

Unpacking 36

Applications 39

Configuring the 861 Reference Digital
Surround Controller 45

Choosing a standard setting 46

Calibrating the system 48

Calibration tests 49

Setting up sources 51

Sinewave sweep test 53

Index 55

iv

Preface

Copyright and acknowledgements

Sales and service in the UK

Meridian Audio Ltd
Latham Road
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire
PE29 6YE
England

Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]

Sales and service in the USA

Meridian America Inc
8055 Troon Circle
Suite C
Austell
GA30168-7849
USA

Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]

Designed and manufactured in the UK

Meridian Audio Ltd
Latham Road
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire
PE29 6YE
England

Copyright © 1999-2010 Meridian Audio Ltd.

Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing
Corporation (Canadian patent 1,037,877), Lucasfilm Ltd. (US
patents 5,043,970; 5,189,703; 5,222,059. European patent

0323830), Trifield Productions Ltd, and Nimbus Records Ltd.

MHR: this product incorporates copyright protection technology
covered by certain patent applications and intellectual property
of Meridian Audio Ltd. This technology is provided for the
express purpose of securely containing copyright audio within
the Meridian System only. Reverse engineering or circumvention
of this protection is strictly prohibited.

Dolby, Dolby Digital, Pro Logic, AC-3, PLII, and the double­D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing
Corporation. Lucasfilm, THX, and THX Cinema are registered
trademarks of Lucasfilm Ltd. Surround EX is a jointly developed
technology of THX and Dolby Laboratories, Inc. and is a
trademark of Dolby Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved. Used
under authorisation. DTS is a registered trademark of Digital
Theatre Systems Inc. MPEG is a registered trademark of
the MPEG organisation. Ambisonic is a registered trademark
of Nimbus Records Ltd. Trifield is a trademark of Trifield
Productions Ltd. LaserDisc is a trademark of Pioneer Electric
Corp.

Boothroyd|Stuart Meridian, Meridian, Meridian Digital Theatre,
MHR, MLP, LipSync, and Sooloos are registered trademarks of
Meridian Audio Ltd.

This guide was produced by:
Human-Computer Interface Ltd,
http://www.interface.co.uk

Visit us on the Web:
http://www.meridian-audio.com

Part no: 861U/8 (P85625)

Introduction

Welcome to the Meridian 861 Reference Digital Surround Controller.

This User Guide provides full information about using the surround
controller in conjunction with your other equipment, to achieve the superb
results you can expect from it.

1

Introduction

2

Introduction

The 861 Reference Digital Surround Controller

Digital signal processing, or DSP, is a technique
pioneered by Meridian in hi-fi products for achieving
extremely accurate reproduction of audio signals.
Unlike conventional analogue systems – which process
signals using electronic circuits based on resistors,
capacitors, and inductors – DSP works by performing
exact mathematical calculations on digital versions of
the signals.

The advantage of DSP over analogue circuitry is that
the signals are held as precise numbers, rather than
voltages in a circuit. This means that any number
of stages of processing can be performed with high
precision, and without any of the cumulative noise or
degradation that inevitably occurs, even with high­quality analogue circuitry. In addition, several of the
surround-sound decoding techniques and signal
improvement techniques available in the 861 would be
virtually impossible to implement in analogue circuitry.

At Meridian we have taken advantage of the availability
of high speed DSP microprocessors to incorporate
DSP in hi-fi products, and the 861 is the result of over
a decade of our research and development in this field.

The 861 takes advantage of DSP for several different
functions:

To de-jitter incoming digital signals and expand the

•

precision of the signal.
To perform filtering or adjustment of the frequency

•

response; eg treble or bass.
To decode digitally-encoded signals from Dolby

•

Digital (AC-3), DTS, or MPEG Audio.
To process the audio into a multichannel signal, and

•

match the source channels to the configuration of
main loudspeakers and subwoofers in the system.

The 861 converts analogue input signals to digital
format, using high-quality analogue-to-digital converters
(ADCs). Digital signals, from CD, DVD, or digital
broadcasting, are already in digital format and do not
need to be converted.

