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

Cat 5 has not one advantage as far as install is concerned as far as I can see, there is the argument for balanced digital, which may or may not help? But I didn't find plugging a din and a phono in when I set up my speakers particularly stressful, extremely time consuming and I certainly didn't think 'if only this was on a single plug I would have been so much happier."

Problem for me is I have less and less need for a processor these days as I am now ripping cds and sticking them away, every thing is via a server, so at last the Meridian DSP speaker with digital inputs is all I need for a stereo system, but without an coaxial in it gets messy.

Airport express - DSP speaker. Job done at a just a bout doable price for the office/kitchen/bedroom.

Airport express - controller - DSP speaker. Too expensive for the office/kitchen/bedroom.
Not for many I am sure, but although I earn good money I never seem to have any left at the end of the month, certainly not enough to waste it on unnecessary pieces just to get it up and running.

My understanding is that SpeakerLink/Cat5 was developed primarily for the custom install market where folk Cat5 their entire houses.

To encourage Meridian on some new ideas!

SpeakerLink output is a wery nice development.
It is also very proprietary, I don't want to replace my speakers and poweramps.
Why don't M make something like this?

You don't have to Meridian are still supporting balanced analogue outputs.



SpeakerLink is 2 channel, so you would need 8 SpeakerLink inputs.

However, what is the target market for this proposed G45, would one not just use a G68 which has both digital and balanced analogue outputs?

Regards,
Carl

I agree that would be perfect, the best analogue out that can be converted to single ended for around �50 and digital out for using with their DSP speakers.
Would like to see some inputs though!

4 optical
4 coax
1 MHR
and wireless that is airplay compatible.

Because:
1. Change has to start somewhere (saying goodbye to past solutions)
2. They very much would like you to switch to a full Speakerlink solution.

They also know that the AC12 is a not so perfect/highly priced solution (especially when you need 4). But that is the whole idea! Because you don't want those boxes behind your speakers, so you start thinking: mmmmm, maybe I should upgrade to Speakerlink and avoid all this mess altogether. Great marketing :-)

Robbo:

Change is fine if it gets you somewhere, if it moves you on and improves things. speakerlink seems an improvement in convenience, but what's the reasoning behind removing coax? it's not doing any harm, it's still great quality (as good as speakerlink?) and it opens up the market. if they're removing coax then hell, why not remove analogue phono inputs too? surely they are even more legacy and "not Meridian"?

you see, I really don't want to think that these changes are just to make me spend more money with Meridian, because if that's the case I'm likely to go elsewhere on principle!

dave

PS. question is, would M care?

from http://blog.hometheatermag.com/cedia2010

Alot of oil for a lot of fire......

I understand the long background. I have been a Meridian owner for 15 years. Nearly every piece of 500 series kit crossed my threshold at one time or another. My current system is all legacy so I am in the same boat as many others.

I am not trying to "take on" every poster one at at time, just trying to offer an objective viewpoint. I'll bow out of the discussion now.

Here's a question: Is M going to remove SPDIF from the 5200s, 7200s and 8ks?

I pondered on that too. I believe it is the next "logical" progression for M, whether users like it or not.

The question is of timing: would they just remove the coax support on current models and bump up the sub-version a notch e.g. 5200.3 or wait till the introduction of the next significant update 5300, 7300, 8200 etc.

Regards,
Carl