Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion HiFi & HT Chat Naim Muso

They'd lose the spinner, but not sure the price would be as low.

See the following detailed report. I bring to your attention the following quote from Naim's Sales Manager Doug Graham:
Bearing in mind that Naim has hit a �895 price point by going to China, it's clear to me that �1200 for a British made unit, Meridian, Naim, or other, is completely out of the question.

Ok. Humour me here...

Why is a product manufactured in China so much cheaper than a unit manufactured at Meridian in Huntingdon assuming that Meridian already have the staff on payroll and didn't hire then fire the staff that were involved in F80/M80/Explorer production runs.

Fair question Ian. I would suggest that your assumption, as stated, is invalid and that M moved staff from that project to others rather than making incremental hires. In other words, if they wanted to do this in the UK, they *would* need to hire more staff.

I wouldn't expect much of the "production" of any Meridian product is done in-house. Final assembly and test, almost certainly but for the volumes that Meridian products are made in, I would subcontract PCB litho and population out. Casings, likewise, I've had a quote for producing a case similar to the casing of the new Leica T compact camera, it's not as bad as you might expect.
The question as always is how much margin do you want make per product and how big are your productions runs - somewhere I have a spreadsheet from a Chinese contact that suggests ideal Bill of Materials vs Assembly cost ratios.
Small runs, big BOM, easy assembly; make in the UK. Big run, small BOM, complex assembly; made in China.

And does the product have some strategic purpose (fill missing piece of the Sooloos jigsaw, for instance) for which you would be willing to accept a lower margin (and consequent higher volume)?

I see where you're getting at but that niche would be better served in M terms by bringing in a speaker underneath the DSP3200 in their range.
Maybe not even a full DSP but a 2 channel active design with built in DACs and a simple crossover (maybe even using analogue filters).

I know people like soundbars but at the investment level now required for a M setup in-walls make a lot more sense (and sound 1000x better).

On another note, a Mac + Control:Mac + AirPlay + Muso = a Sooloos Zone.

Or even simpler and better , use this App to turn your iPhone into an Airplay Receiver

Then connect your iPhone to your F80 Dock and hey presto, you have a Sooloos Zone

You could likewise use the same app on an iPad, iPhone or iTouch and connect via Line Out into the Analog In of your F80......result = Sooloos Zone

Likewise there are several Apps that allow Android Phones and Tablets to become Airplay Receivers.......and again a Line Out connection to an F80 results in a Sooloos Zone

Meant to add this App earlier as well.

This app should allow a Control:PC user to stream Audio to an Airplay Receiver, such as an iPhone with the App indicated above... and then use the F80 Dock to produce a Sooloos Zone.

Some compromises involved but some might be interested in pursuing it.

Lots of reports coming in on line following the Press launch.

Yes it sounds very exciting and for me perhaps the hook is it's modest dimensions. In my secondary TV room I am strapped for width and the Naim will go in with oodles to spare.

Most of todays better sound bars are a cm or two too wide to fit my fixed built in aperture ... All built before big flat screens became of age.
I am definitely interested in this to replace my ageing Yamaha, which is good but not state of the art. Roll on September.

I have gradually replaced all my non Meridian gear in the last three years and this could sent a new trend ( but not in the main room yet awhile )
Best to all
Huw

I'm going to see and hear the Muso on Saturday. (Naim day at The HiFi Lounge in Beds.)