Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Sound Quality QNAP vs MC200, and cables!

I've recently upgraded my DSP8k's to SE and bought the 818v3 to replace my 861v4. The sound is fantastic. I expected to only use it for Tidal but after listening to some high resolution music on an MC200 I'm hooked! But now I have a few questions.

1. The QNAP solution looks a lot cheaper for more storage. I can get 4 TB for a third of the price of the MC200. Is sound quality comparable? Don't quite understand the advantages of the MC200 and why it exists.

2. I would connect the Internet router to a switch and then connect the 818v3 and the MC200/QNAP to the switch using RJE cables. Has anyone noticed any differences in sound quality depending on switch quality or cables?

I have been recommended the audio quest diamond RJE which are about $25 an inch in order to minimise noise. But I can't help thinking that most Tidal noise will come from my internet connection, and then having these from the high res source to the switch and switch to 818v3 most noise will come from the switch.

The MC200 is an all in one Sooloos device. Core, Storage and Audio Endpoint.

If you fit the Sooloos Core and Storage on a QNAP, you still need an audio endpoint.

The MC200 is the lowest quality Sooloos audio endpoint in the Meridian world.

Chris

As Chris says. Remember historically, QNAP is a recent solution. Prior to that, Sooloos was a totally closed system (including hardware) that for most was plug and play.

As for cables. What noise are you talking about? Do you have any evidence that you suffer from noise? Remember, the signal is not audio, it is digital data, just like ever other data type, pictures, documents etc. that shares the same path. Do you see noise with that data, why do you think audio is any different?

Some people have tried different power supplies, some have tried isolation transformers. Most don't bother and just use stock correctly specified, designed and build cables. Some that have tried different solutions and removed them, some still believe in them.

A few years back I challenged anyone to show scientifically verifiable proof that these cables worked - just one bit of proof, not much to ask. I'm still waiting.

As Ian says, this is data and I personally would take cables as the very last upgrade, if at all.
The audio endpoint is the thing that matters for sound quality and in your system I would buy Meridiians best.
The MC 200 would be an audio endpoint in another less critical zone if needed.
The Qnap would run core and storage and have no effect on sound quality.

You could also look into Roon software as this also streams to Meridian audio endpoints.

Chris

Chaps>
Not quite sure we're using the right terminology here.
The MC200 is the storage unit, media server AND end-point.

To get music from a Sooloos system, you need all three. As the OP has an 818, that's his end point.

So for the OP, the MC200 is acting as storage and server, both of which are needed.

OP>
A few options:

- Use just the MC200, as a server and storage, which isn't cheap for it's storage level. Having said that, I've previously own one and found it VERY reliable and user friendly.

- Use the MC200 as a server and host some/all of your music on a NAS connected to the MC200. I got the impression that Sooloos will accept a variety of NAS, as for storage, there isn't much in the way of hardware requirements.

- Use one of the newer/better NAS. I believe that some of the QNAP units might be able to act as both storage and server (please correct me if I'm wrong on that).

- Switch from Sooloos to Roon, which would need it's own dedicated server (typically a PC or Mac). Roon can be hosted on one of the more powerful NAS (think it needs an Intel i5 chip or similar).

Personally I'd suggest you look at Roon for your software, it is more user friendly than Sooloos.

With regards to cables, go for a good CAT7 cable, or maybe Meridian's own SpeakerLink cables (also pricey), there is no reason at all to buy these ridiculously priced cables (it's fraud in my opinion)... the only important thing is that the cable is shielded (STP) and plugs have a reasonable quality...

BTW, I use QNAP plugin on a HS-251 connected via router to MS200 that feeds DSP8000USE directly - sounds amazing - have not tried MC200...

The NAS must be an Intel powered QNAP. Both Core and Storage are support now by the Sooloos package.

The NAS must be an Intel powered QNAP. Both Core and Storage are support now by the Sooloos package.

Intel i3 with 6GB RAM or higher. (personally I go with an i5).

Agreed, Roon is licenced to support the Meridan/Sooloos network protocol.

Boy unless something has changed significantly in the past several months Roon is definitely not as user friendly as a MC200 and iPad. Roon is far more powerful which makes simple tasks like selecting a album to play not as intuitive as Sooloos. I understand that I will probably never see Sooloos get the small update it needs, but I prefer a integrated solution to Roon's vision of how one stores then searches for music.

My experiance is that Roon is just as easy as Sooloos.
If you want somthing specific, just type it in. What could be easier? Once you have a big library you will never have it all on the opening page.

Then you have the discover that throws up options to explore.

Then you can tag things as you wish them.

Thoughts, Chris

I notice the HS-521 is marketed as being silent. Is it truly silent? One of the things making me hesitant about a NAS vs the MC200 is the noise as I will have to put it in the listening room.

The HS-251 is totally silent when used with SDD drives. Problem is that you cannot upgrade RAM which limits it to 2GB, possibly not enough for running the QNAP plug-in without crashing.

This far I have not had issues, everything runs fine, but I have imported less than 50 highres albums, I may be facing issues later...

You don't have to have a NAS in the listening room.