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Best digital input on the 861v8?
#285327 2019-05-13 20:59
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 57
London, England
akwa42
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akwa42
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What would you recommend as the best digital input to use on the 861v8? For reference, I'm planning to build a Windows/Intel based audio server to run Tidal and, or Qobuz.

Fire TV, Panasonic DP-UB820, Roon on NUC, UHD722, 861v8, centre 5200HC SE, front 5200SE, rear 3200, Sony VPL-XW5000, Grandview Cyber Series
Re: Best digital input on the 861v8?
akwa42 #285328 2019-05-13 21:07
Ratbert
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Tidal and Qobuz, I would suggest Roon on a NUC running the free ROCK os, connect that to the network then connect the 861v8 via an ID41 card.

YMMV
Re: Best digital input on the 861v8?
#285329 2019-05-13 21:43
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 57
London, England
akwa42
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Thank you Ratbert. That wasn't the reply I was expecting. I was assuming someone would suggest USB or SPDIF. I'm glad I asked!

In the first instance I'll install Roon on my laptop, connect my ID41 to the network and make sure music plays before purchasing a NUC.

Thank you for your help.

Fire TV, Panasonic DP-UB820, Roon on NUC, UHD722, 861v8, centre 5200HC SE, front 5200SE, rear 3200, Sony VPL-XW5000, Grandview Cyber Series
Re: Best digital input on the 861v8?
akwa42 #285337 2019-05-14 13:20
Joined: Oct 2012
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Shanghai, China
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What kind of digital outputs does your PC have? You could connect them all to the 861 and test.

HT: Audiocom LX800CE, MP-60,HOLO MAY*2 Analogue speaker(LRC), DSP5200SL (side), DSP7200SE (rear),AntimodeX4,JTR Cap4000ULF*2,Christie HD8C,GIK Bass Traps.
Re: Best digital input on the 861v8?
Albert #285340 2019-05-14 13:46
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UK
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For streaming, ID41 is definitely the way to go.

HC: 861v4/ID40/LPS, DSP5000, DSP5000VC, DSP3100, SW1600, HD621, Oppo BDP-105, Sony VPL-HW55ES
2-Channel: Oppo BDP-105, TEAC VRDS-7/Trichord Clock 3/PSU, 551, Quad 303, Harbeth Compact 7ES-3, Kimber cables, Russ Andrews mains and supports.
Previous Meridian: 5000C, 5200SL, 7200.2, 6000, 562V.2, 568.2mm, 800v4, 808.2i, 818v2/v3, 861v8, 502
Re: Best digital input on the 861v8?
akwa42 #285341 2019-05-14 13:48
Joined: Dec 2000
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Durham, UK
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I have a NUC connected both via USB (ID29) and ethernet (ID41).

I've found the ID29 connection very unstable - in particular if the NUC ever reboots it loses the ID29 connection until the 861 is hard power cycled (simple on/off or cable (un)plug doesn't work).

Clearly there's some plug-and-play issues here - don't know if it's Windows or the Meridian driver or the 861 that's guilty but given I've no complaint over the sound quality via the ID41 I've not pursued the issue to any real extent.

Graham

Meridian Owner since 1991
Re: Best digital input on the 861v8?
Gparrington #285346 2019-05-14 18:10
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 57
London, England
akwa42
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Thanks everyone smile. Looking forward to getting home, I'm away for a few days with work, and giving this a go.

Fire TV, Panasonic DP-UB820, Roon on NUC, UHD722, 861v8, centre 5200HC SE, front 5200SE, rear 3200, Sony VPL-XW5000, Grandview Cyber Series
Re: Best digital input on the 861v8?
3dit0r #285360 2019-05-15 15:08
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 116
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Lancashire, UK
Dubya Offline
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Originally Posted by 3dit0r
For streaming, ID41 is definitely the way to go.
Isn't the ID41 Limited to 96k though? whereas the USB is up to 192k.

Are you saying TIDAL --> ID41 in an 8xx is better than TIDAL > USB in 8xx?

Thanks

W
Re: Best digital input on the 861v8?
Dubya #285362 2019-05-15 15:37
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Midlands, UK
Hector Offline
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Ah, back to the numbers game eek
The higher the number does not always guarantee better SQ.

Hector

AV: Thorens TD160B, SME, ShureV15MK2, 500, 598, 861v4, DSP7200.1, DSP3300HC Samsung UE55, SkyHD.
DINING: MS600, AC200, DSP5200SEUG.
STUDY 504, Roon Nucleus + RevB, 808v6, 5200SE, Mac & PC (Touch Screen), Prime+PS Grado GS1000i
HORIZONTAL: M80, MS200, Red Rose Spirit + Sonus Faber Toys, iPad Mini
A capella to Zydeco
Re: Best digital input on the 861v8?
Dubya #285365 2019-05-15 17:09
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nr. Milton Keynes, UK
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Originally Posted by Dubya
Are you saying TIDAL --> ID41 in an 8xx is better than TIDAL > USB in 8xx?
TIDAL doesn't do anything more than 48k... If MQA is pre-decoded, that's 96k max.

I read somewhere that Bob S. felt that the ID41 was the best input to the 8xx.

Roon Developer and ex-moderator of this Forum
I am #25 in the HH1 photo of fame.
Re: Best digital input on the 861v8?
VirusKiller #285368 2019-05-15 18:04
Joined: Feb 2011
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Midlands, UK
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Agreed and I believe I am enjoying the best I can get today.

Hector

AV: Thorens TD160B, SME, ShureV15MK2, 500, 598, 861v4, DSP7200.1, DSP3300HC Samsung UE55, SkyHD.
DINING: MS600, AC200, DSP5200SEUG.
STUDY 504, Roon Nucleus + RevB, 808v6, 5200SE, Mac & PC (Touch Screen), Prime+PS Grado GS1000i
HORIZONTAL: M80, MS200, Red Rose Spirit + Sonus Faber Toys, iPad Mini
A capella to Zydeco
Re: Best digital input on the 861v8?
VirusKiller #285373 2019-05-16 07:55
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 116
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Lancashire, UK
Dubya Offline
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Originally Posted by VirusKiller
Originally Posted by Dubya
Are you saying TIDAL --> ID41 in an 8xx is better than TIDAL > USB in 8xx?
TIDAL doesn't do anything more than 48k... If MQA is pre-decoded, that's 96k max.
Ok so why on some tracks does my 808.6 display MQA 192 when playing Tidal?
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