Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems New firmware now available

So here's the problem with this new method of delivery.
If I could have done it myself it would have been done by now.

I emailed and called the dealer who knew about it and asked beforehand if they could arrange it and the confirmed. That was a week ago.
Since then I'm trying to get them to respond and actually do it.
No success.

I also sent in details to Meridian. Nothing from them either of course, but that was expected.

Brilliant idea this.

MagnusB,

Not only this but one has to take time out to wait for, and then deal with the dealer. Are we not all busy people? Who wants to waste time like this when, as you note, it could have be done already by ourselves, at our convenience, and at no extra cost.

Bad Meridian. Bad.

Can't help but think Meridian have aimed a gun at their own foot here. Lets hope they don't pull the trigger...

Mr Patient.

My (premium Partner) dealer has today said that they have still heard nothing from Meridian about how this software update is to be dealt with !

As annoying as it is to have to have a dealer I don't even know come to my home to do this, I have to say I am impressed with my "local" dealer (Natural Sound, Framingham, MA.)

I had called them a few times over many months about the firmware. Dave (service manager) said he'd take my email and contact me when the firmware was released. Not knowing him, I didn't know whether to trust that he would, but I gave him my number and continually checked here to see what was going on.

Well, the moment the press releases hit this forum, I received an email from Dave telling me he'd have the software in a week or so. I emailed back and asked him to send it to me. He called me to explain that he could not (Meridian rules - I understand) but he was going to be in my area in about 10 days and he'd come by and do the install for $100.

Now, don't quote that price if you talk to him (travel time has to be considered) but he's being proactive and reasonable by grouping these installations and I certainly can't complain about the cost - it's more than fair(he's 45 mins. away).

So, even though I wish it was free and I could install it myself, this is certainly a reasonable alternative.

John

Although I appreciate the private nature of the dealer-client relationship, particularly as it relates to cost, what is the view here about whether dealers outght to charge for this firmware upgrade if the unit is brought to their store? I agree with a travel charge if the dealer comes to your house, but if I go to them?

If this is mean to create dealer customer "warmth", it better be handled right or it could be counterproductive...

Mr Patient

I have the same local dealer. I would never let him touch my system. So much for being "green", people using gas to carry software bits in their car. I have two systems, one is 120 miles away (4.5 hours round trip). I want to be able to swap back and forth between firmware. Meridian never makes mistakes right !! I don't know if I want to give up the +3dB tweak.

I left Lexicon for this very reason. When they wanted you to pull systems out and bring them in for EPROMS. They corrected their ways later. But Meridan is moving backwards.

This has nothing to do with hacking protection. That should be done through coding and looks like it was (always should have been if they cared about their IP). This was already in the works before the Apodizing thing. They just wanted to blame it on the hacking.

I'm glad I'm not as passionate about my system as I was. It's shifted to fiddles now Getting pretty good as tweaking them too (way harder than this digital stuff). By the way I've learned it's amazing what you can train your ears for (even if you're older).

I called the dealer again today, as per the dealer the "software installer" was not available, left a message to call back. No one called. Will try again tomorrow (Saturday). This is not cool M!

I've seen this scenario before. Home Theater Master used to make their software freely available to anyone who purchased their programmable remotes - they make superior products and had an enthusiastic following.

But then, out of the blue they insisted it only be available through installers, something which caused the same sort of uproar as Meridian are causing here. And the same problems arose, remotes had been purchased from dealers gone out of business but no sympathy from HTM. I struck the most ridiculous situation in that a remote was sent back for repair, was replaced with a new one for $100 but, even though it was supplied by them, HTM still refused to supply any software. Fortunately someone took sympathy on me and emailed me a program.

But the fallout for HTM was a heap of lost sales with people buying Harmony remotes.

So, despite the reputation Meridian have built up for superior engineering, if they persist in this closed shop approach, word will soon spread not to buy into the brand. Their approach is unreal in the present climate of more and more dealers closing down but more and more commerce being conducted on line. Who is going to buy used Meridian gear if software upgrades are difficult or impossible to get? The value of Meridian items could easily drop in this scenario.

The reality for many of us is there is no Meridian dealer close by. We purchased Meridian 800 series components in the first place with the promise of upgradability, something which appeared to stop at V4 with the 861. I was pleased when it appeared Meridian had not forgotten us when this new firmware appeared. However, looks like I cheered too soon. And the original purchases were made on the understanding upgraded software would be made available from time to time. This might constitute the breaking of an implied legal contact but most certainly is unethical.

But perhaps there are valid reasons not to trust home upgrades. If so then Meridian should let these be known. At the moment I do fear they might have shot themselves in the foot. I am a customer who has "invested" at least $30,000 in their gear but they are losing my loyalty.

John

Even if you go to them, there is some element of time and effort required. That said, it would be nice to see a uniform flat fee per component which the dealer could decline, if he chose to, for the pleasure of getting the customer into the store.

Meridian should have just said 'There is a new apodising software and it will be �xxx.xx".

Nice, simple and know where you stand.


I have sold off my G series and my 5200.

My MKII 5000s have now gone and my 500 system is up for sale.

I will keep the F80 and a pair of 5000s, but there is no way I am continuing the upgrade path with M any more, I just don't want that much money tied up in a brand like them, no matter how much I like the sound.