Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Requirements for Multi Room System

IMHO this is not the way to go, it's expensive and not the best audio quality. Besides you already have a Sooloos Core and Store with the MC200.

Regards,
Carl

I agree that the MC600 is not the direction I want to go, if for no other reason than cost for the rooms I'll be using it with.

ID40 would be a consideration, but my understanding is that I need a 861v6. Does it now work with the 861v4?

My Sooloos library was all created using Control:Mac. My hope was that I could simply export everything if I decide to go the Sonos route, as has been suggested. I'm unsure why I would export, delete and then re-import. Would this result in any loss in quality?

My library isn't that big by many standards, as it only has about 200 CDs.

The ID40 does now work in the 861v4. I am enjoying mine immensely.

If you just export then presumably you're thinking of running two music databases.

If you export, delete, then reimport then you can run a single database on the MC200, which Sonos can read directly.

The initial export embeds the metadata into the music files. These data won't be tagged to the files if you've used any of the Control programmes or hardware to import. Then when you delete and reimport into Sooloos the embedded metadata remain in the file, allowing Sonos to read them and populate its own database.

There should be no loss of quality (so long as you set the export to native file format).

Yes see ID40 card for 861v4 thread.

And it sounds great!

I clearly missed the firmware announcement re ID40, which I've now found. This seems like a good option. For my complete understanding:

1. I assume I'd still have to hook up an amplifier again to my 861 to use with the non-DSP speakers outside my main zone?
2. How would inputs know which speakers to output to?
3. Could someone listen to another input (e.g. TV, which is all via the 861 as I don't have any speakers on my TV) if I'm listening to Sooloos in another zone?

Also to confirm, ID40:
4. Adds a 2nd Sooloos zone to my system
5. Improves audio quality to both zones

Thank you to everyone for your help.

I'm not sure if there is a bit of misunderstanding.... Yours or mine. Apologies if I have misunderstood you.

#4 the ID40 would be a second independent zone, integrated into your 861.
#5 it is independent of other zones and would have no effect n quality of those zones.

This is where I think there is some confusion...

#1 is an incorrect assumption with Sooloos. It's not audio distribution in the old way.

If you went with an ID40 in your 861, that would be one zone for whatever area your 861 currently serves.

Your MC200 would be the second zone, if I understand, feeding your non-DSP speakers. This is totally independent of your 861/ID40 and thus would require additional power amplification if used with non active speakers.

Other than ID40 needing the MC200 for music store and core Sooloos functionality, the two zones are completely separate entities and thus what is playing on one or the other, or playing through your 861 has no impact whatsoever on what is playing on any other zone, quality or source material wise. Ie you can't play a TV plugged in to your 861 in another zone without reverting to the old way of doing things, ie piping audio signals between zones.

Sorry, that makes complete sense. I was mentally blocked into thinking my MC200 would still be connected to my 861 as it is now, which of course it would not.

Hi Dave,

Your current set is:

Zone 1:
MC200 ---Digital---> 861v4 ---> Meridian DSP Speakers.

Adding an ID40 card would yield two independent Sooloos zones:

Zone 1:
861v4+ID40 --> DSP Speakers.

Zone 2:
MC200 ---Digital---> Meridian DSP Speakers.
OR
MC200 ---Variable Analogue---> Active Speakers.
OR
MC200 ---Variable Analogue---> Power AMP --> Analogue Speakers.

Notes:

Both the ID40 and MC200 need to be connected to your home network, so they can share the Core and Storage and be controlled (play lists, volume etc.) by iPad(s), Control:Web, etc.

As the audio quality of the ID40 card is higher than the MC200, then the audio quality from 861v4+ID40 combination will be higher compared to when it was fed by the MC200's digital output.

The MC200 would be relocated to the room (or close to it) where second Sooloos zone is to be used. It does not need to be insight, so could hidden in a cupboard etc.

Trust this helps.

Regards,
Carl

Just a further thought. If my MC200 is not connected to my 861 then I assume I then need an amp and a processor to connect my MC200 to passive speakers? Are there any old (�100's rather than �1000's) Meridian systems for me to connect to, or am I best looking elsewhere? I've never had a Meridian amp, so am not familiar with them, as I moved from Parasound amp & processor, to just the amp + 861 with passive speakers, to 861 with DSPs.

I do have the Parasound kit in boxes in the roof, but it may be overkill for the bathroom, plus I'm keen to be able to control the volume from the iPad if possible. In fact, I will be wiring up the system in the roof, so need to be able to control everything remotely, or will have to place near my existing set-up. I can run an ethernet and speaker cables between my roof and main system if required.

Although ID40 is sounding a good option, part of the appeal of Sonos is that 1 box connected to my speakers does everything and can be fully controlled over wifi. Still prefer to stick with Meridian if I can though.

For your MC200 zone you don't need a processor. You can use the analogue output set to variable, and just add a power amp and speakers - or a pair of analogue active speakers (older Meridian ones from M3100 backwards, or from another manufacturer).

I have an MS200 used like this in my kitchen, with a pair of Genelec analogue actives.

Note that in this scenario you can control the volume of the MC200's variable analogue output with the iPad app.

I'm still unsure how I'd connect the MC200 directly to a power amp, or do you mean an integrated amp? However, I'm beginning to think I should re-think my speakers and consider simply connecting the MC200 to active speakers. Can anyone recommend any active speakers for bathroom use.

I bought the Artcoustic passive speakers when I first started the bathroom project, before I'd fully thought out the audio and the idea of active speakers for the bathroom hadn't occurred to me at the time.