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Great Green Arkleseizure
Great Green Arkleseizure
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I have posted all of Meridian CES 2010 Press Releases with pictures on my site:

Meridian CES 2010 Press Releases


561, DSP5500s, DSP5000C, analog sides and rears
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Vogon Civil Servant
Vogon Civil Servant
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Originally Posted by Asa Post
Have I misread this, or are they saying that in order to get optimum performance from a Sooloos you need to link it via an 808?
To be fair, I think Meridian have been saying this for quite some time now. It certainly was the Mantra at the HH2 day

None of the Sooloos Sources have Apodizing built-in (there's no great mention of FIFO Buffering or other technologies either) So feeding the Sooloos thru the 808.2i has always been their preferred route of Media Replay (i.e. not the HD621)

They do seem to be saying that the 808.3i offers even greater Preamp advantages, particularly for Analog connections. Not sure how much of this can be applied to the Sooloos though

Also interesting to compare the following statements though, so who knows........

Originally Posted by Meridian 861 CES Press Release
The optional ID40 Sooloos Card enables 861 V6 to connect directly to a Sooloos network. It allows the 861 to render audio from the Sooloos system and for control commands sent through the 861 (IR, Comms, and Serial) to be used to control the Sooloos current Play List.

861 V6 can upsample and process (for example using Trifield) the audio stream from Sooloos to enhance sound quality and presentation on a multi-channel system. ID40 Sooloos Card and 861 V6 allow for the highest audio quality integration of Sooloos in to a Meridian Digital Theatre system.


Originally Posted by Meridian 808.3 CES Press Release
In addition to its standard audio inputs, the 808.3 Signature Reference CD Player features an ID40 Sooloos Card allowing it to be directly connected to the same network as a Meridian Sooloos Digital Media System. When connected the 808.3 is seen as a zone within the system and it renders audio streamed across the network.

The same connection allows infra-red control of the Sooloos` current Play Queue from the supplied MSR+ remote control handset or product front panel, while 808.3`s DSP based audio enhancement tools and triple FIFO buffering system process audio streamed over the Sooloos network, making 808.3 the highest performance network playback device.


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Vogon Civil Servant
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Originally Posted by VirusKiller
I would be surprised if the apodizing in the 861 is inferior to the 808.2's because the 861 is a reference product.
Whether we agree with them or not, Meridian have stated for 10+ years now that the Upsampling (previous non-Apodizing version) in the 800 Player was always superior to that available in the 861 itself, in spite of both being "Reference" products

Also, that this "advantage" was down to implementation and fine-tuning and not just because it was happening Earlier in the chain (which they said brought other advantages)

We can obviously disagree with their conclusions, but they have been very consistent with this statement for as long as the 800 Series has been around. And obviously both the 800 and 861 were their "Reference" or Flagship products

Last edited by Ronnie Hurley; 2010-01-04 18:22.

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Ian Offline
President of the Imperial Galactic Government
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Still think that a Sooloos network client in the master speaker makes for the ultimate integrated device.

"there is no preamp like no preamp"

It may not offer the top sound quality but not everyone will have that foremost on their priority but it would sound mightily fine. But I guess that m are still expecting a Sooloos control product in the chain which would have speakerlink out but this compromises the ability to have a wireless control device that so many are use to with alternative products.


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Don't Panic!
Don't Panic!
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From the Meridian Spring 2010 newsletter: MMHR inputs on the G61R and G68 confirmed. Also confirmed, Meridian has rationalized to three processors only: 861v6, (a single) G68, and the G61R.

Quote
Meridian Controllers - Now with SpeakerLink

The start of 2010 sees the launch of new versions of all three of Meridian`s Digital Surround Controllers, led by the 861 V6 shown above.

A common feature of the three units is their inclusion of SpeakerLink for direct connection to Meridian DSP Loudspeakers: in addition, the new versions of the G68 and the G61R see the rationalisation of the two G Series controllers. The three available controllers now offer a clear 3-tier product differentiation and distinct feature sets.

861 Version 6

The 861 is Meridian`s flagship Digital Surround Controller and has set the standard since its introduction in 1998. The 861 Version 6 confirms that position and adds significant new features that enhance the connectivity and functionality of the system.

SpeakerLink

The new 861 V6 includes both SpeakerLink inputs and outputs, for simple and effective connection to the latest Meridian DSP Loudspeakers and components.

