Originally Posted by Dollar2
Originally Posted by M Music
Bill the best signal processing is in the 808.3 - and I assume the same will be in the 861 v6 - and not in Sooloos. Sooloos is a source like the CD player part of the 808.3. Signal from those sources then goes through the 808.3`s processing for the highest possible outcome.
Agreed, which makes me think Ronnie's question/observation is correct. There should be no difference between a speakerlink feed from a Sooloos Control 10 into the 808.3 and the network connection in the ID40 in the 808.3.
Bill, I am still not certain but now note the following from the early February 2010 datasheet for the 808.3.

"Built-in ID40 Sooloos Card enables direct connection to a Meridian Sooloos system for the highest possible sound quality digital media playback, with direct Play Queue control."

Feb 10 product info for the ID40 states:
"One simple wire connects the 808.3 or 861 V6 to the home network and realises superb quality from a Meridian Sooloos Digital Media System."

Would you need SpeakerLink from Sooloos as well as that direct ethernet-type RJ45 connection from Sooloos to ID40 to get that "highest possible sound"? I have not read that you need the separate SpeakerLink input to get that result but you may be able to. The 808.3 has a SpeakerLink input from Meridian equipment. Sooloos to 808.3 via SpeakerLink would then mean unecessarily going indirectly to the ID40 where the Sooloos signal is passed to the 808.3 stages and processing. Why unecessary SpeakerLink to Sooloos for then upsampling and apodising in 808.3. In the end it doesn't matter how it gets to 808.3.