Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 861v6 upgrade thoughts

M
Having read the Press Releases and Data Sheets on Repeated occasions, I've come to a different interpretation of what Meridian are saying.

More importantly, that's also what I'm hearing from those who have more of an inside track on these things, i.e. that ID40 does nothing Qualitative for Audio Performance over and above the regular Speakerlink connection

Also consider the following

** The Sooloos Source will output 16/44 and perhaps 24/96 material over its Speakerlink Output

** This data will be carried on a Balanced Digital AES/EBU Connection to the 861.3 or 808.3

** After the Data Stream is Input into the 861 or 808, then the Apodizing Filters; Resolution Enhancement and Meridian Soundfield Processing can be applied

So, given that the Inputs on both the ID40 and the 861v6 are Speakerlink RJ45, even from a conceptual point of view, could you explain how there might be any Qualitative Differences when we talking about a Digital Data Stream??

For those considering an 808.2i instead of an 861v6...........

This is also something I've been looking at for seriously for the last few months and waiting to see what Meridian said at CES before jumping in. A few comments

** Having looked at adverts in the Restaurant here and elsewhere over the past 12 months, it appears a good price for a used 808.2i is about �5,000 to �5,500 in the UK. This is not a huge difference from the 861v6 Trade-Up offer

** Assume for a moment that the "rumours" are indeed correct, i.e. that the 861v6 offers Apodizing on a par (or higher if my sources are correct) than the 808.2i

** Because of the MIPS available, Meridian have claimed that the Apodizing Implementation in the 808.2i offers better performance than that available thru the HD621

** Using Cinemasquid as a reference, there are currently 1,159 Bluray Movies with a TrueHD 16/48 Audio Track. The rest of the TrueHD and DTS-HD MA Movies are 24/48. Apodizing and RE still have a significant part to play in improving the audio replay of those movies

** If you accept the above points, then also remember that the 808.2i offers Apodizing over 2-channels only, while the 861v6 offers Apodizing over 8 channels. A not insignificant difference!!!

It has just come to my attention that the UK trade-in does not include any analog output cards, these are apparently extra? Is that right? I was sure the US trade-in included two OA18 cards, but perhaps not? If it does, that may also explain part of the UK/US price disparity.

It would be for me here in the US. At list the base trade-in is $16K plus I'd need an OA18 and OA08 cards, so that adds another $3K (still not sure about this). Agree with your assessment of used price on the 808.2i of around $8K (although I'd go for the regular 808.2 and run it into my 861v4), but I figure I could sell my 800 for probably $3K, so my net is $5K. Big difference. I can live with the apodizing in HD621 for movie sources, and gain it for CD sources with 808.2. I'm very much leaning this way.

Ronnie:

My point was to emphasise that connecting Sooloos to 808.3 or 861 v6 allowed access to the host's audio enhancing, which you have confirmed.

I accept your point that the ID40 "does nothing Qualitative for Audio Performance over and above the regular Speakerlink connection".

I am pleased that there will be a way to enhance Sooloos audio in the 861 v6 and 808.3. I would never have predicted the "way of the future" Sooloos could benefit from the technology in the 808.3 CD player.

I have the Sooloos Ensemble hooked up to my 861V4.25!
The Ensemble downconverts all FLAC files to 44.1Khz when using the coax out.
According to my source at Meridian the ID40 card will make the Ensemble output
96Khz /25Bit.

Today my Apple TV into the HD621 by HDMI sound better than the Enesemble
and in my opinion better than my now "thank God " sold 808.2i!

just my 2 cents

PerS

Both SPDIF and Speakerlink have always been capable of 2-channel by 24/96 Output.

Obviously the 861v4 and v6 are capable of Receiving 24/96 on both their SPDIF and Speakerlink Inputs

Why Sooloos would see the need to "Down-convert" everything from the Ensemble to 16/44 is beyond me. The new ID40 Card should not be "required" to enable 24/96, as SPDIF and Speakerlink have always been capable of it

This is not a question of you Pers, as obviously you must be correct. My question is more a rhetorical one about why they see the need to do this????

It almost seems like a Marketing Decision related to using the Ensemble as opposed to their Source 1 & 2 Products. Doesn't make any sense to me!!!

Their recent CES Releases do talk about removing some of the Limitations from the Ensemble.

Hang on. I thought the RJ45 input on the ID40 card was ethernet, not SpeakerLink?

In other words, the ID40 card is a Sooloos client in its own right.

Have I got that wrong?

Guys,

Ronnie raises the issue of 2 vs 8 channel apodising in the 808.2 vs. 861v6 choice. It's a very valid point - but here's some more food for thought.

What do I make of the M's statement in their 808.2 datasheet that:

"...It needs significant DSP to deliver, using much of the power of the player`s 150MIPS main processor".

If 150MIPS is needed to achieve REALLY high quality apodising FOR 2 CHANNELS, how will the 861v6 achieve the same level of quality for 8? or will the outcome be more akin to what the HD621 achieves for MCH material?

(the sub-text here is that 2 channel 44.1kHz music material dominates my 'high quality' listening needs)

Andy

looking at the photo's the digital input card has openings for cooling. Perhaps they did add a 150 mips chip per 2 channels ??
Just do it in parrallel. Or there are newer chips out that are much more powerfull even. If they change about everything, why not use better chips ?

I believe there are now dual core (2x 150 MIPS) chips.

Let's keep away from speculation in this thread please.

I noted in a different thread that Meridian state that, for the highest quality resolution of Sooloos output, it should be routed through a 808.3. It seems to me extravagant and bizarre not to be able to specify a Sooloos version with 808.3 processing on board (no pun intended) so that owners do not have to buy an extra box!

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