Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems New: Meridian Ultra DAC

Not that I could possibly afford it, but what is the price of the new Meridian Ultra DAC?

USD $23,000!

£15,000.00

Cheers,
Ian.

Can Ian explain how the upsampling works on Red Book CD? Does it upsample to the full capability of the DAC (ie to DXD)? Is the upsampling regime adjustable by the user? (eg for those that prefer upsampling to DSD).

Any further information on the independent clock card?

Any dealers have one on demonstration yet?

Hi Ian,

Not sure if you have had a demo of the new DAC, but in what will this be appreciably superior to my 808v5 (soon to be upgraded to v6) and DSP7200SE?

Or is it mainly aimed at non Meridian owners as simply a high end DAC? Which doesn't explain why it has the SpeakerLink connections!?

Thanks, Nav

I think so. I suspect that this may also point the way for the *next* round of 8x8 upgrades on the digital processing side.

The provision of a SpeakerLink *input* is a little weird, but probably just to ensure full compatibility with other Meridian kit, either current or future.

I think the SpeakerLink connections are logical - it would be strange not to provide the best connection method for the top Meridian transport (ie the 808v6). Logically one would expect this DAC to outperform the 808v6 and the 818v3 by a good margin - otherwise what is the point of the DAC at this price point? I can't see any point in connecting the 818v3 to the Ultra.

Perhaps Ian can comment on how this DAC compares with dCS Rossini - its very clear competitor.

Meridian indicate in their documentation that the SpeakerLink input can be utilised with the HD621.
Stuart

Can you provide a link to that information?

The HD621 doesn't have a SpeakerLink out (the only current model to have only legacy connections, I think), so it appears to be nonsense.

The HD621 does have MMHR, maybe that can be used to somehow to get 2 channel differential digital audio from it and into the Ultra DAC via RJ45.

If not then it would be back to using the Coax connection.

Do we know what this new DAC brings to the party.

From a functional perspective, appears to be a simplified 818v3, without the analogue inputs.

So what under the bonnet changes have been brought in to justify nearly doubling the price? I assume there's some genuine Meridian magic in there, but do we know what?

One a side note, I'm hoping that lot's of existing 818 owners will be upgrading to one, as I'll be looking for an 818v1 soon...

For one, user selectable upsampling filters. Short, medium, and long.