The signals are then retained in digital form throughout
the 861 until they are converted back to analogue
form at the analogue outputs, to drive power
amplifiers. If you are using the 861 with Meridian DSP
Loudspeakers, the signals remain in digital form until
the last possible stage.

The architecture of the 861 allows for wide flexibility
– future sources and formats can be handled by
upgrading either software or cards.

Meridian MHR Smartlink and MMHR

The 861 Reference Digital Surround Controller
incorporates the unique MHR SmartLink and MMHR
multichannel links. The MHR SmartLink allows it to
receive an upsampled 6-channel PCM stream from a
compatible source such as the Meridian 800 Reference
DVD/CD Player. The MMHR receives an 8-channel
PCM stream from a compatible system such as the
Meridian HD621 HDMI Audio Processor.

Meridian MHR Smartlink and Meridian MMHR obtain
intelligent stream content information from the source,
allowing the 861 Reference Digital Surround Controller
to select an appropriate preset depending on whether
the source is music or a movie soundtrack, and
whether it is 2-channel or multichannel.

Inputs

The 861 is a full-system controller preamp that
provides seamless control of up to 12 sources.

By providing digital as well as analogue inputs the 861
can give radically higher sound quality for sources that
are originally digital – like CD, Digital Radio and DVD.

As well as accepting 2-channel or multichannel
digital audio, the 861 will handle SPDIF-encoded
Dolby Digital, DTS, or MPEG from sources like DVD,
Satellite, and BluRay.

Processing

The Meridian 861 routes all signals – if necessary via
a 24-bit A/D converter – into the digital domain for
processing in the highly developed Meridian DSP cards.

The incoming signals are processed using a variety of
proprietary algorithms, and up to eight output signals
are generated. These output signals can be used to
feed a number of speaker layouts, ranging from two to
eight loudspeakers.

The on-board algorithms include Meridian’s own highly
transparent Dolby Pro Logic, PLII, Dolby Digital, MPEG
Surround, DTS, THX extensions, TV Logic, and a
variety of award-winning music programs including
Trifield and Ambisonic.

Outputs

3

Introduction

The eight outputs can be provided as digital signals
to feed Meridian DSP Loudspeakers, or as variable
analogue outputs using a proprietary on-board 24-bit
resolution conversion method.

Room Correction

The Meridian 861 can be used in conjunction with the
Meridian Configuration Program to create a set of one
or more room correction profiles matched to your room.
A profile can then be selected to compensate for room
artefacts, including resonances and reflections, or for
imbalances between the speakers, to give a significant
improvement in the sound.

4

Introduction

DSP presets and layouts

The 861 provides an extensive range of options for
decoding and processing analogue and digital signals
for multichannel reproduction.

Music on CD or radio

The following DSP presets add a surround dimension
to stereo recordings, such as on audio CDs or radio.

Music extracts the mono and surround components
of the original recording for the centre and surround
speakers to give a spacious open sound field.

Trifield is similar to Music but generates a centre­front signal that is completely integrated with the front
stereo image, for a more stable, accurate, and focused
stereo image. The image width is also adjustable.

Super produces a very good surround effect with
many live recordings.

PLIIx Music and Music Logic are recommended for
use with studio produced music, and provide different
options for adjusting the sound field.

Two-channel movie soundtracks on
DVD, video, and TV

Many movie soundtracks are Dolby Surround Encoded
onto a two-channel stereo soundtrack.

The following DSP presets re-create the surround
components from this type of material:

PLIIx Movie is Dolby’s recommended choice for
Dolby Surround Encoded material, and PLIIx THX
provides a variant of this better suited to home
listening.

TV Logic uses the same processing techniques as
PLIIx Movie but with adjustable steering to give

better results with TV material.

Special presets for two-channel
materials

Direct uses only the left and right speakers; compare
this with the effect of surround processing using the
other modes. Stereo will use a subwoofer if it is
present.

