Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Is the 861 a dead end?

That is how I see it also.

They seem like they are brilliant engineers. Solid marketeers. But not as good product planners.

I've seen the numbers too. Sobering indeed. Luxury brands seem to be having a tough time in general. It's not clear whether M will receive ongoing royalties from MQA or whether it was a one time IP licensing deal to give the company a cash infusion. Perhaps dividends from MQA will provide M some much needed cash in the future.

Whatever the case may be, it boggles me that M is playing childish marketing games on twitter and facebook while there's a known, loyal (increasingly less so, I suspect) fan base on this forum clamoring for information.

Soundserge

What does the M sales rep say when a customer asks for the best MQA solution? The sales rep says " the DSP8000SE and a 818v3 or 808v6". If the customer preference is analog amps and speakers then the Ultra DAC would be appropriate.

I honestly cannot fathom the notion that a new technology like MQA has to benefit the customer sitting on 20 year old gear in the same way it does the one who bought the most recent gear. At least in terms of MQA, everyone benefits to some degree so we all win. What part about 4k HDR benefits anyone who bought a TV over the years before its introduction?

MQA has so far always been presented as a two channel format. So you currently can't play it to its fullest potential on a multichannel Meridian processor, but when you play it at the level that the kit can play it at, it still sounds better than most anything else out there. So you can't play it in Trifield and undo the goodness that has been done. If your speakers are set up correctly and are imaging as they should, it seems for the most part that Trifield is on anyway.


I hear you, and agree that it is a shame that Meridian has not produced a modern processor that decodes all the current HD codecs but the G65 and 861 still do what they do better than most anything else out there.

Yes Meridian does not share info about their new products well before they are close to production. How many companies have been burned by lengthy product introduction delays?

As for the notion that they don't care about this forum and its content that is so wrong on many levels. While they are not posting much it is read and digested daily, trust in that.

Meridian on a global scale is a very small company with a limited R&D budget and staff. You can bet that they are doing everything in their power to keep the company viable as all their jobs depend upon it.

Lastly, enjoy the music and movies. You have great equipment. New products will come in due time. Keep in mind in the last year the Ultra DAC was introduced, just before that the SE speaker, 818 and 808 upgrades, very soon we will have the 857, 258, and 218. All these products took resources to engineer and produce.

Not forgetting that a lot of kit is hand made in house. Still quite spectacular how much effort goes into each DSP speaker for example.

Kind regards
David

+1 Well said

Excellent and valid points. I can only agree. Its reasonable that there is understanding- on both sides of the equation (customer and manufacturer).

Btw- no complaints on how my equipment works- its fantastic! It was just frustrating, in my case, to end up in between two systems but that is not all attributable to one side- and I count myself as one of three players in that.

If my tone seems harsh, know that it comes from a frustrated fan that's rooting for Meridian. I want Meridian to be successful and I want their employees to keep their jobs. Not in the least because I'm already invested in Meridian and I'm still entertaining the idea of SE DSPs. I'm not even referring to the dearth of information about yet-to-be announced products as I'm not interested in anything beyond 2 channel audio. I look at threads like these and I'm baffled by Meridian's seeming stubborn unwillingness to close what I see as leads by providing clarity about already announced products and how they work together.

Maybe customer experiences are better on the other side of the pond. Maybe I've been unlucky. In the last three years I've tried to reach a local PP. First enlisting a Meridian North America executive and later by sending two emails and leaving two voicemails. I was never invited to his store. I gave up on that one. The PP I work with now is very helpful and knowledgable.

Many thanks for your detailed and helpful post. You have confirmed what I suspected. I shall be interested to hear what you make of the performance when you have had a chance to get beyond first impressions.

?

Just think about the "launch" of the 857!

I see 2017 as a critical year for us 861 owners. If nothing materialises on either MQA or 3D-audio fronts, it will be a clear indication that it's time to move on.

Yes, I enjoy music and my M products. It is not about that. It is not about M saying MQA is a 2 channel solution, either.

It is about M not informing about what whether or their key technology will or will not be able to integrate into current products (861, G)

It is about M launching the ultimate MQA solution outside their product ecosystem.

It is about clarifying product features, like 218.

It is about M financial situation.


All this raises questions. When buying M products you embrace the M ecosystem. It is not just an amp or a set of speakers. So, I am highly interested in M strategy as well well as their success. I really hope that M get their act together, I put my money on it.


/ Frode

The resulting price tags are quite spectacular too!