Hi All,

As there's bound to be discussion about this new product, I've started a thread here specifically for 218



Meridian 218 Zone Controller

Combining both digital and analogue outputs, the Sooloos/MQA–enabled Meridian 218 is suitable for a wide range of distributed audio applications from single zone to multi-zone use.

With control features including IP and IR, easily integrated with 3rd Party control systems, this versatile 1U-high product can be rack, shelf, or wall mounted.

The MSRP at launch here in the UK will be £750 (GBP).

Rick

"Exactly what does "Sooloos/MQA enabled" mean in the context of the 218?"

It's still early days, and I don't have lots of information about the 218, however I understand it will contain what is best described as 'an MQA capable version of an MS200'.

So it could just be used as an MQA capable Sooloos playback zone.

However unlike the MS200, the 218 also has other analogue and digital inputs, so is also a simple pre-amp.

Probably easiest to think of the 218 as an MS200 and cut-down AC200 combined into a single box.
Or maybe more precisely an MS200 squeezed into a Distributor 1 case.

Rick

Thanks Rick

Could you please advise on the two different 218 formats (1U and shelf mount) pictured on the TIH original post.

Confused Hector

Hi Hector,


Two 218 Zone Controllers in a 1U 19" rackmount shelf

The 218 is 1U High (1 3/4"), and half a U wide, so two can be mounted side by side on a 1U 19" rackmount shelf like the photo above.

What you can see is two 218 sat side by side on a shelf tray, with their front panels poking through two apertures punched in the 19" rackmount shelf front.

Rick

Rick,

Any idea of a delivery date? It looks perfect for my study.

Thanks
Duncan

Thank you Rick.

Can you find out whether the 218 uses MHR to feed unfolded MQA to legacy Meridian DSPs? Or similar if not exactly down this route.

I presume it will with SEs anyway.

It's not a looker, is it? Mr Boothroyd must have passed this one on to an intern.

Hi Duncan,

We've only just received initial release information, and it's going to be shown for the first time at CEDIA next week, so early days yet.

I don't have a definitive release date at the moment, but I'm pretty sure it will be available before the end of the year.

Meridian are accepting orders now, and as it will be on a 'first come - first served' basis for supply it's worth getting an order in with your Premium Partner sooner rather than later.

Rick

It's really intended to sit in a 19" rack and drive a multi-room zone, where the additional cost of an attractive case is unnecessary.

Rick

So are these the start of a new 200 series? More to come?

A straight MS200 replacement with MQA would be a good thing.

I really don't need the extra sources. Adding an asynchronous USB input to the 218 would have been icing on the cake.

Meridian always miss one useful use case out on their products.

It will handle MQA in the same way as 818v3 and 808v6 do currently, although it's unlikely to sound quite as good, as it's a fraction of the price:

For SE speakers the MQA will be decoded in the 218 and then transferred to the speakers by MHR where it is rendered using their 192k capable DACS.

For legacy DSP speakers the 218 will decode and render the MQA file to the 96/24 bit capability of the speaker.

Rick