Ambisonics is specially designed for two-channel
materials that are UHJ Ambisonically encoded, such as
certain audio CDs. The encoded surround information
is recovered and played back using all the loudspeakers
in your system. In addition it will give impressive results
with other two-channel material.

Multichannel movie soundtracks on
DVD

The following presets are designed for use with
multichannel movie soundtracks encoded using Dolby
Digital or DTS. Typically these are labelled 5.1 because
they provide five full-range channels (three front and
two rear) and one LFE (bass effects) channel.

Cinema and THX decode the soundtrack to render
the original six channels to your speaker layout. THX
adds some additional signal processing to match the
sound to typical home listening conditions.

PLIIx Mov6, PLIIx Mus6, THX Surround EX,
THX Ultra2, and THX Music create an additional

pair of surround channels from the 5.1 channel
soundtrack and are available if you have four surround
speakers in your system. Use PLIIx Mus6 or THX
Music for music.

Multichannel music recordings

The following presets are recommended for music
recordings containing more than two channels:

Discrete renders the source channels to your speaker
layout with the ultimate precision and transparency.

Ambisonics is especially designed for multichannel
recordings on DVD-Audio discs that use Ambisonic
encoding.

Speaker layouts

The surround controller provides great flexibility in the
way in which you use the loudspeakers in your system.
With the Meridian Configuration Program you can
specify three different speaker layouts, each with a
different use of subwoofers and centre speaker:

5

Introduction

Layout DSP presets

Music For music presets: two-channel (eg

Trifield) and multichannel (eg Discrete).

Logic For two-channel movie presets:

eg PLIIx Movie.

5.1 Movie For multichannel movie presets:
eg Cinema.

6

Introduction

Specifications

Audio in and out

Up to 12 analogue inputs. User-adjustable sensitivity.

•

Re-nameable legends.
Up to 12 digital inputs. Re-nameable legends. 32 to

•

96kHz sampling, and up to 24-bit precision.
Up to 8 digital outputs.

•

Up to 8 analogue outputs.

•

Up to 4 configurable 6-channel analogue inputs.

•

Control signals

3 trigger outputs, programmable by source.

•

Meridian Comms and RS232 for control and setup.

•

Controls, etc.

Front-panel facia controls for:

Source, DSP, Mute, Volume, and Off.

•

Hinged control panel provides additional switches for:

Display, Copy, Store, parameter menus, Assign,

•

Calibrate, and Configure.

Display

20-character dot-matrix display: adjustable brightness

•

and contrast.
Lights for Dolby, Digital, THX, DTS, and MPEG.

•

Using the 861 Reference Digital
Surround Controller

This chapter provides a summary of the functions of the 861 Reference
Digital Surround Controller to identify the controls which you use to
operate the unit.

It also provides step-by-step instructions for operating the digital
surround controller, using either the front panel or the MSR+.

7

Using the 861

Reference Digital

Surround Controller

8

Using the 861

Reference Digital

Surround Controller

OffDSP MuteSourceReference Digital Surround Controller 861

Calibrate

Configure

AssignStoreCopyDisplay

Display

Shows the current

source, DSP

preset, and volume

DSP

Changes the DSP

preset selected for

a source

Mute

Mutes or restores

the sound

Volume

down/up

Change the

volume

Off

Switches to

standby

Source

Selects the

source

Configure

Selects the

sinewave test

signal

Display

Changes the

information

displayed on the

front panel

Store

Stores the

parameters for a

preset

Menu keys

Allow you to

select and change

DSP

parameters

Indicators

Show the current

DSP processing

mode

Indicators

Show the current

DSP processing

mode

Calibrate

Sets up the

loudspeakers

Assign

Assigns the current

DSP preset to the

current source

Copy

Copies a source to

the tape output

Front panel keys

9

1

OpenOpen

AudioAudio

CD

1

4

7

FunctionFunction

RADIO

2

5

8

0

DVD

3

6

9

AUX DISC

Return

RecordRecord

TAPE

Enter

TV

Menu

SetupSetup

CABLE SAT VCR1

Store

SubtitleRepeat

Clear

DSP

Display Mute

VCR2 GAME OFF

PowerPower

BandBand AngleAngle OSDOSD

Top Menu

##

PagePage

SlowSlow

PhasePhase

PagePage

A-BA-B

OFF

Switches
Meridian
equipment to
standby

Volume
keys/Mute

Change the
volume

Menu keys

For navigating DVD menus or,
with the Function key, editing

DSP parameters

Indicator

Flashes when you send a

command.

