Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Ultra DAC v 818v3/808v6 (Analogue)

Clutching at straws a bit here asking how many people have experience with the Ultra DAC?

Looking at historical posts here it seems not many here use one.

I have an all-analogue system, currently 800v4-861v8 (CD/DVD/HT combined use).

I'm contemplating doing what some others have done here ; bypass the 861 entirely and buy an 808v6, 818v3 or Ultra DAC for CD playback direct to my analogue power amp and speakers (within an 861v8 system for HT use; SpeakerLinking the new box back through the V8 in this application).

I've seen some posts here where some have experience from 861v8 to 818v3 and 808v6 but all with DSP speakers.

My gear is all analogue.

- Does anyone have experience moving from an 861v8 to 818v3/808v6 or Ultra DAC via only analogue gear?

Ultimately, I really enjoy the sound, tonality (in the context of warm, bright, neutral) of my 861v8 - to me it sounds juuust right. I don't want to change this. But if I could just get "better", for CD..

I would jump at the chance.

I don't stream at all (ID40/41) as to my ears it is clearly inferior to CD via 800v4-861v8.

I remember a post from 3D here awhile back who said the sound from 818v3 was actually smoother(?) than 861v8, but on DSP's - not something I want. My system is just right and I would not want it any warmer/smoother at all.

Noting any one of these 3 new boxes is an expensive proposition, I don't want to get this "wrong".

If anyone's used 861v8 to the latest 818/808 or ideally Ultra DAC on analogue, and would care to share their opinion on the change, I would love to hear from you ! 🙂 (Particularly re: tonality as referred above).

I'm wondering if the Ultra DAC in the above application is worth the extra expense.

I say the following without disrespect - I've read much ballyhoo from people on this site about the Ultra DAC ..... but seemingly based on their reading of press releases and marketing adverts. (Mostly people drooling about it in concept). But, has anyone actually heard/used/own one here, and care to describe its sound?

Is Ultra DAC worth the extra expense over 818v3/808v6 via analogue and, what if hypothetically the Ultra DAC was close in price to these? Would that make a difference on which you choose? Why?

Thanks so much. 🙂

Andrew

818v3 was better than 861v8 in every respect into a revealing analogue system. More information, better bass, sweeter treble, more insightful midrange. No downsides.

I think the 818/806 was better than my 861 even in a DSP setup. I expect the performance difference to be even more obvious in an analogue setup. If the marketing (and price tag) are to be believed then the UltraDAC could be a very nice setup change.

I haven't heard one though so the above is just conjecture.

I think the other consideration these days is that the second-hand price of 818v3/808.6/UltraDac are within £1000 of each other. That being the case, the UltraDac would be the safest bet for a 2-channel analogue setup - it’s not going to be worse than the other two, and is likely to be a whole lot better.

O/P, remember that the 808/818 have a fair bit of circuitry (and therefore cost) applied to feeding DSP speakers. The UltraDac only has money spent on optimising D/A performance for ultimate analogue system performance. It was the best Meridian made and used all their decades of know-how at the point in time it was released.

Hi chaps,

Just wanted to say thanks so much for your prompt responses. Really kind of you to respond - very insightful.

Guess the question for me now is whether I just go with 818/808, or try and stretch the boat out (a Lot) further to Ultra DAC $.

I would love to hear of anyone here who has heard/owned Ultra DAC vs the above but, I acknowledge I can't be fussy ; it was originally v. expensive and noting analogue only, I understand most M owners here simply can't use it (not for use with DSP's).

Fair point above though that one would assume based on cost alone of the Ultra DAC (vs. 818/808) RRP, gee you would think it would "have" to be better. The quantum of improvement though (for the $) I guess is unknown, and I might just need to be the guinea pig on that if I take that leap.

Thanks again

Andrew

If it helps at all, there is a review from a former forum member of the 818v3 here. (Scroll down past the DSP review and it’s analogue-outs into his high end analogue setup).

And the same guy’s review of the Ultra DAC here.

Spoiler: “ the 818 is one of the best DACs that I had heard so far. The Ultra DAC however, manages to surpass the 818’s performance considerably.”

Also, Sterophile gave a detailed review by John Atkinson, who has long familiarity with Meridian products here.

Now, if his conclusion is correct - “ Yes, it's expensive, but Meridian Audio's Ultra DAC joins the expensive dCS Rossini ($23,999) and Vivaldi ($35,999) DACs in offering the best sound I have enjoyed from digital recordings.” I can offer an opinion also, as while I was the owner of an 818v3, I demoed a DCS Rossini and found, to my ears, it was indeed better than the already excellent 818v3.

I’ll say that if your budget won’t stretch to an Ultra DAC you’ll likely be more than pleased with either of the other two, but if it will, you’ll be among the best D/A converters in the world.