Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Meridian 210 in Non-Meridian System

Dear All,

Over the years I have used streaming extensively using a wide range of 'streamers'.

For the last year I have been using a Linn Klimax very happily, BUT in the roof I have an Audio Note DAC that I like very much and would like to swap in from time to time. In order to do so I need a streamer.

Over the years I have found good solutions via NUCs, Sonore & SOtM ....BUT, I have also found them to be incredibly sensitive and a PITA in setup and maintenance. i then tried a friends dCS Network Bridge which was simple and as good as my best setup; at quite a price premium.

The 210 is very reasonably priced, IF it is good.

Has anyone:

1. Compared the 210 to Sonore, Aurelic, dCS, SOtm et al?
2. Used the 210 in a non-Meridian system?

For info I would hope to be able to control the box via Linn Kazoo streaming from my NAS via Minimserver and Qobuz via BubbleUpnp.

Thanks,
M

I would suggest contacting a dealer and either arrange to borrow one or purchase on a sale or return basis, a home audition seems essential?

Hi R,

I had a chat with a dealer who, when I mentioned the dCS, said the Meridian as good 'for the money'.

Hoping to gain some outside experience before I arrange to borrow one.

M

I have arranged to borrow a 210, and for a friend to bring over his dCS - should be interesting.

Do you have a tablet (Android or iOS) to control/configure the 210?

My experience is that Kazoo (iOS) doesn’t work with the 210.

The dealer had a chat with Meridian support, they said they thought Kazoo would work, but I did read that others had had issues on anorther thread here. If it doesn't I'll try alternatives.

My friend will be bringing an iPad (I detest Apple, and if that proves to be a requisite then I'll demure) for the dCS I'll hope there is an Android alternative.

M

Use either Arcam’s MusicLife, or, my preference, mcontrol/hd

Others here use Android tablets.

Thanks.

210 in system and running. Thank you Sevenoaks.

Thanks for help from Meridian tech support - Matthew. Excellent chap. Need to configure via Bluetooth, not WiFi, doh!

Gotchas:
I have an older Xperia, wouldn't find the 210. Borrowed my daughter's.
Need to add it to Bubbleupnp for Kazoo to see it.

Replaced Linn Klimax with 210>Audio Note 2.1 DAC, modded by deco Audio - Blackgates everywhere.

Rather different from the Linn ....as expected. There is something I loved about the old R2R NOS DAC.

I will be listening to it for the next few days. A friend is bringing his dCS NB over next Thursday, which will be the test.

I'll post some more impressions up over the next few days.

M

Well having listened to this box of tricks for a number of hours I can say that I think it is excellent.

Where this gets awkward to trying to compare and contrast as, inevitably, this almost comes to a Linn DAC vs Audionote DAC comparison. But, the 210 has to let the AN do its thing, and it certainly does!

I have been streaming files from my NAS & Qobuz, this maintains the advantage of the NAS over Qobuz when comparing the same master.

In broad terms I would say the Linn excels at the frequency extremes, the AN is superb at the mid-range. For example:

Chris Botti, When I fall in love
I love this track through the AN. Via the Linn it is somewhat cooler. But the AN excels at wooden instruments, string or wind. There is also a delightful viceral soundfield, whereas the Linn feels a tad more remote.

Of course, where the AN scores in a major way is with vocals, for instance, Stacy Kent - Double Rainbow.

The Linn excels on other tracks, such as Ted Jansen, Don't Do Anything. This track has superb cymbal work that I love ....through the Linn. The AN not so much.

The 210 does a great job of taking 192/24 tracks on Qobuz and pushing through 9624. With other streamers the AN can throw a thrombie clattering away as it tries to fix on a sample rate. No issues so far, although Meridian did say this aspect is complex and so may not always work.

Overall the sound of the AN/210 is bigger. Of course this may well be in part due to Sound Optimisation. SO keeps a firm grip on the lower octaves, and as a result doesn't crowd out detail high up the frequency range.

Really enjoying this, and looking forward to testing it against the dCS!

M

Well, I am really enjoying the 210, which is made in Cambridge by Meridian.

I have streamed 192/24 from my NAS and Qobuz and the 210 has downsampled it to 9624.

I will be doing the dCS comparison, but this will be staying here. Excellent sounding well made box.

... oh, and excellent support!

The Meridian is excellent value for money.

Sure, it doesn’t go above 24/192, nor does it handle DSD, but you don’t have to remortgage your soul either to buy it.

Just because the dCS costs significantly more doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s significantly superior.