Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Sooloos import4 minimal configuration

Well a Naim HDX, DAC, 555 PSU and interconnects (which is their best server system) will set you back just over �12,000, so they aren't cheap either!

I think Meridian are fully aware that if they could make the entry into Sooloos more affordable then it would be appealing to a wider range of potential customers, but aren't prepared to compromise on performance to achieve it.
We immediately saw them put audio output on the Control 1 to make it a Control:10, which knocked the entry price of Sooloos down by �2,750 as a Source One was no longer required for digital systems.
Now this Control 15 which has been referred to above, lets say 'for example' that this was a Control:10 with a hard drive in it. This would then be a complete Sooloos system all on its own wouldn't it? Ripper, Control touchpanel, storage, and digital audio Zone all in one box. And that's got to be cheaper than a Control:10 and TwinStore, and wouldn't compromise the performance at all.
Now that would be a good idea.

Rick

Can you get quality digital output when using the PC and Mac applications? Or, IIRC, are the PC and Macs restricted to using the MP3s?

Control:PC and Control MAC only allow the MP3s to be streamed, which allows them to work well wirelessly on Laptops. It also keeps the network traffic down minimising compromise to the rest of the Sooloos system.

A feature which appeared in Sooloos 2.1 that you may not be aware of, each instance of Control:PC which is running becomes a Sooloos Zone in its own right, and can be controlled from any controller; Control:10, iPhone app, or another Control:PC.
So you can use an old PC shoved in a kitchen cupboard as a Zone, and control it wirelessly from an iTouch. OK not the best sound, but a nice cheap solution.

Rick

I'm beginning to think about Sooloos for some time in the next 12 months, but know little about it.

VirusKiller's post summarising what you need is very useful for a beginner, but being significantly techie, I'd like to understand more.

I understand the concepts of control and of storage; is a Sooloos "core" product an audio output device (source)?

Does Sooloos use existing networking or does it need its own network (or both)? How much impact does it have on other network traffic? [Sonos has to use at least one wired network connection for communication with the hard drive(s) storing music files. However, it then creates its own, proprietary wireless network for communication between source components (unless you choose to wire them). The result is no impact on your existing WiFi and little impact on your wired network.]

Regards,
Peter

Where does the ID40 card fit in?

Does this count as Sooloos core? or if you had a ID40 card do you also need a Control:10, Source One or Ensemble?

i.e. can a system be TwinStore, ID40 and iPad application?

It does seam a bit of a waste (cost wise) that Sooloos needs a specific netwrok storage device (i.e. the TwinStore or Ensemble) would be better (to my mind) if you could use a standard NAS. �2,000 for a 2-bay NAS is rather excessive unless I'm missing part of it's functionality!

Eloise

Thanks for re-confirming that.

Sorry, but I think that's bollocks and the real reason is to ensure more sales of "expensive" zones which, I suppose, is fair enough. I have no problems whatsoever in streaming lossless 16-bit 44.1kHz audio over wireless to my Squeezeboxes. Sounds pretty good too...

Peter,

To try and answer your questions:

The Ensemble (for example) can be designated as the system core and it is also an audio output device (with four zones of analogue output) and one zone of digital output.

The analogue outputs can be connected to line level inputs on your pre-amp; there is also a volume controller on Sooloos which can vary the level of the analogue outputs. I did try this briefly, connecting the output from my Ensemble into the inputs on my power amps. However, I didn't spend a lot of time trying this but during the short experiment I felt that I had to turn the Sooloos output down so much to get a low listening level that background hiss took over quite significantly. I wonder if this is something to do with how digital volume control is done. So... I'm back to running it through the preamp for the time being until I have more time to investigate further.

Sooloos does use your existing network. In fact, it needs to be on the same IP address range as your computer or iPhone or iPod if you want those devices to access it. Note that you can access it from a computer on a different IP address range by pointing your web browser to the Sooloos' IP. However, the web browser version has limited functionality (fine for playback and controlling zones, but no import, backup, export for example).

I do listen to my Sooloos remotely across the internet, which works well. I think impact on network traffic is limited but of course depends on what else you have on the network. I think it's best that the components of Sooloos (Ensemble, TwinStore, Contro10) are connected together on gigabit ethernet. I do this, but then bridge to my wifi router using a 802.11g wifi access point, which seems to work fine. I do have a problem joining zones (eg living room Ensemble Zone 1 to my wifi Control:Mac zone in the kitchen, but I think that's a problem with multicast on my wifi network rather than a Sooloos problem).

Too much info probably. Suffice to say, I think it's a great system, as does anyone else who's come to use and listen to it.

Regards,

Ian

Well its only what I'm told, but why do they bother with Control:PC at all if they are only want to sell expensive zones. There must be some kind of reasoning behind it, the same as why they require hard wiring together of the Sooloos components.
I have had several wireless experiences where the systems work fine 99% of the time, but annoy my customers the other 1%! Not too bad if its a hobbyist, self install, type of system, but infuriating if it's been supplied and installed by us as a dealer.
I don't have a problem with Meridian trying to make the Sooloos system as robust as possible, as you point out there are other systems out there which satisfy the demands of people who have wireless multiroom requirements. Maybe it will change over time as wireless progresses. It's the performance and sophistication/speed of music access which I think sets the Sooloos apart from the rest. Better a premium performance system rather than a 'me-too' product.
However I agree if they could keep these features intact, AND have the wireless, then that would be even better!
Rick

@Rick, I figured you were just the messenger on that one!

The Sooloos 'Core' is the heart of the system in processing terms. Its IP is what you point your iPad at, it serves your Control PCs and generally 'runs' the system.
It happens to be available in Control:10, Ensemble and Source One, but not necesseraly because they are sources.
In fact the ID40 which is a source, can't run a system Core.
Rick

ID40 is the highest quality way to retrieve music from the Sooloos.
No it won't run a core.
So yes you would need in addition a Control:10, Source One, Or Ensemble.
The problem with the standard NAS is that the Sooloos has no control over the files stored on it or what else on the network might be changing or accessing it, which makes it less robust and complete as a system. They don't even give you 'shared' access to the music on the Sooloos system, music must be exported to additional NAS first, and then shared to the rest of the network from that if required.

A recent Sooloos update has changed its stored music file structure from a single FLAC for an album, to seperate FLAC files for each track, this wouldn't have been easily achievable if the system used a generic NAS.
Go and have a good play with a system in a dealer, I think it is easier to accept the 'flexibility compromises' once you have seen it in action.
Rick

Thanks very much Rick (at Audio Images) and Ian. That's helped me.

Regards,
Peter