Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 861 V4 without ie42?

I see someone selling an 861 V4.1
The unit has the following cards
2 OA02s, IA00, IE16, VS00.
The add states that it is V 4.1 just back form Meridian.
Has anyone else ever upgraded from v2 (thats wat this looks like) to V4 and not get an IE42?
How much does an IE42 cost?
I placed a bid & then noticed the strange configuration(SHOULD HAVE LOOKED CLOSER FIRST).

Any input would be appreciated.

Brian

A 861 v4.x has standard a IE42
It is useless without one. Al the input signal passes through one.
The listed IE16 is the card from the older versions. I think only IE42 can do MHR smart link.
Also if you have your 861 upgraded from 2.x to 3.x you already get the OA02 converted to a OA02m. Newer unit, or person who does not care about cost would have the newer OAx3 cards.

It looks more like a v2.x 861 this way than a v4.1
Why would you go through expensive upgrade and sell of immediatly ?

The costs for upgrade are (dutch pricelist in Euro)
v2.x -> v3.x
861 V3 up-grade serialnr. below 100250 return to Meridian 3.795,00
861 V3 up-grade kit serialnr. up from 100450 at Viertron TD 2.895,00
Serialnr. 100250 t/m 100450 only at Viertron TD if upgraded with IE 16

v3.x -> v4.x
861 V4 up-grade kit V3 only for 861 V3 645,00

v2.x -> v4.x
861 V4 up-grade serialnr. below 100250 return Meridian 4.200,00
861 V4 up-grade kit serialnr up from 100450, no restriction 3.350,00


In basic:
upgrade from 2.x -> 3.x:
IE16 out, IE42 in
Z300 DSP card swapped for CD20
OAx2 upgraded to OAx2m or swapped for OAx3

upgrade from 3.x -> 4.x
AB00 DSP swapped for EF20


To answer your question:
what does a IE42 cost:
not clear, that seems to come only with an upgrade(v2.x-v3.x or v2.x to v4.x). It needs the CD20 to work i guess. Those 2 together (in a upgrade) is around 2800 Euro in Holland.

I agree with Jaco here, this is definitely a v2 unit if it doesn't have IE42 but has IE16 instead.

BTW IE16 can do MHR but for 2-channel only. When I had an 861 v1 (upgraded to v2) and a 598DP, I could listen to 2-channel DVD-A at 24/96.

Cheers,
David.

My 861 V2.81 is on AG for $5600 and save a lot of cash even if you go to v4.

Out of interest, how much does it cost to upgrade a 861 to v4?

I do agree about soccer btw...

?? read 3 posts above for the dutch prices.
Prices are normally on the same level in Europe. Prices might be different, but i doubt they are much lower.

Sorry, maybe I should have been clear. I'm in the US, so European prices may not mean much to me.

Thanks,
Paul

IIRC my local dealer quoted me $4500 to upgrade from v2 to v4, as I was in the low serial number. If my serial number had been higher it would have been $4000 or so - apparently there is a PSU mod and some backplane changes or similar needed on the earlier models.

These prices are plus shipping of course - the dealer couldnt possibly sink the $50 FedEx charage out of their 50% share of the above costs, when all they do is take your unit and call FedEx to come pick it up to take to Atlanta.

(I'm all for dealers getting their share for good service on the initial product sale, but I'm extremely synical about why they should grab $2k for 5 minutes work. After all, with the 800 series you are already paying for upgradability)

I do not think there is 50% on the upgrades, at least i got that impression of my dealer.

I don't mind if dealer makes a few bucks out of the deal , but 2k is way too much for just sending the unit back to Meridian .
Anyone interested in my 861 v2.81 please check out AG . My asking price is $5600. Pictures are included in the ad and list of cards that are included as well.
Here's the link:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homeproc&1127598777

I bid on the unit befor I noticed the IE16.
The auction on Agone states that that the unit was sent back to M for upgrade.
When I asked for more info the seller gave me the SN which can be seen on the pic.

I also aggree with Jacco. Thi sunit realy looks like a v2 unit. I don't know if someone put a flashed it to V4.1(I doubt it would work correctly if no CD00 & EF00 processors)
When I spoke tom M they aslo stated that an IE42 was part of the Upgrade to V3/4.

I have asked the Seller to run Mconfig and tell me what cards show up after a fetch. It seems to me that he thinks I hane not talked to Meridian and he insists they will have the infor on the unit. At the time I talke to M they could not access the database.
If I have to buy it I may just use it while I get my other unit upgraded and sell it. (advertised as the correct version).

I beleive a v2 to V4 upgade > 100450 is now around $4400. It was something like $3950 prior to june.

Does anyone know if there is an ethical way for met to get out of an Audiogon auction. Best thing woulod have been not to bid, but too late for that, as it stands now I'm thinking i am bidding $5600 US on what appears to be a unit that can correctly run v2.8. The seller stated that he took this in as a trade and had it back at M. I will try to verify this tommorow by calling M again. Hate to keep bothering them J indicated that I was the 2nd person inquiring on this strange unit config. Next time I won't be so quick to hit the bid button. I had some reservations to start but now.....

I recently purchased an 861 V2.81 on eBay. It was damaged in shipping and in the course of talking to the shipping company and Meridian in Atlanta, I was considering repair/upgrade simultaneously (serial #100294).

I delivered the unit directly to the repair facility in Atlanta. The quoted fee for the upgrade was $5390. This price is almost $900 higher than the dealer quoted meridian506. It appears that his dealer was actually willing to take less than the MSRP suggested by Meridian.

Anyway, my final decision was to let the delivery company "total" the processor and let me recoup my costs.