Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 861v9 speculation thread

There is quote from Bob Stuart in a recent interview that might shed some light.

It is hardly surprising but definitely encouraging. (read glimmer of hope). The article is from Jim Austin from the May 2018 edition of Stereophile magazine. (MQA, DRM and other four-letter words, p49)

Austin is talking about some of the limitations of MQA regarding digital sound processing.
What I read in there (wishful) is that there still might be a future for room correction, potentially in a 861. Nothing said about processing but... it is a speculation thread after all….

If you want Atmos / 3D Codecs then I believe then answer is yes as I don't think Meridian have the appetite to sink funds into that development stream.

I do think MQA support will come to the 861 complete with room correction that preserves the MQA content... when ... no idea.

I've been sitting on the fence with my 861 for way too long now... if Meridian stop investing then so do I.

Regards,
Carl

Roon Correction 😜

Freudian slip Carl ?

"Like"

I interpret that as Bob speaking as an MQA employee who is no longer a Meridian employee. He could be referring to any of MQA partners’ upcoming DACs.

Soundserge

I’ll put it down to muscle memory. LOL.

I read that article too and thought of the 861. I think a v9 with MQA/MRC, etc. will appear, just a question of when.

Bearing in mind that Bob has a vested interest in Meridian, I'd be betting they have a head-start, even if a minor one, in implementing this. Meridian must be aware they are behind here now, and they must be aware people have/will jump ship. Surely they aren't about to let a market they once pioneered slip away without so much as a go at it?

It would be horribly ironic if what is potentially their best invention ends up hurting them

Agreed. I must say I’m surprised they’ve left it this long.

Would a v9 (essentially a v8) with MQA and MRC be enough in today’s marketplace or would you expect to see full Dolby Atmos and DTS-X support?

Well you can call it 861v8.2 upgrade and it would be fair game.

The MQA card/system upgrade has been more than hinted. It actually sounded like it would get out a couple of times before. Apart from selling those cards, they will also encourage SE upgrades/speakers.

So in that sense to get 861v8 upto 24/192 engine standard as the 818v3 (room correction could be applied in higher bitdepths as well) and add an MQA input card which would let us do Trifield on MQA sources.

I actually think an 861v8.2 with 24/192 and MQA would sound terrific and a worthy upgrade step in real soundquality which we all crave.

That would also apart from the added interest in Meridian again, spark some much needed investments from 861 customers who do own several pairs of DSP speakers and have the potential to SE upgrade several pairs of speakers...

It is long overdue and Meridian I actually think it would spark more interaction with your customers again. Those general FB/twitter posts doesn't really count. Ask the question WHY people got interested and continued to invest in their Meridian setups and analyze why they haven't for some time. The answer might be you didn't give them a reason. MQA/24-192 engine is a good reason for the 861 owners. But don't let it come too late, keep up the interest in your brand, never stagnate.

In the meantime we're getting a Tesla to keep us busy.

+1

If the tech isn’t yet there for a full v9, surely a v8.2 is better than to be seen to be completely standing still, or sending signals that might be misunderstood as a complete abandonment of the product line?

Not completely 861 related, but as I’ve embarked on my yearly glance around to see if there’s a third partly solution for 2(.1) channel room correction compatible with DSPs, I’m asking myself again why Meridian don’t incorporate MRC into, say, the 818 or as a separate add-on box?