Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Ultra DAC - Q/A with Meridian's CTO Richard Hollinshead

I'm pretty sure there is some D/A processing going on in the DSPs

Before the Ultra-DAC, the best DAC was in the SE's. The latest rehash/refinement of this is probably in the Ultra-DAC. But we have to remember, the layout of the architecture is different since we do require an "Ultra-DAC" for every split-up audio range (~speaker subwoofer/woofer/midrage/tweeter audio range).

It would be nice to finally play native DXD or DSD from DSP's someday soon though..

No kidding. I misstated. He said it applied only to analogue systems and had nothing to do with MQA decoding.

I am considering going with an analog front end. Has anyone spent any time with th Ultra DAC to where they have an opinion?

I'll be happy to take that dog 818v3 away to my pound😀

- and another step towards the holy grail.

Has anyone received one of the ultra DACs yet, or when are they supposed to ship? Would love to hear from someone that has demoed/ listened to.

On demo at The Audiobarn 8/9 July.

Did anyone go to this? Can you please offer a report?

Yes I attended

It was ok - one of the parties that came with me was very dissapointed with the sound quality

It should have been great but it was very mediocre, lacking any guts to the sound, or any magic at all really.

It presented a decent sound stage in terms of placement but there was nothing to really grab you and engross you in the sound at all like it should have done

I am not sure the M amps were up to the job of driving the Kef Reference speakers, or the Ultra DAC preamp is not great maybe - when turned up it sounded strained to the point the sales rep from M kept turning it down even though it needed volume to try and bring the music to life. One example was a piece of classical where it peaked to create the contrast of emotion he was turning it down -- I dont understand why he was doing that??

The M sales rep was a cracking guy - but he needed to do less talking and play better sounding music and more of it.

He was trying to sell the sound quality - I appreciate that is his job - but you cant sell whats not there and all listeners were in the same boat as me very underwhelmed.

There was potential there but for a particular demo it was not a very good one.

So very hard to praise any part of a chain that didnt perform stellar as a whole

Can you please give your impressions and outline any technical information that was revealed? Thanks.

In contrast I had a different dealer demo the day before of a Linn Streamer, Boulder Pre amp and Big Class A power Amp and Kef Reference 1 speakers.

Now it wasnt perfect - but it was fast and detailed and really crisp sounding with really good imaging and a solid even though lean sound.

Where as the M demo was missing that solidity to the sound that turns hifi into authentic sounding music. That is what I was expecting to hear because I think that is what I like most about M as a DAC / preamp etc

Just my view

EDIT - I would have liked to have heard the M Ultra DAC in this system with the Kef Reference 3 speakers.
That would have been a very good demo I feel