Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Control 15/ID40 questions

Ok. Its seems common consensus that you get the best sound from a Sooloos system using an ID40 in your 808/861. Equally if you want the best user experience you want to use a Control:10/15 for the touchscreen interface. Assuming a typical setup this means that both components are in your listening room.

However if you do that it effectively means you've got 2 Sooloos zones in the same room - 1 of which doesn't get used (the one in the C15). Now I know you could use the digital outputs of the C15 to feed another room (providing you can get the cables there...) but how many people do that?

IMHO if you've got an ID40 you almost need a C15Lite - i.e. the interface without any of the zone/output functionality to get the best of both - or is that where an iPad ought to come in...

I'm curious how people with this setup (Carl?) actually have their systems setup.

I have a C10 and an 808.3 in one dedicated room. I obviously use the ID40 as the source. The audio output on the C10 is unused. In my family room, I have a C10 which feeds an 861v4 with a SPDIF signal. The store for both units is a TwinStore.

Then I have a separate Sooloos system at a cottage that includes a C10 and an Ensemble. The Ensemble feeds a G68 and the audio output on the C10 goes unused.

It all works great for me and it doesn't bother me that I "paid" for functionality in two of my C10s that I don't use. Who knows, I may need it someday if I move things around.

Hi GP,

I have my C15 and 861v6+ID40 in the same room but not in the same location. The 861 is in a rack with all my other kit and the C15 is on a small table (not much larger than the C15 footprint) just to the left hand side of a two seater sofa. I have arranged the cabling on the C15 so that I can slide the table closer to the prime listing seat (right hand side of the sofa) as and when I choose to.

The SpeakerLink/Coax output of the C15 is not in use; like Bill, I'm not concerned about this. I have pondered about using the C15 output as second zone out to the kitchen for casual background music.

I think that in practise it would cost more for Meridian to make a C15 "Lite" due to shorter batch runs, different builds etc. than to build all the C15 to the same spec.

Personally, I prefer three tier architecture, namely:

-- Storage(s)
-- Control(s)
-- Source(s)

However, I see where Meridian are coming from with the C15 one unit that combines all 3 tiers but, and it's an important but, can be expanded to the above to suit ones requirements

Regards,
Carl

Carl, Bill

Thanks for your insight. I've been pondering whether to dip my toes in the soolos waters with a c15 (due to it being fully integrated) or to pick up one of the several c10/TwinStore combos that have started to become available (possibly in conjunction with an ID40).
The beauty of the c15 is it's improved audio output but with an ID40 it's seems irrelevant an an ex-demo c10 sounds like it might be a good way to go.

Thanks again

GP

I haven't taken the leap yet but I am mulling Sooloos over as a possible option both for sound quality and for convenience reasons.

I haven't done it yet, but I am thinking of an Ensemble in my office, analogue outputs direct to Stax headphones, SPDIF piped into the sitting room next door, into my main system. In theory it's a good value-for-money (=WAF) option.

If you have an 808.3 or an 861v6 w/ID40, the improved audio output of the C15 does become irrelavent IMHO. A used C10/TwinStore combo offers a better storage system with more room at a lower price.

A some what obvious statement Bill, but yes it is true.

Regards,
Carl

Carl
Beyond the Audio Card differences you mentioned yesterday, have you noticed any other differences between the Control:10 and 15???

e.g. Any differences in the Screen "Touch" Interface?? I don't mean the GUI, I mean do you still have to press harder than you do for example on an iPhone screen?? (Using technical terms, I assume the Control screen is still Resistive rather than the newer Capactive??)

Hi Ronnie,

The touch screen has not changed it is still a resistive type; it has a slight drag to it when sliding a finger over it, it's a shame Meridian have not upgraded it to the latter technology. However, in practise it's not a problem and is very usable.

C15 = C10 + internal audio storage + new audio card.

Regards,
Carl

Thanks Carl

I'm just trying to get my post count up

I have to try and get a C15 on loan to try it out against the 808.3.