Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Introducing the Meridian Prime Headphone Amplifier

mmm, so �750 for the card, �1200 for the box, �800 for the power. Then switch all my speakers off. Not sure if it all adds up really...

Or alternatively you connect your existing PC, CD Player, Turntable etc. to Prime and only Prime, no additional equipment needed... You did ask how a 861v8 would integrate.

Hi Arnold,

Could you not utilise your G08.2 analogue outputs?

How fantastic to have Meridian on board in the guise of OptimusPrime.
A real transformer.
ASP could be interesting but for now my Explorer will have to do.
Hector

Please trust me when I say that the Prime is capable of achieving outstanding results without the Prime Power Supply. The fact that yet additional [untested by me] performance is possible (with highest quality analogue sources) I find frankly astounding.

I use analog L/R out for my headphone amps from my 568.2, you can't use mute so it's a schlep to have to turn the volume down to use my headphones.

Sorry to rain on Meridians parade , but I really can't generate enthusiasm for this product at its price point.

A pre without remote volume these days is useless, a USB only DAC is limiting, spatial processing is old hat and never took off and a 1200/2000 quid analog only headphone amp has a 1000 other competitors.

Outstanding results in comparison to other headphone amps or just sounds outstanding?
My Xcans sounded outstanding but for �120. I've no doubt it sounds great.

Shame not to use the flagship though, having invested in the best signal going. Having invested in Sooloos, no CD player. I suppose I could go into the study, sit at the desk and plug it into the Mac but then I don't have access to my Sooloos collection. Tempting.

(nice avatar?)

I can't imagine buying the Prime and not using it as both a DAC/headphone amp for computer based audio and as a preamp with a pair of active loudspeakers.

Of course, Meridian no longer makes analog active loudspeakers. How rare are second hand M3100s?

The only place the Prime makes sense given its feature set is on a desktop next to a computer. You don't need a remote because the volume control is always within reach, and every computer these days has a USB output.

Given the competitive pricing for the Explorer and Director, I would have guessed that a device like this would be priced somewhere in the $1000-1200 range. At that price, I'd be willing to overlook the lack of a remote control and SPDIF input.

Why is that? You can use Control:Mac.

You can also point whatever the equivalent of Foobar is at your Sooloos store as play bit perfect tracks.

It is interesting. Though headphones are not my thing. I hope they make some other variants of it as well. A Meridian Prime line of components.

I really want to know why there are five power connections on the power supply. Why would you need five of them? Will there be cables to power non Meridian gear? I doubt you will ever be able to power DSP's.

I find the product very encouraging, as some of the recent updates seemed more adaptions/updates derived from within the existing parts bin. So this is an encouraging update from M.