Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Sooloos Better than CD?

Me too! I'm just using the DAC in the MC200 (no ID40) and it compares *very* favourably to CD played in my CA840C.

Regards

In my system, a G98 sounds better on the same recordings/same cuts in "critical listening" tests than a recently acquired MC200 (and MD600) both into the G68 via SPDIF. The MC200 SQ is quite good, in my opinion, but lacks a level or two of detail in comparison to the G98.

I am likely to add a MS600 soon (otherwise simply love my new Sooloos system!) to hopefully equal or better the sound quality of G98 CD playback. One question I am trying to better understand, mainly by reading and rereading previous threads on this or related issues, is whether using SPDIF from a MS600 to a G68 would significantly compromise the ID40 dejittering done by the MS600 and would be worth it - or whether it is necessary to go to a 861v6/808.3 to attain worthwhile dejittering via ID40?

Best, Bruce

Hi Bruce, what is the rest of your system?

The MS600 could go straight to DSP speakers unless you need Trifled but is has an excellent (apparently) analogue output, balance and unbalanced.

The MS600 is a good step up in SQ IMHO.

Tintin

Hi Bruce,

What's the rest of your system?
Can you add details in to your profile's signiture box.

Regard,s
Carl

Tintin and Carl: Thanks for responding. I should have indicated info re the rest of my system. I also have a HD621, Oppo BDP-83, a Bryston 9B-ST 5-channel amp, and B&W 803D front speakers, B&W HTM1 Center and B&W 804 Rear Speakers. So it looks like the optimal hookup with my present system if I added a MS600 would be the SPDIF digital connection to the G68, right? and then I would like to better understand the apparent tradeoff in reintroduction of additional jitter via that connection. Thanks, Bruce

Like some others listening to CDs is now a rare experience since Sooloos.

The primary setup here is

Sooloos via MS600 -> balanced digital out -> NuForce DAC 9 -> headphones (Sennheiser HD600)

Compared to

Modded Esoteric UX1 -> unbalanced digital out -> NuForce DAC 9 -> headphones .... there is nothing much in it.

I will not be definitive because I'm ultra suspicious about auditory memory. This in turn makes me cautious about the proclaimed results from A/B listening. They can be valid when differences are clear but when you get to Meridian, Esoteric etc levels I feel such differences become harder to distinguish. The other factors which can affect results are personal biases and even disposition which can change from day to day and affect preferences. Add in that no two brains are the same(to which ears are attached) and it is unsurprising conclusions differ among audiophiles.

IMHO digital filtering in the DAC can skew results dramatically and it appears that Meridian is up with the best in this regard with resulting superior AQ.

Bottom line is what an individual prefers. However the convenience of Sooloos makes using any CDP a chore in comparison, so as far as I'm concerned, the debate ends there. If you can enjoy the music with whatever system then end of argument. But if anyone is continually hankering after something "better" then enjoyment of the music goes out the window and that person can continue to play with audio toys with results that might sound different, but are not necessarily better. Sideways rather than forward moves are keeping the hi-end alive and well.

John