Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Meridian Sooloos update

Agree with VK.

First, this is described as a Sooloos feature, not a general 800 feature.

I think "mediates" means that the core converts DSD to PCM, which is mathematically straightforward to do with minimal artifacts (my Oppo does it). And with MQA they can now do it at higher than 96 kHz, if they can do MQA encoding in real time.

But it doesn't have to be real time, could do it at import into Sooloos.

They could MQA encoding of high rate PCM at import time too, if necessary.

I can't imagine DSD will go through the system and to DSPs, because M is a PCM system through and through. It is not about limitations in protocols or legacy implementations. M does a lot of processing: bass management, MRC and Trifield in the processor, crossovers and boundary conditions and EBA and other stuff in the speakers. Can't do that with DSD. Can't even do volume control.

This is why there are almost no pure DSD albums: can't do mixing, it all has to be converted to PCM or analog, processed, and converted back to DSD. Pure DSD is as impractical as direct-to-disc vinyl of my youth.

If Sooloos core is to be enabled on QNAP then I think conversion at import is the only option. I cannot see the majority of QNAP having the horsepower to process the conversions on-the-fly.

@Nick

Agreed

Russ

I wonder how would QNAP H-251 with an SSD compare with MC200 or Control:15 in terms of sound quality if using an MS200 as an end point?

Does anyone know the hardware characteristics inside the Meridian boxes? CPU/RAM?

This is fantastic news!

Maybe I am being dumb but if the core will be able to decode MQA why would a hardware upgrade be necessary i.e 818v3, 808v6, 861v9?

A bit of a guess -

The new file format needs to be recognised by the Core and then sent to the endpoints (a software update). At some point this is going to be converted from digital to analogue. The new formats may need more powerful hardware to complete the conversion (a hardware update).

Cheers
Tom

Touch:PC
Any chance we can get a 1280x800 tolerant version?

This would open up the option of the low cost 8" Windows 8.1 Tablets as a control option (the existing Control:10/15 1280x1024 interface should work well enough on these - although text would be a bit small).

Core / Storage
Any chance we can get alternates to QNAP Core / Storage?
Either the existing Windows software, or a DIY Linux alternative?

With Windows Core/Store - this could make demo's / fault-finding easier with the ability to take a laptop (with Touch:PC) and an MS200 somewhere as a minimum Sooloos system (and as a way to update endpoint firmware).

Matt.

Great news - sounds like what the new Surface 3 tablet was made for - a truly portable C15. Let's hope they don't scrimp on the editing capabilities like with the iPad app. Any ideas if 2gb or 4gbs of ram would make a difference in real world use?

Simon

I would guess this is the 'release' of the skin client, eg the C15 interface, 2Gb should be fine but is enough ever enough?

Cheers
Russ

It looks like we will learn more very soon.

Meridian at High end show

Chris

Hello.

John's post has obviously been met with enthusiasm and, inevitably, triggered a lot of questions.

I want to start by reiterating that for Meridian, sound quality comes absolute top.
That's not to say we compromise convenience, UI or design; it all has to be great.

Music servers/managers inevitably flirt with the world of personal computers, accessories and computer audio and in fact the very early Sooloos products were based on PC hardware.

Our work with MQA in studios world-wide reminds us every day just how remote PC audio can be from the original.

Our experience teaches us without any doubt that to get the best sound you need dedicated and carefully optimised hardware at the point where audio becomes analogue. It's no accident that the 800 Series, our dedicated endpoints such as MS600 and MS200 and the DSP loudspeakers are designed as they are.

So John's announcement reflects our central values and signposts a determination for two things:

1) an architecture shift that enables lower entry cost to a Sooloos system - or looked at another way - enables a bigger percentage of the budget where it really counts, in trouble-free higher-performance audio.

2) a signal that Meridian is busy innovating in high-quality and high-resolution music playback and is lining this system up to excite you even more in the months to come. Yet always with a clear path for current owners, whom we always want to bring along.

So, in that context I'd like to pick up on a few questions that were asked here.

Q Will TouchPC enable audio in the host computer?

A. Absolutely not! PC audio in this context is much too unpredictable. TouchPC is a family friendly control client which gives access to useful content management features. It's delightful to use and the price is right: it's complimentary, to improve your listening experience. It downloads from the Core just like ControlPC. It will not run a Core, uses approximately 1GB of RAM per 15,000 albums, can rip CDs if the computer has a drive. Suitable touch computers can be found in the £500 - £1k range in the UK. More detail when it's close to release.

Qs about Core on Qnap

A. The Core and Storage plug-in will be released soon, also free-of-charge. Qnap have a wide range including some powerful new models that can support a large number of zones with high-resolution. We will publish more details soon, but for example our demo system at Munich will be running from a TS-251 with 4GBRAM.

Ref: Bob's interesting answer to the TouchPC control question

Seems to me like a cut down version of the C10 / C15.

Del (TD4)