Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Impressions of the 861v8

Hi Gary,

If I was asked to summarize the benefits of an 861v8 over the v6 version, I would say:

1) The Linear Power Supply of the v8 offers a number of advantages over the Switched Mode Power Supply of the v6, with the key one being that the LPS produces lower RFI levels... leading to reduced levels of RFI within the 861... which in turn is known to be a good thing in reducing Jitter at the output stages.

2) The new cards that form part of the v8 upgrade also appear to result in overall lower jitter and better performance than their predecessors.

3) The ID41 [should you go the Sooloos route] offers built in RFI / EMI Filtering, which can be desirable in some / many situations where increasingly higher levels of RFI are present on modern cabled domestic networks due to Video Streaming and higher speed internet & intranet in general.

Overall, I think most v6 to v8 upgraders are happy with the performance upgrade offered by the v8... and while "cost" or "value" is always a relative or personal thing, I also think that most would advice that it's a worthwhile upgrade when set against the "list price" of an 861 to begin with.

Not sure if this is possible for you, but why not ask your Dealer to loan you an 861v8 for a 10 day period so that you can try it at home yourself within your own system and room... best way to evaluate for yourself and your ears.

Cheers

I have the "other" Wilsons: the Wilson Audio Sophia and Wilson Audio Watch center and surrounds, but I suspect there is no competion with yours...

A reviewer we know has posted this