Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion MQA - Related technology, products and music "MQA" 818v3 is here!!

Ditto... waiting for more clear (tech) answers if RBCD/2 Ch hi-rez would sound better on 818.3

Regards,
Kishore

818v2 vs 818v3 Digital Inputs:

818 v2 Digital
3x Coaxial SPDIF ≤96kHz/24-bit
5x Toslink optical ≤96kHz/24-bit
3x SpeakerLink ≤96kHz/24-bit
1x High-resolution USB

818 v3 Digital
2x Coaxial SPDIF ≤192kHz/24-bit, DoP
2x Toslink optical ≤96kHz/24-bit
1x SpeakerLink ≤192kHz/24-bit
1x Asynchronous USB ≤192kHz/24-bit, DoP

In v3 upgrade one had to remove the ID29 card as that doesn't work with the MQA card - but it can be re-used in 861v6 or 861v8.

The analogue outputs are considerably better sounding on the v3 - more detailed, better separation, better timing, more rhythmic, all the usual platitudes etc. - on a wide range of music, including red book CD.

These are initial impressions after just a few days listening. I will report in more detail in a couple of weeks time when everything has bedded in. In this configuration I would not hesitate in recommending the upgrade, even without the future promise of MQA. Not sure these are "technical" answers - just my opinion on the v3 versus the v2.

I have not used the digital outputs so cannot comment on the performance of these at this stage.

Note that there has already been a firmware upgrade on the 818v3 since its launch (and since I recently listened to it at Audio Images).

The firmware upgrade released on Monday is just for the v3 upgrade kits. All 818v3 have that out of the box. So there are no new firmware for production models of 818v3.

"818v3 upgrade kit, the firmware required to accompany the upgraded hardware".
Firmware is 3.93
PerS

What's the number of that 818v3-Upgrade firmware? It's not yet on the website.

My machine is showing 3.93.

I am particularly interested to read some reviews as digital controller for a 2ch. Meridian DSP set up vs. the v2 version. Reading the datasheet makes me think this is particularly a pre-amp upgrade.

Does this upgrade contribute to an even better sound quality of Sooloos FLAC audio files (or Tidal streaming) via ID41?

If anyone knows, what exactly is the MQA function in the v3 when used as controller for DSP's. The datasheet speaks about rendering for analogue, but does it also decodes for non-SE DSP's. Or are non SE DSP plain worthless for true MQA.

I look forward to reviews and write ups of a v3 plus DSP's and some fuctionality explanations as I am not sure what this upgrade would do for me in my set up. Personally not fussed about DSD DoP but would be nice to hear some comments of such files via Sooloos vs PCM both over ID41.

I'm pretty much in the same situation as JaapJan, by the sounds of it.

Fortunately with v3 upgrade kits now available, we shouldn't have to wait long to hear some reviews...

When M spun off what was going to be Sooloos 3.0 into a separate company called Roon, the rationale provided by several HHers was that M could now focus on what it does best: build and sell high end streaming components. The recently launched 818v3 is, as far as I know, the best 2 channel streaming unit M has ever made.

In this thread I see longtime M fans practically begging M to help them justify the expense of an 818v3 upgrade. M's inability to articulate even the most basic value proposition along with the launch of such a fine (and by most reasonable interpretations expensive) product is mind blowing.

Get it together, Meridian.

A fan.

Soundserge

+1.

Cheers

George

+2. Hard to understand really.

Where did you find the datasheet? I see two different old ones on the M site but nothing new. Thanks JimK