Includes sensor for backlight

Transport keys

For controlling a CD player, DVD

player, or tuner

Display

Changes the front-panel display

of the current source or, with the

Function key, of the system

controller

Number keys

For controlling a

tuner, CD player, or

DVD player

Source keys

Select a source to

turn on from

standby

Function

Hold down to

select a secondary

command

Top Menu

For controlling a DVD player

Record/Band/Angle/OSD

For controlling DVD and other

sources, and colour commands

for TV services

Store/Clear

For programming a tuner or CD

player or, with the Function

key,

DSP presets

MSR+ keys

Using the 861

Reference Digital

Surround Controller

10

Using the 861

Reference Digital

Surround Controller

Switching on and off

When not playing, the digital surround controller should
be left in the standby state. This ensures that the
components of the digital surround controller operate at
maximum efficiency from the moment you start.

If you are not going to use the digital surround
controller for several days you should switch the unit off
completely at the rear panel, and disconnect it from the
AC power supply.

To switch on from standby

Press Source (front panel), or select a source by

•

pressing the appropriate source key on the remote;
eg CD.

If the digital surround controller is part of a Meridian
system it will automatically switch on any other unit
in the system, such as the 800 Reference DVD/CD
Player and Meridian DSP Loudspeakers.

To switch to standby

Press Off (front panel or remote).

•

If you have other Meridian equipment or Meridian
DSP Loudspeakers connected to the digital surround
controller these units will also switch to standby.

11

Selecting a source

The digital surround controller provides the following 12
sources:

CD, Radio, DVD, Aux, Disc, Tape, TV, Cable, Sat,
VCR1, VCR2, and Game.

The input and DSP preset associated with each source
depends on how the digital surround controller has
been set up; for more information see

sources

, page 51.

Your installer may have customised the labels
displayed for each source to suit your other
equipment.

To select a source

Press Source (front panel) until the display shows

•

the source you want, or press the appropriate source
key on the remote; eg CD.

The display shows the source, DSP preset, and volume
setting.

Setting up

Using the 861

Reference Digital

Surround Controller

For example, if you select the CD source:

The display shows:

The 861 Reference Digital Surround Controller
mutes the sound while you change source.

CD Trifield 65

12

Using the 861

Reference Digital

Surround Controller

Adjusting the volume

The 861 Reference Digital Surround Controller adjusts
the volume in precise steps of 1dB, where 9dB is
equivalent to doubling the loudness. The current volume
setting is displayed in dB on the front-panel display,
and can be varied in the range 1 to 99dB. When you
first connect power to the digital surround controller
the volume is set to 65, which is similar to the mid-way
position of the rotary volume control on a conventional
preamplifier.

A setting of 87 corresponds to THX reference gain,
the level at which film soundtracks are mixed.

For normal to high level listening you should expect to
use volume levels in the range 60 to 90.

On a system with analogue outputs the volume on
startup can be set using the Meridian Configuration
Program. For details see the

Program Guide

, available separately.

Meridian Configuration

To restore the sound

Press Mute again.

•

Alternatively, the sound will be restored if you adjust the
volume.

To change the volume

Press A or V (front panel), or the red A or V keys

•

on the remote.

As you adjust the volume setting the display shows the
current volume level.

For example:

CD Trifield 70

To mute the sound

Press Mute (front panel or remote).

