Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Replacing a Source:Five - ideas welcome

My Sooloos setup is an MD600 acting as storage and Core, a Source:Five for 5 zones around the house, feeding Lexicon DD8 amps and non-Meridian speakers, and an ID40 in the 861.

I'm thinking about replacing the Source:Five, as it doesn't handle high resolution files all that well, specifically 192s (which I don't buy any more, but have some of) and because I think it's probably not in the same league as the current models.

I'm thinking of getting 5 MS200s, powered by a Prime Power Supply, in the rack with the amps, and keeping the MD600, as opposed to getting an MC600 to replace the MD and the Source:Five. Thoughts on this approach much appreciated.

My thinking:

1. The Source:Five isn't handling high resolution music files well. A software update helped, but the 192s (which I'm not getting any more but have some of) glitch. It also weirdly refuses to release two zones set to auto-on on the amps after the music stops. And it's not going to get any better as it is obsolete.

2. I could replace the Source:Five and the MD600 with an MC600. My dealer will allow me to trade in the MD600. But it will still cost more than keeping the MD600 and buying 5 MS200s and a Prime Power Supply. From what I've read, I'll probably get better sound from the latter setup than the MC600, even using the analog outs on the MS200's.

3. If in the future I decide to upgrade some of my zones to Meridian speakers, I can relocate the corresponding MS200 to that zone for a more ideal setup. So the MS200's, while not really designed to be bunched in a rack, are more future-proof.

Odd that you are seeing problems with 192 files in Source:Five and not with 96/88.

The Core (i.e. MD600) converts 192/176 down to 96/88 so as far as Source:Five is concerned, it's seeing no different than receiving 96/88 audio.

If you are wanting to upgrade because you want 192/176, then you may suffer same problems after you upgrade. Sounds like a more fundamental issue than simply old vs new kit.

I would definitely keep the MD600 rather than go MC600.

I do have a Source:Five so can check a 192kHz file on it.

At least with the MS200 you can buy them one at a time to spread the cost. I did manage to negotiate a reasonable discount when I bulk bought mine (this was still pretty close to launch date).

As you say, they do have an analogue out, so it would be easy to site them by your existing systems subject to network cabling.

I know that the MC600 doesn't have a lot of supports, but in the case your describing, I think it is ideal. I don't disagree that the MS200 will sound better than the MC600, if the MS200 is at the output (so you run Cat-5 to where your amp or speakers are). But I cannot imagine the MS200 will sound all that much better if your stack them all up in a rack, side by side, and use their analog outputs. At least with the MC600, you have proper analog RCA connections.

Thanks for the input. Just to clarify, all of the zones use either in-wall or on-wall speakers, and the amps are in the rack where the Source:Five is, so putting the MS200s near the speakers is not currently an option.

My dealer did speak with Meridan about the high-res file issue, and they said the Source:Five wasn't really designed to deal with those files. They did provide a software upgrade that improved things a bit, but didn't entirely clear the problem. So something must involve the Source:Five, because the exact same files played through the ID:40 off the MD600 sound fine.

[BTW, it's not just subjective sound quality -- the files stutter and break up like a bad radio station in spots, but not throughout the file]

As amps are close to where Sooloos audio source would be located then your plan of using MS200 makes more sense. I would however investigate use of 3.5mm(?) jack plug though for analogue out. I have no experience of this other than rightly or wrongly concluding that 3.5mm jack plugs was never a good option for high quality connector but other MS200 owners can give their experience.

As for using Prime power supply, I would double check with dealer that powering 5 simultaneous MS200's will work ok.

As for 192/176 problems. Do 96/88 play ok as I am confused as 192/176 files should not appear any different to a Sooloos audio source than a 96/88 file due to core down sampling.

New software? Could you check your Sooloos debug screen? Mine shows the system version is 2.406 and the device version of my Source:Five is 1425.

Just trying some 24/192 files. I'm playing a selection from various different albums.

My Source:Five does not appear to have any issues regarding these files. MD600 in cellar, Source:Five connected via Homeplug to network switch also on the cellar. I'm using the analogue out of zone one.

Is your problem on just one output, all outputs, or one output when playing music in more than one zone?

Sorry, hadn't checked in recently. I'll check versions and play with some files and reply.

My system version is 2.406 and device version of the Source Five is 1425 also. Playing some high-res files now and so far no glitches. There have been a couple of software updates since I last noticed this, so maybe it's fixed! That would be great.