Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Sooloos Setup Simple Questions

First off, I have a Control:15 I wish to use exclusively with a pair of 5000s. So, S5 between the two 5000s. Is it an M5 from the first 5000 to the 15? I know one 5000 will be the master for comms.

Second. I wish to use home plugs for the network. I have the Sooloos working through one for connecting to the web. It did the update last night ok and retrieves art well. I would like to place a MS200 with the main system so I can benefit from the Sooloos there two. Will the homeplugs work well for this? Anyone use them doing this, and any advice?

If I can be cheeky, a third question is can you change / add album art to an imported album post import? I had a couple last night which didn't find any art online.

Thanks guys

JABB

1: Yes

2: I wouldn't, but it is up to you.

3: Yes, select the album in Control:PC or Mac and edit metadata, you can then paste in any artwork you have downloaded.

Russ

As Russ says, I'd advise against Homeplugs.

Having said that, needs must, and the one MS200 zone I have that uses Homeplugs has been radically improved since the latest update in terms of stability.

I assume the advice contra homeplugs relates to reliability rather than sound quality?

Due to practical constraints, I use ethernet-over-power homeplugs for the majority for my listening (6-8 hour sessions in my home office) with a Windows 7 laptop as the end-point. I did some basic tests (using www.speedtest.net) to establish which combination of end-points was least worst in terms of bandwidth loss on the unprovenanced assumption that reliabilty would scale with bandwidth. There were quantifiable and repeatable differences between different plugs (and even between individual sockets in one twin-socket case). The ratio in the measured difference in bandwidth between worst and best case was ~3:1 - the two routes went through different circuit breakers and different mains rings.

Yes, I do get network drop-offs. These can be resolved in seconds by switching the socket in my office off and on. I find that they are less frequent with Sooloos running than without (unquantified observation) even if it is not playing music or backing up. Since the new s/w version, I have only had one network drop-off (this morning of course) and that occured just after starting up my laptop and without Sooloos running.

M2C YMMV

I've never had drop outs (i.e. stuttering) on the Zone using Homeplugs (Devolo).

I used to have drop offs where the MS200 would disappear completely after a day or so of being on. This was not something I ever experienced using proper ethernet hardwired Zones.

As mentioned above this appears to have been solved with the last firmware update.

I have one MS200 in my kitchen on power plugs and it is OK. Like authors above, it seems more stable with latest firmware. Occasional reboots of the plugs may be required.
Making sure that the send and receive units are on the same ring really helps.

Never had a problem. I use this. That said, I don't know how power distribution from the breaker box to the outlet is configured in UK.

I use homeplugs to the F80 in our bedroom; never had an issue.

For awhile I used them to the main system but decided to hardwire that and it made no difference as far as I could tell.