Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 818v3 what are the advantages?

Hi,

I am cosidering buying an 818v3 as a replacement of my Control:10, if I get a good price. I have not found good independent reviews. Does it make any sense to buy this if I would just connect the normal analogue output to a full amplifier?

Would it be possible to hear MQA this way using ordinary speakers? What are the advantages and strenghts buying an 818v3 besides being an endpoint of Sooloos or Roon?

Thank you.

Paul

The 818v3 is one of the best half-dozen DACs in the world - at any price. Connecting the analogue output to a good amplifier with good speakers will give you an outstanding result on MQA and Red Book material. This machine is the pinnacle of performance in the Meridian world at the moment, regardless of whether you use the digital outputs with Meridian DSPs or the analogue output with third party equipment.

I do not know the correct word, but is the analogue output sound and volume controlled or is it just the analogue signal like from a DAC? Or are there both types?

Is there an App to control the 818v3 such as to switch the inputs?

The 818v3 is also a pre-amp, so all you need is a power amp and speakers.

There isn't a direct app that controls the inputs and volume. You can get something called virtualMSR for Meridian that does this but the hardware (Global Cache IP2SL device) is a little extra.

Wouldn't the remote be ok to use?

In the newest version of Meriden's TouchPC you can control the inputs and volume. There is an icon at the top right of the screen to do so.

Yes, a normal remote will do. I was just wondering since I did not read about it and there are not so many buttons.

Both types (fixed and variable analogue output).

FYI, there is a new 800-series Meridian DAC due to be announced *this week*. However, we have no idea if it's going to come in below the 818 price-wise, or compete with the likes of dCS in the studio DAC market.

Since I am debating with myself if and how to replace the Control:10 in the Sooloos system, do you think that MQA is something the new endpoint "must" have?

When do you expect an MS600 successor with MQA?

Perhaps I will get a good price on the 818v3. Since my DAC PS Audio DL3 with Moll1 modification is also not the latest model, the whole system might sound better with the 818v3.

Good as it is I'm not sure MQA is a "must have" just yet. With Warner on board we may find a few more labels breaking ranks and announcing. Don't hold your breath for Linn to join though...

As yet we don't know what replacements will come with MQA to fit into the Sooloos line below the 818v3. Part of the issue is how do these fit into the DSP range? Without MHR capability this would allow the capture of decoded MQA streams digitally, which has been an issue for licensees.

I believe that MQA is the "real deal" and for an expensive purchase it's definitely worthy of consideration. For what it's worth, I have thought very carefully about how to benefit from MQA recordings in the future, and that led me to the 818v3 (which I've managed to get serving four systems in three rooms).

But as has been pointed out, even though Warner has "announced", the music is not here yet.

Yesterday. Seriously, we have no idea. Meridian is not forthcoming with such information. And that is a shame; people are deserting the Meridian brand because there is no roadmap.


But curiously, Amy Duncan (1st UK artist to release an MQA album) is signed to Linn Records...

Just to make sure, does the 818v3 operate with Roon servers without problems? Does it recognize them automatically or does one need to program the Roon server somehow.

In a HiFi Advice review I got the impression that at least the previous version of the 818 only operated with Meridian cores.