The X-Meridian 7.1 Thread - Page 62

Hey X-M people. Finally got my new mod wired and working just fine. As you know I've replaced the Meridian clock with the new Dexa Technologies Audio Reference Clock. Definitley hearing a difference. All good things. I will follow through with a full review in the near future. Hang in there.

This photo shows the Meridian wired with the digital data clock cable supplied with the new clock for incoming digital data and then sending it to the Dexa clock.The cable also transmits the clocked signal back to the soundcard for the next stage in processing. Also the new clock is independantly powered through the PSU via the +12V connectIon using an ATX 12V 4-pin connector. As well you can see the original clock that was replaced in the right corner.



This photo you'll see the installation view in my pc case. The new clock is mounted totally independant for grounding purposes to the pc case.

So What Is the Clock

The clock generator or crystal oscillator is found in all forms of digital audio products.

The clock is essential for reconstructing digital data in a controlled synchronized
timing process. Then sending the reconstructed information to the next step in processing being the digital to analog converter.

In the real world of commercial products, the clocks being not too precise in the timing process, create time based inaccuracies called clock jitter.

eg; quartz watch overtime being too slow or fast.

Clock jitter causes sonic shortcomings. Timing + Precision = Musicality + Detail = Realism

So the less clock jitter, the more detail that is resolved and presented from the digital source, accurately reforming true natural recording nuances that are being hidden or veiled. A more clear representation of the studio recording and environment is acheived.

I did a little digging into the Burson Discrete Op-amp, it can be read here

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...pagenumber=161

and here

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...0&pagenumber=3

Has anyone tried these yet ad825 http://www.referenceaudiomods.com/Me...roduct_Count=1

morfeeus how much was the clock? whats the total cost on the card up too now in mods?

So Is This Clock Mod For You

For audiophile purists HELLYEAH!!!!!! ( with lossless audio music files )

For you MP3 downloaders not so. Too pricey.

The mod price is $240 US. I paid $200 when the price was reduced on special. I would justify paying $240.

THE REVIEW

- remarkably smooth presentation in texture *musicality*

- much more refined sudtle detail instrumentally and vocally

- rock solid soundstage being wider and deeper

- much improved imaging meaning clearer, natural positioning of instruments

- improved bass control for increased pace or attack

- fingering of bass strings or notes more relevant

- microdynamics have also improved

Yes there are clock options , if this mod is desired. Here's a link for those few who might be interested that may help.

http://jimmyauw.com/2007/04/12/low-j...r-your-player/

Anyone try out the NJM5534D opamp or have one laying around? I found this comment interesting.

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...04#post1286704

...Anyone knows where to find the X-Meridian...? Or is it gone forever?

Is the hot (5V) analog output of this card something I should be worried about? I plan on connecting it to a Rotel pre-amp.

Not to worry. No problem. Go for it.

I probably screwed something up here.

Finally got everything all setup, working great with just the stock card. I'm running the ananlog outs into Crown XLS-402 amps.

Decided to put the LM4562's in. Soon as I turn the PC on, I get a very loud buzz/humm coming out of the speakers, and it does not go away. Just a constant sound, if I try to play media, nothing happens.

Any ideas?

This happened to me, too. Turns out I had the opamps in the wrong way. I flipped them around and all was well. Just a thought.

That did it. That thought had occured to me, but I was worried hat I damaged the card and was scared to flip them around. Thanks for this.

I am still waiting for a Driver update to have individual volume contols over my speakers with the analog 7.1 setup with VISTA. MY center speaker is way too loud and my Sub is way to low. I have to keep changing back when I watch a regular TV or HD cable when using 5.1 thru the Receiver, which thru the receiver the speakers are set up properly. THis is a royal pain I am not PC expert so I dare not try to change anything in the regristy. ANY UPDATE NEWS?

The driver posted a while ago on cmedia forum allows individual level and delay adjustment on vista.
You have to completly uninstall current auzen driver for it to work.

http://www.cmediadrivers.info/driver....09_061214.rar

I tried that driver about a month ago, but even after uninstalling and cleaning my registry I did not get individual speaker control. Could be a 64 bit issue...

Also, waiting for the vista enhancements tab to show up without registry hack. I did the hack on my 32bit partition but the room correction was all over the place and nowhere near what my standalone audessey does. MS claims it's as good, but until I can try it without the reg hack, meaning natively built into the driver, I won't believe it. One would think that almost a year later that the drivers would be somewhat finalized but then I suppose that is asking to much.

I have called auzentech every single month this past year, and I'm so tired of hearing it's 'cmedia's' issue.... Time for them to grow up and either demand drivers or write their own. Now with them not even selling the xm anymore I fear that we may never see mature drivers.

