Meridian Audio 861 Brochure

MERIDIAN 800 SERIES

From the outset, Meridian’s design philosophy has combined great looks
and a total approach to ergonomics, with a relentless pursuit of the best
sound – in particular regarding spatiality, transparency and tonality. This
philosophy has also established a Meridian tradition which encourages a
readiness for new ideas and an unfettered view of audio system
architecture. This approach has led to ground-breaking innovations like
Active and DSP loudspeakers – as well as earlier, now widely accepted,
innovations like the CD Transport.

The 800 Series dramatically illustrates the result of this design approach. Here
the goal is the highest quality sound, in a futureproof, flexible, upgradeable,
open-ended format. The 800 Series provides no-cost-compromise
audiophile performance in a handsome large-format presentation. In the
800 Series, important audiophile features are addressed – including low­noise power supplies, the provision of more connections (including
balanced audio), and highly transparent analogue and digital audio and
video processing.

The Digital Signal Processing used in the 800 Series has a superb pedigree

– Meridian is famous for its Conversion, Resolution

Enhancement and DSP for Surround and

Loudspeakers. The 800 Series

construction shows its function:
it is built as a card-based
Audiophile Digital Computer.
All functions are plug-in cards:
including control microprocessor,
analogue and digital inputs and
outputs, DSP processors, video
routing and processing, DVD

decoders, laser demodulators, tape

modules, custom interfaces.

The list is always growing.

In this way a user can put together the right functions, and any
aspect of the machine’s performance can be altered later – either by
downloading new software into its flash memory, or by adding new plug­in cards. In common with other Meridian products, the 800 Series has full
remote control and complete inter-operability with 500 Series components,
using RS232 and the Meridian Comms connections.

The 800 Series 19” (450mm) cabinet is of double-skinned construction for
complete immunity from sound-damaging RF radiation. The heavy die-cast
front panel houses a highly visible display and provides the most commonly
required controls on the front face. A hinged switch panel provides keys to
access all of the unit’s functions. In common with other Meridian components,
the top and display window use 4mm plate glass for durable finish and
mechanical damping. The 800 Series appeals to a very wide audience – it
offers unique performance for the audiophile or videophile, it brings PC
connectivity for multimedia and a degree of flexibility that is welcomed by
professional and semi-pro recording engineers.

trim this area off

861 Surround Processor

IA00
Analogue
input 6 pairs

analogue
input on
phono. Very
high quality
A/D
conversion.

Extensions
to IA00

IA10
Analogue
input

2 pairs of fully
balanced
analogue
input on XLR.

IA20

adds 3 pairs of
unbalanced
analogue
input on
phono.

IA30/35

adds
capability for
MC/MM
pickup on
phono.

IA45
Multi­channel
input.

6 channel
analogue
inputs for
multichannel
sources like
DVD-A and
SACD.

OA03
Analogue
output

4 ultra-high
quality
outputs on
phono.
Effective
resolution:
192kHz 24 bit.
Contains
ultra-low-jitter
master
oscillators.

OA13
Analogue
output

4 ultra-high
quality
balanced
outputs on
XLR. Effective
resolution:
192kHz 24 bit.
Contains
ultra-low-jitter
master
oscillators.

TP00
Analogue
tape-loop
and 2-room
card

3 outputs on
phono, each
with variable
output level.
Independent
A/D and D/A
conversion.

IE42
Digital
input/output

Always fitted.

6 SPDIF cable
inputs, 1
TOSLINK
optical
input.
Multiple input
options.
This card
contains a DSP
de-jittering
system.

ID20
Extension to
IE42

adds
capability for
2 SPDIF and 2
Toslink inputs.

ID30
Extension to
IE42

adds
capability for
3 AES/EBU
inputs on XLR
and 1
AT&T optical.

OE12
Digital
output

4 SPDIF
outputs on
phono.
Contains
ultra-low-jitter
master
oscillators.

SL00
Slave patch

Communica­tions patch for
Meridian
Digital
Theatre.

C000
Control
computer

Always fitted.

Complete with
Flash memory,
RS232, 3
trigger
outputs and
Meridian
Comms.

NEW DSP
Engine

(Internal)

contains
multiple
Motorola
56367 DSPs
running at
150MHz.

This diagram of
an 861 rear
panel shows a
typical selection
of cards. Other
options are
listed. As more
become
available they
will be listed on
the Meridian
Website.

VS00 Video

4 Composite
and 4 S-Video
inputs. Outputs:
main and tape
in both
formats. On­screen display
on main.

VS10 Video

8 S-Video
inputs. Outputs:
main and tape.
S-Video and
Composite.
S-Video to
Composite
conversion.
On-screen
display on
main.

VS20 Video

1 Component
input; main
output. On­screen display.

VS40 Video

8 Composite
inputs. Outputs:
main and tape.
On-screen
display on
main.

A6 A6 A6 A6 A6 A6

INPUT

ANALOGUE

800-IA00

A6 A5 A4 A3 A2 A1

INPUT

ANALOGUE

800-IA45

OUTPUT

ANALOGUE

800-OA00U

4 3 2 1

MULTI

2

1

CHANNEL

D2D3 D1

INPUTS

DIGITAL

TAPE

INPUT

DIGITAL

DIGITAL

OUTPUT

D6O1 D5 D4 800-IE42

BYPASS

DIGITAL

OUTPUT

800-OE12

7/8 5/6 3/4 1/2

PATCH

S-LEAD

800-SLOS-LEADS

S3 S1 V3 V1S-MAINV- MAIN INPUTS

VIDEO

SWITCH

S4 S2 V4 V2S-TAPEV-TAPEOUTPUTS 800-VS00

RS232 TRIGGER

COMPUTER

321

Off

800-COOCOMMS

On

Warning Shock Hazard - Do not open

No user serviceable parts inside

Power Input: 100-240V

- 50-60Hz 100VAMax

Caution: Replace with

POWER

same type T1.6A 250V

100-240V fuse