Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 818 or SE 'speakers

In my stereo zone, I currently have DSP5200s fed by an MS600. I don't have a preamp at the moment, as my listening is mainly Sooloos. There is a BR player, TV and Sky receiver in that room, but no connection into the audio system at present. If and when I got the opportunity, I've been wondering which would bring the greater improvement, an 818 or upgrading the speakers to SE (either via upgrade or replacement).

Good question but impossible to answer really. Both will bring benefits. Personally, I think the SE jump is quite significant.
Until the MQA architecture becomes clear anything on the front-end is hard to judge.

You could get a demo of both and see which tickles your ears the most.

SE is more "futureproof" regarding DSD, DXD and whatnot..

Crion, if i remember correctly you had a ID40 before your ID41 and G series before that. In your experience, what had the biggest impimpact going to SE or to ID41?

FWIW, I'm considering an 818v3 to use with both my DSP6000s and my STAX SR-009s. If I can wangle some comms magic I might be able to get it to feed a pair of D33s in another room as well.

In the past, I'd have plumped for the speaker upgrade every time, but I've heard enough from others, of some real wizardry in the 818v2 (which is apparently very audible with "mere" D33s vs. the ID41 in an 861v8), to convince me otherwise. That plus I'd get a lot of mileage out of an 818 which could feed three different "zones" (though not, of course, concurrently).

However, I'm still waiting for more information from Meridian on MQA distributed decoding/processing architecture before I make the big decision.

You are not alone.

Russ

Indeed

+1.

I will also do the 818v3 upgrade route first, then potentially DSP8000 to SE spec - but not until M explains how MQA (and now DSD) will work on the 818v3, and how it might interface digitally with my other non-Meridian system. Like VK I am looking to get the maximum possible out of the 818v3 - digital to DSP8000s and analogue into another system (if it won't work digitally).

I would do SE upgrade first (it is available now )- IMHO Meridian has 'arrived' with SE upgrade in speaker world.

About MQA- I think it will take time (while updates will be announced later this year) the content is a work in progress (is happening but..)

All IMHO of course .

2016 will be the year for better options of more accessible hi-rez/MQA content. I hope to be surprised with plethora of more options and in an earlier timeframe

regards,
Kishore

I have an 818v2 and DSP7200v2 and plan upgrades to 818v3 and DSP7200 SE.

However, even though I can upgrade now I am going to wait. There are too many uncertainties with the future products yet to be released by Meridian.

My fear is that upgrading now may mean another hardware upgrade option later in 2015 when MQA etc are released.

I wonder just how many potential sales are being held back.

I think that, in your case (818v3 + DSP7200SE), your fear is unfounded; but without more information from Meridian, I understand your position completely and think that it is a wise stance to take.

Many, including mine.