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

MMusic

Thanks for the information. It certainly narrows the field of enquiry for me if there is no change to the appodising.

Ronnie

Like you, I had thought that the 808.3 represented a new pinnacle of appodising. It would be good to get further clarification.

Have you read this somewhere?

Analog Inputs are converted to Digital using 24/96 ADC's

As the Data Stream will then be 24/96, then the Apodizing filter will not come into play

+1

I think it will depend on what the 808.3 does with a speakerlink input. Currently, the Sooloos Control:10 is the only piece with a speakerlink output in the Sooloos system. Does the Control:10 have apodizing?

If there is no difference between the speakerlink output of a Control:10 and the speakerlink output of the 808.3 using the ID40 as the source, then the 808.3 simply provides an additional connection option. For example, you wouldn't need a Control:10 if you use Control:PC/Mac or the iPhone app and have the 808.3 connected directly to the Sooloos store (ensemble or twin store).

I'll hook up my Control:10 to my DSP8Ks tonight and see what the 8Ks get.

Ronnie and Bill:
I was advised the signal streamed from the Sooloos network was passed by the ID40 to all stages and processing in the 808.3. There was no mention the ID40 directly received the signal from Sooloos. What was clear was that after it got there the ID40 passed the signal to the signal stages and processing.

No doubt Ronnie with your correct info about the analogue inputs being converted to digital using 24/96 ADC's and therefore not then being apodised. The info I received attributed the improvements, such as imaging, to the new analogue input card itself.

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.

Ronnie and Asa Post:
I too expected improved apodising. Maybe it`s the comment that has been stated before - it`s not just apodising it`s also the filter, upsampling, “secret circuit(s)”, and now we can add new master oscillators and clocking system. Apodising has become the word for all?

So do we trade-in 808 for 808.3? If I had 808.1 I definitely would. I have 808.2 and not yet Sooloos and will have little use for the new analogue input card. Therefore auditions to determine the audible difference from CD playing is first important. One could wait to get the 808.3 but that may miss the end of the trade-in period. Then there is the alternative of the 861 v6.

Bill when you and others get your ordered 808.3 and free Sooloos upgrade it will be great to hear your comments about 808.2 v 808.3 and also 808.3 v the same disk/track fed back from Sooloos.

It seems to me that the ID40 is simply an internal Sooloos source component for the 808.3 and the 861 v6. That will clearly get everything the 808.3 has to offer. The question is what the 808.3 does with the balanced digital input from the speakerlink connection.


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.


I'll do my best.

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.

I took it that Ronnie questioned the need for the ID40 in the 808.3 since you can connect through the speakerlink connection. I agree but I look at it the other way around. Why is there a speakerlink input when the only two things you can connect are a Sooloos Control:10 and and 808.2? As I stated earlier, it's simply a convenience factor since there should be no difference in performance. Time will tell.

I ran my Control:10 into my DSP8ks through speakerlink. The 8ks are getting a 44kHz feed which, I assume, is upsampled and apodized in the 8ks.

On more of a personal triumph, I was able to do this by extending my home network to my detached garage using a combination of Apple Airport Extreme Base Stations. My Sooloos Ensemble is in the house and I connected the house and garage with an 802.11n wireless connection. I have to listen some more but I'm optimistic that I won't need to run a wire. Psyche!

Addition: Spent some time playing and listening. I really enjoy the Control:10 interface. I would have lost a lot of time pulling out and putting back CDs tonight if I listened to what I did without the Sooloos. But, with a pair of DSP8ks being the jury, the Sooloos going direct to the 8ks via speakerlink at 44kHz did not compare to the 808i.2 playing the same material from the CD. The imaging was slightly off and there was a euphemistic veil over the sound. Tomorrow, I'll try the SPDIF output on the Control:10 into the 808i.2 and out to the 8ks and see if that's closer.

Lots of fun being had!

Bill thanks for the update.

I think the ID40 must do more than provide a way to control the system, such as the playback list. Also what is transferred to the ID40? You would not need to connect Sooloos to 808.3 via SpeakerLink if it`s just the Sooloos audio file being transferred to the ID40 for 808.3 processing?

I understand you say your trialling of Sooloos to DSPs was not as good as direct CD playing in the 808.2, which I would expect. But wait until you have the latest Sooloos connected to 808.3 for apodising etc and then out to your 8000s without apodising in the speakers.

The convenience gains already from your setup are obvious. Keep on enjoying the music.

@M
Speakerlink is a Digital Point-to-Point connection in the same way as a SPDIF Digital connection is. It carries Data from one Component (e.g. Player) to another (e.g Processor) The Digital Balanced connection is a good way to DIRECTLY Connect two components

The fact that it happens to be a Cat5 Cable with RJ45 connections is almost incidental. It should not be mixed up with typical NETWORK Data sent over Cat5 (or Wifi)

On the other hand, I believe that the ID40 Sooloos Integration card is to take NETWORK data (which has IP Addressable Data contained within it) from the Sooloos System in another room or on a whole house Sooloos system with Clients in each room. In that case, the Data Stream is more akin (if not the same) as a normal IP Addressed Stream similar to a computer network

IMHO, if you have your Sooloos Source in the same room as the 861v6, then I think the Speakerlink will allow your 808.3 or 861v6 to Process and Apodize the Sooloos Data Stream in an Optimal manner.

When you have an 861v6 / 808.3 in a 2nd room away from your Sooloos Source, that is where I believe the ID40 will come into its own