Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Worthwhile trading-in 808.2 for 808.3?

Sorry, guys. I get up a little later than you over here

My 8ks are the newer version with speakerlink and apodizing. They definitely prefer an upsampled MHR feed to a 16/44 signal. I intend to compare the analog input on the 808i.2 to the 808.3 when I get it. We will see what kind of magic M placed in the improved analog input card.

And I get up later than you Bill. It`s actually earlier in time but after all the other posting.

A very good discussion. Thanks.

However, I would be cautious of focusing on apodising when considering where and when to apodise. Apodising is one specific step to remove pre-ringing distortion in Meridian`s process to improve audio that includes clocking, upsampling, error correction, and FIFO buffering.

Note that the best place in the future for this processing to occur will be in the 808.3 and 861 v6 where there is no improved apodising. Instead improved will come from the collective improvements that for the 808.3 I am told are:

1. New design and improved oscillators
2. Redesigned digital clocks
3. Reduced RF interference

There is also an
4. Improved analogue input card design

I expect much if not all would actually apply to the 861 v6.

Jitter performance can be expected to be better because of 1 and 2, which in turn improves detail and imaging.

I am also told that there is improved audio performance from:
a) lifting detail and further opening the image
b) better imaging
c) improved timing improving the very accurate timing of low frequency sounds

However, for a-c I am not sure how much of that comes from using the analogue inputs. If you, like me, will not or hardly ever have analogue inputs then it is important to know what to expect from the improvements. Same for the analogue user. I hope to soon have this clarified.

Bill your SPDIF and SpeakerLink results were interesting. Keep in mind when you get the latest Sooloos and 808.3 you will no doubt take advantage of the ID40 and connect by RJ45 Sooloos Control:10 to the RJ45 socket on the ID40. The 808.3 (and 861 v6) as host of the ID40 can then send basic transport commands back to the Sooloos system from an MSR+ via the Comms allowing navigating a selected play queue using the basic transport functions such as Play, Pause, Stop, Track forward and Track back. That one cable connection to the ID40 with Comms will also carry the Sooloos balanced digital audio. I was just told by my dealer that is the preferred connection.

M
I believe your Dealer doesn't have the full picture. Using more direct Meridian contacts, I believe the following to be the Meridian position

a) That Apodizing has been improved as the filter now has more MIPS available to it. This would be consistent with Meridian's previous comments that the version of Apodizing to offer the most performance was also the one that consumed the most MIPS

b) The other changes to Clocks and Oscillators add to the overall Performance Improvements on offer from the 808.3 and the 861v6

c) That the ID40 Card is NOT necessarily the Preferred connection to a Sooloos system, when your Sooloos Control:10 or Source / Ensemble is in the same room as your main listening system with an 808.3 or 861v6. Spending an extra �1,000 on the ID40 would be fool's gold and add nothing to audio performance.

Ronnie

Yes we have made some alternate comments about this for a while, which is unfortunate because it does add to our confusion. Hopefully as soon as possible this can be clarified because the info I get is also from Meridian down to the dealer and on to me. At least we are getting more info from Meridian than was released at CES.

It is harsh to call the ID40 “fool's gold”, especially when it is automatically included in the 808.3. It is there for 808.3 users and its benefits can be gained from only a low cost RJ45 cable. We should first confirm what the ID40 offers, such as benefits beyond via Comms and MSR controlling the play list and receiving balanced audio. Even if there is no other benefits beyond that it will be for each one to determine if they think the cost is worth them requesting an ID40 card in the 861 v6.

I hope the choice of the best connection between Sooloos and 808.3/861 v6 between RJ45/ID40 and Speakerlink is not going to be another SPDIF v SpeakerLink debate we had in 2008 and 2009. I recall that went from SpeakerLink is best to SPDIF to more uncertainty to what I believe was finally that SpeakerLink is marginally better (and cheaper), especially over longer distances.

So hopefully there will be more info as soon as possible to clarify these issues.

How shure are you on that point-?

I wouldn't be posting it here if I wasn't sure about the information

The information isn't filtered thru a Dealer

I'm not in the habit of posting here lightly

Having said that, buy whatever you choose

I don't think this is quite right. The ID40 is a network interface, not a speakerlink input. The ID40, therefore, will be connected to a router (or a switch on a router) that hosts the Sooloos store. With a Control:10 also connected to the network, you will find the ID40 on the 808.3 as a source and you can set up "focuses" and fill your queue from there. You don't need a Control:10, although it is the most convenient control. You can fill your queue from a computer or an iPhone/iTouch.

I'm looking forward to seeing the new MSR+ and how they've incorporated Sooloos into it. But, controlling Sooloos won't have anything to do with Meridian Comms. The Control:10 speakerlink output has comms and turned on my 8ks when I started playing music. It also controlled the volume (which I found very cool).

I agree. The ID40 becomes more of a convenience with a Control:10 in the room. The speakerlink out of the Control:10 and the ID40 interface should be indistinguishable from an audio performance standpoint. It will be very interesting if they are different.

This only applies to the Control:10 currently. The Sources and the Ensemble do not have the speakerlink output.

The question I would like answered (and I've ask my dealer to find out) is;
can you have a Sooloos system that only comprises of:

1) ID40 Card
2) Storage Component
3) PC Control Software (for ripping)
4) Sooloos iApp (on iTouch / iPad) for remote control

Or putting it another way; not having to have a Control:10.

If this is true, then I think the ID40 is worth it`s price tag.

Regards,
Carl

Minimal Sooloos system is ensemble. In the context of ID40 it would be ID40 and a TwinStore. You then use PC for rip/backup and control or iPhone etc. I don't think you can play music from anything other than ensemble or TwinStore.

You certainly don't need Control:10 but part of the Sooloos experience Is the interface.

The minimal would be the twin store (less expensive than the ensemble and performs its own backup), your computer and the ID40. Ripping music is slower with the computer than the Control:10. Functional but not as much fun.

Unfortunately confusion continues.

Ronnie and I in good faith post what information we get that comes from a source at Meridian that of course we both accept as reliable. The problem is the information we get is inconsistent. Such inconsistent information is worse than no info because it seems to have the authority of Meridian.

Hopefully this will be convincingly and very soon resolved by Meridian.