2. digital
  3. 1002447905

Help with Meridian 518

Please share how you use the 518 to optimize your stereo system.

I recently added 518 to my system in place of my preamp. The 518 lets me connect my dac to my amp directly. This resulted in a much smoother and transparent sound. However, there are other functions on the 518 that are not used optimally.

I fudged around with the Emph/Deemph, different noise shaping algorithms, and the input/outbut bits, but they all sound the same to me on my system. I know for a fact they do alter the sound, for an old client had one, and he transported steisand into his living room with a mere touch of a button.

My setup:
Cal Audio Delta-Meridian 518-Cal Audio Sigma-Aragon 8002-Kef 103/4
Argent speaker cable, Emerald between amp and dac, and mapleshade between trans/518/dac

Thanks ahead of time.
viggen
sc53
722 posts
 
Hi, when I had my 518 (with Meridian 500 transport and 563 DAC), I matched the output bits to my DAC (24) and found Shapes A and E to sound the best for my tastes. I found each shape had a different sound, and sometimes the recording I was playing sounded better with a different shape. You can really drive yourself crazy with this piece, but I absolutely loved it and settled on Shape A for most of my listening.
Sarah
viggen OP
838 posts
 
Thanks for your inputs!!

However, I am still not getting any difference in sound quality when fumbling between the different bits and shapes.

Does it matter whether I am using the 518 as a preamp, thus I am using the gain stage with emph? Or do I have to bypass the dsp?

So far, I am using Emph, with sound shape E, and 16bit in, 18 bit out.
vantageaudio
182 posts
 
Assuming the input to the 518 is not already pre-emphasised (the red EMPH light will show this), using EMPH will ensure the 518 output is ALWAYS pre-emphasised and will give you audible gains in your system (be careful of material that has too much high-frequency signal though)

Try a well recorded track and relax and listen several times first with the shaper FLAT, then HP, then each SHAPE A, B,etc....

Although Shape A and E have very similar curves they have different degrees of noise reduction so try switching between those two after your initial test above. It takes time to learn and get used to the 518 but it is worth the wait..!

Regards, Richard.

sc53
722 posts
 
Another thought: when you use the 518 as a preamp, you have to set the unit up that way. There is a code you punch in right after turning it on, either 0 or 1 or 2, I can't remember which code is for the preamp and which for the resolution enhancer function. Anyway, could it be that you don't have the unit in preamp mode yet? Then I guess your choices of shapes etc. wouldn't be affecting your sound. I sold mine with the manual, of course, so I can't remember off the top of my head what the proper code is. However, I can give you the phone no. of my dealer, Mike of JS Audio in Bethesda, MD, who is an expert on all things and units Meridian and WILL be able to tell you off the top of his head.
Sarah
glaucon
25 posts
 
One more thing...

Make sure you're operating the 518 as close to unity gain as possible, i.e., 87. When I first used my unit, I could only go up to 72. The sound was great, but I didn't realize how compromised it was until I had resistors installed into the inputs of my amp, and was able to get up to the 80s. Heaven!

Remember, you lose 1-bit of resolution for every 6 db decrease.
More to discover