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

I have now used my 218 for a couple of weeks and I can now say why use the 218 if you have an 861+ID41 or MS600 as endpoints.

To get an improved SQ I'm sure that you must have at least an 818. Maybe I can use the 218 as endpoint connected to my AD88.

A modern day 562?

Herman. Would you say it's pointless to buy a 218 even for MQAmaterial over an 861 with ID40?

MQA will not come out the other end. There is no pass through feature on an 861.

@Mtns
I think Bee is referring to comparing playing a file streamed from Roon through an ID40/ID41 into & then out of an 861, to the same file streamed through the 218, MQA decoded, with the 861 bypassed completely.

The 218 needs better connectivity to be a modern day 562.

I have two sources with mine (media player and TV) but I still need an optical to coax converter added where my AC200 was because the 218 only has one optical input.

I had earlier an ID40 in my 861 and I am sure that the ID40 was much better than MS600. I can not be sure but I think that the ID40 is a better choice compared to 218.

Toony - you seem to have little luck getting your specific questions answered on HH so how about approaching your Meridian dealer and asking them to set your system up with the 218 if that's what you want.

Up and running with my 218 sitting in the middle of my 7.1 system!

Got my 218 late Monday afternoon, only got round to trying to hook it all up this morning.

Inserted the 218 between the 861 SL master Front output and the front left speaker - i.e. 861 Front master output -> 218 SL input, 218 SL output -> Front left speaker SL input.

Changed all the sources on the 218 setup program (e.g. Radio, TV etc) to use the SL input, except for SLS which I left as default (i.e. Sooloos).

Used my iPad Sooloos app to select Tidal favourite MQA albums from streaming via the 218 into my 7200SE's, displays correctly showed e.g. 192K MQA for Roberta Flack.

All worked perfectly UNTIL I tried to move away SLS to another source which would be handled in entirety by the 861. Bad News, I ONLY got front Left and Right speakers (as per the previous MQA running), rather than the appropriate Multi channel DSP outputs. The other speakers were clearly not aware that they were supposed to be back in action.

Tried loads of different things with no luck. Then it was suggested that I insert a BNC comms cable between my Left speaker (BNC output) to one of the non front speakers. Easiest option for me was to connect the Front left to my centre speaker. Everything now works perfectly.

It's clunky behind the scenes of course, but nobody sees that, the BNC cable can remain there for ever as far as I am concerned. Thank goodness for legacy connectors on M kit!Perhaps in due course there will be a firmware fix to solve this properly?

So Toony, although you were asking about incorporating a 218 in an all SL 5.1 system with a G65, the major difference between that and my system is just the 861 processor. You too will hopefully be able seamlessly switch between MQA and multichannel.

Hi Tartan

That's good news. Would you mind doing some tests for me?

Would you let me know if the volume works via the app and also if you can use the MSR without any issue to change source and volume?
Also can you let me know if you re typed your speakers at any point

Thanks
Tom

Gret report, thanks.

One more question: What unit(s) do you have setup as controller?

Thanks.

John

Thanks, TartanB
Does the Type for the speaker matter? Should it be 1 or 6 in this setup?

I see that FedEx will deliver tomorrow and would like to try a similar setup... this is going to be a great weekend...