Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems 861v9 speculation thread

There is some studio support

'Ex Machina' will feature first DTS:X Blu-ray soundtrack

There are already 12 Atmos Enabled titles. With the introduction of Ultra HD Bluray later this year, the Atmos/DTS:X audio will become as standard as Dolby TrueHD/DTS HD MA i expect.
dolby-atmos-bluray-and-streaming

The new format will support a resolution of 3840 x 2160, as well as high dynamic range (HDR), higher frame rates (up to 60 frames per second) and object-based immersive sound, such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
ultra-hd-blu-ray-everything-you-need-to-know

As for Hollywood Studios themselves, 20th Century Fox, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group and Warner Bros. Entertainment are all members of the Blu-ray Disc Association.
So object based 3D sound is not a flash in the pan like 3D was

I'm not even convinced that 4k will be a success. Let's be real: most people don't have a home theatre (= max 50" TV, if that) and most people still buy DVDs when they buy a disc. DVD sales are collapsing in favour of streaming and average bandwidth is only good enough to stream 4k with terrible bit rates.

...which is a great example of a film that doesn't need "height" effects except perhaps the IMHO, a solution to a problem that we don't have.

when Criterion starts to embed Atmos and DTS:X in their high-quality soundtracks I will be compelled to upgrade ... get cracking Meridian!

p.s. I will grant the "naysayers" this might be never ... so be it!

I think it's a misconception that only crash, bang action sequences benefit from height effects. Perhaps you shouldn't pass judgement on a soundtrack until you've actually heard it

That's fair, and it does raise the other very important point that there's no substitute for *good*, well-recorded, mixed, and mastered material, irrespective of the technology used.

My movie showpiece for sound quality is the "Rise a knight" (Balian and Guy sword fight) scene on the Kingdom of Heaven Director's Cut Blu-Ray. Stunning impact and realism.

I have the 861v4 with LPSU, and will want to make the move to v9 when it is released within the next 6 months.
I assume even the v6 or v8 will offer even better sound quality to my v4, bearing in mind I use OA13 balanced XLR outputs to my analogue active speakers? Or not?

The v4 will not be up-gradable of course, so do you think the v6 or v8 will be up-gradable to v9?
Or is it likely to be a completely new design? (Especially if it has to support the extra channels and processing power for Dolby Atmos etc.). In which case I assume Meridian will offer a trade in discount for existing v6 or v8 owners.

It may work out cheaper for me to buy a 2nd hand v6 or v8, and then trade it in, or have it upgraded, to a v9?

It is probably unfair that we are hoping for features of the new v9 to be similar to what the Trinnov offers, as the Trinnov costs roughly double the price of an 861.
Personally I would rather have a 861v9, even if it is 50% or more expensive than the v8.

I would require 3 x 4 channel Analogue XLR output cards to give an extra 4 channels for Dolby Atmos/ DTS:X height speakers etc.

I am guessing that Dolby Atmos/DTS:X support may have to wait till the v10, or be a future upgrade for the v9 owners.

Will the 861 support for MQA be an upgrade for v6 and v8, or will it only be available in the v9 I wonder?

I have been told that there will be an upgrade package for the v6, but do not know if you will have to upgrade to v8 first, then to v9 (if that is what it will be called) or if you can go straight from v6 to v9. This will encompass several features including MQA as well as additional channels but no details on whether this means Dolby Atmos, Aura 3D, DTS:X or any other compatibility. I do not have any other information on possible additional changes.

Regards,

Wayne

If it is anything as like to the 808 it probably will need to have v8 to... like it is with the 808v6 it must start at v5 I would recon.

My thought would be that you would be able to upgrade directly to v9 from either v6 or v8 with the difference being the cost.