As good as the XM is, I feel it was a HUGE mistake to purchase a card from a completely juvenile company like Auzentech. As quickly as the card was introduced it was dropped shortly afterwards even after all the rave about how good a card it is. It is extremely doubtful that they'll have any more drivers for the XM and, if they do, they will never be a 'final' release that provides all the functionality that was promised from day 1. This will be the first and last time I spend so much time and money (mods, etc.) on a completely unknown company's product.

Next time I purchase a card it will either be from a long established company like Creative or I'll simply go with the best such as Lynx which I'm sure has the maturity to provide sufficient user support on their products. In the meantime, Auzentech can kiss my ass. If they were a local company, I'd go straight to their offices and demand a refund (and, trust me, I'd get one).

I couldn't possibly be more angry with auzentech right now. After months and months of emailing and calling, I was told over and over again that eventually the x-meridian card would have vista enhancements and individual speaker control.

Then today I get this email:

Thank you for contacting Auzentech, Inc.



Needless to say I am quite disappointed with them right now. I really suggest that anyone considering ever purchasing a product from them in the future, seriously consider another more reputable company. I was one of their biggest advocates, having praised the card and company. I moded my card with every single suggestion in this thread other than the new clock mod mentioned just above this post. So, I am NOT a plant from another company just coming here to bash auzentech, just a very very angry customer right now, as everyone else who has been lied to by them should be.

Just go to cmedia's forum and get their beta 8788 driver. It allows for individual speaker volume.

Hi, I'm new to all of this.. I finally gave up on Creative after having severe issues with their X-Fi fitality gaming series card. I finally narrowed my choices down to the HT Omega Claro, X-Meridian and the new X-Prelude.. now that people have had a chance to compare them, what is the general consensus as to what sounds the best? Also, what's this about replacing parts? LM4562s? Consider me a newb when it comes to audio cards..

Ok i reached the end off this thread but no 2.1 playback under XP? God damn it do i have to change to vista to get 2.1 playback? How dos the room EQ in Vista work ?

I'm new to HTPC and digital audio transfer and don't understand why what I'm attempting doesn't work. Can someone give a few pointers?

I am attempting to use two PCs in the HTPC setup. One PC runs PowerDVD and contains the video card which connects via DVI to a front projector.

A length of COAX runs from the Asus A8N-E motherboard (ALC850) digital output on first PC to the X-Meridian s/pdif input in a second PC that sits next to my audio rack. The front and rear analog outputs on the X-Meridian feed two stereo amplifiers. Four-channel analog output is selected on the X-Meridian. DSP effects are disabled.

I'm only hearing a two channel signal regardless of the output setup in the ALC850 sound manager or multichannels selections in PowerDVD. The right channel is being sent to the right front and rear speakers, and the left channel to the left front and rear.

Moreover, if I select s/pdif in PowerDVD all I hear is a loud spitting sound from all four channels

In the past when using the COAX output to the X-Meridian from a stand-alone DVD player multichannel worked fine, but not with this new setup

Is the problem here something fundamental that I don't understand or is there a fix?

Finally, is there a way to control the analog output levels from the X-Meridian when using the s/pdif input on the card? The X-Meridian level control has no effect.

Thanking you in advance...

I'm not an audiophile, but I cannot get rid of the hissing since upgrading my motherboard and cpu. I hear the hissing when using my headphones via both the front panel and back panel connectors.

I did a search for "hiss" and can't seem to find anything on this. Since upgrading my motherboard (gigabyte GA-G33M-DS2R) and CPU (Intel Q6600), I get the standard high-pitched hissing sound of the processor crunching away. Auzentech tech support was no help.

I made sure my onboard audio was disabled, cleaned the pci connectors and downloaded the latest PCI8788-FULL-03_0806 driver. I also disconnected my video card to eliminate it to be the problem. But, it all that did not resolve the problem .

With the onboard audio enabled, obviously the hissing is worse.

Any suggestions?

The driver from Auzentech says 8.17.19. Would that be the latest?

The latest driver PCI8788-FULL-03_0806, from the Auzentech site is causing my PC to take ages to log off and then never shutdown. (Vista 32).
I've tried others but I'd get stuttering every 16 seconds or so (playing flac and ape in Foobar) and so went back to these only to discover the main HDA ones mess up shutdowns.

Which source / version is currently suggested by us folk here?

Have you tried (1) uninstalling it, (2) reboot, (3) reboot again and (4) install it again? Maybe the first reboot will fully clear the registry and the second one is just insurance.

See if it logs off normally after the 1st and 2nd reboot without the driver. I've had problems in the past where the volume was too low after an installation. After I did this procedure (2 reboots), it was fixed again. One reboot didn't do the job.

thanks! that sorted it.
honestly, double rebooting in this day and age