Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion HiFi & HT Chat Amazon Hi-Res Streaming

Thanks Jon. Will be interested to hear what you think of it.

Am I right in thinking also that only a Meridian 210/218 will allow you to control the volume on DSPs? i.e. something like a Bluesound Node 2i won't control volume from the app?

Yes, Meridian 210/218 will be more integrated in terms of a Meridian setup, and allow synchronised volume control, control of play queue, start/stop/play, etc.

Also, bear in mind they offer more connectivity than just Bluetooth (wired Ethernet, wifi (210), etc), which also has implications to connectivity, future expansion (e.g. 210 is Roon Ready) and sound quality (the Bluetooth device is limited to 24/48 and will be compressed - so it’s debatable whether it’s really “HD”).

If you don’t need/want Bluetooth there’s no need to be limited by it. Have a look at the datasheets of both and see if either suits your needs better?

Bear in mind also that a feature list speaks nothing of basic sound quality. My 2p is that Meridian has vast experience of getting digital audio to world class levels, including proprietary tech, and a long experience of extracting the best from streaming also. Take that for what you will, though. Ideally in terms of SQ you need a home demo.

OK thanks. I'm rather loathe paying Roon/Tidal ongoing sub fees if there is an Amazon/native app solution that sounds equally as good (minus MQA of course).

I guess I'll have to do a home demo to see if there is a SQ difference!

Cheers

A couple of thoughts -

1. Don’t assume that MQA doesn’t provide an improvement in sound quality vs standard redbook, or even ‘vanilla’ HD, over legacy DSPs. Some will tell you otherwise, but to these ears there is a very appreciable difference on my 7200.2 with Roon feeding MQA and the 818 decoding. There was also an appreciable difference when I ran the same 7200.2 fed from an 861v4 with Roon providing the decoded MQA stream.

2. If you go down the Amazon HD route, remember that what they’re calling ‘HD’ is actually CD rate 16/44. However, they also have Ultra HD of up to 24/192. To take full advantage of those higher rates Bluetooth won’t cut it, as it’s limited to 24/48 and compressed anyway. In that case the Meridian options will provide a better solution used with a wired Ethernet connection, or anyway not Bluetooth.

I would definitely listen with your own ears. Spec and feature lists of streaming companies and hardware/software don’t necessarily tell you much about sound quality.

Amazon Music is a pain to get into your system IMHO. Unless you are playing direct from the computer, it is really set up for using with the Alexa devices, phones/tablets and using the desktop app.



I have started using Volumio and I think I am going to move from Tidal to Qobuz, I have moved away from DSPs (sort of regret that if honest) but after lots of swapping speakers and amps etc. am now happy with some Spendor speakers with a Marantz amp being driven by Raspberry Pi and Khadas Tone Board DAC on it.

The Tone Board has blown me away, and the Raspberry Pi still amazes me every time I use it. The Allo Digi One is what I was using before into DSPs, that beat my MS600 easily and came in at £180 for the Raspberry Pi, Digi One and the iFi PSU.
That was being used as a Roon endpoint into DSP5200s, I then used the Merdian Explorer 2 on a Pi into an analogue system, but the Tone Board is on another level sound wise, so now using that.

But, the point is, download Volumio, have a go and see what you think, it integrates with Tidal and Qobuz and with the Qobuz app you can send direct to it too.

I have found that I prefer the sound of the hires versions on Qobuz to the MQA versions on Tidal, just seems a bit more refined, a little smoother, and even my wife who takes no interest has commented how nice it sounds. So maybe sign up to the Qobuz free trial and see what you think?

You can pick up a Raspberry Pi for what? £30?
Worth a try, and can be another Roon endpoint if you don't go that route.

Do you have a link to the iFi PSU you have? Last time I looked, I came away unsure if it could support the recommended power requirements for Pi, so put it off. But would like to go for a known good iFi solution. Looking to use Pi as Roon endpoint into Prime USB.

It was an iFi iPower, most places sell it for around £49.

++ on Qobuz vs Tidal.

My BluDento 5.0 aptX HD Bluetooth receiver arrived today and within minutes I was listening to Amazon music through the iPad app, volume and track selection is through the app but I can also control the volume several ways if needed via vMSR,Msr+ or via the Sooloos app all work fine.

Now I’m not going to get into this sounds better than this and that sounds better than that but to my old ears it sounds just like all my music should do.

The Bluetooth range is very good although my daughters iPhone 11 has a better range than my 3yr old iPad, she had a quick play with her music selection from Apple iTunes and was more than happy.

The Echo Link makes it pretty easy. Wifi / Wired echo with digital out.

Hi-res through Alexa devices... 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

The Bluesound Node 2i will not integrate quite as completely into the Meridian world.

HOWEVER, it offers several advantages over a Bluetooth device or other streamers (although it does have Bluetooth as well).
It has a proprietary variable coax digital output that will allow you to change the volume out to your DSP in the BluOS app on your device. Very convenient.

It will also do the first unfold of MQA and output 24/96 to your DSP which provides a lot of MQA’s benefits.

It also does Amazon Music natively within the BluOS app as well as Apple Airplay2.

It is a very good sounding streamer in it’s own right. May not be quite as good as 210, but it’s half the cost or less if you find used or refurb. And would allow you to compare the sound of all of the above, including the 24/96 first unfold of MQA.

It can easily be sold on if you decide to go 210. Just my 0.02.