Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems CES 2010 speculation thread

Yes it is official, and yes you can upgrade...

Let just hope that the G68 SmartLink is 4x SPDIF. As they are on the HD621.

I need to plan my audio/video expenditures a little more carfully this year, so, what do folks think the v4-to-v6 upgrade will look like, and cost? I came into v4 from a G68, and other than adding the IA45 board, have not done major upgrades. What were the complexities and cost of past upgrades?

I suppose I can see a few possibilites:

1. On the lower cost end, a simple swap in of the new IE44 digital input board for somewhere in the $2-2.5K range
2. Upgrade of the core from v4 to v6 (including OE14, IE44 and IA04), but retaining the current optional cards like OAo3, OA13, etc., for somewhere in the $5-7K range.
3. Upgrade of the core plus new optional cards, +$10K.

Thoughts?

Simon
I've looked at this already in a similar way

I think your costs are in th right Ballpark, assuming there are no Card Conflicts between New and Old cards. E.g. if inserting an IE44 makes the the OE14 obligatory, then the "basic" costs will go up (and I would need to add some AC12's)

The biggest question for me right now though is "What do I get if I upgrade". My answers (for my situation ONLY) are

a) Apodizing of ALL Digital Inputs on the IE44 Card (he said hopefully, with the Jury still very much out on that one)

b) 8-Channel Input from the HD621 (as Opposed to Meridian's synthesizing of the Sides)

At the moment, I cannot find any other compelling reasons to Upgrade. I have older DSP's, so Speakerlink is not an advance

In the absence of Apodizing on all Inputs, then I'm not sure why I would to be honest. Likewise, if Apodizing were to become available as a Firmware Update (as per the D5200's) then I would also think twice

Discrete Side Channels (as "designed" by the Sound Mixer) might be slightly better than Meridian's synthesized efforts, but by how much and it likely would very much depend on the Movie

Let's hope Frank can get some more compelling Answers or Reasons when he talks to Meridian on Saturday

Ronnie:

Very well reasoned. I am in a similar place as you, although non-Meridian passive speakers rather than older DSPs' - but still no use for speakerlink.

I guess it is not clear to me whether apodizing is possible in the current configuration/processing power of v4, or whether a v6 is required. If the former, then the cost of v6 becomes somewhat less appealing.

I am also unclear on the benefits accruing from moving to the newer analog output cards (OA3/OA13 to OA8/OA18) nor whether those new cards will be 'required' in a v6 implementation.

Answers will be forthcoming, of course, but for now, 'clear as mud'.

Simon

Simone and Ronnie +1...

Here is my analysis for those of us running an 861 V4.25 + HD HD621 + analog speakers:

1. I would like *NOT* to have to get all of the OE14, IE44 and IA04 cards because for my purposes - again, because I am running analog speakers - the OE14 card is of no use and the IA04 card may/ may not be of use (i.e. only the IE44 is on the MUST have list) depending on whether or not I need/want the additional inputs. Of course, all of this would be moot were all the cards needed for apodizing purposes.

2. And, as noted above, what are the differences between the OA08/OA18 and the OA03/OA13 ?

All of this, along with the upgrade price, would, of course, be good to know.
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I am also interested in continuing to use my 861 v4 with analog amplifier and speakers. Right now I am using a Clux but eventually I will get a HD621. Is the main upgrade the ability to connect the HD621 directly to the 861? The alternative would be to sell my 861 and start over as I don't have M digital speakers. Oh well, I will just enjoy what I have for now and see what develops.

The HD621 can already be connected directly to the 861 but it requires 3 cables vs 1 in the V6.

But it is a six channel connection vs. MMHR's eight channels.

All -- Meridian has worked out trade-in programs for v1 - v4 861s to the new 861v6. Your local dealer should have this information now, or if not now, very soon. All the information regarding the upgrade and features in the new 861v6 are public. Same goes for the new 808.3, replacing the 808.2.

Thanks,
Michael

www.audiohigh.com

Nice client list Michael! Thanks for the info and welcome to the forum.

Awesome website Michael. One of the nicest setups I've seen: