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

Hi Spinaltap,

I went down the Sonore/SOtM/NUC rabbit hole, and did get excellent sound quality. In fact it was as good as the dCS - but, lots of boxes, cables and widgets ... was more IT than music! The dCS was excellent and in one handy elegant box.

I then took a punt on the Linn Klimax Renew and was nicely satisfied ...but, there is something scrummy about the Audionote DAC mid-range that I missed.

I am REALLY very curious to compare the Meridian and the dCS, and quietly hopeful that the Meridian may be as good.

My DAC can only handle up to 9624 but the 210 downsamples very nicely and transparently, excellent.

I believe that Meridian are doing well with their in wall speakers. It is a shame that their cutting edge equipment appears to have been left behind. I bought into the Naim DVD5 and AV2 when they came out and was very enthusiastic, but the standards just move too fast and I don't think Naim got their investment back ... or at least not sufficiently.

I think Meridian are trying to be cute by producing boxes that allow modern boxes to interface with the 861 etc. The sound quality from the 210 had me toying with picking up some more Meridian AV kit, but ultimately it looks complex so I suspect I will demure.

M

You might consider a Meridian 218 instead, and ditch your existing DAC (fewer boxes).

Oh, I LOVE the Audionote DAC. It sounds superb with the 210.

A friend is suggesting some valve rolling, but I am more than happy!

Having just bought the 210 returning the demo unit I have had to set it up from scratch I wasted an hour trying to work out what was happening, so to save others ...

Set the SOURCE via the Meridian Control app to NET;
If your DHCP server has set the Default Gateway and the DNS to the same IP the Default Gatway will be set to 0.0.0.0;

If you don't set the source to NET then the 'net LED' stays a steady blue = standby; even if you have manually set the IP config, and no - you still cannot set the Default Gateway IP = DNS IP.

New box in place and streaming.

M

The 210 user manual instructions are simple and straightforward.

Which I followed. But I ended up with a solid blue light and no sound - hence my observations above.

Hi,

On refection I think that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing!

When I got the demo unit I turned on Ethernet (DHCP) and turned off WiFi. I then setup Bubbleupnp. All worked.
I THEN noted the 'net' LED was white.

With the new unit I turned on Ethernet (DHCP) and turned off WiFi. I THEN looked at the 'net' LED which stayed on stanby. I suspect if I had just set up Bubbleupnp all would have burst into life.

I could test it ....but I am too busy enjoying the music.

Hi, this device, the Meridian 210 interests me too. I currently have a Naim Superuniti, (SU), which I am using as a streamer/DAC/Pre into a Naim power amp. This is not ideal as the SU is probably the weak link in this and I am looking for a way to replace the SU without buying into the Naim preamp and the bundle of PSUs boxes that this entails, not to mention the ridiculous expense.

One of the attractions of the 210 for me ist that it is ROON ready and I would like to move my system in this direction.

- As a first step could I use the 210 digital output to feed the SU digital input?

- Secondly, I would be interested to hear your thoughts as to what I could ultimately replace the SU DAC/Pre with? I am keen to keep my Nap 300 power amp and speakers, but avoid a Naim pre if at all possible.

- Thirdly, I am a bit of a technophobe, I do try but I tend to get very frustrated by PC config and tinkering with Rpi's etc. is the Meridian 210 easy enough to set up, please?

Thank yo in advance, interesting thread btw. :0)

Your options are, in essence...

Meridian 210: Roon (RAAT) and/or UPnP Streamer.

Meridian 218: while not RAAT, will nonetheless decode/render Roon (Sooloos endpoint). Plus, it is a pre-amplifier/controller. Simply connect it to your existing system.

Meridian 251: as Meridian 218, but with 2 x 65watt amplifier on board. Just add speakers.

Hi Roog,

I find the 210 is superb with my Audionote DAC.

My pre is a Townshend Allegri, which works brilliantly with my 300DR > SBLs.

You can pick an Allegri up for circa £700 2nd hand.

You'll need to get some SE > XLR cables made up. Signals did mine.

Keep well,

M

Thanks for the replies both, so what does the 210 with RAAT get you that the 218 doesn't?

I know that I should look but does the 218 offer volume control?

As for DACs i have a rather basic Audio Note One DAC not sure if it is good enough to follow the 210 though

I don't use Roon so RAAT is of no interest, this is a proprietary streaming format I believe.

Personally I would start with the AN One and see whether you think you need to change.

I think the AN2.1 is superb. Mine was breathed upon by Deco Audio and so is festooned with more Blackgates.

I preferred my AN to: Border patrol DAC (Great little box); Schitt Yggy; Lampizator 5; and even the AN 4.1 in my then system, going to do a round two if the world keeps turning!

M