Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Meridian Prime + PSU - upstream and downstream

I collect my Meridian Prime & PSU tomorrow - looks like they have jumped the 218 in the manufacturing queue.

But don't have any decent kit to connect upstream and downstream of it, ie source and headphones/amp/speakers so looking for recommendations and comments on compatibility with Prime - recent posts have highlighted that some headphones pair with some sources better than others.

I have three possible scenarios that I want to consider.

• Lounge - where family may be around
• Office - where it will be just me
• Bedroom - me listening with wife reading

I suspect that im not going to be able to cover all bases, but I may be able to with inclusion of Explorer.

I currently watch TV in bedroom with openbacked headphones. I don't get any comments but I am mindful of volume I listen at - I suspect with music, im going to want to listen at a bit higher volume, but unlikely to be overly loud. Never listened to specific difference between open/close back - up until now, headphones have been headphones and the only difference was on or in ear.

So I am looking please for suggestions for good headphones to partner Prime, which will possibly have a different bias compared with Explorer/Explorer 2. I am also mindful of frequency response for use with MQA as iirc that someone said that MQA benefitted from headphones with higher frequency response.

Im already making a shortlist of items to audition.

• Sennheiser HD800 and HD800S. Possibly 600.
• Grado GS1000e - I think at Explorer launch at Oxford, I tried these and lesser Grado and could hear the benefit of more expensive unit but wasn't then in market for any.
• Oppo PM1/PM3 - PM2?
• Shure seems to have a good following, but im not familiar with the models
• I would have shortlisted Stax, but having to have an energiser ergonomically and probably price wise excludes them. Different if I was using an 8x8 as preamp.
• Not keen on in ear, but todays post mentioning Shure 425/846 has piqued my interest - former as stop gap that will ultimately be used at work.

Source wise, initially its likely to be analogue out of my MC200 although I need to rummage down the cable box to see if I still have any interconnect that will do things justice. Suggestions for budget interconnect helpful. Shame that USB on MC200 is not enabled as that would have been perfect.

Longer term I was thinking on move to Roon so a NUC and Rock. But, short term I was thinking of a tablet/phone that could run Tidal and give MQA out plus still run from power. ATM, looks like iPhone app won't do MQA compliant output although I suspect that I may well end up buying an Apple USB connector kit with what looks to have an extra charge socket? But intreagued if an inexpensive Android tablet may well do the trick - not interested in phone functionality. In office, I have a MBP for Tidal, but no comfy chair at present - needs a declutter.

At some point, it may be nice to utilise the Prime output into power amp/active small speakers.

Prime and headphones are for long term keeps.

Comments from long term users only only please. I'm acutely aware how listening changes over a period of time and what initially thrills/disappoints may change over extended listening periods. My concern when I go to audition and a sales person may be pressing for a sale at first listening.