Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems My new 818.2 (wow)

I’ve just installed my new 818.2 and finally found the time to actually turn it up and hear it. OMG this is amazing. Dynamics, speed atriculation and objects placed in airspace the speakers feel like theve grown 20 feet. I’m lucky enough to have a dedicated room and no reflective surfaces sound absorbtion with extensive soundprrofing and dedicated mains my friend referers to it as the womb!

I would like to take the time to thank Pete Hockett HiFI a reasonably new seller of high end equipment the packing of the unit was to a very high standard not having the original box and the unit being 99.9 mint condition. I would recommend him highly.

Now I’m on the hunt for high end RJ45 and USB A to USB cables, I’ve been looking at Audioquest can anyone recommend good cables?

Everything else it taken care of by missing link HCX (highly recommend)

Continually a massive fan of Meridian !!!

Justin.

For a SpeakerLink cable I would get CatSnake cat 6a from Designacable in a floating construction.

For USB either Chord or, even better but at a price, Network Acoustics.

+1 on Network Acoustics for a great USB cable and RJ45 streaming cable.

I forgot to add that for your SpeakerLink you need to specify that, if you have a floating version, it is intended to be used as Meridian SpeakerLink; otherwise, you will lose your comms connection. You need to provide the wiring diagram from this forum and provided by Syles if there are any doubts.

And, as Bruce says, Network Acoustics also make a very good streaming cable.

Not sure if the upgrade is still available but the SQ uplift from v2 to v3 is not subtle.

Well worth the extra outlay as and when you have become comfortable with your new processor.

I totally agree with Gianni and would urge you to get the upgrade.

I use Chord throughout. Very good cables. Good local company. If you contact them, they will, I believe, arrange for loan cables to try, via a local stockholder.

I should also add that both Chord and Network Acoustics know how to make a floating network cable that will work as a SpeakerLink cable i.e. enable comms. as well as audio. You just need to be clear when ordering that the cable is to be used for SpeakerLink.

Another vote for Network Acoustics ENO filter from switch into 818.

I can also highly recommend their M-Links into DSP (if you have them).

They are also working on some specific SpeakerLink cables ... not yet available though.

TBH I'm not entirely certain why Chord make a specific version of their ethernet cable for the Meridian speakers, unless it is to save cost.

Cost might be a consideration as the low-speed serial connection that controls the speakers (as opposed to the signal pair transmitting the music) doesn't have to be done with ultra-expensive wire, however I'm not aware of Chord offering a SpeakerLink specific cable at a lower cost than its ethernet equivalent. Unless I'm missing something, SpeakerLink was designed to work over CAT5e and other ethernet cables, such as the AudioQuest Diamond, also bring about a definite increase in sound quality (albeit at a cost).

PS It dawned on me, while writing this, that Chord might try and tune their SpeakerLink cable for the lower frequencies used by SPDIF compared to ethernet, but I haven't seen them make any comments along these lines.

I don't get why this would happen. SpeakerLink was designed to work over standard Cat 5e before Meridian brought out their own branded cable - I've tried a few ethernet cables and all functioned perfectly.

I have to agree, the v3 upgrade was pretty immense. Just think of this as another point in your journey (albeit assuming the kits are still available).