Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Meridian 818

The 818 seems to me not to be a "gateway" product, but a serious two channel product that doesn't waste engineering or silicon on a spinner when their M-Sooloos customers wouldn't use it. It leverages the heritage of a platform of one of the best reviewed stereo products (808.v3) plus some new Sooloos technology (ID41).

I prefer watching sports and films in my primary listening room (currently 861v6) with DD 5.1, if I ever revisit that decision, moving the 861 to my HT perhaps, the 818 would be in serious consideration.

The new product marketing decisions ( smaller DSP speakers, emphasis on 2 channel stereo products, cheaper intro Sooloos products ) seem sound and hopefully will lead to more new customers and upgrading existing customers.

Surely though it should have two-channel Room correction?

Do we know where in the card architecture MRC currently sits in an 861?

I wonder if it could be an add-on or whether M feel that the net benefit is not there and that 2ch without MRC is better
I.e. Less processing is best.

Some HH here put 808's directly into DSP even when 861 are present. I expect the 818 might be used similarly and MRC is not an issue.

Hecd2, I risk going off topic here but....

To my ears there is a substantial increase in sound quality using the coaxial rather than optical output from my Sky+HD receiver. This persuades me to always prefer the coaxial vs. optical route. With a premium product, the consumer should not be constrained in terms of input choices.

Back on topic....

I am especially intrigued by the provision of three Speakerlink inputs and the use to which they might be put. Any ideas?

OK - understood. There's no difference to my (cloth) ears so I regard toslink and co-ax as functionally the same.

As far as 3 SL inputs go, that's hard to see. You could connect a 808 or a Sooloos client via SL but it's not clear why you would want to. Future proofing?

Has anyone actually bought one of these yet?

Or is anyone seriously considering it?

Not me...but, if I was to move back to a 2.0 system then I probably would.

If I was building my M system now I would go 818 rather than 808 as since I have Sooloos a Meridian Digital Media System I have hardly spun a disc.

I just realized, there is only one fault with this product; It doesn't have Trifield

Seriously though it would be interesting in hearing how much closer the ID41 has come to the 808.3 aniversary (spinning a disc).

I just purchased one and am waiting for it to arrive. I was going to get another MS600 but in the end decided to go top of the line Sooloos. For me the logic is another Sooloos zone and when I move back to the States at the end of my overseas posting my wife will very likely no longer tolerate my massive five channel system in the living room. So I can use the 818 in there with, maybe, some M6s to get a great sounding compact system and a higher WAF.

I'm sure you can get a pair of white DSP8k's in there with the 818. I mean you are actually sacrificing alot of speakers for her! And these two look really good in white don't you think honey?

As you know, she will not see it that way.