Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems AC200 with a 218

Hi,

In the 'Meridian Product Insight Video', Des talks about using the AC200 as a controller/display for the 218.

What would be the recommended way to wire that together?

Sources -> 218 -> SL -> AC200 -> SL -> DSP Speakers

So the AC200 is just passing through the digital signal and controlling the volume/source selection?

or could it be setup so the AC200 is only controlling the volume/source selection via comms only and not passing the Digital signal?

Sources -> 218 -> SL -> DSP Speakers
AC200 -> comms > 218

Thanks
Duncan

I would assume:

Some sources -> AC200 -> SL
Sooloos/Roon (w/ MQA) -> E/net
Some more sources ->

all -> 218 -> SL -> DSP

AC200 would control, display and route some sources, 218 does the rest
Interested to know which has the better ADC (AC200 could be fed by LPSU)

(As I've said before, pug-ugly solution to the sub-800 series controller but that's just IMO)

Hi,

AC200 has 10 inputs if you include the iPod dock and USB. AC200 only has SL and headphone outputs.
218 has 4 inputs + the network connection. 218 has more output options.

Personally, it seems like a lot of cash (£800 or £1000) to duplicate a lot of functions between the two units and I'd probably try to stick with just one of them. A more sensible pairing might be a 210 and a AC200, if you're a Roon user.

The AC200 is supposed to be able to pass a MQA signal (although I haven't tried to do that yet), so you should be able to have the 218 as a 'source' feeding the AC200.

Brian

All this highlights is the need for Meridian to update the AC200 with network capability and MQA using the same AC200 casework and market it as the 'non-rackmount' 210/218.

In fact, it highlights the need for any new non-rackmount products to appear.

Supply an AC300 with a decent switching PSU and offer a high quality LPSU as an upgrade - Naim have done pretty well with that strategy over the years.

I would really like Meridian to makeover/replace the AC200 with something akin to the Linn Selekt.

As for current connectivity, it's 218 > AC200.

Of course! This will allow Roon to be heard through the headphones.

Agree that it probably makes sense to use a 210 instead of 218.

I would rather use a Prime amplifier-type case (which might go nicely with the Prime PSU) than the AC200, but the Linn and Naim products do look really nice.