Eight channels of SpeakerLink output are provided, meaning that all 861s will now support a Meridian Digital Theatre setup out of the box, saving cost and reducing complexity. SpeakerLink inputs are also provided, allowing direct connection to components such as the 808.3

MMHR

An eight-channel MMHR (Meridian Multichannel High Resolution) input is also provided, allowing a direct single-wire connection to an HD621 for the highest possible quality from HDMI-based sources such as Blu-Ray Disc players.

Sooloos Connectivity

The optional ID40 Sooloos Card allows the 861 V6 to render audio from a Meridian Sooloos digital media system. Control commands sent through the 861 can also be used to control the current Sooloos Play Queue.

The 861 can upsample and process the audio from the Sooloos system for the maximum quality, for example using upsampling or Trifield rendering technology, allowing full Sooloos integration into the Meridian Digital Theatre. The ID40 card also fits the new 808.3 CD Player.

There will be an upgrade programme allowing existing 861 owners to take advantage of the largest specifications.

G68

There are two big changes on the G68. One is that G68 now offers eight-channel SpeakerLink outputs - supporting a full Meridian Digital Theatre - along with two Meridian SmartLink inputs for DVD players and the HD621, thereby supporting the most common home theatre sources. The other development is the fact that there is now only one G68 version, containing all the most-requested features of the product, including multiple analogue and digital inputs including USB, dramatically simplifying specification and ordering of the G68.

G61R

The G61R, the best value Surround Controller in the Meridian product line, now also offers eight channels of SpeakerLink outputs, once again removing the need for an AC11 in new system specifications.

There are also two Meridian SmartLink inputs for best connection to Meridian DVD players and the HD621. In addition to replacing the previous version of the G61R, the new unit provides an effective replacement for some former G68 versions and allows an excellent introduction to Meridian with its support for both Meridian DSP and third-party passive loudspeakers.


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Senior Shouting Officer
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Joel I feel your pain. If you ever need them, I *think* I still have both unbalanced and balanced analog output cards for the 861 (24 bits I believe). Im not using them as Im all digital. My own selfish concern is all my wires are run and it would be a bear to run new wires- will they still support the old MHR connection method of coax cables + coms cables? Happy New Year all!


Best regards,
Jerry
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Don't Panic!
Don't Panic!
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Originally Posted by Ronnie Hurley
Whether we agree with them or not, Meridian have stated for 10+ years now that the Upsampling (previous non-Apodizing version) in the 800 Player was always superior to that available in the 861 itself, in spite of both being "Reference" products
But with the ID40 card in the 861, the 861 is a source.

Edit: Mis-read your comment. I didn't realize that Meridian claimed 800 upsampling was better than the 861s. Seems doubtful to me, but only M knows.

Last edited by VirusKiller; 2010-01-04 18:30.

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Originally Posted by VirusKiller
MMHR inputs on the G61R and G68 confirmed.
Sorry with the cold water Joel, but I don't read it quite like that (even though I would very much like to agree with you)

I read MMHR Input on the 861 to allow one cable connection to the HD621

However, I read Two by SMARTLINK Inputs on the G68 and G61R. To me, Smartlink is 3 by SPDIF, even though Meridian could be using misleading terms (wouldn't be the first time)

The G68 and G61R (as well as the 861) do offer Speakerlink connections for 8-speaker systems, thereby eliminating the need for the AC11 (for those with Speakerlink equipped speakers)



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President of the Imperial Galactic Government
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I'm with Ronnie in my reading of this, sadly.

Which takes me back to the suggestion that perhaps the DSP is not up to dealing with an 8-channel input. Apart from convenience there shouldn't be any other difference between the connections, should there?


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Don't Panic!
Don't Panic!
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My bad. The wording certainly implies that. Let's hope the wording is wrong. Or else this is deliberate differentiation between 861 and G6x.


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More Nails in the coffin from the info you posted above!!!

Quote
G61R

There are also two Meridian SmartLink inputs for best connection to Meridian DVD players and the HD621.

As none of the current Meridian DVD players have an MMHR Ouput, this would further emphasize that Meridian are indeed talking about Smartlink and not MMHR frown


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Hooloovoo
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Am I mistaken or are we definately going to need an anti-AC11 to allow owners of non-speakerlink equiped speakers to connect to the new processors?


In the spirit of Spinaltap, I would like to confirm that I am not involved in the corrupt theft of a global sport.
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