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Can Meridian G68 preamp bypass DSP & stay analog?

I have a Meridian G68 preamp. Obviously, if I want to use the Meridian DSPs to create a 5.1 signal from an analog stereo input, the G68 would have to convert the analog input to digital in order for the DSP to converted it to 5.1. But what if I have a high quality external stereo DAC and want to keep the stereo analog input in the analog domain without ever converting it to digital? Is that possible? Or does the G68 convert every input to digital regardless? I am asking this because the only way to amplify the external high quality DAC signal is to keep the signal analog all the way through the preamp and into the amp. Otherwise why bother with a high quality external DAC?
axle

Showing 2 responses by kr4

kr4's avatar
kr4
3,648 posts
 
Why indeed? AFAIK, the Meridian equipment will digitize all analog inputs because Meridian is committed to digital loudspeakers (although analog outputs are often an option). I do know that my 861 does this and, for assessing HD/MCH sources, I have recently purchased an Audio Research MP1.

However, for listening, I have no problem feeding everything digital into the Meridian anyway, bypassing any external DACs.

Kal
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,648 posts
 
Reasonable but inferential. If thePS3 sounds better than the ATV, perhaps an even better digital source will sound even better. I find that the better the digital source, even if its rated bandwidth exceeds that of the Meridian input (24/96), the better it sounds. And while the use of an external DAC (bypassing the Meridian's A/D/A conversion) sounds somewhat different from digital input to the Meridian, it is not superior.
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