Originally Posted by Ronnie Hurley
Bill's D8k's are the version 2's and therefore have the new Apodizing filters as well as the FIFO Buffers they have always had. In addition, many Meridian dealers have been heavily promoting the advantages of the Balanced Digital connections possible with Speakerlink over the traditional SPDIF connection

Quite right. Again, though, I think it comes down to convenience. A single Cat5 cable is carrying the balanced digital audio and comms. You need two wires if you go with SPDIF and you still need or want comms. The difference balanced and unbalanced should be inaudible over short cable distances.

Regards,
Bill

Theater: 861v8+ID41, 218, (2) DSP8KSEs, DSP7200VCSE, (2) DSP5200s, Marantz UD9004, (2) JL Audio F113s, Roon
Whole House: 218s, DSP520s, DSP 320s, Roon
Office: 218, DSP3200s, Roon