Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Streaming Meridian 218 Zone Controller Announced!

Martins has it for sale on their website.

It's been on there for months, it's just a pre-order.

Now would be a good time for some news!

February last I heard. UPNP held things up a bit.

Thanks Bruce !!

Hi Rick,

Any news on the final specs of the new 218? I have a few questions for those of us who use multi channel Meridian processors with analogue amps and speakers.

(It looks that the unit will be connected via LAN and can be used as an end point similar to MS200. Sooloos system will recognize it as another Meridian endpoint but with MQA capability).

1. I assume (that SpeakerLink and Digital Aux Output will be the "MQA outputs").

2. MQA files are 2 channel at the moment, so what is the best way to listen to them in a 5 channel Meridian system? Using "Direct" preset with no additional processing?

3. Can we link the analogue and the digital output together in order to feed 2 systems? (I guess that the config app will answer that).

4. Is the 218 a ONE ZONE endpoint or it can be configured as a THREE ZONE endpoint. (One zone analoque output, One zone Digital Output and One Zone SpeakerLink Output)

5. So for a connection to a G61, G65 it looks a straight connection of 218's Digital Aux Output to a Digital input of the processor.

6. For connection to 861v4, v6? Is there any new 861 card in the pipeline that will decode MQA or the only way to get MQA to old 861's will be to connect a 218 to another digital input of the 861?

Regards
George

Hi George,

I've answered your post via email

Rick

It would be even more helpful if you could answer it publicly.

Yes, please... public responses would be helpful.

John

As someone with an AC200 and MS200, I am interested in whether the 218 can replace both of these or just the MS200.

As a replacement for the MS200 solely it seems a over specified with multiple inputs and outputs.

However when I try to think about how it might work as a replacement for my Ac200 and MS200 combined I am left wondering:

1) How I can control sources, settings and volume? My ac200 has a physical interface and remote control. Presume the easiest way would be to use my phone/iPad to access some web control page - can any one confirm?

2)What settings can be controlled via the 218? Can I control Sources, volume, tone controls and boundary settings of my 3200s?

3) If I cant easily replace the ac200 can I continue to use the ac200 as the audio controller with the 218

Anyone know the answers to these questions?

Tony

Tony,

The 218 does have inputs, just not as many as the AC200. A lot of AV products have optical digital outs, just one more optical input on the 218 and I would have happily swapped my AC200 + MS200 for one. I do have a C02 somewhere that would do the job for me but I'd prefer to be reducing the number of boxes in my sitting room.

Also do we know what power supply the 218 has inside? I presume it's not linear.

The 218 sort of seems too good to be true. While I don't know for sure, I cannot imagine that each input could be for different outputs.

The following is what I know...

The 218 will render MQA to its Analogue outputs, you'll only get digital MQA from it when using DSP speakers as they have MHR encryption. (MHR.... boo!)

You can run it from Roon or Sooloos, and set Analogue output for variable, so run it straight to a power amp.

These are the only things that matter to me. In a perfect world, I would want a balanced analog outputs, but will take what I am get. I will assume the internal d/a is as good as their explorer 2, which gets good reviews. So ok with analog outputs into amp.

Seems like a relative bargain in my mind. Seems impossible that M won't come out with consumer version with volume control and switch.