Meridian G61RSL Digital Surround Controller – Silver

Here we have a Digital Surround Processor from British electronics experts Meridian. Our example is in good condition, noting a couple of marks as shown in the photographs, and comes in original factory packaging with  manual, mains cable, other associated cables and our standard three month warranty.
Meridian Say….
Meridian’s G Series line of high performance digital and analogue consumer audio components feature a stylish cabinet design in traditional black or a sleek silver finish.
G Series units are easy to use. Where appropriate, a knob is included to control volume. The positive-action front-panel keys are software-defined: their legends are presented in the vacuum fluorescent display and change intelligently according to context.
Designed to be either free-standing or rack-mounted, G Series components feature multi-layer circuit-boards to reduce system noise and improve performance. In products which include video capabilities, broadcast-quality, wide-bandwidth video components are employed for maximum image integrity.
Full installation configuration of many G Series components is achieved by running a special setup program on a Windows computer, connected to the G Series unit via a serial link, or direct from the front panel.
G Series products also include serial ports for remote operation and configuration, along with infra-red sensor input and trigger capabilities, plus Meridian communications ports.
A development of the successful G68, the G61R is a powerful, flexible surround controller with an attractive price-tag, ideal for those who do not require the comprehensive multiroom features or tuner provided in the G68. Like the G68, however, the G61R includes Meridian’s acclaimed Room Correction system; it now also features Meridian SpeakerLink outputs for simple single-cable connection with the latest Meridian DSP Loudspeakers.
At the heart of the G61R is a powerful DSP engine consisting of five Motorola 56367s and a 56371 running at 150 MHz – delivering 900 MIPS (million instructions per second). Processing is performed at high sample rates and with up to 48-bit precision, ensuring that all filtering, processing and other operations are carried out far beyond the limits of human hearing. The G61R is thus ideal for the very highest quality digital audio.
Incoming analogue signals are converted to 24-bit, high-sample-rate digital data via multibit Delta-Sigma converters as soon as they enter the processor, and all digital signals are reclocked to minimise jitter and maintain total data integrity.
The G61R includes 12 S/PDIF digital inputs (coax), alternatively configurable to include up to two 6-channel SmartLink inputs, and four TOSlink optical inputs. In addition, there are eight analogue stereo inputs, three of which can be configured as a 6-channel input. There is also a USB input for computer playback.
The G61R’s ‘Smart Source’ feature continually monitors the digital inputs and automatically loads the correct decoding software for the format, speaker layout and encoding of the incoming signal. This capability is enhanced by MHR SmartLink, which provides a digital link between a Meridian optical disc player and processor, carrying explicit information about the nature of the datastream as well as encrypted high-resolution digital signals. You can also store separate parameters for each source (such as DVD) depending on whether the incoming signal is stereo or surround.
SmartLink inputs are particularly useful when using the G61R in conjunction with Meridian’s HD621 HDMI audio processor, enabling your surround system to benefit from the highest possible audio quality from Blu-Ray Disc players and other high definition audio sources.
On the output side, there are eight SpeakerLink outputs allowing direct connection to a set of DSP Loudspeakers to form a Meridian Digital Theatre, and eight analogue outputs for connection to traditional amplifiers and loudspeakers.
SpeakerLink is fitted to all the latest Meridian DSP Loudspeakers and carries balanced digital audio, serial and control signals down a single network-style “Cat 5” cable.
The G61R combines controller and surround processor functions, meeting THX Ultra 2 specifications and including the latest superb-quality AAC, MPEG, DTS, Dolby, Tri-field (Meridian’s renowned 3-speaker-plus-surround stereo decode) and Ambisonic (both 2-channel UHJ and B-Format, to 4, 5, 6 or 7 speakers) decoding. The G61R includes the unique ‘apodising’ upsampling filter premiered in the 808, which can make standard-resolution recordings (such as those from CD and DVD) sound like high-resolution.
In addition, the G61R features Meridian’s powerful Room Correction system, as included in the G68 and 861. MRC measures listening room acoustics and automatically derives suitable filters to even out the reverberation time at low frequencies, improving imaging, naturalness and clarity.
The G61R can be configured with a powerful Windows graphical set-up application which allows access to all the unit’s functions and configuration. The G61R can also be configured extensively from the front panel, thanks to the comprehensive ‘soft-key’ based user interface which is common to all the G Series components. ‘Wizards’ lead you through the configuration procedure, allowing a powerful degree of customization without having to hook up a computer.
Specifications:
Inputs:
Digital Inputs: USB Audio; 4x TOSlink Optical; 12x S/PDIF: D1–D6 can be configured as 2x six-channel digital inputs with Meridian SmartLink
Analogue Stereo Inputs: 8x phono; A1–A3 can be configured as a 6-channel analogue input. Unbalanced, 0.5 – 2.5 Vrms adjustable, input impedance 20 kΩ
Outputs:
Digital outputs (8x SpeakerLink RJ45): L, R, C, Sub, Side L, Side R, Rear L, Rear R
Analogue outputs (phono): Main L, Main R, Rear L, Rear R, Centre, Sub; LZ, RZ (configurable), variable 0 – 3.5 Vrms, output impedance 47 Ω. Distortion < 0.01%. Noise & hum < – 95 dB CCIR
Processing: 5 x Motorola 56367s and a 56371 running at 150 MHz to give a total of 900 MIPS (million instructions per second). 48-bit arithmetic throughout
Conversion: 24-bit Sigma-Delta converter chips operating at up to 96 kHz on analogue inputs and outputs
Formats: Include AAC, Dolby Digital, DTS, MPEG Surround
DSP Modes: Include Direct, Music, Tri-field, Ambisonics (2-ch UHJ & B-Format), Super Stereo, Music Logic, THX, Mono, Discrete, TV Logic, ProLogic IIx Music, ProLogic IIx Movie, ProLogic IIx THX, Cinema and up to 10 user-defined. Built-in Meridian Room Correction.
Power: Universal supply 100–240V, 50–60Hz, 25W
Construction: Meridian black or silver finish in metal & glass
Dimensions: 440 (W) x 350 (D) x 90 (H) mm
Weight: 9.0 kg