Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems ‘Something is coming’ vs 861v4/ID40

Hi all,

The time has come for me to join the Roon clan.
If I want to spend around £ 3.000 to get the best possible Roon sound, what would you do:

1. Buy a used 861v4/ID40/LPSU with balanced analogue outputs (to my G55) to replace my 568.2MM
2. Wait (maybe a pretty long time) for the rumoured ‘Something new is coming’: integrated 218/210?, G65 update with built-in endpoint?, something else?

Please advice & thanks in advance!

Regards,
Bob

Hi Bob

Do you use Tidal and do you want to experience MQA? If so the 861v4 may not be your best option, although you could combine that with a 218 and stay with in budget. This would give you two Roon end points and the pain of switching sources depending on MQA or not.

I would imagine that a new fully blown processor and an MQA compatible streaming card may be over budget. If you're desperate to get into Roon now I would just buy a 218 and wait and see what comes down the line. I imagine the 218 will hold its value quite well over the next 6 - 9 months.

Cheers
Tom

Is your budget for the complete Roon setup namely PC to run the Roon core, Roon licence plus storage on either USB disk or NAS and an endpoint.

Or

Just a good endpoint?

Are you tied to Meridian or looking at other manufacturers options?

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your reply.

I eventually want to use Tidal/ MQA.
For MQA, the connection between 218 and 861v4 would be analogue I think?
Not really a good idea I suppose?

I'm thinking of:
- Roon core on Mac mini
- Wait for MQA first unfold in Roon (should arrive soon?)
- Store music on QNAP
- Use high quality ID40 as endpoint
- Added benefit of better 861v4 film processing vs 568.2MM

So my question really is: do you think the 861v4/LPSU/ID40 will beat G65/MS200 or the next 3.500,- M processor (G65-ish follow-up with MQA integrated?) in 2-channel (MQA) audio?

My budget is for the processor (861v4/ G65/ G65 follow-up) & endpoint.
I will use my Mac mini & QNAP for Roon core and storage.
I really like Meridian, so no other manufacturers for now.

What's your opinion on:
will the 861v4/LPSU/ID40 beat G65/MS200 or the next 3.500,- M processor (G65-ish follow-up with endpoint/MQA integrated?) in 2-channel (MQA) audio?

Hi Bob

I think you would connect the 218 to the G55 and push the 861 left and right channels through the 218. i.e. the 218 would not go into the 861.

Cheers
Tom

A new “something is coming” looking like a G65 with 218 ish built in will surely be out of the 3000 pound/dollars range for sure. The G65 now stands at $10,000 and they surely won’t allow the “low end” G65 to beat the 861v8, so it will surely come in 861 clothing first in the $20,000 range.

Thanks for your reply Fiddler.
What would you buy right now: G65/MS200 or 861v4/LPSU/ID40?

Please remember that the Meridian Prime/PSU combination is great Pre-AMP to drive your G55's in Stereo.
Use Analogue out of your 568.2 MM into the Prime and you are ready to go.
Enjoy!

Hi,

If you've already got a core or store you could simply connect a MS200 to your 568 and wait to see what's happening with new kit. That'll give you access to Sooloos / Roon.

Other options:

1. Connect your 568 and a Reviver, AC12 or DIN to SpeakerLink crossover cable (for comms) to a 218. Connecting a Meridian processor to a 218 has been a bit tricky but I think connecting a 568 shouldn't be too different from connecting a non-SpeakerLink G-series processor (although haven't heard of anyone doing that with a 568 yet).

2. A possibility _ When it's available, add a 251 (more expensive than a 218) and run your L&R speakers directly from it. That would get you MQA output directly to the speakers. You'd still need a Reviver or AC12 for comms with the 568, I think.

When some better option comes out (i.e. something that can act as a source of MQA to go into the G65 (or 861) you could use the 218 or 251 elsewhere/sell it on/trade it in.

Not sure that I agree with Fiddler about the additional cost_ all a G65 needs is a digital MQA source_ adding that should't be too expensive compared to all of the input duplication that the 218 involves.

Given the comment by Niek, you could just add a two way (2 to 1) passive audio switch between your 568 and G55. That would allow you to switch between the 568 (for surround) and another source (e.g. Prime or 218) to use the same power amp for stereo. An old Zektor switch, component video or VGA switcher could do the job.

Brian

Hi Brian

Why wouldn't your put the 218 between the 568 and the amp? Does the 218, ADC - to DAC to ADC to get it back to the G55 or does it pass the analogue signal through?

Cheers
Tom

...and then there’s the emergent Meridian 210 streamer to consider.