Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Previews of new products

1) I do belive it has the same kind of I80 dock socket on it as the M80, so you can buy an iPod dock if required and the metadata will be available on the AC200 display, like with an M80.

3) Hasn't it? We were certainly told this at a pre-production launch, and I have had converstions afterwards with Meridian confirming this, but I suppose they can always change before launch.

...and that would make it a much more interesting product. In my case I could use it as a DAC upgrade (particularly for the Squeezebox) on my 2 channel analogue system. And the existing integrated amp can function as power only.

In fact a 2 channel centric processor with integrated G56/G57 level amp would be my product entry (I-wish-Meridian-would-make-but-I-know-they-never-will).

Duncan

Rick,

Dare I ask what your view is on the lack of SPDIF ? Did HQ have a sensible rationale for it ?

From a dealer p.o.v I would have thought that SPDIF would have opened up the 3200's to sales in many applications and therefore more sales

e.g. plugging in to an existing CD player SPDIF output

e.g. using a pc's SPDIF and having perhaps the best sounding computer audio. I spend a lot of time working at my desk and could easily talk myself into a pair if they did. Another box on the desk with them...no thanks.

Is the 3200 designed so that it has no independent controller/MSR input ? Is that why the AC200 is required?

Cheers

Duncan,
No I think it is digital audio out only.

Nick,
It certainly would make it more flexible to have SPDIF inputs on it as well for connection to legacy Meridian systems I do agree. But given that they don't have a display or means of control then you couldn't use them to connect directly to a PC or existing CD player anyway.

However in the context of a current Meridian system they are likely to be used:

A: In a home cinema setup, with current processors, speakerlink is all that is needed.

B: With the AC200, to give multiple inputs and a means of control, so speakerlink is all that is needed.

C: As a Sooloos Zone, with Control 15 or MS600, so speakerlink is all that is needed.

And the AC12 is always available for legacy systems.
Rick

Ah, I hadn't realized that you had been told this by M. In which case, I think M is bonkers.

Instead of panning the AC200, asked yourself what is its intended market? It is not aimed at the enthusiast Hitchhiker. It is entry level for a new Meridian customer. Try to see beyond yourself.

And yes, I do want Trifield Width fixed and an apodizing firmware upgrade for my G68. I also think the AC12 should be fixed so it works out of the box and its cost lowered.

It seems vendor-lockin is the only purpose of speakerlink. There is close to zero increase in audio quality (AES/EBU vs. SPDIF), no advantage in convenience (annoying conversions with highly overpriced AC-12) and no compatibility with the rest of the world. This is one of those 'innovations' we could have better been without ...

1. Have you compared SpeakerLink to non-SpeakerLink Meridian speakers side-by-side in arriving at your conclusion that there is "close to zero increase in audio quality", or is your conclusion theoretical?

2. Installing the new 861v6 and the new G68 with SpeakerLink DSP speakers is vastly simpler than the old SPDIF/COMMs system.

3. Last time I checked, all the processors with the exception of the new AC200 have analog outputs so you can use them with analog amplifiers and passive speakers, so saying there is "no compatibility with the rest of the world" is silly.

4. What Meridian products do you use in your system?

With the Speakerlink SPDIF debate, I think the only mistake Meridian have made is the Cost of the AC12's to allow legacy users access.

Bring the price down to �100.00 and the world changes.
Will Meridian do this? I dont know.
Can dealers sell new DSP's with AC12's at a "Special" Price for legacy owners? I hope so.

Well worth the Haggle I think. As a buyer, you hold the cash. No Deal, No Sale!! Make it plain to the dealer.

Just my Thoughts.... Chris

If the 3200 had coaxial inputs I would consider the upgrade. With speakerlink only, forget it. A iPod, Wadia idock and 3100 are one of the simplest and good sounding systems around.

I think there was two things that could have been improved with the DSP3200.

1. Display
2. Legacy input

Right now they are just overpriced and pretty and I think the omission of these two features are limiting their appeal. I mean how would the potential ratio of legacy users vs. first time users look like for this speaker?

Isn't this kind of obvious?

Have you heard them? Limiting their appeal to whom?


I think the ratio of new users to legacy users will be very high, as it is intended to be.