Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 808v1 to 808v5?

Hi all,

Does anyone here know if it's possible to upgrade an 808v1 to 808v5?

Or is the leap too great?

Thanks,
Obi

My understanding is no, you cannot make that leap. I actually don't think you can make the leap from v3 to v5 anymore.

You can go from v3 to v6.

Presumably there will be a new MQA version soon. If you wait until then, your upgrade to full MQA will likely be less than going to v5 and then to MQA.

I think the ID29 [digital input card] is replaced by the MQA card, so skip that one, but it seems a little unclear if there's a new analogue card.

Looks like the OE38 [SpeakerLink output card] is kept.

No new analogue [input] card (unfortunately IMHO).

It says on the data sheet that MQA is rendered internally for analogue output, so it may be being done on the MQA card?

I think perhaps you're talking at crossed purposes.

There is no evidence of a new analogue INPUT card. I think that is what Joel is expressing disappointment at.

However, the data sheet states for the analogue OUTPUT "Rendering of decoded MQA streams" as Martin says. But we still don't know whether that means a new analogue output card. My suspicion is that it does.

So regarding output connections, all that we know is that we will get MQA on the analogue outputs. We don't know how that will be achieved.

(If they'd asked me, it would have balanced analogue inputs, analogue to MQA conversion, and up to 384kHz from USB/Sooloos encapsulated to MQA. But maybe all that needs two boxes. Perhaps a second box for analogue to MQA over SL will appear, with a pro version for studios. That's just guesswork though.)

Sorry. To clarify: new output card (managed DACs), no new input card (remains at 6x RCA phono input). I know this from having investigated buying used and getting an older 808 unit upgraded.

The new Config shows the analogue input card as IA04, for 818 (all three versions) and for 808v5. There is no card number listed for the 808v6.

The analogue output card is definitely different however, as confirmed by Config:

818/818v2/808v5: OA28

818v3: OA25
808v6: no card numbers listed but I'll bet it's an OA25.

Nerd attack over.

Ludwig beat me to it (I'm having WiFi issues). My full "analysis" from the latest Configuration program is:

Confirmed in the latest version of the Configuration program (it's not explicitly in the 808v6 connection info in the properties tab, but can be inferred from 818v2/v3 and 808v5 connection info):

IA04 analogue input card in 818v3/808v6 unchanged.

OA28 analogue output card in 818v3/808v6 replaced by OA25.

ID29 and IE48 digital input cards replaced by single IE58 card.

OE38 digital output card unchanged.

Viruskiller (sorry I don't know your name)

Should I infer from your response that the upgrade to move my 808v3 to v6 will require the following changes:

Analogue input cards updated.

Digital input cards replaced by single IE58 card.

ID40 updated to ID41

Upgrade from switching to linear power supply.

Sorry if I have missed something, I am still trying to get the hang of this Meridian product.