Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems What's my 861 worth?

Guys

I have a V2 861 with V2.5? (2.58 I think) software with the following cards:

(from memory)
Digital Input and Output board - 800 IE16
Video Switching board - 800 VS00
Computer Input board - 800 C00
2 x Analogue Output boards - 800 0A02
1 x Analogue Input board - 800 1A00

I've been hanging on to it for a while now but haven't actually made use of it for a number of reasons, primarily that it's too wide for my Mana racks. Could somebody give me an idea of how much it's worth (in the UK)? Also would it be of sufficient value to offer it for a swap for a G68J?

Regards
Gary

Gary

Drop me an e-mail please.

Cheers garethhoward@hotmail.co.uk

Gary

The value will depend on what a potential buyer wishes to do with your unit. Your unit does not have many cards so a buyer will be weighing up the cost of converting the unit to his/her ideal specification.

The next issue is if the buyer wants to take the unit up the Meridian upgrade path to V4 and as we all know this does not come cheap. If your serial number is below 100250 the upgrade is �2715 or above 100250 then the upgrade is �2165.

My opinion is that second hand prices tend to be in the 35% to 50% range of the original retail price based on the current spec. Your unit new ie V4 lists at �10025 so the intrinsic used value of a V4 is in the �4000 to �5000 range.

So given the upgrade costs above I would suggest the 861 as it stands is realistically worth around �2000 to �2300.

I doubt a dealer would swap it for a G68J unless they knew where they can place the 861 quickly. Technosound were trying to sell their 861 for over 18 months (to my knowledge, probably longer) before David bought it. However, a G68J owner might consider a swap to get on the 861 platform with a view to travelling the upgrade path later. I suspect you could have some success with this approach.

On the other side of the coin, speaking as someone who recently acquired his 861 (and I am delighted with it's performance) I would be very reluctant to trade down (no disrepect to the G68J, it is also an excellent machine). Why don't you consider buying a new hifi rack and installing it properly? This could be a better investment for your long term system.

Apologies for the length of this post. I hope it helps.

Regards

Colin

Gary,

It does seem a strange thing to decide the future of a piece of hi-end kit based on the choice of racking.

I know you aren't saying it's the only reason in your post, but, you do seem to be a chap who cares an aweful lot for the sound of a system.

I'd agree with Colin on the strategy also.

cheers

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Space is a real problem for me as all my kit sits underneath my projection screen. Like most Mana freaks I've got the racks on Sound Stages which takes my kit to just below the level of the screen, accomodating the 861 is a real problem, a G series processor would be much easier to accomodate. As I only use a processor for DVD I'm not sure that I would lose out that much to an 861.


Colin

I take your point about upgrades and cards, the 861 is setup for an analogue system and is 'good to go' as is, but as you say for somebody with a digital system it would be an expense to change it.

Regards
Gary

There is a big sonic upgrade in performance from V2 to V3. I would recommend you to upgrade and check it out .

FYI I had sold my 861v4 (with latest cards) for $10K on eBay couple of months ago.

I am back to 861v3 and will get it upgraded soon

Cheers,
Kishore

Kishore

Why did you sell your 861v4?

Also, are you saying that the difference in quality was significant when using DVD or just when listening to music?

Regards
Gary

Gary

The OE12 digital output card at �505 is not too bad (although it may come as a shock to an 861 first timer), it's the version upgrades that cost the big money.

These mana racks of yours sound quite special. I for one have never seen them. Can you post a picture or a link to website?

Sounds to me as though you will be looking for a G68J swap. Someone is going to be very happy!

Regards

Colin

Gary, I needed $$ . Actually another guy in my neighbhorhood had v2.x and we compared v2 to v4 - there was a clear difference in sonics (clarity, soundstage, bass)- as if a veil was removed for Music (without RC). I believe he should have upgraded his by now.
For HT the differences were slight- and I am not that critical for HT unless something is drastically wrong in sound .

I bought 861v3 couple of months later

Of course since I am a fool, I may want to change gear again (like my G98 for sale :p )

Edit: If you are not using Meridian for music, then the G68 is better value IMHO. I am curious about modded Squeezebox2 thingy now..

Cheers,
Kishore

Thanks Kishore

As I mentioned, I only need the processor for HT so swapping to a G68 isn't quite as drastic as it may seem.

Regards
Gary

Colin

It's not buying the card that's the issue, the Sound Stages that the Mana racks sit on are only made in one size, if I had to go to a custom built rack it would no longer fit on the Sound Stages. Maybe Mana do custom size Sound Stages, I don't know but the cost of the card is peanuts in comparison to the cost of changing the racks, if I were to change I would probably be looking at swapping over to the new Townsend VSSS rack.

http://www.townshendaudio.com/seismicsinkstands.htm

Regards
Gary

Hey Gary I may be interested in swapping for the g68j. I've just purchased the unit and have not set it up. afullertonf@yahoo.com