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

Hi Brian,

Yes that should work fine, ...with some 218 configuration.

Rick

Yes but I have analog speakers and I can't send a second feed to my speakers. Also going from Stereo MQA on one track to Trifield on the next seems messy to me.

I expect I will have to await a major speaker upgrade and go 2 channel MQA or do nothing for now.

Thinking a little more I find I listen to more non MQA music than MQA and may be better off making the best of non MQA material than chasing the MQA perfection.

With the introduction of more MQA material there may be a tipping point somewhere which forces a re think.

P.S I am an MQA fan.

I am not certain you can use and 818v3, 808v6 or 218 with a Meridian processor and get the full benefits of MQA.. There are some solutions (one addressed on this forum about a phantom source) and I have run SpeakerLink out of my 808v6 into an AC 12.. Then run spidf from AC 12 to 8000SE's.. Not sure if you get the full benefit of unfolding within your SE speakers without a SpeakerLink direct connection though..

I created a thread ages ago MQA with G65.

Can anyone now shed light on how we need to connect this 218?

If it sits between the front L R and the processor, do I need to make either FL or FL my master? I have my centre as my master currently. Do I need to reprogram G65 or HD621?

If it can sit between FL and FR and G65, how do I stop the G65 playing the TV for instance and start using the 218 to transmit to the FL and FR. My knowledge of setting up Meridian equipment is minimal.

Toony,

A couple months ago, Bruce and I detailed how we integrated an MQA source into our multi-channel M systems with DSP speakers to achieve (2-channel) full-fat MQA sound while retaining ability to play multi-channel material. In my case I splurged for an 818v3 but I am assuming the 218 will work similarly. The key component is a (in my case mechanical) RJ45 AB switch (I purchased a Cat-6 compliant unit, model 8086 from Electro Standards Laboratory). Set up involves the following:

1. configure both your multichannel processor and 218 as controller. (Only one will actually be operating at any given time)

2. make one of your main L or R speaker the master

3. run your main L/R speakerlink output from your processor to one of the AB switch inputs and the speakerlink output from the 218 to the other AB switch input. (Wiring from processor to center, sub, & surround speakers doesn't change)

4. Take the speakerlink output from the AB switch and connect it to your front master speaker, then daisy chain from the master to your other front speaker. (You can't do home runs with this set up)

When you want to listen to 2-channel MQA material, put the AB switch in the appropriate orientation, pick the 218 as your source in the iPad app, and play an MQA track. For multichannel, flip the AB switch to the other input and play as you do now.

Its a bit cumbersome, but works fine. There are AB switches that can be controlled electronically that are more elegant.

John

Thanks for clearing that up Chris - I nearly missed that!!

Could you do the following?

Take the speaker out on your processor and plug into analogue in on 218

Take the analogue out of the 218 and plug into your M60s?

218 to M60 = MQA
Processor to 218 to M60s = Surround sound, Trifield, etc.

Cheers
Tom

I'll think on that but it's a bit clunky changing inputs depending on the format of a particular track. SWMBO would never come to terms with it.

There has to be a more elegant solution with processor software perhaps. Or do we have to ditch it all and start again?

Still an MQA fan.

@jedburgh Your 8KSE's deserve an 818!

@Chris a 218 could also feed a good headphone preamp or earspeaker driver unit! Mine is fed by MS200 but consider 218 for full fat MQA on my Staxes.

@Chris, as MQA is 2 ch can't you connect the 218 analogue out to the second input on your M60? I think fulfat MQA is there for you.

Cheers!

Thanks, I see that but it's a cobbled solution exactly opposite to the idea of a processor delivering Movie sound and Music all in one unit that works so elegantly now.

Not really a headphone listener. SWMBO would consider it antisocial.

I'm not sure there will ever be an elegant solution to this and it may mean I eventually just go 2 channel when MQA is more ubiquitous.

Time will tell,
Chris

I thought the 218 had two cat outputs and that pass through was an option? Is this not the case?

Someone mentioned running single cat cable with front l and r from g65 to the 218 input. The 218 then has two outputs. L and R

You can then use as normal but if you turn the 218 to be active it can now do mqa 2 channel?

Processor room correction kills MQA.

I know that. The 218 sits downstream after the processor. Between the processor and the speakers.