Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Upgrading C15 sound quality

That's interesting Nick I can't say I noticed any difference when I switched from C15 (Core+Store) to C15 (Core Only) + TwinStore (Store) both into ID40.

That said I do like the concept of the MD600 now supporting a core. I think that Meridian now has the right Sooloos architecture options. Well apart from letting us have an ID41 card to fit into a v6 and support for multi-channel FLAC

Regards,
Carl

Was that with or without your C10 core running over power line adaptors?

I think if store and core boxes were on same network switch, I cannot see what difference it would make as 'FLAC' files from store would not be running over same network segment as PCM data from core to audio endpoints. However if they were not directly on same switch and shared an uplink or power line circuit then I could see the possibility for some interaction.

C10 was over the power line adaptors in its last location as core. So, many switches to go through. 4swiches and 2powerline units.

MD600 does not take the same route although does go through 3 switches.

As MD600 core is not a user selectable option I can't swap back and forth. However, I am pretty sure my ears are not wrong (you'll recall my recent queries in Bristol about how FLAC and PCM are routed and whether it makes any diffrences due to the niggling doubt I had).

The MS600 will be great to your SSP-800 and net you much better streamed audio sound. I still feel I have to say that upgrading your pre/pro to 861v6 with built-in ID40 will be worth it.

I made the journey recently G68+MC200 -> G61R SL + MC200-> 861v6 + ID40. And you know what we say often "bits are bits" etc but I was not prepared for the upgrade in sound quality even though I know I'm listening to the same bits as before.

Going to 861v6/ID40 felt like the amps in my active speakers were upgraded to twice the power/control. As well as much denser and finer soundstage. Really amazing!

Hi Nick,

If I recall correctly though, your concerns at Bristol were caused by your moving the Control 15 Core from a "hard network cable" location to its current location, which requires the use of the Powerline adaptors?

i.e. the same Core sounded different when moved from a network cable location to one using Powerline adaptors.......... and hence your concerns and subsequent questions at Bristol.

Is that correct or am I misremembering the source of your concerns at the time??

Also at Bristol, we were still under the impression that the FLAC files were being routed to the ID40........ it was several days later that Duncan revealed that the Core was doing the FLAC to PCM Decode and then sending PCM packets to the ID40.

Hi Ronnie,

That is correct. Several variables at work here hence why I am not really making any firm claims.

I cannot switch back to try but my feeling is that even without power plug routes the demo MC200 I had last year sounded slightly different to the C10 core and I now sense the MD600 is the same...on the same router layout.

It could just be psychological of course So I will just leave there for now...whilst we chew on it some more.

Yeah, I think the only definitive way to compare the "Core Performance" would be to locate an MC200 and Control 15 in the same Physical and Network "Locations"...............and then toggle the "Core" between the two Devices

Anyone out there with these two devices that would be willing to do this test??

The reason I say these two devices is they are the only Two Devices that the User can toggle the Core On or Off............the Ensemble is another possibility instead of the MC200

Anyone want to try this and report back??

FLAC from core (in my case, MD600) to ID40 was certainly my assumption - but this is not correct? Suggests, relating to a different thread, that it may be worthwhile after all using a SpeakerLink - or at least shielded Cat cable - between core and ID40.

I think we were all under that impression when the ID40 first came out. Not sure if that was from literature or dealer comments. IIRC there was mention of the chipset used in ID40 and that it was doing the FLAC decoding.

It is currently thought that ID40 receives PCM data.

But still in TCP/IP packets?

Yes, you would think so if being sent across a network.

This is fascinating to me. Am I understanding correctly that with a C15, TwinStore, ID40 chain, that what happens is the following:

C15 initiates a request for music.
TwinStore delivers FLAC data back to the C15 for conversion to PCM data.
C15 then sends PCM data to the ID40 for further processing?

If this description of what happens is accurate, it still (apparently) yields better sound than a C15, TwinStore, MS600, where I presume the FLAC-->PCM conversion is handled at the endpoint? Just 'logically' that seems odd to me, though I know there are many other variables in the picture.