Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming 818v2 Upgrade

My 818 became upgraded yesterday (thanks Rick). With the usual qualifiers (I have 55 year old ears (I don�t wear ear protectors when chain-sawing, early AC/DC, Hawkwind concerts) and I�m suggestible) first impressions-

The sound is more focused and the image much sharper (and soundstage deeper). Like when you get a new pair of glasses with a stronger prescription, you didn�t know your sight was out but now everything�s clearer. I listened to a favourite piece (off Chants D�Auvergne- Kiri TK) and there�s a subtle piano accompaniment which stood out for the first time. It was always there but somehow I�ve not �heard� it before. Very nice!

There�s a sense of smoothness to the sound. Everything is tight but natural. Clearer.

I�m currently feeling very positive indeed about the upgrade (but M, please hold off on the 8k tweeter upgrade, I�m broke now).

(The upgrade comes with a new 5 year warranty, as of the upgrade (requires registering), nice touch�)

I can't wait for someone who uses the 818 as a preamp or digital out [to 3rd party DAC], with Sooloos as the source to report on the upgrade.

My 818v1 with the latest firmware update sounds unbelievable via digital out [to 3rd party DAC]...

A great and informative review mixed with good humour.

Thanks Tintin.

Let's see, old, deaf and gullible ... oh dear, I think I'm all of those things too ... Guess I'm going to like the 861v8 then.

Pretty much +1. I've just loaded the firmware and hear much the same. In first few seconds of listening, I wrote "higher, lighter, smoother, softer." With a bit more listening time, it seems very subtle, with more detail and sharper bass. A very nice change, and that's with hardware still to come.

I tried the new firmware first without hardware but didn't notice much change.

Umm isn't that what we just read? Tintin runs all digital.. and Sooloos. No analog in sight.

If you run 818 via AES/EBU adapter via SpeakerLink out you should achieve very similar performance results.

No analogue, thats why I said as a preamp and to be clearer on the digital side I mean SPDIF out into a DAC, not using M speakers

I upgraded my 818v1 to v2 and thought I would add my impressions. I use a MC200 to the ID41 card of my 818. From there I use SpeakerLink to my 861v8 so I can listen to Trifield in 7.1, which is how I listen to all music.

The upgrade is two cards, the OE34 and an ID29. If you do not use the ID29 then the upgrade is sonically the OE34 and new firmware. I found the reduced jitter from the OE34 to enhance transparency in the soundstage and reveal additional details in the recording due to a perceived reduction in noise. Although worthwhile, I felt this upgrade to be on the smaller side of differences. I imagine this has something to do with transporting the signal via SpeakerLink to the 861.

Despite the upgrade to v2 status for my 818 being a smaller difference sonically, I would like to add that the sound from the 818v2 through the 861v8 is utterly magnificent. It is a real testimony to Meridian and Bob Stuart that they keep improving the sound to the degree they are. I thought the sound from the 818v1 through the 861v6 was superb and it is. But the new sound is instantly recognizable as superior. Even more transparent, detailed and dynamically convincing than it was. Not just with high res files either. Everything you play is more musical. Wow.