Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Who Really Won the Music Format War?

That is as good as it needs to be.

Mark

The iPod's weak link in my view is the lack of a digital output. Given that, you would not be relying on el cheapo D/A converters (and then converting again on the way into your digital system).

One way of doing this would be to develop a dock that mounts the iPod drive and plays out the files; not too difficult to do technically (one of those little $5 Linux-PC-on-a-chip embedded devices would do fine) but I believe this breaches Apple agreements on what you're allowed to do (why? DRM?).

Once avoiding the D/As is addressed, then if you use a lossless format - Apple Lossless is the obvious one - then the sound should be as accurate as your ripping.

In fact my entire library is ripped to FLAC and is accessed via Slimserver. As a result, I use RockBox (www.rockbox.org) on my iPod (which plays FLAC files natively) so I can simply mount the drive and copy files across from the server to listen to on the road.

And that brings up an important point. We do not have to expect one system to fulfill all applications. Once we had the hi-fi at home and the Walkman in the street. Now, I at least have the hi-fi at home and the iPod on the street. I don't expect the iPod to replace my hi-fi system any more than I expected my Walkman to do so, and I don't see why anyone needs to assume this is, or should be, the case.

Does the iPod dock not have a digital out? I thought it did.

I think the iPod is really a convenience device and asking it to be something its not is fraught with compromise. For example, you can do lossless but then the file sizes are such that you overwhelm the buffer making the songs easier to skip and also forcing the hard drive to work over time which will kill the battery life.

best regards,
Jerry

Guynextdoor,

You seem to believe (as many in this forum have suggested in the past)that ANY digital input into a Meridian kit is essentially perfect, due to the FIFO reclocking performed in current Meridian equipment.

While I am a huge fan (and long-time owner) of M gear - I must respectfully disagree. All you need do is simply test a variety of digital devices with the same source material to hear the difference. Though Meridian's jitter correction is good, it isn't perfect, and the quality of the source signal does make a difference.

For instance, I had a second generation 500, which I was considering replacing with a 596. I set up both to play CDs through my 568.2 into my DSP8000 speakers. The difference in sound was so striking, my wife (who doesn't care) could tell, with 100% accuracy, which unit was playing FROM THE OTHER ROOM. Both sounded nice, but they were significantly different, though both were high quality transports from the same manufacturer connected via identical coaxial digital cables to the same processor.

When I added a 518 (in bypass mode - presumably doing jitter correctlion ONLY using PLL) into the chain with the 500, the sound changed again.

That's why, when I decided to move to a music server, I tested a few devices first. I tried the cheapest solution (Airport Express via Toslink, both through my 518 and direct to my 568.2). It sounded good, but not quite as good as my 596 playing directly into the 568.2.

Upon testing the Sonos ZP80 in extended listening sessions, I found the sound to be as good as my 596, which is now only used to play DVDs (SDI out to a scaler). I'm sure the Squeezebox, which is well represented on this forum, sounds as good as the Sonos system. I just prefer the Sonos interface.

Having said this, will a $39 DVD player sound good through a Meridian kit - sure it will. And the difference in sound between cheap and expensive digital components (connected digitally) is far less than the difference between cheap and expensive analog ones. But don't kid yourself into thinking that Meridian processing is so perfect that it makes the selection of source components meaningless.

Now, as to whether analog or digital audio is superior... I guess I can only say that the consistency of an all digital system helps me manage my obsessive/compulsive behavior triggered by this neurosis called audiophilia.

Based on my experience, I would disagree. I have a 30Gb iPod, which has approx 29Gb of Apple Lossless Music on it (about 74 hours)

As I travel extensively (Planes, Taxis etc), I end up using the iPod (along with the Shure E500TPH Earphones) quite a lot.

I use when walking thru AIrports and sometimes even when running. Whilst walking or even in the back of taxis on bumpy roads, I've yet to experience any "skipping" or freezes etc

Also whilst playing back the Larger Lossless files, I still find that the battery life is acceptable at about 5 hours of playing time. I find this to be more than sufficent for any amount of playing within a 24 hour period, which means that it can be recharged at night.

Sure, the iPod is not a HiFi device, but with the above combination of Lossless and good Earphones, it produces a more than decent sound for "on the move" situations. For a long time before I made the switch in late 2005, I used a portable CD player. Sound Quality wise, the iPod is near on par and is certainly much more flexible and portable than multiple CD's etc.

While I STRONGLY wish that DVD-A had won the "War" rather than the iPod, I do recognise that the iPod is a useful device which has certain strengths. Not the least of which is producing a very decent sound when partnered with Lossless and good earphones

"But all else being equal..."

Unfortunately, all else is never equal. It would be a much simpler world if it were.

Hey, take it easy on the iPod electronics - the components are optimized for battery life first, size second, then maybe cost. You could put a lot better sounding components in an iPod, but then it would be 30% bigger and run only 2 hours on a charge. For what I use my iPod for (generally keeping sane on airplanes) it's pretty ideal...