•

The display will show: Mute

13

Changing the DSP preset

Each source has a set of DSP presets associated with
it, one for each of the alternative content types: Music
2 (2-channel music), Music 6 (multichannel music),
Movie 2 (2-channel movie soundtrack), or Movie 6
(multichannel movie soundtrack).

When you choose a source, a DSP preset is selected
depending on the incoming content type.

For example, if you have selected the CD source and
are playing a conventional CD, the Trifield DSP preset
will initially be selected.

You may then wish to choose a different DSP preset,
such as Music or Ambisonics.

You can also change the default DSP preset assigned
to the source; see
page 24.

The sequence of DSP presets for each content type is
as follows:

To assign a DSP preset to a source

,

To change the DSP preset

Press DSP (front panel or remote) to step between

•

the different DSP presets.

You will be able to choose any of the predefined DSP
presets, or any user-defined presets you have stored.

The 861 Reference Digital Surround Controller
mutes the sound while you change DSP preset, to
avoid clicks in the speakers.

Using the 861

Reference Digital

Surround Controller

Content type Presets available

Music 2, Movie 2 Music, Trifield, Ambisonics, Super

Stereo, Music Logic, PLIIx Music,
Stereo, Direct, PLIIx Movie, PLIIx
THX, TV Logic, Mono.

Music 6 Discrete, PLIIx Mus6, THX Music,

Ambisonics B format.

Movie 6 Cinema, PLIIx Mov6, THX, THX

Surround EX, THX Ultra2 Cinema.

In each case these will be followed by any user-defined
presets you have stored for the appropriate content
type.

14

Using the 861

Reference Digital

Surround Controller

Changing the display

The 861 Reference Digital Surround Controller displays
information about the current settings on the 20­character front-panel display. In addition, it can display
the same information superimposed on a video image.

You can adjust the contrast and brightness of the front­panel display for optimum viewing, and choose what
information is displayed.

The digital surround controller automatically stores
these settings, even with the power off.

To change the contrast

Hold down Function and press > or < on the

•

remote, or press the corresponding menu keys under
the front panel, until the display shows the current
contrast setting.

For example: CD Contrast 8

Hold down Function and press A or V on the

•

remote, or press the corresponding menu keys under
the front panel, to change the display contrast.

You can change the contrast between 0 and 15.

To change the brightness

Hold down Function and press > or < on the

•

remote, or press the corresponding menu keys under
the front panel, until the display shows the current
brightness setting.

To change the displayed information

Press Display (remote or under the front panel).

•

For example: TV ProLogic

Each time you press Display the display will step
between the options shown in the following table.

Display option Example

Source, DSP
preset, and volume.

Source, DSP
preset, and THX
reference level.

Audio format, no. of
channels, content
type, & sample rate.

Blank.

If the Diagnostic display option has been selected,
additional diagnostic displays are included; refer to
the Meridian Web site at www.meridian-audio.com for
details.

In addition, the following symbols on the front-panel
display indicate which of the DSP processing modes
are operating, or what the original format was if
received via the Meridian MHR Smartlink:

DVD-A Ambisonics 65

DVD-A Ambisonics -22

DVD-A PCM Music6 44k

For example: CD Bright 11

Hold down Function and press A or V on the

•

remote, or press the corresponding menu keys under
the front panel, to change the display brightness.

You can change the brightness between 0 and 15.

Symbol What it means

Dolby processing is operating.

DIGITAL

MPEG

Input is Dolby Digital.

THX processing is operating.

Input is DTS.

Input is MPEG.

Customising the 861 Reference
Digital Surround Controller

In addition to being able to change the source, volume, and DSP preset,
the 861 Reference Digital Surround Controller provides a sophisticated
range of more advanced adjustments for each DSP preset, to allow you
to tailor the sound.

This chapter explains how to change these parameters, using the
menu keys on the remote or under the front panel, and gives detailed
instructions for adjusting common parameters.

15

Customising the 861

Reference Digital

Surround Controller

For information about the parameters specific to individual presets see
the chapter

DSP presets

, page 27.